Murphy

SHADYSIDE — Michael Murphy was enjoying life teaching music and directing the choir at Sherrard Middle School for the last four years.

But, when he learned that the band director’s position at Shadyside High School was open, the opportunity to return to his roots was simply too much of a temptation for him not to at least consider applying.

“Shadyside is where I spent my childhood and I treasure the memories of that time, and those experiences always made me appreciate the community,” Murphy said.

Murphy, who graduated from Bellaire High School in 2011, will have the opportunity to help the Shadyside High School band and the entire music program create some new memories beginning in the 2020-21 school year after he was formally hired at a recent board of education meeting.

“This is a position that I almost feel as if I was called to,” Murphy said. “Watching the band march to and from Fleming Field and in area parades always gave me a great feeling about growing up in Tiger Town, and now I want to be a part of bringing back that same great feeling for future generations of Shadyside Tigers. This is a terrific opportunity to provide our students with the experience I can possibly provide.”

Along with serving as the band director, Murphy will direct the high school choir and he plans to implement a middle-school choir.

Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from West Liberty University. He’s currently enrolled in Northern State University’s graduate school program, studying music education.

The Shadyside High School marching band has always been a point of pride in the community. It wasn’t uncommon in the past that there were upwards of 100 Tigers marching with an instrument. For whatever reason, though, those numbers have dropped drastically in recent years.

Murphy was told in his interview that only 13 students were expected to be part of the band for the upcoming school year.

“That response made my gut sink,” Murphy admitted.

As he’s overcome that initial reaction, Murphy said he won’t dwell on that number. He’s focused totally on the kids.

“The students need to be our main focus,” Murphy said. “I have had the opportunity to briefly talk with a few of these (band) students and they’re wonderful. It’s not the fault of the students that the numbers are low, they are our hope.”

Murphy already has begun the process of reaching out to the community and families in hopes of gaining a few more members.

“If we are lucky, we can start next year with 20 marchers,” Murphy said. “There is a silver lining. We have about 40 band members between our sixth and seventh grade classes, so my job is to retain as many as possible and passionately recruit at the lower-grade levels.”

Murphy has visions of returning the Tiger Marching Band to its glory days, but stresses the need for patience.

“We need students to enjoy the band experience and feel that they are part of something truly special,” Murphy said. “They need to be motivated, encouraged and given a solid structure for success.”

Murphy has experience increasing numbers in such groups. At Sherrard, the choir increased to 180 students at the start of the 2019-20 school year.

“School enrollment is a key player in growth, but I want the older students to sell the program to younger, prospective students,” Murphy said. “That was the key to growth in the Sherrard choir.”

If taking over in the middle of May wasn’t a big enough challenge, taking over in the middle of an ongoing pandemic that has led to schools being closed in Ohio since the middle of March is something totally different.

Murphy pointed out that wind instruments and choral groups are of “particular concern” because the risk of spreading the virus among participants is enhanced.

On top of that, many of the tasks that are accomplished ahead of band camp, which is normally held in early August, are still in a state of flux.

“Everything is happening later than would be typical because of the pandemic,” Murphy said. “For example, majorette tryouts that would be held this month are not taking place until July. Instrument fittings aren’t going to occur until Aug. 17. The most frequent word in my vocabulary has been ‘tentative.'”

While teaching at Sherrard, Murphy served on the West Virginia Music Educator’s Association Executive Board for three years where he presided over the Society for General Music and chaired the West Virginia All-State Children’s Chorus.

Murphy expressed his appreciation to everyone in the Shadyside community who has already welcomed him.

“The band patrons, administration, Melanie Haswell and the former director (have been a tremendous help in assisting me with this transition,” Murphy said. “It’s an honor to be part of this new era for the Shadyside Tiger band. I am grateful for the support we are already receiving.”