Trotter named band director at MGCCC

Dell Trotter has been named the new band director at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Trotter, who formerly was the band director at Harrison Central High School, is a graduate and band alumnus of both Harrison Central and Gulf Coast’s Perkinston Campus.

Sean Keady, who he worked with in the Harrison County School System, will be an assistant band director at Gulf Coast.

Trotter said that this year’s half-time show will include music from 70’s era rock band, Kansas as well as a few surprises for the fans. “I think it will really be exciting. We were trying to do something to infuse youth and enthusiasm in the show and to add something a little different.”

Not wanting to leave band alumni – like he and his wife, Karrie – out of the picture, Trotter has been working on a band alumni reception and a Facebook page. “If we can reconnect with some of our band alumni, I think we can really rally their support around the Band of Gold and maybe get them involved in actually playing as an alumni band as some events.”

Trotter said that he met his wife, Karrie, while at Gulf Coast’s Perkinston Campus. They both played in the band – he played trumpet and she played saxophone. They went on to Delta State University. After getting his bachelor’s degree at DSU, he went to the American Band College at Southern Oregon University and received his master’s degree in music education.

Trotter, his wife and two children, Gabriel, 8, and Zachary, 5, will move to Perkinston.

“Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College fans and band supporters can look forward to the continued tradition of the Band of Gold when it takes the field on Sept. 2,” said Dr. Mary Graham, vice president of the Perkinston Campus. “Fans can expect to enjoy a high-energy show by the Band of Gold, under the direction of Dell Trotter.”