Jenney Merritt has accepted the position of Director of Bands at Discovery Middle School. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Jenney Merritt is moving from Madison County Schools to work as Director of Bands at Discovery Middle School.

“I have been the high school and middle school band director at Madison County High School, Central School and Madison County Elementary School in Gurley for the past four years,” Merritt said. “I taught sixth- through twelfth-grade band for this cluster.”

“In my experience as a music educator, I have developed a love for teaching middle school band. Discovery and Bob Jones High School have always been premier programs in the state, and I’m honored to be a part of the family,” Merritt said.

As Discovery director, Merritt obviously will focus on training the seventh- and eighth-grade musicians. She will work with symphonic and concert bands, Cadet Beginning Band, Sixth-Grade Grade Honor Band, Indoor Drumline/Percussion Ensemble, Color Guard, Jazz Band and Panther Marching Band.

However, she will also help Discovery band students succeed with Madison’s secondary music options. “I’m excited about the challenges this presents,” she said.

“I’m honored to work with Leigh Thomas and Kevin Smart at Bob Jones,” Merritt said. “I’m hopeful Discovery Band students will be excited to progress into such an experienced and influential program.”

During her years in school, Merritt best remembers her high school band director. “I was excited to find out I could teach and play music as my profession,” she said. “Doing something I love to do every day is a blessing.”

Merritt feels extremely fortunate to teach in a community that values and encourages music education. “I’m so thankful for the encouragement and support I receive from my music education colleagues,” she said. Her primary instrument is clarinet.

Merritt earned a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education at the University of Alabama. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree from the American Band College, affiliated with Sam Houston State University.

Her husband Matthew works as an Army civilian on Redstone Arsenal. The Merritts own a golden retriever, Rigby. “I live in Madison and love this community,” she said.