Directors
Mr. James Southern is in his second year as Director of Bands at Martinsburg High School, where he teaches percussion ensemble, marching band, concert band, jazz ensemble, and pep band. During Mr. Southern’s first year, the jazz band continued its tradition of excellence, qualifying as a State Honor Band finalist. The concert band received straight superior ratings as well, making Martinsburg one of only two bands in the region to have straight superiors at concert festival. Before coming to Martinsburg, Mr. Southern taught 6-12 band outside of Lynchburg, VA, where he taught beginning and advanced ensembles. Mr. Southern studied trombone with Dr. Keith Jackson at West Virginia University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. During his time there, Mr. Southern was an active member of many different ensembles, including the award winning Pride of West Virginia marching band, the jazz ensemble, the concert and symphonic bands, and several different small ensembles including the Blue Bones touring ensemble.
Mrs. Jennifer Moss is a graduate of Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education. During her time at Shepherd, Mrs. Moss performed in the 11:00 Jazz Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Gamelon, and Percussion Ensemble. In 2000 and again in 2002, Mrs. Moss traveled as a percussionist with Shepherd Ensembles performing in Ireland, Italy, and Switzerland. In 2003, Mrs. Moss performed in Carnegie Hall representing the state of West Virginia as a percussionist for the National University Wind Ensemble. 2005 brought another trip to New York City where Mrs. Moss performed with the Shepherd University Wind Ensemble in Carnegie Hall. With one year of marriage under her belt, Mrs. Moss is looking forward to spending more time with the band this year and is very excited to be part of this great program.
Mr. J. P. Lynch is a graduate of Fairmont State College and holds a Master's Degree in Music Education from West Virginia University. He was the Director of Bands at Moorefield High School in Moorefield, WV, before coming home to Martinsburg and assisting at MHS. He is also the Band Director at Martinsburg South Middle School. He is a former member of the WV All-State Band and the McDonald's All American High School Band. In February 2001, Mr. Lynch was selected as the Berkeley County ACE (A Caring Educator) award winner, and in May 2001 was selected as West Virginia's Outstanding Band Director of the year for 2000-2001.