The Tennessee Valley Winds announced Thursday the new appointment of Erich Zimmerman as director.

Zimmerman  is currently in his 20th year as a music educator in Middle Tennessee.

He began his teaching career in Sumner County, then transferred to Davidson County, where he wroked for 10 years before moving to Rutherford County where he is currently the co-director of bands at Rock Springs Middle and Christiana Middle schools.

In addition to teaching, Zimmerman remains active in performance, being a founding member of the Capitol Brass Quintet.

Prior to teaching, Zimmerman was a trumpet instrumentalist with the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. His tour of duty included a 1988 national tour and weekly concerts.

He was also a freelance musician in the Washington, D.C. area.

Zimmerman’s education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Tennessee Tech University, a Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Texas, and a Master’s + 30 certificate from MTSU in Administration and Supervision. He is a member of the Music Educator’s National Conference, the Tennessee Music Education Association where he served on the Board of Directors, and a member of Mid-Tennessee Band Orchestra Association where he served as president. He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha, a professional music fraternity, and Phi Beta Mu, an honorary band director’s fraternity.

The Tennessee Valley Winds is a nonprofit, all volunteer, self-supporting community band that has been providing quality musical performances since 1984.

The community band experience is unlike school or professional groups. Rarely do amateurs and professionals, young and old, get to work together. The opportunity to learn and grow is unique. The director is more of a guide than an authority figure, and does not assign parts or solos. It is expected that all will help each other by offering suggestions and sharing. Friendships are born of shared work and musical enjoyment.

For more information about the Tennessee Valley Winds Community Band please visit: http://www.tnvalleywinds.org