Directors

Mr. Raymond is currently in his eighth year as a Director at Wayne County High School. He is originally from Gulfport, MS, and is a product of the band program at Harrison Central High School. He received his Bachelor's in Music Education degree from Delta State University in 2010 and a Master's Degree in Music Education from William Carey University in 2020. Mr. Raymond spent the first three years of his career teaching in Hinds County at Byram Middle School. He has served as a guest clinician at several honor band clinics across the state of Mississippi. He is a member of the National Band Association, the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, and Mississippi Professional Educators.

Mr. Raymond spent several years as a performer in Drum Corps International where he marched with Capital Regiment from Columbus, OH in 2006 and served as the drum major for the Blue Stars from LaCrosse, WI from 2007-2009. He has been on staff with multiple drum corps since 2009 including Teal Sound, Blue Stars, Carolina Crown, and Southwind. Mr. Raymond is also a member of the United States Army, Mississippi Army National Guard as a trombone player for the 41st Army Band where he has received the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He is an avid runner and has completed over 75 marathons across the U.S. and a 100-mile ultramarathon.

Mr. Raymond and his wife, Brooklyn, are the proud parent of twins, Jackson and Callie Raymond.

Ms. Elizabeth Long attended Northeast Mississippi Community College and Delta State University. While at Delta State she served as colorguard captain, performed in various music ensembles including the university flute choir and was an active member of the Gamma Zeta chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon music fraternity, serving as the chapter’s treasurer and president.

Upon graduation from Delta State Ms. Long spent three years in Quitman, MS as the junior high band director and assistant high school band director. While in Quitman, she orchestrated the growth of the junior high program from 80 members in grades 6-8 to 200 members and her junior high bands received numerous superior ratings in both concert and sight reading. She started the first Quitman High School indoor colorguard which earned a tenth place finish in their first state indoor championships in 2019.

Ms. Long is a member of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association and the Southeast Mississippi Band Director’s Association. In her few moments of free time she enjoys walking, reading and hanging out with her dog Maverick.

Ms. Nichols is a native of Amory, MS and is entering her third year teaching music professionally. She earned her Associate of Arts degree at Itawamba Community College and Bachelor of Music from the University of Mississippi. Sarah has performed with ICC’s All-American Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Steel Band, as well as the University of Mississippi’s Wind Ensemble, Mississippian’s Jazz Band, The Pride of the South Marching Band, Trumpet Ensemble and summer Community Band.

Performing on trumpet, she marched with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps out of Charlotte, NC 2013-2014. Winning the Drum Corps International World Championship in 2013. In 2016, she performed in Mix It Up! at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Recently, Ms. Nichols joined the Mississippi Army National Guard as a member of the 41st Army Band.

Andy Pierce has been a Mississippi band director for the past 32 years. He began his teaching career in Brandon where he taught for 10 years, followed by 16 as Director of Bands for the Wayne County Schools and most recently he served as Director of Bands in Quitman, MS.

Through the years his bands have earned numerous awards, superior ratings and best in class honors in marching and concert evaluations in Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Florida, Virginia, South Carolina and Missouri. His Brandon HS Band was the Mississippi representative at the National 4th of July Parade in Washington D.C. that welcomed back troops at the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm.

Mr. Pierce is a member of Phi Beta Mu, band directors fraternity; the Mississippi Bandmasters Association serving the past several years as chairman of the 4A music selection committee and is a member of the Southeast Mississippi Band Directors Association where he has served as President twice, been named Outstanding HS Director twice and is a member of the association’s Hall of Fame. He is also a former member of the Capitol District band Directors Association, serving twice as President. In 2012, he was named as the assistant concert band director for the Mississippi Lion’s All-State Band. He has been named Teacher of the Year at Brandon, Wayne County and Quitman high schools and STAR Teacher at Wayne County High School. Mr. Pierce has been a guest conductor/clinician at several band clinics in Mississippi and Alabama.

Mr. Pierce is a former member of the Memphis Blues Brass Band drum and bugle corps where he played trumpet. He has also spent two years with Southwind drum and bugle corps as member of the visual staff. He is currently a member of the Mississippi chapter of Bugles Across America providing Taps at graveside services for military veterans. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mississippi and his Master’s Degree from William Carey University.

In his free time, Mr. Pierce likes to take long walks, watch old movies and cook for his wife Mary and their two dogs, Louie and Beanie.

Mr. Austin White attended Northeast Mississippi Community College and Delta State University. While at Delta State he served as colorguard captain, performed in various music ensembles including the university flute choir and was an active member of the Theta Upsilon chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, serving as the chapter’s treasurer and president.

Upon graduation from Delta State Mr. White spent three years in Quitman, MS as the junior high band director and assistant high school band director. While in Quitman, he orchestrated the growth of the junior high program from 80 members in grades 6-8 to 200 members and his junior high bands received numerous superior ratings in both concert and sight reading. He started the first Quitman High School indoor colorguard which earned a tenth place finish in their first state indoor championships in 2019.

Mr. White is a member of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association and the Southeast Mississippi Band Director’s Association. In her few moments of free time he enjoys walking, reading and hanging out with his dog Maverick.