HANCOCK COUNTY – Two Hancock County schools, Bay High and Hancock High, received much-needed musical instruments when Dr. Gary Adam, associate director of bands at the University of Southern Mississippi, delivered band instruments donated by the University of Illinois.  

Peter Griffin, assistant director of bands at the University of Illinois, first learned about the need for band instruments several months ago from a high school teacher in Mississippi.  He then asked the student chapter of the National Band Association to help sponsor an instrument drive.  The chapter ended up with 101 instruments, as well as items such as mouthpieces, music stands, cases and method books used by beginning band students.  Two University of Illinois music students personally delivered the truckload of musical instruments to the University of Southern Mississippi earlier this week.   

Hancock High band director Anthony McWright said that he was thrilled when his longtime friend Gary Adam called to say band instruments were on the way.  “Our middle school music program lost numerous instruments as a result of flooding from Hurricane Katrina,” McWright said.  “On behalf of the Hancock County School District, band students and the community, I would like to thank the student chapter of the National Band Association, the University of Illinois and Southern Miss for coming to our aid.” 

While Hancock High in Kiln accepted 36 of the instruments Wednesday, neighboring Bay High in Bay St. Louis was delighted to receive the remainder of the musical instruments Thursday, including flutes, clarinets, horns, drums, trombones and similar items to help its band program recover from the storm.  Dr. Adam, a graduate of Bay High, said he was thankful Southern Miss could coordinate the delivery of the instruments to help his fellow band directors get their music programs back on their feet.

For additional information, please contact Tammy Stafford at 228.688.7663.