Greetings!

My name is Brian Jay and I am the Band Director at Florence Middle School. We offer band classes for 7th and 8th-grade students with previous band experience and beginning band courses for students who want to learn a band instrument in the fall semester. In the Spring we have our Jazz ensemble class for auditioned students. So, whether you are a lifelong band student or want to try something new, we have a place for you here and would love to have you with us to experience the truly amazing things we do here in the band at Florence Middle School! 

I graduated from Rutherford High School in Panama City, Florida in 2009. After high school, I moved here to Florence where I earned my bachelor's degree in music education from the University of North Alabama in 2015 graduating cum laude and completing my master's degree in music education in 2021.    

At UNA, I performed with the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Studio Jazz Band, Shoals Symphony at UNA, and many other chamber ensembles. I am also an active performer in the Shoals Area, having performed with the Shoals Community Band, Swinging River Jazz Band, numerous church programs and services, community events, and musical theater productions.  

My professional memberships, current and past, include the National Association for Music Education, the National Education Association, the American School Band Directors Association, the Alabama Education Association, the Alabama Music Educators Association, and the Alabama Bandmasters Association.