The Director

R. Timothy McCoy is the Director of Instrumental Ensembles at South Garner High School. Mr. McCoy is married to his wife of 33 years, Mary, and has two daughters, Rachel and Tamara (a 12th grader at South Garner High School this year). 

 He has been teaching for over 30 years in West Virginia and North Carolina. Mr. McCoy graduated from West Liberty State College in West Virginia with a B.A. in education, Music Emphasis. While at West Liberty he performed with the West Liberty bands including, the marching, jazz, concert and percussion ensembles. But by far his favorite ensemble is the Steel Drum ensemble. Under the direction of Mr. Mark R. Williams, the West Liberty Steel Drum band traveled all over the Eastern United States. 

Mr. McCoy began his teaching career in Oak Hill, West Virginia, where he rebuilt a downtrodden and over matched band to one of the top 10 in the state of West Virginia. The band grew in size to over 100 members even though the school went from 1200 to 600 in his time there. They won first place in class numerous times as well as in percussion, color guard, drum major and other categories. They also had a very active Jazz program, percussion ensemble named KaTharp!, and concert programs.

In 2004, Mr. McCoy took the position at New Hanover High School in Wilmington, NC. This was another program that was down and out. In just three years, the band grew to 100 members and began to place in marching competitions. In 2006, they won first place for the first time in 20 years. In 2012 they won the first Grand Championship in school history and followed it up the next year with another one. While at this position, the band also developed a huge jazz program, producing two 19 piece jazz big bands. In 2011, He realized a dream and purchased his own Steel Drum band. This group also became one of the premiere groups in southeastern North Carolina. The band program performed over 100 times a year for the last 6 years Mr. McCoy was there. 

In 2010 Mr. McCoy was elected as the Teacher of the Year for New Hanover High School.

In 2015, he was named the Arts Supervisor of New Hanover County Schools. For two years he lead the entire arts program of New Hanover County Schools. During his time there, he worked to improve the overall programs of the county. But this was not his purpose, so he went back in to teaching at Asheville High School in 2017-2018. While there he used his experience to help the band gain a place in the school that it had let fall behind. The band became a part of the school community again.

In 2018, Mr. McCoy took the position as Director of Bands and Orchestras at South Garner. From the original 21 band students, the band has now grown to 60 plus musicians and Color Guard. The orchestra had 8 students who had actual experience on their instrument. 2019 was the first year for marching band and the growth of the organization was amazing. These students went from knowing nothing to scoring a 58 at competition and finishing 12 out of 16 groups. Amazing for a first year school at their first competition.  In 2021 the band garnered first place in class in every category at the Stallion Classic at South Columbus High School. The Orchestra's musical growth has been noted by admin and teachers throughout SGHS. From the initial 8 students who actually played to the current number has been exciting. These students have worked diligently to become good musicians. 

Mr. McCoy was elected Teacher of the Year in 2020 for South Garner High School. He also served through 2021. 

Mr. McCoy is a professional musician, having traveled to 21 states and 2 countries. He plays percussion, piano, bass and acoustic guitar. He has performed on numerous recordings, and his group Under Authority has recorded two albums in Nashville, Tennessee. He currently plays drumset, keyboard or bass for his Church, and freelances for jazz gigs throughout the Raleigh area. He has also performed in over 80 professional musicals in Wilmington, NC. Musicals include, Les Miserables, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Oklahoma and many others. He has also musically directed several musicals.

Mr. McCoy's Family.