Directors & Staff
Mr. Kyle Graves
Director of Bands
Henry County High School
Mr. Graves is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee . He earned a Bachelor of Music under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Harris, Dr. Charles Decker, and Dr. Jennifer Shank. At TTU Mr. Graves was a member of many performing ensembles including: the Golden Eagle Marching Band both as a performer and as an undergraduate assistant to Dr. Harris, the Tennessee Tech Chorale, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Trumpet Ensemble. In 2001 he marched soprano bugle for DCI’s Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps, where he met his wife, Lauren. During his formative years he was a trumpet player in the prestigious Adair County High School Marching Band of Columbia, Kentucky under the direction of Mr. Tim Allen.
Mr. Graves’ educational philosophy centers on the “Three D’s” of Discipline, Dedication & Diligence. The systematic inclusion of these principles in all that we do creates professional attributes in our students. Mr. Graves believes these attributes are beneficial to all students regardless of the vocation they choose.
Mrs. Carley Herrington Director of Bands, Choir & General Music Teacher at Dorothy & Noble Harrelson School HCHS Assistant Band Director Previously, Mrs. Herrington taught for three years in Dyer County Schools. In addition to her work at Northview Middle School, Mrs. Herrington was an assistant band director at Dyer County HS where she assisted with teaching color guard, marching band, concert band, choir, music history, and co-founded the Dyer County Winter Guard. Carley Herrington is originally from Halls, Tennessee, where she was a member of the Golden Tiger Band Program under the direction of Chris Butner. Mrs. Herrington holds a degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she studied horn under Dr. Michael Hernon and Dr. Jessie Thoman. During her time at UTM, she was a part of the New Pacer Singers, the University Singers, the UTM Brass Quintet, the UTM Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, the Skyhawk Marching Band, Jazz Band, and University Chamber Players. She studied conducting with Dr. John Oelrich, Director of Bands, and music education with Dr. Jonathan Vest. Mrs. Herrington is a member of WTSBOA, WTVMEA, and NAfME. She is also an alumnae member of Sigma Alpha Iota, professional music fraternity. Carley resides in Martin, Tennessee, with her husband, Thomas, son Benjamin, and three cats. She is enthusiastic about the musical team at Henry County Schools! 
Mrs. Lauren Graves HCHS Colorguard Director Lauren began volunteering with the HCHS colorguard in 2016. Her first experiences in band were playing clarinet in middle school and included colorguard in high school. She auditioned for drum corps in high school and spent the summers of her teenage years traveling the Southeast as a member of Drum Corps International. First, with a start up Division III (open class) corps from Knoxville, Tennessee, the Volunteers, and later with Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps of Lexington, Kentucky. At that time (’99-01 “Yellow Team”), Southwind, was a world class corps under the administration of the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps of Madison, Wisconsin. Lauren is originally from Murray, Kentucky, and grew up in Cookeville, Tennessee. She is a Murray State graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business. Prior to her employment with the HCSS, Lauren worked in Enrollment Management at Tennessee Technological University & was a manager at a newspaper. She and Mr. Graves enjoy residing in Paris and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the marching arts in West Tennessee. They have a son, Mason, and daughter-in-law, Samantha, that are currently stationed in Alaska, serving the United States Army. |
Mr. Grayson Martin Director of Bands Lakewood Elementary & Middle School HCHS Assistant Band Director Grayson Martin is in his first year of teaching at Lakewood Elementary & Middle School. Originally from Glasgow, KY, Mr. Martin was a member of the Glasgow Scottie Band for all seven years and had opportunities to be a section leader, a drum major, and even the Bagpipe Major (Yes, bagpipes!). He is a graduate of Murray State University where he studied clarinet with Dr. Amy McCann and conducting with Dr. Trae Blanco. At Murray State, Mr. Martin participated in many ensembles, including the MSU Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Clarinet Choirs, Chamber Ensembles, and the Murray State Racer Band. During his four years in the Racer Band, Mr. Martin had the privilege of being a section leader for the clarinet section (2018) and being named one of the drum majors for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Mr. Martin is an active member of KMEA, NAfME, and ICA. During his time at MSU, Mr. Martin had the opportunity to serve as President (2019-2020) and Past President/ Student Advisor (2020-2021) for the Murray State NAfME Collegiate Chapter where they strived to create opportunities to better equip and prepare the future Music Educators at Murray State. Currently, Mr, Martin lives in Murray, KY and teaches General Music and serves as the Director of Bands at Lakewood, as well as, being one of the Assistant Band Directors at Henry County High School. 2021-22 Staff
Fannin Musical Productions Wind & Percussion Arranging/ Drill Design Olivia Pierce Batterie Instructor/ Visual Technician Will Powers Front Ensemble Instructor Nic Hawkins Drum Major Instructor Clayton Caudill Woodwind & Drum Major Instructor/ Visual Technician Erin Ruggles Woodwind Instructor/ Visual Technician Seth Bucy Low Brass Instructor/ Visual Technician Aaron MacDonald High Brass Instructor/ Visual Technician Katherine Sam Percussion Instructor Joey Sam Audio & Sound Technician |
