Trombone

Ted Neely, a native of Rock Hill, SC, graduated Appalachian State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.  After spending a year teaching in Claxton, Georgia, he returned to North Carolina and assumed the directorship of Foard High School in Catawba County (Newton, NC).

Under Mr. Neely’s leadership, Foard developed outstanding and award winning programs in marching band, symphonic band, jazz band and winter guard.  Mr. Neely was elected Foard’s Teacher of the Year three times during his 25 year tenure.  In 2011, Mr. Neely became the Band Director at Jacobs Fork Middle School.  He was named JFMS’s Teacher of the Year in 2013 and 2015.

In 2004 Mr. Neely was chosen to be the first Chairman of the newly created Jazz Section of the North Carolina Music Educators Association.  He was the recipient of the 5^th Annual UNCG Jazz Education Service Award from the Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program at the UNCG School of Music in 2008.  He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, NC Music Education Association, the American School Band Directors Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Mr. Neely retired from teaching in 2016.  Currently, he is on staff at Lenoir-Rhyne University and serves as the Associate Marching Band Director for the “Spirit of LR” Marching Band and the Assistant Director LRU Summer Youth Music Camp.  He lives in Hickory, NC with his lovely wife, Susan.  They have two children, Olivia and Emma.