Josh Artz

A native of Goose Creek, SC Joshua Artz is the other Band Director at Stratford High School in Goose Creek, SC. Mr. Artz holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree with Clarinet Performance Focus from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. In his time at Winthrop, Mr. Artz served as the Principal Clarinetist of the Winthrop Wind Symphony for seven semesters. In 2013, he won the Bruce Thomson Concerto-Aria Contest and performed “Black Dog” with the Wind Symphony. While at WU, he also performed with the Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Clarinet Choir, Carolinas Wind Orchestra, South Carolina Intercollegiate Honor Band, and the College Band Directors National Association Honor Band. Mr. Artz had other opportunities at Winthrop including: Studies in Music Composition, Arranging, and traveling to Greece, Italy, and France.

Upon receipt of degree, Mr. Artz accepted the position of Director of Choirs and Assistant Band Director at Goose Creek High School. In his time as the Director of Choirs, he managed to grow the program from 40 students to 100+, placed more students in SCACDA in program history, and made the program’s first appearance at Concert Performance Assessment in decades. The Bands of Goose Creek under his direction have received consistent superior ratings in Grade IV, V, VI, and Masterworks at SCBDA CPA and received invitations for SCBDA State CPA. Mr. Artz has performed on the National Stage with the Goose Creek Bands twice. Most recently the Goose Creek Bands were featured in the 2018 National Adjudicator’s Invitational in Atlanta, GA. Apart from ensemble accolades, Mr. Artz has also had a number of students place in the SCBDA Region and State Honor Bands, State Jazz Bands, Honor Band of America, and SCBDA Master Recital each year. The program at Goose Creek offered an all encompassed curriculum of ensemble playing, solo literature, winter ensembles, and music theory. The Goose Creek program featured: 2 Concert Bands, 2 Jazz Bands, Concert Percussion Ensemble, Indoor Percussion, Winterguard, Marching Band, Chamber Groups, and Solo Recitals. Mr. Artz is in his fifth year as a band director at Stratford High School with the 2022-2023 school year.

Being an active musician, Mr. Artz holds a private studio comprised of students in Berkeley County and Dorchester District 2. Mr. Artz has performed with the Carolinas Wind Orchestra, Charleston Wind Symphony, Summerville Orchestra, and Sacred Winds Ensemble. He has studied Clarinet with Lanie Radecke, Thomas Richardson, Michael Hough, Catherine Bushman, and Debbie Loomer. His professional affiliations include NAFME, SCBDA, SCACDA, Winthrop Alumni Association, and the International Clarinet Association.

Greg Priest

Greg Priest, born and raised in Aiken, SC, is in his tenth year of teaching. This is his second year at Stratford High School; he taught for the past seven years at Aiken High School. Mr. Priest attended the University of South Carolina where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music Education and Saxophone Performance Certificate in 2013. He is a certified AP Music Theory teacher and a National Board Certified Teacher.  In 2016, Mr. Priest was recognized as a Golden Apple Award winner.  He is pursuing a master’s degree in music education from Central Washington University through American Band College.

In his spare time, Mr. Priest enjoys playing golf, hanging out with his dog Wallace, and spending time with his wife Kaitlyn Priest, who is also a student in the American Band College, a National Board Certified Teacher, and teaches at Oakbrook Middle School in Dorchester District 2.