Christian County High School Band Director Anthony Darnell was named the 2023 Phi Theta Mu Young Band Director of the Year during a Saturday night awards ceremony.
Darnall was presented the award on Saturday, February 11, 2023, during the All-State Band Concert at the Kentucky Center in Louisville as part of the Kentucky Music Educators Association conference.
Darnall has served as band director at Christian County High School for the past eight years. During that time the band has grown from 22 members to 110 members and offers a variety of opportunities for students including concert band, jazz band, pep band, marching band, winter guards, indoor drumline, percussion ensemble, and small ensembles. The band has won numerous local and state awards in the pageantry arts, including two state marching band final appearances and two 4A West Regional Championships. Since Darnall’s tenure, the Colonel Band has received Distinguished Ratings at Spring Concert Assessment and Jazz Assessment events. In addition, the Colonel Jazz Band and Colonel Percussion Ensemble have both been selected to play as featured ensembles at the KMEA Professional Development Conference. Under Darnall’s leadership, multiple students have been selected for Governor’s School for the Arts, KMEA All-District, KMEA All-State ensembles, and as well as an array of post-secondary opportunities.
In 2019, Darnall was awarded the KMEA 3rd District High School Teacher of the Year. Darnall has a Bachelor’s Degree from Murray State University and a Master’s Degree from The University of Alabama. Currently, Darnall serves as Band Chair for the KMEA 3rd District and has served as Jazz Chair.
As a trombonist, Darnall plays with the Todd Hill Orchestra, Terry Mike Jeffrey Band, and numerous churches in the area. He served as an Adjunct Professor of Trombone at Murray State during the 2017-18 school year. He has performed with the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, Meridian Symphony (MS), Tuscaloosa Symphony (AL), and the River Brass Band (IN).
Darnall is married to his wife, Kirstie. They have a daughter Kennedy Ray and will soon have a son, Jace Ryan.
