Check Out Melton Harvey II’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melton Harvey II.

Hi Melton, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from Alcorn State University with a Bachelors of Music Education. My time at Alcorn is what really shaped me into who I am. I held a few leadership positions in the band and joined a few organizations including Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Fraternity for college bandsmen, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. because of those and recent connections, bonds, and relationships formed, its impact has helped mold me into who I am today. This pushed me to obtain a Masters of Science in Higher Education from Walden University, Masters of Music Education from Jackson State University, and a Doctor of Music Education from Liberty University.
While I’ve had a tremendous amount of success, I can’t count out those hurdles, trials, and tribulations that would come randomly. I would always recite a few lines of a poem “The Test of a Man” and remember some of the life lessons I’ve attained since the start of my career. I will be starting my 4th year at Dutchtown and leaving Mississippi at the right time was a scary but amazing transition.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
AA few of the struggles that I ran into dealt with working with individuals that did not have the band program’s best interest at heart. I’ve always been pretty good at teaching, arranging music, and drill design, but ever so often I’d run into people that were not for the students, and mostly for self. But the faster we get rid of the band apples or the cancer of the group, the faster and better the ensemble and group dynamic will be.
Small word of advice, work the job you were hired to do. Make the program yours. If the support is there, do the job. Cut the cancers while keeping the students and the program’s best interest at heart. I could go on about this topic but that would be the whole interview.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I currently serve as the Director of Bands at Dutchtown High School, the best band program in the metro-Atlanta area (as the kids say). At Dutchtown, we have the award winning and internationally known Sound of Dutchtown Marching Band, the Wind Symphony, and jazz band.
I think I’m known for my talents with bands. I do a lot of arranging and drill design for the marching band. The top concert ensemble, is known for playing some of the most difficult pieces written for band, including pieces and works Lincolnshire Posy and Abram’s Pursuit. I also teach AP music theory. I may sound like a nerd, but music theory has been fun for me since undergrad. Teaching music theory has been amazing and watching the students connect the dots between their music and the theory is astounding.
I believe my product sets me apart from others. Not to sound like I have the big head, but I have an amazing team that sees the vision. I set the standard and we set the bar for the kids. It’s an amazing feeling putting a show together and hearing the audiences reaction. On stage or in a stadium, it’s a great feeling and gives me somewhat of a green checkmark of satisfaction.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was extremely shy. High school changed all of that. The band really brought my voice out. But when I joined the Kappa League, that really brought me out of my shell. College, however, especially undergrad was the best thing that could have happened to me. I joined Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, incorporated, and had a few leadership positions including a Drum Major for the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite Marching Band. I was probably the biggest band and Greek geek you’d ever meet back then.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/henry.k12.ga.us/thesoundofdutchtown/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc.harv
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JPhNr8Zph/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melton-harvey-607b05314