Jessica Graves
Interview with new NHS Band Director
Can you tell us more about you? And being the New Band Director at Nolensville High?
My name is Jessica Graves, and I am a Nashville native returning home from a brief teaching appointment in Chattanooga, I must say it’s wonderful to be home! I am a veteran teacher and have served as the Director of Bands for two programs prior to my appointment in NHS. While my professional background is in Instrumental and Vocal/General Music Education, I also rely heavily on my military background (8.5 years as a US Army Motor Transport Operator, with 2 year-long combat deployments) to provide a well-rounded education through instruction in music.
As it pertains to being the new Director of Bands at NHS, I am simply excited to continue to expand upon the foundation of excellence – a foundation that was clearly given so much care and love as it was being established. I have a saying for my band community, “Here we GROW,” which I think speaks to my philosophy as an educator. While this program is excellent, we can always find ways to grow in our progress. That’s how I am approaching this new era of the Nolensville Band program, and I am so excited to navigate this with input from the students, parents, and community. It takes a village to do what we do, and our village is the best!
What are your expectations of the 2025 Band?
My biggest expectation for the 2025 band is to approach everything we do with excellence, a growth mindset, and kindness. The kids already achieve at a very high standard of excellence in the way they perform, carry themselves, and move throughout their days. It’s incredible to witness. I want us to continue this trajectory, while looking for new opportunities to grow and build. Always elevating, always finding new ways to make ourselves proud.
Who are your key Seniors?
Truly, each of our seniors serve a key purpose to maintaining our culture, building the future of our program, and leaving a legacy that will no doubt set the foundation for years to come. Personally, in this year, this group of seniors has been instrumental in navigating the transition, so there is the added responsibility of building the program in the new era. Honestly, many of our students have been immensly helpful in this regard, we truly could not have done this without them. My hope for our seniors is that we are navigating their final year in a way that properly wraps up this wonderful chapter of their lives, and that we are doing it the Nolensville Way they’ve always loved!
Are there any new members of the squad that fans should watch out for?
Our freshmen are working so hard to grow in the Nolensville Band program, a trait that I feel a kinship with considering this is also my first year navigating the program. The years from middle to high school can be daunting for students, even more when they take on the responsibility of something like marching band. Our freshmen have embraced that responsibility, the culture, and the high standard set forth by those who came before them, and I couldn’t be more excited for the future with this group.
Is there anything about this squad that will make a big impact this year? Any awards or other notable achievements?
Their perseverance and ability to work as a team towards a common goal is commendable. It has already made a huge impact in our community, being able to move through the unknown and the newness with pride, power, and confidence. This is a special group, that’s for certain!
What should fans know about this year’s Band and their performances?
We’re bringing it back to our roots with our 2025 production of “Reunited.” This show is full of Nolensville Band history, callbacks to prior years, and Easter eggs that will bring our community through the last 10 years in the program. With Year 10 being a big focus of this year in the entire school community, the kids have really leaned into creating something new out of the old, and enhancing what has already been. Each performance will have a new element added, keep your eyes on us!
Is there anything else you’d like to say about this year’s group?
Personally, I have never seen a culture like I have witnessed in my first few weeks at Nolensville. Prior to being hired, I was familiar with the NHS Band program, but to see it from afar versus being directly in the middle of the culture are two very different things. These kids, the parents, and the community all work together to celebrate not only instrumental music-making, but the Fine Arts in general. This group had the unique experience of transition and they have navigated that with grace, open-mindedness, and eyes towards the future. It has been amazing to see, and I know this group will build the foundation for years to come.
