The Directors
The directors of the Florence High School "Big Blue" Falcon Band are Mr. John Bradley, Director of Bands, and Mr. Matt Lentz, Assistant Director of Bands. We are also assisted by Mrs. Deborah Basinger, Band Director at Hibbett Middle School
John Bradley – Director of Bands
John Bradley was born and raised in Florence, AL. He graduated from Coffee High School, and received his bachelors and masters degrees in music education from the University of North Alabama. He has done post-graduate work at the University of Mississippi.
Teaching Experience
Mr. Bradley has served as a graduate assistant instructor at the University of Mississippi, an instructor of music education at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL, and as a high school and middle school band director in schools in Texas and Alabama. His band at Harlingen High School in Harlingen, Texas represented the states of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California in 1987. Mr. Bradley has served as a clinician and judge at festivals and honor bands in Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee, and is a certified adjudicator for the Alabama Bandmasters Association District Band Assessment. This year is Mr. Bradleys thirty-sixth year in teaching, and his second year as Director of Bands at Florence High School.
Mr. Bradley is an active member of the Alabama Bandmasters Association, the Alabama Music Educators Association, the Shoals Area Band Directors Association, and the international honorary band directors fraternity, Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Bradley currently serves as vice-chairman/chairman-elect of District III of the Alabama Bandmasters Association.
Mr. Bradley, and his wife Nancy, have five children, Jim, Karen, John, Patrick, and Matthew, all of whom graduated from Florence City Schools.
Matthew Lentz – Assistant Director of Bands
Matthew Lentz is a native of Florence, Alabama and completed his high school education at Bradshaw High School (2002). Mr. Lentz graduated Cum Laude from the University of North Alabama (2007) where he performed in various ensembles and was the drum major for the Pride of Dixie marching band for the 2005 and 2006 marching seasons. He resides in Florence with his wife Amber (Houke) Lentz, and is an active member of the musical community within the Shoals area. Mr. Lentz's joined the program in 2007 as director of the Florence Middle School Band, and assistant director of the Florence High School Band.
Deborah Basinger – Band Director, Hibbett Middle School
Mrs. Basinger is currently the director for Hibbett Middle School Band and assists Matt Lentz at Florence Middle School and John Bradley at Florence High School. Her career as a music educator spans 36 years of which she has worn many hats. After graduation from the University of Mississippi with a B.A., Mrs. Basinger worked a year in Lawrence County, Tennessee, as a general music specialist, serving several schools in grades K-6. From there she promoted to Phillips High School, Bear Creek, then to Florence, serving at Brandon, Weeden Jr. High, Forest Hills Jr. High, and again at Weeden Middle School. The Weeden Middle School Symphonic band was invited to perform for the Alabama Music Educators Conference in Tuscaloosa.
Mrs. Basingers bands consistently earned superior ratings at both the district and state level of competition. Her students have always been participants in Honor Bands and District/State events. Many of her former students are now serving in careers as musicians and as music educators.
Mrs. Basinger has served as guest conductor for the Walker County, Alabama, Honor Band and the University of North Alabama Honor Band. She was the recipient of the Secondary Teacher of the Year both at Weeden Jr. High and at Forest Hills Jr. High. She is a member of Whos Who Among Americas Teachers, Shoals Area Band Directors association, of which she has served as President. She holds professional affiliations in Phi Beta Mu International Honorary Bandmasters' Fraternity, MENC, AMEA, ABA, NEA, AEA, and FEA. She is serving her 30th year in Florence.
Mrs. Basinger is a proud grandmother and enjoys time with her grandson. Her hobbies and interests include photography, reading, fishing, bird watching, and Ole Miss football.