Director of Bands (LBMS) - Kaleb Switanek

 

Mr. Kaleb Switanek has been the Band Director at Lake Butler Middle School since 2019. He is a graduate from The Florida State University with a Bachelors in Music Education, majoring in Instrumental Music Education. During his time at FSU, Mr. Switanek was a member of the World Renowned University Marching Chiefs and served as both a Row Leader and Head Section Leader for the trombone section. He was also a member of the University Trombone Choir,  Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Orchestra. Following his time at FSU, Mr. Switanek completed a semester-long internship right here in Union County with both Union County High School and Lake Butler Middle School. Students and bands under Mr. Switanek's direction have received superior ratings at FBA sanctioned events such as Solo and Ensemble and Music Performance Assessment. Mr. Switanek is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Florida Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education.

​

Director of Bands (UCHS) - Kelly Dorsey

 

Ms. Kelly Dorsey has been the Band Director at Union County High School since 2003.  She spent thirteen years before that at Bell Jr./Sr. High School.  She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Florida State University.  Bands under Ms. Dorsey’s direction have consistently received superior ratings at FBA Sponsored events.  Ms. Dorsey has served as guest clinician for numerous band programs and honor bands throughout the State as well as serving as the Conductor of the Florida All-State Small Schools Honor Band in 2008.  In addition, she has served The Florida Bandmaster’s Association as a member of several committees including the Marching Band Study Committee, State Music Selection Committee, Professional Resources Committee and chair of the Classification Committee.  She is currently serving as the chair of the Small Schools Committee.  Ms. Dorsey has presented clinics at the FMEA State Convention on “Building a Successful Small School Band Program”,  "The Concert Band Sight Reading Experience", "How to Be Successful at the Concert MPA with Limited Instrumentation" and the "How to Fix it Series".  She was selected as “Teacher of the Year” at Bell High School in 1997-98 and at Union County High School in 2013-2014 as well as in 2020-2021.  She was listed in “Who’s, Who Among America’s Teachers in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, and 2005.  She was also awarded the prestigious "Oliver Hobbs Award" presented by the Florida Bandmaster's Association in 2016.  Ms.Dorsey is a member of the FBA, FMEA, NAfME, Tau Beta Sigma-National Band Fraternity for Women,  an elected member of the American School Band Director's Association as well as Phi Beta Mu-an International Honorary Band Director's Fraternity.

​

Assistant Director (UCHS) - Pamila Higginbotham

 

Mrs. Pamila Carter Higginbotham has been the Assistant Band Director at Union County High School since 2012.  She has also been the Music Teacher at Lake Butler Elementary School since 1998.  For fifteen years prior to working with the band, Mrs. Higginbotham has coached Girls Softball, Weightlifting and Volleyball at UCHS. She was a member of the Florida All-Star Marching Band in 1981.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Music from The Baptist College of Florida in 1997. Mrs. Higginbotham is a member of the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association and the Florida Bandmaster's Association.  She graduated from Union County High School in 1982.

​