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Students write, illustrate book on bullying Author Angel McGowan and illustrator Matthew Linn have created a book for young readers, ?Stomp Out! the Bullying!?  which not only shows empathy for the daily torment and sadness

By Jim Fair, Editor
Published on Thursday, July 21, 2011

Matthew Gill, the band director at Northwood Middle school has a theory on finding marching band members. “If you can breath I can match you up with an instrument,” Gill said.

Gill has joined Greer High School as assistant director of the G Force Marching Band.

Gill comes to the Greenville County School District by way of band instructor at Hilton Head High School. He graduated Furman University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education.  His wife, Kristen, is band director at Easley High School.

Gill graduated Summerville High School where it was routine to perform before 5,000 people at every home football game.

The discipline Gill brings to his teaching comes from his moving frequently as the son of an Air Force father. He traveled throughout Air Force stations in the U.S. and spent two years in Tokyo.  “I needed discipline in my life with the moves my family made and I can bring some of that into the classroom,” Gil said.

His teaching style is three-fold. “I will teach a little about band, a little more about music and more about life,” Gil said. 

Gill got into music when he spotted a pretty girl in the sixth grade. “She was really cute and she loved Jazz. I wanted to impress her with playing a saxophone. I was a horrible sax player,” Gill said. “I learned to play the trumpet and then we moved to Japan.”

Upon returning to the U.S. and settling in Ft. Worth, Tex., he played well enough to make the Olympic High School band that participated in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.

Gill said he has found his youthful age relates to today’s students. “It’s easier for me to remember what it’s like to be that age and in school,” Gill said. “I’m like a liaison between the students, other teachers and administration.”

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