ONE OF US: Cecelia Madry

Local Band Director Making A Joyful Noise In The Community

For some, music is just a hobby - but for Cecelia Madry, music is a way of life.

Some people spend a lifetime searching for their true purpose, but this was not the case for the current band director of West Gadsden Middle School.

Madry, who originally hails from Miami, comes from a musical family background; from her family’s roots in the church, to her father who played both the saxophone and drums, Madry was destined to be musically inclined.

Madry says she has fond memories of her family’s musical talents, and was inspired in particular by her father’s gift with musical instruments.

“As I was growing up, he would always play the saxophone a lot around the house,” said Madry, speaking of her father.

Though Madry comes from a family of musicians and singers, it was not until she picked up her first instrument in middle school that she knew she was destined to be a band director.

Cecilia Madry is the band director at West Gadsden Middle School.

Madry’s first instrument of choice was the clarinet, but she later learned to play other instruments like the flute.

She would go on to join Miami Palmetto Senior High School’s band, which is what prepared her for the next phase in her musical journey.

During her college years, Madry was a part of Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 from 1981-1985 and during that time she was able to grow and join organizations like The Beta Phi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.

She gained her Masters in curriculum and instruction, and would later go on to start her career in education in 1990 - a career choice that has since led to over 30 years of experience as an instructor at a range of schools in Gadsden County.

“One of the most exciting times in my life was being in “The 100” and meeting people like Dr. Foster, Dr. White and marching with Dr. Chipman. This is traditionally a male dominated industry, so it was good being able to be amongst those types of young men,” said Madry.

Though Madry stated that she really does not like to be in the spotlight, she was named West Gadsden Middle School’s teacher of the year.

Cecilia Madry has been praised by her colleagues and fellow educators at West Gadsden Middle School for her impact on Gadsden County students, her patience, and her unique way of introducing students to music. Pictured is Madry (center) with two colleagues, Brittany McMilian (left) and Melissa Torress (right).

This could be marked as a great achievement in Madry’s career, but she has stated that her most fulfilling moments come from seeing her students grow and become mentors to other students in the community.

“I think she has a unique way of working. She really has a relationship with them, which I think makes it easier for them. Some of them had never picked up any instruments until two months ago so for some of them to be able to go out there and perform, I think that’s really based on her leadership,” said Brittany McMillian, a Gadsden County educator and colleague of Madry’s.

“From what I see she’s very patient. I like the way she works with the kids,” said Melissa Torres, another colleague of Madry.

Madry says she looks forward to continuing to impact the lives of the students she meets, one instrument at a time.

Ebony Houston - Gadsden County News Service Photos by Ebony Houston

ONE OF US: Cecelia Madry

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ONE OF US: Cecelia Madry

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Gadsden County remembers Dr. Frederick S. Humphries: Florida A&M University president makes a big impact on a small town

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