ALFRED WATKINS

they explain what they have learned, showcase their knowledge, and take on leadership roles that make an impact in their school and community. He treats each one of his students with great dignity and respect and has created a positive learning environment focused on building selfesteem through high standards and well-designed instruction. His ability to collaborate and lead is inspiring and has prompted other colleagues to strive for greatness.”

Currently in his eighth year at North Atlanta High School, Mr. LawrenceCarroll is active in GMEA and serves as District Orchestra Lead for Atlanta Public Schools Arts Resource Team, as well as the 2021-2023 State Orchestra Chair for the GMEA. He was also recently named American String Teacher’s Association Educator of the Year. Mr. Lawrence-Carroll regularly engages his students in the programs offered by the ASO, including the new Chamber Performance + Tour field trip option.

Alfred Watkins

Alfred Watkins retired after thirty seven years of teaching, with more than 30 years as Director of Band at Lassiter High School. He continues to serve school bands as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the country. Mr. Watkins is also the co-founder and musical director of the adult community band, Cobb Winds, an ensemble comprised primarily of metro-Atlanta area music educators.

Under his direction at Lassiter, his concerts bands performed nationally at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and College Band Directors National Convention. His marching bands were named Bands of America (BOA) Grand Champions in 1998 and 2002 and won nine BOA regional championships during his tenure. In addition, Mr. Watkins’s bands have performed in four Rose Parades, three Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, two Orange Bowl Parades and one Citrus Bowl Parade.

His work at Lassiter and his life are the subjects of not one, but two doctoral dissertations. As a proud Florida A & M University alum, and alumni award recipient, he co-founded and currently serves as president of the Minority Band Directors National Association. Mr. Watkins was awarded the 2013 GMEA Distinguished Career Award, the same year he won the “Leader of the Band Award,” given by a poll of more than ten thousand band directors, making him one of the most admired band directors in the nation.

One of his many admirers includes former student and current ASO clarinetist Marci Gurnow, who said, “Alfred Watkins has been such an enormous part of the journey that has led me to where I am today. In his role as my high school band director, Alfred not only inspired me musically, but strove to make sure that every one of his students gained the tools necessary to move forward as successful humans. The discipline and life lessons instilled in me under Alfred’s leadership are foundations I still value every day. It certainly feels like kismet to have ended up in his program, and I’m forever grateful to him.”

A common thread among these greats is the love and care they pour into their students and their profession. Thank you to these and all music educators who make more than music in their classrooms each day. For without music educators, the stage you see in front of you would be empty, and the hall would be silent. Join the ASO in celebrating “Music in Our Schools Month” and share the influence music programs, and their directors, had on you.