Yep, that's me in the maroon, Mike Walsh! I have a bucket list ... and am not afraid to use it! I've jumped out of a plane at 16,000 feet, rafted down the Colorado river on level-4 rapids, and walked the streets of downtown LA, NYC, ATL, and Chicago... during rush hour! I've always been a calculated-risk type of guy. No risk, no reward. Optimist - glass half-full rather than half-empty. Honestly, not sure how jumping out of a completely good airplane qualifies as a good decision, it was just on my "bucket list" - but that's another discussion...!
I picked up guitar at the age of 6, piano at 8, bass at 10, and many band instruments starting at 12... I've played in wind bands, jazz quartets, rock bands, funk bands, country bands, and performed in front of thousands of people on French Horn, on Guitar, and on Bass. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Florida State University and a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Georgia. As a Band Conductor I've had the privilege of conducting on some of the greatest concert stages in the world including Carnegie Hall (on 3 separate occasions). I was also selected and featured in the national magazine publication School Band and Orchestra in their December 2010 issue, representing Georgia as one of “50 Directors Who make a Difference.” I've taught, rehearsed, performed, conducted and lived-through more halftime shows and stage performances than most folks attend in a lifetime. And I've had the privilege of working beside and building friendships with some the best musicians in the world. Needless to say, MUSIC has been in my blood most of my life!
In addition to being a Band Director, I have always had a hand in theater technology - as in lighting and sound. I started on an ETC Acclaim desk, which was basically 40 faders to which cues were programmed; nothing like the digital boards of today. With live sound I started on a Peavey Mark III console. For as long as I've been teaching I've also been involved with setting up, running, and trouble-shooting the technology behind theater.
Turn of events....
It's been said that you "can't teach an old dog new tricks." For most people, it feels risky and uncomfortable to make a career change. A few years back I decided I wanted to learn more about the digital lighting movement to push myself out of my comfort-zone (we all have these moments, right?). I got involved with the production team at my very large church. In addition to having access to the most advanced audio and lighting technology available, it also placed me around some of the best working musicians, audio producers and audio/lighting techs in Atlanta - true "shakers and movers!" Then in late 2017, with the help of my friend and former AHS Band Director Ira Jenkins along with our past Principal Dr. Shannon Kersey, Alpharetta HS was able to secure a sizable grant to create the most advanced Music Technology Lab in the Fulton County school system. In spring 2018 we installed the lab, and opened in the fall of 2018. So after teaching high school Band for 36 years and being "THE Band Director" at AHS, I decided to learn something completely new and jumped into the world of audio recording and production! With much help from my many friends "in the industry," along with a forward-thinking administration at our school, we launched the first Audio Production course in the FCS system - right here at Alpharetta HS! We've developed the curriculum at AHS, and I am currently the lead Music Tech Teacher for Fulton County Schools. I'm really excited to teach Music and Theater Technology at AHS!
So... what have I learned after nearly 41 years of teaching High School? Old dogs CAN learn new tricks! Nothing ventured, NOTHING gained. Relationships matter. Always be a life-long learner. Listen more, talk less - AND - the best way to get experience (at anything) is to DO IT ... and HAVE FUN along the way!
I picked up guitar at the age of 6, piano at 8, bass at 10, and many band instruments starting at 12... I've played in wind bands, jazz quartets, rock bands, funk bands, country bands, and performed in front of thousands of people on French Horn, on Guitar, and on Bass. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Florida State University and a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Georgia. As a Band Conductor I've had the privilege of conducting on some of the greatest concert stages in the world including Carnegie Hall (on 3 separate occasions). I was also selected and featured in the national magazine publication School Band and Orchestra in their December 2010 issue, representing Georgia as one of “50 Directors Who make a Difference.” I've taught, rehearsed, performed, conducted and lived-through more halftime shows and stage performances than most folks attend in a lifetime. And I've had the privilege of working beside and building friendships with some the best musicians in the world. Needless to say, MUSIC has been in my blood most of my life!
In addition to being a Band Director, I have always had a hand in theater technology - as in lighting and sound. I started on an ETC Acclaim desk, which was basically 40 faders to which cues were programmed; nothing like the digital boards of today. With live sound I started on a Peavey Mark III console. For as long as I've been teaching I've also been involved with setting up, running, and trouble-shooting the technology behind theater.
Turn of events....
It's been said that you "can't teach an old dog new tricks." For most people, it feels risky and uncomfortable to make a career change. A few years back I decided I wanted to learn more about the digital lighting movement to push myself out of my comfort-zone (we all have these moments, right?). I got involved with the production team at my very large church. In addition to having access to the most advanced audio and lighting technology available, it also placed me around some of the best working musicians, audio producers and audio/lighting techs in Atlanta - true "shakers and movers!" Then in late 2017, with the help of my friend and former AHS Band Director Ira Jenkins along with our past Principal Dr. Shannon Kersey, Alpharetta HS was able to secure a sizable grant to create the most advanced Music Technology Lab in the Fulton County school system. In spring 2018 we installed the lab, and opened in the fall of 2018. So after teaching high school Band for 36 years and being "THE Band Director" at AHS, I decided to learn something completely new and jumped into the world of audio recording and production! With much help from my many friends "in the industry," along with a forward-thinking administration at our school, we launched the first Audio Production course in the FCS system - right here at Alpharetta HS! We've developed the curriculum at AHS, and I am currently the lead Music Tech Teacher for Fulton County Schools. I'm really excited to teach Music and Theater Technology at AHS!
So... what have I learned after nearly 41 years of teaching High School? Old dogs CAN learn new tricks! Nothing ventured, NOTHING gained. Relationships matter. Always be a life-long learner. Listen more, talk less - AND - the best way to get experience (at anything) is to DO IT ... and HAVE FUN along the way!