SouthPaulding_SportsProgram_2022_Proof

of South Paulding SPIRIT

DJ McConnell Director of Bands Mr. McConnell has been the Director of Bands at South Paulding High School since 2014. A resident of Villa Rica, he graduated from Lithia Springs High School in 2003. It was at Lithia

Andrew Lightner Assistant Band Director Mr. Andrew Lightner has been the Assistant Band Director at South Paulding High School

since 2021. He and his family reside in

Springs High School that he met the love of his life, Mrs. Mary Frances McConnell. He attended The University of Georgia and graduated in 2007 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Educa tion. Mr. McConnell was a four year member of the University of Georgia’s Redcoat Band, where he served as a saxophone player, saxophone section leader, and drum major. In December of 2018, Mr. McConnell earned his Master’s Degree in Music Education from The University of West Georgia. He is currently in his four teenth year of teaching. Over those fourteen years, his bands have won multiple awards and accolades. Mr. McConnell was the South Paulding High School Teacher of the Year for the 2018-2019 school year. He was the Lithia Springs High School Teacher of the Year for the 2012-2013 school year and the Douglas County School System High School Teacher of the Year for the 2012-2013 school year. Mr. McConnell is a mem ber of the Georgia Music Educators Association, where he served from 2018-2020 as the Georgia Music Educators Association District Chair for District VII. He is also a member of the National Association for Music Education. Mr. McConnell currently serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair at South Paulding High School. The South Paulding High School Band, under the direction of Mr. McConnell, was awarded the Georgia Music Educators Exemplary Performance Award in 2018. Mr. McConnell’s bands have performed both domestically and in ternationally. In 2015, he led the South Paulding High School Band to London to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade. In February of 2019, Mr. McConnell led the Spirit of South Paulding Marching Band to Hawaii, where they performed at Pearl Harbor. He has two sons, Ian (14) and Jonah (10).

Douglasville, GA. Mr. Lightner just celebrated his 12th wedding anniversary with his wife, Emily. He has two amazing girls, Anna Grace (9), and Brooklyn Faith (6) as well as two wonderful pups Lilly and Bella. Mr. Lightner directed Point Indoor Percussion, a WGI percussion finalist as well as Point Winds Theater, a two time medalist at WGI World Championships in Dayton, OH. Lightner is an avid arranger, sound designer, and clinician throughout Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. He holds a Master of Arts in Music Education from Jacksonville State University and is in his last year pursuing a Doctor of Music Education from Liberty University. Throughout his continuing education Mr. Lightner has had the privilege of performing and learning from some of the best artists and clinicians available including: Clint Gillespie, Tony McCutchen, Mark Ford, She-e Wu, Blake Tyson, along with many more. Mr. Lightner’s ensembles continue to re ceive high rankings and accolades. Beyond the classroom he enjoys camping, auto and motorcycle mechanics, spending time with family and friends, and traveling to new places.