New band director at NBHS envisions education, arts linking

The new band director at New Bern High says he wants to give his students a first-class music education and get them involved in an arts community that he says is strong.

Brandon Hults, who is 22, recently took the director's job. He said about 50 students are registered for band classes this fall, and he wants to get more students interested and participating in the program in the future.

"New Bern is kind of an arts town," he said. "I think with the support here, there's a lot of potential for this group. As a first-year teacher, I want to see what I can do in this program."

Hults grew up in Morehead City. He said he heard his mother play piano, and he wanted his music to sound like hers when he began playing in second grade.

He eventually learned to play trombone, and he began playing violin in seventh grade, about the time he realized he wanted to be a musician. He was the band drum major for three years at West Carteret High. He said he enjoyed the opportunity to teach fellow students while he was the drum major.

"Anything I was able to do musically, I did," he said. "Music's been my thing for since I can remember."

Hults attended East Carolina University and completed a music degree with concentrations in trombone and piano. He wants to work on bachelor's and doctoral degrees in conducting at some point.

He looked at another job before accepting the position at New Bern High this month. He said Principal Stuart Blount, parents and several students he has met have been helpful and made him feel like a part of the New Bern family.

He talks about ideas with his high school director, Craig Everett, and he thinks his marching band may perform a "Pirates of the Caribbean" show on the field this fall.

But he said his first goal is to increase the number of people participating. He said he is looking for girls, especially ones who have studio dance backgrounds, to participate in color guard.

The band program will have a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday for parents and a cookout from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Union Point Park for anyone interested in participating. The band will begin a weeklong camp July 28 to prepare for fall performances.

"I just want these students to have fun and find success through excellence and quality," Hults said. "If you teach to quality, the shiny objects will come after that."