DIRECTORS OF THE MUSICAL ARTS AT RED SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL
HISTORY AND MISSION
In 2008 the Red Springs Middle School Musical Arts Department came under the Direction of Ms. Kari Mathews- Ricks. In the past 10 years at Red Springs, Ms. Rick's Band enrollment had grown to over 165 students. Students have learned to play and perform on a variety of traditional instruments. This has lead to students using musical skills in high school and beyond.
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In 2016, Mrs. Gillespie was hired to enhance the excellent program that was put into place by Ms. Ricks. Together, they will continue to grow the band utilizing their experiences and different teaching techniques.
Both Band Director's missions are simple and the same, both directors want every student who comes through Band or Music to be able to read music, perform on a musical instrument, and be able to speak intelligently about musical history, musical form, music specific health problems, musical careers, musical genres, musical copyright laws, musical composition and analysis. Above all the students in the RSMS Band and Music Courses will take away a love of performing music and a desire to carry on this musical legacy throughout his or her life.
Musical Directors
KARI MATHEWS- RICKS
BACHELORS OF MUSIC EDUCATION FROM NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
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MASTERS OF ARTS IN MUSIC EDUCATION
Kari Mathews-Ricks studied flute with a concentration on instrumental education at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. Later she earned a Masters Degree at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She moved around a lot as a child starting in the small town of Pittsboro, Indiana and then to Brownsburg, Indiana. In Middle School her family moved to Zeeland, Michigan. Ms. Ricks knew early on that she would be a teacher and once she joined the band in 4th grade her future was sealed. Upon completion of her teaching degree Ms. Ricks took a position teaching for the Public Schools of Robeson County as an itinerant band teacher for five different elementary schools in the west side of the county. In 2008 she accepted the band position at Red Springs Middle School.
Ms. Ricks is married to Chuck Ricks. Mr. Ricks is the PE teacher at South Scotland Elementary in Laurinburg and is from Grifton, NC. They have three children Rhyannon, Leo, and Amelia. They attend school in Laurinburg. Ms. Ricks likes to spend her free time performing and singing with her church choir as well as teaching Sunday School. She also performs with the Band of Directors jazz band.
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Ensemble Experience:
Marching Band
Jazz Band
Woodwind Quintet
Concert Band
Flute Choir
Orchestra
Chorus
Church Choir
Pep Band
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Instrumental Proficiency:
Flute
Piccolo
Alto Flute
Bass Flute
Fife
Pan Flute
Clarinet
Oboe
Bassoon
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Bari Saxophone
French Horn
Trumpet
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Acoustic Guitar
Electric Bass
Violin
Viola
Cello
Percussion
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Vocal Proficiency:
Alto voice
Languages performed in:
English (Modern)
Latin
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KATHERINE E. GILLESPIE
Katherine E. Gillespie studied Trombone and Voice with a concentration in Music Education at Greensboro College, in Greensboro, North Carolina. A North Carolina native, she grew up in Mebane, North Carolina to parents, Mark A Wilson and Joan Brackett Wilson. After taking Band and Chorus throughout Middle and High School, she decided that she could best encourage young people through the teaching of the Musical Arts. During her schooling, she was a part of many organizations within the Student Life Program as well as member of many musical groups and ensembles. After interning in Greensboro, North Carolina at Kiser Middle School with Mrs. White; she was offered a teaching position at Townsend Middle School, in Maxton, North Carolina where she taught for 5 years. When the opportunity arose for her to participate in a larger more competitive program, she accepted the position. She has been teaching at Red Springs Middle School for 2 1/2 years.
Mrs. Gillespie is married to Mr. Ryan Gillespie formerly of Erie, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gillespie and Mrs. Gillespie met in college in their music education classes. Mr. Gillespie teaches Band at Magnolia Elementary School. They have one child, a son, named Connor. Connor is not quite old enough for school, but enjoys his Daycare in Laurinburg. In her free time, Mrs. Gillespie reads, is active in her church, plays in the jazz band The Band of Directors, and writes a personal blog.
BACHELORS OF MUSIC EDUCATION FROM GREENSBORO COLLEGE
Ensemble Experience:
Marching Band
Jazz Band
Brass Quintet
Concert Band
Brass Quartet
Gospel Choir
Trombone Choir
Chorus
Church Choir
Pep Band
Instrumental Proficiency:
Tenor Trombone
Bass Trombone
Trumpet
Baritone
Tuba
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Classical Guitar
Electric Bass
Violin
Viola
Cello
Upright Bass
Baroque Recorder
Percussion
Piano
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Vocal Proficiency:
Alto voice
Languages performed in:
English (Modern)
English (Renaissance)
French
German
Italian
Spanish
Japanese
Latin
