Dr. Joseph Daniel McNally III, Director of Bands
Dr. McNally is in his fourth year as the Director of Bands at Harpeth High School in Kingston Springs, TN. Dr. McNally majored in music education at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN and completed his Bachelor of Science in 2001. He obtained a Masters of Music at the University of Louisville in 2004. In the fall of 2004, he accepted a teaching assistantship to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts in 2008. His dissertation title is “A Performers Analysis of Eric Ewazen’s Sonata for Trumpet and Piano”.
As an accomplished trumpeter, Dr. McNally has performed with orchestras throughout the southeast including the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. He has also had the opportunity to perform with the Jack Daniel’s Silver Cornet Band.
Dr. McNally’s teachers have included Richard Steffen of Austin Peay State University, Dr. Michael Tunnell of the University of Louisville, Dr. Joel Treybig of Belmont University and Charlie Vernon of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has performed for several world-renowned composers and conductors including John La Barbera and Dr. Thomas Fraschillo.
Dr. McNally is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Tennessee Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Tennessee Bandmasters Association and the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association.
Dr. McNally and his wife, Sara, and their son, Joseph, reside in Nashville, TN. As a family they enjoy supporting the Tennessee Titans, traveling, and playing with their dog, Toby.
David Dayton, Assistant Director of Bands
Mr. Dayton is in his second year as the Band Director at Harpeth Middle School. Prior to teaching at HMS Mr. Dayton taught High School Band, Middle School Band, and Elementary General Music for a total of seven years in Logan and Warren Counties in Kentucky.
Mr. Dayton received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. He received his Masters of Music Education from the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. While attending the University of Louisville, Mr. Dayton worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the University Athletic and Concert Bands. Mr. Dayton's responsibilites included conducting and rehearsing the U of L Marching Band, Pep Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and Teaching Private Tuba & Euphonium Lessons.
While at U of L and APSU Mr. Dayton performed as a tuba player in the various ensembles at both universities. Mr. Dayton's primary tuba teachers were Gil Long (APSU & Nashville Symphony) and John Jones (U of L & Indianapolis Ballet).
Mr. Dayton is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tennessee Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Tennessee Bandmasters Association and the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association.
Mr. Dayton and his wife, Kelly, and their two daughters, Claire and Lilly, reside in Nashville, TN. As a family they enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, canoeing, and fishing.
