Directors and Staff
Director of Bands, Matt Weaver
Matt Weaver is currently in his eighth year as Director of Bands at Southside High School. He serves as the conductor of the Wind Ensemble and director of "The PRIDE" of Southside Marching Band. Besides the music performance classes, Mr. Weaver also teaches music theory, composition, and appreciation courses. Mr. Weaver is a 2012 graduate of Jacksonville State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a 2020 graduate of the University of West Georgia, where he received his Masters in Music Education.
While at Southside, Mr. Weaver has worked to continue the band's long tradition of musical excellence earning all superior ratings with both the concert and marching ensembles. Due to the band's continued growth, the Wind Ensemble was created in 2015 as an additional, audition-based concert ensemble band to the Southside Symphonic Band and performed at the Alabama Music Educators Conference in 2018. Under Mr. Weaver's direction, "The PRIDE" has been invited to play in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, the San Antonio "Fiesta Flambeau" parade, Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom the Chicago Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
Mr. Weaver is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Alabama Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Men's Music Fraternity, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association. In 2018, he was awarded a Citation of Excellence by the National Band Association. Mr. Weaver met his wife Haley in the band while at JSU. The Weaver's reside in Southside with their three-year-old son Benton. They attend Rainbow Presbyterian Church in Rainbow City, Alabama, and expect the birth of their second child Pearson David in August.
While at Southside, Mr. Weaver has worked to continue the band's long tradition of musical excellence earning all superior ratings with both the concert and marching ensembles. Due to the band's continued growth, the Wind Ensemble was created in 2015 as an additional, audition-based concert ensemble band to the Southside Symphonic Band and performed at the Alabama Music Educators Conference in 2018. Under Mr. Weaver's direction, "The PRIDE" has been invited to play in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, the San Antonio "Fiesta Flambeau" parade, Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom the Chicago Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
Mr. Weaver is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Alabama Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Men's Music Fraternity, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association. In 2018, he was awarded a Citation of Excellence by the National Band Association. Mr. Weaver met his wife Haley in the band while at JSU. The Weaver's reside in Southside with their three-year-old son Benton. They attend Rainbow Presbyterian Church in Rainbow City, Alabama, and expect the birth of their second child Pearson David in August.
Associate Director of Bands, Rebekah Hammock
Mrs. Rebekah Hammock is the Associate Director of Bands. She has previously taught for three years at Wheeler County High School in Alamo, Georgia. As a native of Muscle Shoals, she is very excited to be back in Alabama.
Mrs. Hammock attended the University of North Alabama and graduated with a Bachelors of Education in 2013. While at UNA, she was a member of “The Pride of Dixie” Marching Band, the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and the Shoals Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the front ensemble for three years with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps from 2008 to 2010. She was also a member of Gateway Indoor Percussion. Over the years, she has taught high school WGI percussion ensembles such has Muscle Shoals High School Concert Percussion & the Cullman High School Marching Percussion. She also taught the Muscle Shoals Front Ensemble. Mrs. Hammock received her Masters in Music Education in 2020 from the University of West Georgia.
Ms. Hammock's professional affiliations include Tau Beta Sigma, the Percussive Arts Society and the Alabama Bandmasters Association. Her hobbies include camping, hiking, playing X-Box, and caring for her kittens. She is married to Todd Hammock.
Mrs. Hammock attended the University of North Alabama and graduated with a Bachelors of Education in 2013. While at UNA, she was a member of “The Pride of Dixie” Marching Band, the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and the Shoals Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the front ensemble for three years with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps from 2008 to 2010. She was also a member of Gateway Indoor Percussion. Over the years, she has taught high school WGI percussion ensembles such has Muscle Shoals High School Concert Percussion & the Cullman High School Marching Percussion. She also taught the Muscle Shoals Front Ensemble. Mrs. Hammock received her Masters in Music Education in 2020 from the University of West Georgia.
Ms. Hammock's professional affiliations include Tau Beta Sigma, the Percussive Arts Society and the Alabama Bandmasters Association. Her hobbies include camping, hiking, playing X-Box, and caring for her kittens. She is married to Todd Hammock.
Rainbow Middle School Director of Bands, Jill DeGaetano
Mrs. DeGaetano is the Director of Bands at Rainbow Middle School. She has previously taught at Crossville, Gadsden City, and Albertville Middle School. Mrs. D was a student intern with Mr. Murphy at Rainbow Middle and Southside and is glad to once again be back home. Mrs. D is a board member of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and currently servers as Chairman of District II. She and her husband Brian live in Gadsden, AL with their daughter Kate.
Colorguard Instructor, Marquan McCoy
Mr. Marquan McCoy is the Colorguard Instructor for The PRIDE of Southside. Originally from Tupelo, MS, Mr. McCoy studied Music Education at Itawamba Community College. During his
time at ICC, he was a member of the ICC All American Marching Band for two years and served
as captain of the colorguard his second year. He has previously taught and choreographed at:
Tupelo High School, Mooreville High School, Lafayette High School, Itawamba Agricultural High
School and South Pontotoc High school. Mr. McCoy has also performed with groups such as:
Itawamba Community College All American Band, Magnolia Independent, Paramount A
Winterguard, Colibri Independent, Atlanta CV and Etude Winterguard.
time at ICC, he was a member of the ICC All American Marching Band for two years and served
as captain of the colorguard his second year. He has previously taught and choreographed at:
Tupelo High School, Mooreville High School, Lafayette High School, Itawamba Agricultural High
School and South Pontotoc High school. Mr. McCoy has also performed with groups such as:
Itawamba Community College All American Band, Magnolia Independent, Paramount A
Winterguard, Colibri Independent, Atlanta CV and Etude Winterguard.
Colorguard Coordinator, Haley Weaver
Mrs. Weaver is the retired instructor for the Southside Colorguard and serves as the program’s coordinator. A 2009 and 2012 graduate of Jacksonville State University, Mrs. Weaver was a member of the Marching Southerners where she served as both the Colorguard Captain and later as a graduate assistant. Mrs. Weaver is a kindergarten teacher at Highland Elementary School.
The Weaver’s reside in Southside with their three-year-old son Benton and attend Rainbow Presbyterian Church in Rainbow City, Alabama. The Weavers are anxiously expecting the birth of their second child Pearson David in August
The Weaver’s reside in Southside with their three-year-old son Benton and attend Rainbow Presbyterian Church in Rainbow City, Alabama. The Weavers are anxiously expecting the birth of their second child Pearson David in August
Crimsonette Instructor, Whitney Wood
Mrs. Whitney Wood is The PRIDE’s Crimsonette Danceline Instructor. Mrs. Wood is a graduate of the University of Alabama where she marched with the Million Dollar Band as a Crimsonette. Mrs. Wood and her family reside in Rainbow City, AL where she serves as an instructor at Ms. Tammy’s Dance Studio.