Jimmie McKinley is Director of Bands at South Gwinnett High School. Mr. McKinley received the Bachelor of Music Education and the Master of Music Education from The University of Tennessee Knoxville, as he studied under Dr. David Royse.
As recipient of The John Phillip Sousa Band Award, his music career was solidified to attend the University of Tennessee. Here, as percussion minor, he played the drum set for the Lady Vols Pep Band. He was also able to study with the great jazz drummer Keith Brown. He also served as timpanist for the University’s Symphony Orchestra, studying with Knoxville Symphony’s principal timpanist, Michael Combs. His experiences with recording jazz pianist Donald Brown influenced him to focus and refine his skills on piano.
He was a recipient of the Torchbearer Award in 2002, which is The University of Tennessee’s highest honor given to its students, upon completion of his Bachelor’s Degree. He continued to serve dually as church musician and Minister of Music, while working on his master’s degree, for Mt. Zion Baptist, Freedom Fellowship Christian and Canaan Missionary Baptist in Knoxville. He began his teaching career in Knoxville, Tennessee at Austin-East Magnet Performing Arts and Sciences High. Here, he was the Assistant Director of Bands for two years under Mrs. Dorothy Brice.
Mr. McKinley then moved to the metro Atlanta, Georgia area, as Director of Bands at Meadowcreek High School, opening the 2004-05 school years with Gwinnett County’s first show-style, high-stepping band. Mr. McKinley was awarded the Teacher of the Month in February 2006 and February 2007 for his direction in the school’s Black History Program. He was awarded Meadowcreek High School’s 2008-2009 Teacher of The Year. He was the music director for the school’s production of “The Wiz” in 2006, “West Side Story” and “Zoot Suit” in 2007. The Meadowcreek Marching Band performed as a Special Guest Band in both the 2006 and 2007 Chick-fil-Bowl Games. The school’s jazz band and gospel choir continued to represent the area well with performances and special appearances around the Metro Atlanta Area.
He is currently the Assistant Director of Bands for the Gwinnett Community Band, privately teaches piano and percussion, and is the music technology instructor at South. Mr. McKinley also serves as Minister of Music at Grace Fellowship Christian in Tucker, Georgia.
Mr. McKinley begins this year as Director of Bands at South Gwinnett High School, overseeing all small and large group ensembles including Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, The Band of Stars Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, & Winter Guard.
His professional associations include Georgia Music Educator’s Association (GMEA), The National Association of Music Education (MENC), National Band Association (NBA), High School Band Directors National Association (HSBDNA), Percussive Arts Society (PAS), Gospel Music Association (GMA), World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), Technology Institute for Music Educators (TIME), and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
With the help and support of a strong community, South Gwinnett High School Band will continue to grow as a strong ambassador for the Snellville community and for Gwinnett County. As Director of Bands at South Gwinnett, his vision of success through SOUND, STYLE, and SOPHISTICATION will be second to none.