Mr.
Danny Williams has been band director at Buckhannon-Upshur High School since January 10, 2001. He directs the
Marching Band, the Concert Band, the Jazz Band
and directed the former Freshman Band. He also teaches Music Theory.
Williams is
an alumnus of Buckhannon-Upshur High School, at which he played the trumpet. His directors were John Puffenbarger and Phil
Rossano. After graduating high school, he attended West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he performed in the Wesleyan Jazz
Ensemble under Dr. David Milburn.
After
his commencement, Williams moved to Los Angeles and resided there for approximately four years. During his stay in L.A., he
made television specials and played trumpet in a band aboard a cruise ship.
In
1981, he married Dianne, who now teaches at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. He continued to live in Los Angeles while she worked
in Elkins. In 1984, he decided to return to West Virginia to raise a family. Their children, Brandon and Brittany, are both
college students in West Virginia.
Williams
says that his goal is to continue the tradition of great bands in Buckhannon. According to Williams, this tradition has dated
back at least fifty years.
When asked what
his favorite part of directing the band is, he stated, "the kids, for their willingness to work and their tolerance for me."
Source: The Buccaneer, January 2001
Updated: B-U Band Online, August 2003, February 2008
