Marching Band Staff

Assistant Director 

Joe Cofer 

Mr. Cofer is entering his 3rd year as St. Stephens Assistant Band director.  He graduated from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, Winchester, VA in 1979 with a B.M.E. degree. He taught high school band in Northern Virginia from 1979-82.  Mr. Cofer taught band and chorus at St. Stephens High School 1982-86, in Hickory, NC. He left teaching to work in the private sector. Returning to band directing, in 1999, he became director at North Gaston HS in Dallas, NC for 5 years. He retired, after 16 years, as an elementary music teacher at Gardner Park Elementary in Gaston County, NC.  Mr. Cofer had served  Forestview High School as an Assistant Director, and was on the staff with the Franklin, NC high school band for nearly 20 years. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Fraternity. 

Colorguard Instructor 

Erin Bixby

Woodwind Instructor 

Keely Elmore 

Keely Elmore is  a junior music education major at Appalachian State University and is am part of the marching band and winter guard there. Her primary instrument is flute and she has. been playing for around 10 years . Keely is excited to continue her work with the SSHS Marching Band

Percussion Instructor 

Jacob Leonard

Jacob is excited to join the St. Stephens high school marching band as the percussion instructor for his second year. He loves teaching and enabling students to learn and explore percussion. Jacob has played percussion for a little over a decade and spent some time in college further refining his instrument. In his off time he enjoys playing games, chopping out on a practice pad, and going on hikes