28-year-old hired as new band director

Christopher J. Redd admits he has some big shoes to fill as the newly named band director for the Marion Local school district.

Superintendent Carl Metzger hired the Atwater resident several weeks ago but the board of education made it official Monday night. His one-year contract with extended time service comes with a salary of $50,109.73.

"The entire Marion Local band program is highly recommended," Redd told The Daily Standard during a telephone interview. "I have big shoes to fill with the band recently earning its 25th consecutive superior rating in state competition. That is quite an achievement."

The 28-year-old director has started band practice in preparation for Saturday's Lake Festival Parade in Celina with three weeks of band camp commencing after the weekend.

High on his list of priorities is creating a new show for marching band competitions and half-time performances at football games.

"The show involves more than merely marching and playing music," he said. "It requires visual effects, timing and so much more."

Redd, who was selected from a field of nearly 40 applicants, spent the past year as a graduate assistant at The University of Akron while completing requirements for a master's degree in music education. He previously worked five years in Akron's Coventry Local Schools teaching and directing the high school band, jazz band and eighth-grade band. He also served as assistant for grades 5-7.

A 2003 graduate of The College of Wooster, he continues to coordinate the summer music camp there.

Redd and his wife, Carey, are the parents of a 3-year-old son Jackson. The family plans to make their home in St. Marys.

He replaces Carl Phlipot, who resigned in June to take a similar position at Glen Este High School in Cincinnati. The school has an enrollment of 1,500 students in grades 9-12 - nearly double Marion Local's K-12 enrollment.

Paul Mizer, who served as band director prior to Phlipot, assisted with band duties during the interim.