Coahoma Community College has named Eddie L. Buggs, of Decatur, Ga., as the new director of the Marching Maroon Typhoon Band.
Before entering his newly appointed role at Coahoma, Buggs served as a visiting professor of brass instruction at Stillman College. He brings roughly 19 years of directing and teaching experience at the post-secondary level.
CCC Department of Music chair Dr. Kelvin Towers is elated to welcome Buggs to his dynamic departmental personnel.
"Mr. Buggs comes to us with a plethora of experience as a musician and a band program developer. His connections with leaders of high schools and university-level band programs are impeccable," said Towers.
"Mr. Buggs understands the landscape of all of the major parades and showcases that he looks forward to exploring possible performance opportunities. His foremost goal as a music educator is to provide an optimum experience for his students as they invest in their future."
His music career began in Atlanta, Ga., at his alma mater Morris Brown College. There he earned his bachelor's in 1988 and held the title of assistant band director from 1996 until 2005, leading the marching band in selections from a variety of genres, including rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, and classical. Developing more experience, he continued as an assistant director at Mississippi Valley University, also serving as its Pep Band director. In 2007, Buggs was tapped as the director of bands at Mississippi Delta Community College, where he also served as an instrumental music instructor.
"I'm extremely excited to take the helm as Director of Bands at Coahoma Community College," says Buggs.
"Being trusted to build upon the musical legacy of the instrumental program is a tremendous honor. Regardless of the occasion, I look forward to guiding each ensemble of the Band in representing Coahoma Community College with energetic, high-quality performances –sporting events, parades, or the concert hall. I'm excited about leading the students and challenging them musically, but ultimately, we want them to march across the graduation stage with a degree in hand fully prepared to go forth and represent CCC in the highest."
Buggs began following his passion by taking commercial music/music education courses at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He attained a Master of Liberal Arts in music from Alcorn State University in 2019. Aiming to perfect his craft, Buggs is currently pursuing a Master of Music Education in wind conducting. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, the National Association for Music Educators, the HBCU National Band Directors Consortium, the Minority Band Directors National Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the Alabama Bandmasters Association, Georgia Bandmasters Association, and Mississippi Bandmasters Association.