OUR BAND
About the band
Band at Eagleville is an opportunity to learn how to play an instrument and perform music with friends! Band members typically start in 6th grade with little to no knowledge of music or instruments. Through guidance from teachers, diligent practice, and persistence, these band members prepare concerts where they perform as a group. Band members who remain in band are granted many opportunities like joining our award-winning marching band program, travelling to events and competitions, and even going on trips to places like Dollywood, Kings Island, and Indianapolis.
The Eagleville Band, in its current state after a brief hiatus, began in 2002. Since then, it has performed at countless competitions, festivals, and parades. Recently, the Eagleville Symphonic Band performed at Concert Performance Assessment, hosted at MTSU, and received all Excellent ratings from the judges. In 2022, the Eagleville Marching Band travelled to the Pulaski Classic marching band competition at Giles County High School and received 1st place in every category, sweeping their division. The Eagleville Winter Guard is currently in its top form, setting school records at competitions and travelling to WKU to perform at the Southeastern Regional Championships every year.
Meet Mr. Crossley
Mr. Crossley joins the Eagleville Band after previously serving as Co- Band Director at Riverdale High School (Murfreesboro, TN) for a combined 11 years. From 2017-2019, Crossley served as Band Director at Siegel Middle School (Murfreesboro, TN). Prior to joining Rutherford County Schools, he served as Band Director at Sunset Middle School (Brentwood, TN) from 2007-2009.
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Crossley completed graduate studies in Kansas City, earning a Masters degree in tuba performance at the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (2011). While attending the Conservatory, Mr. Crossley held the tuba Fellowship position in the UMKC Graduate Fellowship Brass Quintet, an ensemble devoted to performing a diverse selection of literature, and performing educational outreach performances. The quintet competed in a number of national and international competitions, which included an appearance as an international finalist in the 2010 Coleman Chamber Music Competition in Pasadena, CA, and semi-finalist in the 2010 Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition held in Boulder, CO. Crossley performed at the 2010 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic as a member of the Conservatory Wind Symphony under the direction of Steven D. Davis.
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Mr. Crossley earned a Bachelors of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education from the School of Music at Middle Tennessee State University (2007). He served as principal tuba in the MTSU Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and was a four-year member of the Band of Blue. In 2005, Matthew performed throughout South Korea with the MTSU Wind Ensemble.
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Being an active performer/teacher in the Middle Tennessee and Kansas City area for several years, Crossley served as Principal tuba/Production Manager for the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra for two seasons, and has also performed with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Heritage Philharmonic (MO), Missouri Brass Quintet, First Class Brass, and the Nashville Philharmonic. In 2016-2018, Mr. Crossley served on the brass faculty at the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Performing Arts as the instructor of tuba. Crossley was also a performing member of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (Rosemont, IL). Mr. Crossley’s teachers include Thomas Stein, Gilbert Long, David Loucky, Michael Arndt, Joseph Stegemann, and Prentiss Hobbs.
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Mr. Crossley is a member of the Middle Tennessee State Band and Orchestra Association, Professional Teachers of Tennessee, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association.
Meet Mrs. Nance
Cassedy Nance (formerly Caudill) is the assistant band director at Eagleville School, where she teaches elementary music and 6-8 band. She earned her bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education from Middle Tennessee State University in 2022 and completed her Master's in Business Administration from Western Governor's University in 2024. Mrs. Nance, in her second year at Eagleville School, conducts concert band and marching band. She lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with her husband, Patrick, and their two pets. Mrs. Nance is excited to work with the band and witness their progress again this year.
Meet Ms. Hurst
Alayna Hurst has been coaching color guard at Eagleville for almost 4 years now! She did color guard for 7 years, throughout high school and throughout my 3 years during undergrad at MTSU. I have loved working at Eagleville and can't wait for the year ahead!
