Kenneth L. Carrico III

Director of Bands

Kenneth L. Carrico III was born in Chicago, IL. He attended school in East Tennessee where he studied under Lafe Cook, Allen Joanis, Dr. Christian Zembower, and Dr. Rande Sanderbeck. He also studied under Matt Savage, Chris Young, Bill Bachman, Paul Rennick, Kurry Seymour, Dr. Eric Willie and Shane Gwaltney during his time marching drum corps. He marched two years with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (1998, 1999) and one year with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (2001). He also marched one year with the 8-time WGI Independent World gold medalists, Music City Mystique (2003). He went on to teach the percussion section for Carolina Crown in 2004, Southwind in 2007, and Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps in 2008.

Mr. Carrico has worked as a percussion instructor, director, and clinician since 1998. He has taught in Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina. Some of the notable schools he has taught at include Dobyns-Bennett, Ronald Reagan, and West Johnston High Schools. From 2011-2018, he served as Director of Bands at Sullivan South High School in Kingsport, TN. He is currently the Director of Bands at Farragut High School in Knoxville, TN and has held this position since 2018.

A graduate of East Tennessee State University (Bachelors in Music Education: 2011) and the University of Tennessee (Masters in Educational Administration: 2018), Mr. Carrico now lives and works in Knoxville, TN with his supportive, loving wife Amanda and two daughters, Kelsi Phiona and Blakely Somer.

Mr. Carrico is a member of ETSBOA, NAfME, and PAS, and is currently endorsed by Innovative Percussion Inc, Evans Drumheads, and Pearl Drums.

Rodney Brown

Associate Director

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Brown attended Kennesaw State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degrees in both Music Performance and Music Education. While at Kennesaw State, he was selected as a member of the National Wind Ensemble as well as performing with jazz artists Branford Marsalis, Dennis DiBlasio, Jon Faddis, and Jimmy Heath. Additionally, he holds a Master's Degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Mr. Brown has continued his studies in conducting with Michael Haithcock, Joe Hermann, Craig Kirchhoff, Cody Birdwell, and John Culvahouse.

Previously, he taught at West High School in Knoxville and Union County High School in Maynardville, Tennessee, as well as middle school band in North Carolina. Bands under his direction have received Superior and Excellent ratings in both marching and concert settings across the states of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.

His professional affiliations include the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association, and the Tennessee Bandmasters. Mr. Brown is also a performing artist/educator for Jupiter Musical Instruments.

Rodney and his wife Erin, who is also an educator, have twin daughters named Allison and Alexandra.

Mollie McGill

Color Guard Instructor

Mollie McGill is a seasoned veteran in the world of color guard with 20 years of experience in the art form. Her journey in color guard began as a young enthusiast at Clinton Middle/High School, and over the years, she has honed her skills to become a distinguished figure in the community.

During her formative years, Mollie marched with the WGI Finalist Southeast Independent from 2009 to 2013, where she developed a strong foundation in performance excellence and teamwork. In 2011, she furthered her expertise by joining the ranks of the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps.

Driven by her passion for the art and a desire to create something unique, Mollie went on to establish Beau Monde Independent, where she serves as the Founder and Director.

Moreover, to her extensive involvement in color guard, Mollie has also pursued academic excellence, earning a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Leveraging her education and entrepreneurial spirit, she currently thrives in the field of advertising where she specializes in running paid ads. Mollie

McGill continues to inspire and lead within the color guard community, blending her passion for performance with her expertise in marketing and entrepreneurship to make a lasting impact on both the artistic and professional fronts

Additional staff members will be added as announced.