Dr. Paxton M. Girtmon, Associate Professor of Music, is Director of Bands and Music and oversees the music education program. He is in charge of all aspects of the Marching, Pep, and Concert Bands, as well as the large and small ensembles in the spring terms. He supervises student teachers, as well as teaching instrumental method courses and instruction, instrumental orchestration, and undergraduate and graduate level conducting courses. Dr. Paxton earned his D.M.A. from The University of Southern Mississippi and his B.M.Ed. and his M.M.Ed. at Northwestern State University. Dr. Girtmon has performed professionally with the Shreveport Symphony and Northwestern/Natchitoches Symphony where he performed with jazz legend Pete Fountain, the world renowned Ray Charles, and former "Tonight Show's" band leader, "Doc" Severinsen. Dr. Girtmon has served as Associate Director of Bands/Coordinator of Music Education and Assistant Professor of Music at Jackson State University. He has been published frequently in national magazines and periodicals for music education and research. He also maintains an active conducting schedule and is a frequent honor band clinician and adjudicator for concert band events around the nation. Dr. Girtmon's most precious and valuable treasures are his family: Lauren, Calvin, Jace and Georgia.