Charles "Chuck" Conner

Mr. Charles M. Conner is the son of Retired First Sargent Daniel W. Conner and Anna D. Conner. He is the proud husband of Dr. Lanecha R. Conner, father of daughter Evelyn, and son Ahmir. Social justice, equality, and inspiration through the world of Music Education are just a few of his personal and professional goals. 

 

A native of Fayetteville, NC by way of Brooklyn, NY, Charles is a proud graduate of Westover High School located in Fayetteville, NC where he was under the leadership Mr. Felix Sawyer as member of the WHS Concert, Jazz, & Marching Band. Upon completion of his high school studies, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Fayetteville State University with additional undergraduate studies at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, where he was under the baton of Dr. Harold Bray, Dr. Johnny B. Hodge, Dr. Kenneth G. Ruff, and Professor Timothy Chambers. During his undergraduate   Charles (Chuck) was a member of Dr. Hoyt Andres (NCA&T) & Dr. Neil Finn (FSU) lower brass studio in addition to the World Renowned “Blue & Gold Marching Machine” at NCA&T & “Marching Bronco Express” at FSU.  At both institutions of higher learning, he was a member of the concert and jazz bands, served as student arranger & conductor, and drum major for the “Marching Bronco Express” at FSU. 

 

During his 16 years as a music educator he began his career as a general music teacher at Mae Rudd Williams & Walker Spivey alternative schools, Director of Bands at Hoke County High School (Raeford, NC), Founding Director of Bands at Butler College Preparatory Charter School (Chicago, IL), Director of Bands & Department Chair at Canyon Springs Law & Leadership Academy High School (North Las Vegas, NV.), and most recently Director of Bands & Music Technology, and Department Chair at Tucker High School (Tucker, GA.). Several of his ensembles (Concert, Jazz, & Marching Band) have positive accolades on the district, state, and national level. In addition to his career as a music educator, he has also served as a high school boys basketball coach in the states of NC & NV. After completing his undergraduate studies, he earned his Master of Music Education Degree from the prestigious VanderCook College of Music and was selected as the graduate class president during the summer of 2020. His graduate thesis is entitled “The History and Impact of HBCU Band Programs in America.” 

 

As a classical & jazz musician, clinician, and trained conductor; Charles has performed with the Cobb Wind Symphony, F-S-O (Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra), The Chicago State Community Jazz & Concert Band, the HBCU National Consortium Directors & Jazz Ensemble, IMA Wind Ensemble, clinician for the Hoke County All District Middle School Honor Band, E.E. Smith Symphonic Band, Cheyenne High School Wind Ensemble, ATL Precision Summer Camp, and the Dekalb County School Middle School Summer Camp.

 

Charles is a member of NAfME (National Association for Music Educators), Georgia Music Education Association, ITA (International Trombone Association), The HBCU Band Directors Consortium, the Minority Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc., and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. In addition to his professional organizations, he is a contributing author to the best-selling book “The HBCU Experience: Band Alumni Edition”, 2021.