Director and Staff

Director

Matt Martindale and family

Our Band Director - Matt Martindale

Matt Martindale is the Director of Bands at Shelby County High School in Columbiana, Alabama. His current duties include conducting the SCHS Symphonic Band, Pride of Shelby County Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. In addition to his responsibilities at SCHS, he teaches at Columbiana Middle School. Mr. Martindale oversees all instrumental ensembles at both schools. 


Mr. Martindale is a National Board Certified Teacher and received his Master of Education and Bachelor of Music Education from Auburn University. He has received numerous honors, including being a member of the Inaugural List of Yamaha’s “40 Under Forty” as one of the top 40 music educators under forty in the United States in 2021.  He was a member of the 2022 and 2023 Grammy Music Educator of the Year lists. Mr. Martindale contributes to the Yamaha Educational Suite with numerous published articles on band culture, instrumental pedagogy, and inclusive education. 



In addition to his teaching credentials, Mr. Martindale has received numerous grants to revitalize the band programs in Columbiana. As a result, beginner band is accessible to all students free of charge. After three years of utilizing the grant program, the Columbiana Middle School Program was awarded The Advocacy in Action Award in Recruitment, Retention, and Student Engagement from Music for All in 2023. The band program at CMS has doubled in size from 2020-2022 and will soon encompass over 25% of the entire middle school.  


Mr. Martindale is in his 12th year as a band director in Alabama. He resides in Hoover, Alabama, with his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, Henry and Andrew.  Mr. Martindale has adjudicated and presented at significant marching band competitions and music education conferences.  He is a member of NAfME, NBA, AMEA, and ABA. 


Staff

Auxiliary Sponsor- Anna Slay- aslay@shelbyed.org

Percussion- Casey Clark