About the Directors

Mr. Rocky Long is the Band Director for the West Plains R-VII Schools in West Plains, Missouri. His duties include the supervision of all instrumental music for the district. Mr. Long’s teaching responsibilities include the Zizzer Pride Marching Band, High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Concert Bands, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Middle School Beginning Band, and he assist with the Middle School Intermediate and Advanced Bands.

Under his direction the West Plains bands have attained exemplary ratings earning First Division ratings every year. The high school jazz band has performed for the Walt Disney World Magic Music Day Festival in Orlando, Florida in 2005 and 2010. Mr. Long showcased the Zizzer Pride Band with performances in Washington D.C. sponsored by the National Park Service. In 2008 and 2016 the band performed at the Lincoln Memorial, and in 2012 they had the honor of performing at the World War II Memorial.

Mr. Long was recognized in 2016 as the Educator of the Year by the West Plains Chamber of Commerce. In addition he has been selected as a finalist for the West Plains R-VII Teacher of the Year on numerous occasions. The national trade publication School Band & Orchestra selected Mr. Long in 2014 as one of 50 Music Teachers (one from each state) that was highlighted in an article titled "50 Directors that Make A Difference." Mr. Long has also been recognized by his colleagues of the South Central District as a recipient of the John East Spirit of Orpheous Mentorship Award.

Mr. Long has served as an elected officer for the South Central District of the Missouri Music Educators Association as High School Band Vice-President from 2006 to 2010, and also as the District President from 2012-2014. Mr. Long also held a position on the Missouri Music Educators Board of Directors from 2012-2014 as well. Mr. Long founded the West Plains Community Band in 2006, and in 2010 this ensemble expanded to include the Missouri State University-West Plains Community Band. He has also served as a clinician and adjudicator for band festivals and workshops in Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

Prior to West Plains, Mr. Long was the Band Director at Glendale High School in Springfield, Missouri. His most notable achievement was recognition in 2001 by the Grammy Foundation of America naming Glendale High School as a Grammy Signature School for Music – one of only fifty schools selected in the United States. Additional teaching positions include Assistant Band Director at Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Missouri, Teaching Assistant at Ramey Junior High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and a Graduate Teaching position at Missouri State University-Springfield.

Mr. Long received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and a Masters of Music Degree in Instrumental Conducting from Missouri State University in Springfield. He served as Assistant Drum Major of the Razorback Marching Band for three years, and has studied privately with Dr. Belva Prather, Mr. Robert Bright, Mr. Wiff Rudd, and Mr. Eldon Janzen. His major instrument is the trumpet. Mr. Long has personally performed at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, New York. Mr. Long’s professional affiliations include: National Association for Music Education, Missouri Music Educators Association, Missouri Bandmasters Association, Missouri State Teachers Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the International Honorary Band Fraternity Phi Beta Mu. He currently holds teaching certificates for Missouri and Arkansas.

Melody Alford currently teaches 6th-12th grade Band at West Plains R-7 schools. Her classroom (the Band room) is located in the HS building. Her duties include the Zizzer Pride Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, High School Varsity Band and Jr. Varsity Bands, as well as Middle School Beginning Band, Intermediate Band and Advanced Band.

Under her direction the West Plains Bands have earned exemplary First Division ratings every year as well as participated in District Honor Bands each year.

Melody Alford has taught middle school and high school Band in Iowa and Missouri for 18 years. Miss Alford earned her B.S. Education and M.S. Education degrees in Instrumental Music at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO. Miss Alford's main instrument is the saxophone (alto mainly, but tenor too) and has enjoyed playing in several community bands and jazz bands for many years throughout Iowa and Missouri, and even performed in featured ensembles (bands) at the Missouri All-State teacher's conference twice. Miss Alford has judged Jr. High Solo & Ensemble contests as well as taught summer music camps for several years in northwest Missouri before coming to West Plains. Miss Alford is an alumni member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Sigma Alpha Iota and is currently a member of NAfME.

Miss Alford studied music education and conducting as well as playing in the Northwest Wind Symphony and Symphonic Bands under Mr. Alfred E. Sergel III, studied Saxophone under Dr. Chris Gibson, and performed in the Northwest Jazz Ensemble under Dr. John Entzi while at Northwest Missouri State University. She also conducted all of the university bands while at Northwest during her graduate studies.

The best way to contact Miss Alford is to email her at melody.alford@zizzers.org. You may also call the Band office at 417-256-6150 ext. 4315. You can leave a message on our voicemail and we can call you back. The best time to talk to us is during our planning period during the 9:00am hour.