Director of Bands:

     Thomas W. Carson is in his twenty seventh year as director of bands. Mr. Carson is responsible for the Wall O' Sound marching Band, jazz band, brass quintet, pit orchestra, and the Collegians. Under his leadership, the EC band program continues to be recognized for excellence. The Wall O' Sound was voted the top community/junior college band in the state,
according to a poll conducted in l998 by The Clarion Ledger newspaper.

     In addition to his responsibilities with the ECCC band program, Mr. Carson serves as Chairman of the fine arts division, music instructor, and has been recognized in recent years as the College's "Instructor of the Year", HEADWAE Instructor of the year, Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year and Lamplighter recipient. He previously served a state chair for CBDNA.

     A graduate of Forrest-Sherman High School in Naples, Italy, Mr. Carson received his associates, bachelor's and master's degrees from East Central Community College and Delta State University.

Assistant Director:



 

     Jared Brownlee is in his eleventh year as assistant director and percussion instructor. His main areas of responsibilities include the Wall 0' Sound drum line, conductor of the concert band and the percussion ensemble. 

     Mr. Brownlee was selected as a Lamplighter participant in 2000.  He also serves as percussionist for the 15th Avenue Baptist Church in Meridian, and was 2007-2008 President of the Mississippi Community and Junior College Band Director's Association.

     Prior to joining the ECCC staff, Mr. Brownlee taught in the Mississippi public school system for five years. He holds a bachelor's degree in music from Delta state University, and a master's degree from Ole Miss. 

Centralette Coordinator/Choreographer:

Nichol Hillman begins her third year as coordinator/choreographer of the Centralettes, the danceline for the Warrior Wall O’ Sound Marching Band.       Hillman is the owner of Dance Fantastik in Decatur and received the BFA in dance education from the University of Southern Mississippi.       She atteneded East Central Community College from 1997-1998 and was a member of the Ac’cents show choir, the concert choir and served as a cheerleader. She is a graduate of Newton County High School.       She is married to Brandon Hillman of Little Rock and they hav three sons: Tucker, Will and Jesse.

 

  

Color Guard Instructor:

 

     Nedric Patrick of Decatur serves as band assistant, and  instructor of the Wall O' Sound color guard for the first year.  His responsibilities include teaching all routines to the group and coordinating all gear purchases with the Director of Bands.  Mr. Patrick a former member of the Carthage High Band and the ECCC Wall O' Sound Band. He is in great demand as a color guard instructor for ECCC's five county recruiting district.