About WSHS Bands

West Stokes is proud to offer two band classes during the school day: wind ensemble and symphonic band. In addition to these two classes, our band program offers a 100% extracurricular marching band and a 100% extracurricular jazz ensemble. Navigate to the subpages under this page to learn more about each ensemble. 

To be in band classes at West Stokes, students need only register for them.  To be in Wind Ensemble, students must prepare the prescribed audition materials and complete an audition before registering. Being in band class does not interfere with after school sports and clubs. 

About the Band Director - Mr. Will Nichols

Will Nichols joined the West Stokes teaching Staff in fall of 2022. He is a 2022 graduate of UNC Greensboro and holds a bachelor’s of music in music education with a k-12 instrumental music concentration.  Mr. Nichols has always wanted to teach in rural North Carolina and teaching at West Stokes allows him to follow that dream. In addition to being the band director at West Stokes, he also has obligations in the 208th Army Reserve Band in Concord, NC. He is a saxophonist for the 208th and has, at minimum, at least one weekend-long commitment in Concord, NC every month, as well as a 14-day-minimum commitment in the summer months every year

Mr. Nichols is currently a member of the Northwest District North Carolina Bandmasters Association (NCBA), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). He is also a member of the National Band Association (NBA). 

Mr. Nichols is a Surry County local who graduated from East Surry High School in 2018, grew up in the Pilot Mountain area, and currently lives with his wife Katie and three dogs Maddie, Molly, and Maggie just outside of Pilot Mountain. He also prefers pancakes to waffles, but only if they are made with duck eggs.