Director Emeritus Dan Martin

Dan Martin, a native of Marietta,Ga began his career by starting a band program where there had been none in Hancock County, Ga when he was a senior at the University of Georgia. Next he took over a band program in Haralson County, GA which had just less than 30 members.  In his three years there the band grew to well over 100 and progressed to making superior ratings in both concert and marching festivals.  From there Mr. Martin spent a year and a half at Douglas County High School.  During his time there they won their first superior ratings in marching band and in concert band festivals.

     In February of 1975 Mr. Martin moved to Sprayberry High School.  His tenure there lasted until his retirement in 2001 after 34 total years of teaching. During his last several years at Sprayberry the band program included a variety of chamber ensembles, four concert bands, and two jazz bands, and a large competitive marching band.  The Symphonic I and Symphonic II bands performed at such venues as the BOA National Concert Band Festival, Chicago and the International Concert Festival, Toronto.  Sym I, Sym II, and Concert Band were featured in concert at Carnegie Hall, New York.  The marching band won many competitive awards including several BOA Regional Championships, a number of Music Bowl Regional Championships, and BOA Grand National Finalist.  They also performed at such events as the Orange Bowl Parade, the Fiesta Bowl Parade, and the Tournament of Roses Parade.

     Mr. Dan Martin is married to Kim Martin who was a science teacher and the guard sponsor at Sprayberry for many years.  They have two daughters, Jennifer Hillhouse and Allison Wray and have four grandchildren- Ridge, Trevor, Joshua, and Caroline.

    Dan holds the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees and is a member of the honor fraternity, Phi Beta Mu.  He is in demand as a conductor, a clinician, and as an adjudicator.  Mr. Martin was honored by GMEA in 2001 as the Georgia Music Educator of the Year.