Instrumental Music Founder Returns to BC
The founder of Bluefield College’s Instrumental Music Education Program has returned with big plans in mind for the future of the program.
Dr. Andrew Necessary, assistant professor of music and director of marching band, grew up in nearby Tazewell, VA, before attending Elon College to earn a bachelor’s degree in music education. He later received his master’s and doctorate degrees in music education from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
He began his professional career teaching band in public schools for five years before becoming a professor of music education and director of bands at Concord University, where he served for 10 years and was chosen in 2002 to receive the Joseph Friedl Outstanding Faculty Award. He also taught music lessons and music education courses at Bluefield College from 2008 to 2010.
Dr. Necessary has directed marching band, wind ensemble, and jazz band and has taught trombone, euphonium, tuba, band literature, jazz improvisation, brass methods, conducting, and music education. He also serves as an adjudicator for marching and concert festivals, as well as an instructor for trombone workshops and all-county band events.
He now has returned to Bluefield College to teach applied low brass lessons and music education courses, as well as serve as coordinator of athletic bands. His most notable previous accomplishment with Bluefield College was that he founded the Instrumental Music Education Program. He is currently recruiting for the college and developing the first Bluefield College marching band to debut in the fall of 2019.
“That’s my goal – to be great.”
Dr. Andrew Necessary, the founding director of BC’s marching band.
“I just want us to look sharp and be impressive,” Dr. Necessary said about his initial goal for the marching band. “By building and growing a marching band, it should increase numbers and help all musical ensembles on the BC campus.”
His broader mission, he said, is to “build an exciting marching band that can represent Bluefield College at football games, parades, and any other events that the college needs support at.”
Nick Hinkle, a Bluefield College alumnus and music educator at Bluefield High School, says that he is excited for the music students of BC to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Necessary.
“His knowledge as an educator as well as his abilities as a performer will be a tremendous asset to the music faculty,” Hinkle said. “His classes had a profound impact on my educational style today, and I look forward to seeing the great things he will do with the BC marching band in the years to come.”
Students who would like more information about the marching band or music education program can contact Dr. Necessary by email at anecessary@bluefield.edu or stop by his office in the lower level of Harman Chapel.