Beloved band director to leave

 Nola Jones, Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music Education, is leaving UTM on February 6, 2012.

  The tenured Associate Professor has been teaching at UTM since 2006.

  Jones will be Music Coordinator K-12 of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, which over 79,000 students attend. Jones's impact on the band program is felt both by the faculty and her students.  

 "During her time here, she increased the size and quality of both marching and concert ensembles," says Elaine Harriss, Professor and Chair of Music.

   "She's always concerned for the students. She always has us in mind," said Rachel Pittman, a Sophomore Music Education major.

    In fact, Jones's mid-semester departure date stems from her concern for students. She wanted to stay UTM Honor Band and All West Band, according to Harriss.

Jones's classes have been redistributed to other professors, some of whom already have an overload of work due to covering the classes of another professor who is out with a baby.   

"This is a faculty that pulls together," said Harriss.

Students are left with Jones's legacy and optimism for the future.

"She was the first band director I marched under. She's a great teacher," said Martin Mathes, Jones's work-study and a Senior Music major,

 "Whoever they bring in is going to care about the students just as much. Our search committee will find someone good."

"We're all going to miss her, but she's moving on to another part of her life and we understand that. We're supportive of her decision," said Pittman,  "She'll definitely take care of the kids in Nashville, that's for sure."