rEBEL REGIMENT DIRECTORS

Director ~ Matt Leff

This is Band Director Matt Leff's third year with the Rebel Regiment. Prior to his appointment at ECHS, Mr. Leff was the Head Director at South Effingham Middle School, and an assistant director with the SEHS Marching Mustangs since 2004. During his tenure at SEMS, enrollment in the band program  increased to well over 300 students. Under his direction, all ensembles at SEMS consistently scored superior and straight superior ratings in Jazz and Concert performances. Mr. Leff has also served as the Associate Band Director at Stephens County High School in Toccoa, GA.

Mr. Leff received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education at Toccoa Falls College in 2003. This summer he completed his Master's Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia.

Mr. Leff is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, and serves the Georgia Music Educators' Association as the District One Band Chairman. He also represents Southeast Georgia on the state band council. A native of the Northeast Georgia Mountains, Mr. Leff now lives in Guyton with his wife, Nycole, their very busy toddler, Andy, and the newest addition to the Leff family, baby Charlie (Charlotte), born in June 2010.

Assistant Director: Will Alford

  ( I "borrowed" this picture from Facebook :}

This is Mr. Will Alford's 4th year on the band staff. Mr. Alford is a graduate of Columbus State University. While at CSU, he was a member of the Jazz Band, Trombone Choir, multiple chamber ensembles and large group ensembles as well as a member of the CMENC, National Society for Collegiate Scholars, and Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity. Originally, from Warner Robins, Ga, Mr. Alford graduated from Houston County High School. While in high school, he participated in symphonic band, jazz band, marching band, and multiple honor bands. He is a trombone player. Mr. Alford began his band directing career here at ECHS.

Assistant Director: Tony Murray

Mr. Murray attended school in Effingham County , where he marched in the Effingham County High School Rebel Regiment for 2 years, and in 1997 went to South Effingham High School and marched with the Marching Mustangs, graduating with honors at SEHS in 1998. He played saxophone in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, marched sousaphone in the Rebel Regiment/Marching Mustangs, and also participated with the Basketball Pep Band.  Mr. Murray was sousaphone section leader and brass captain while in his high school marching band program.  In 1998 he was a recipient of the John Philip Sousa Award, the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, and was named STAR Student of Effingham County.

He received his BA in Music Education from AASU in 2003, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.  He studied saxophone and composition/arranging with Dr. Randy Reese and also studied jazz theory and improvisation with Dr. Stephen Primatic.

While at AASU he participated in all musical ensembles including University Chorale, Chamber Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and Saxophone Quartet.  He also participated in various jazz combos and was a saxophone soloist on many occasions with various faculty led projects.  He also coordinated and led the AASU Basketball Pep Band.

He is in his 12th year as a member of the Savannah Jazz Orchestra.  They function as Savannah’s premiere big band jazz orchestra and released a CD in 2001 titled "Satin Doll".  In 2003 he performed on stage with the world famous group "The Temptations."Mr. Murray is presently in his 9th year as Director of Bands at Effingham County Middle School and Assistant Director to the ECHS Rebel Regiment Marching Band.  While at ECMS the enrollment in the band program has grown to nearly 250 students and all bands consistently receive superior ratings at LGPE.

Mr. Murray is a member of the National Music Educator’s Association, the National Band Director’s Association, and the Georgia Music Educator’s Association.  He is presently the Organizing Chair for the District One Middle School Honor Band.  He received his Master’s of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia in July of 2010.

In his spare time he enjoys fishing and camping on the rivers of South Georgia. Mr. Murray lives in south Guyton with his wife, Kenza, who currently serves as Director of Bands at Ebenezer Middle School.

Assistant Director ~ Amber Beckum

Amber Beckum is a Bulloch County native who graduated from Southeast Bulloch High School in 2002.  While at SEB, she was a member of the "Stingers" Dance and Flag team where she served two years as captain and performed 3 years with the marching band.  She decided to stay close to home and attended Georgia Southern University, where, she started out as a Sports Medicine Major and coached cheerleading.  She changed her major to teaching, and graduated in 2007 with a B.S.Ed in Middle Grades Education with an emphasis in Reading and Social Studies.  She accepted a position at Effingham County Middle School in July 2007 where she has coached track, softball, and helped with basketball. She graduated May 2010 with a M.Ed in Teaching and Learning with an emphasis in Middle Grades Education and concentrations of Language Arts and Social Studies.  This will be her 5th year at ECMS where she has taught 6th grade Social Studies, 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies, and 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies.  In her spare time she loves to run, play with photography (take lots of pictures), and read because, in her words, “I am a slight nerd.” Amber just bought a house last year in Guyton.