Mr. Howard is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he studied alto saxophone with Dr. William Gora and jazz ensemble techniques with Todd Wright. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1993 and began his teaching career the following fall. This is Mr. Howard's 6th year at LBMS. Since his arrival, the bands at Liberty Bell have had 125 students place into regional honors bands, over 200 students earn Superior ratings in solo and ensemble competitions, and the concert bands have earned consistent Superior ratings in the Carowinds Festival of Music. Mr. Howard was selected as one of three LBMS Teachers of the Year in the spring of 2017. Prior to becoming the band director at Liberty Bell, Mr. Howard spent his entire teaching career at Harry M. Arndt Middle School. Throughout his tenure at Arndt, Mr. Howard’s concert and jazz bands earned numerous Superior ratings at state festivals and his students earned placement into County, District, and State level Honor bands. Mr. Howard was chosen as the school's Teacher of the Year in 2010-2011 and was the inaugural winner of the Catawba Valley Band Director’s Association - Director of the Year in 2012.
Mr. Howard is a member of the American School Band Directors Association, the National Band Association, National Association for Music Educators, the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi. Before moving to Johnson City, he served as a member of the Northwest District Bandmasters Association in North Carolina. As a member of the NW District, Mr. Howard held the offices of Middle School Honors Band Chair, High School MPA Chair, District Secretary, and District Chairperson. Mr. Howard is also the 2008-2009 recipient of the Northwest District Bandmasters Association Award of Excellence.
Mr. Howard is a member of the American School Band Directors Association, the National Band Association, National Association for Music Educators, the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi. Before moving to Johnson City, he served as a member of the Northwest District Bandmasters Association in North Carolina. As a member of the NW District, Mr. Howard held the offices of Middle School Honors Band Chair, High School MPA Chair, District Secretary, and District Chairperson. Mr. Howard is also the 2008-2009 recipient of the Northwest District Bandmasters Association Award of Excellence.