Joshua Watford-Band Director
Joshua Watford has been teaching band for 11 years and is in his fourth year at New Hampstead K-8. Prior to coming to New Hampstead K-8, he served as the Band Director at Spalding High School in Griffin, Ga. In Mr. Watford's time as director at Spalding High School, bands consistently earned excellent and superior ratings at marching festivals and Large Group Performance Evaluation. His students have been selected to GMEA District Honor Band, GMEA All State Band, Interlochen School of the Arts, Manhattan School of Music, and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Before his time at Spalding High School, Mr. Watford was the band and chorus director for a year at Kennedy Road Middle School in Griffin, Ga, and he started his career as the Band Director at Screven County Middle School in Sylvania, Ga.
Mr. Watford graduated with his Master's of Music Education from the University of Georgia in 2022. He received his Bachelor's of Music Education from Valdosta State University. Mr. Watford is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Valdosta State University. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, International Trombone Association, National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education. He lives in Savannah with his wife and puppy.
To teach music by its actual performance
To develop performance skills on the various wind and percussion instruments
To provide for the musical needs of the school and the community
To develop discrimination with regard to the selection of music
To acquaint the students with music theory/history and how history and musical composition relate to students’ lives and musical experiences.
To provide all students with the opportunity for worthy use of their time, a means for self-expression, and a healthy social experience.
To develop the ability to function as a responsible member of a group, enhance interaction, and develop esprit de corps
To foster leadership skills within each student
New Hampstead K-8 is the only K-8 school in the Savannah Chatham County Public School System that serves as a feeder school for a traditional high school. New Hampstead High School sits just across a small bridge on the same campus as New Hampstead K-8. Students who join the band at New Hampstead K-8 have a unique opportunity to be in band for 5 years before entering a high school setting that works closely with their current middle school program. It is our mission to create a comprehensive K-12 music education for all interested students.