Richmond Hill High School Bands
Developing Lifelong Excellence in Young People Through a Variety of Music Education Experiences
Directors
Director of Bands
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Dr. Daniel Kiene
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The second best time is now." (Chinese Proverb)
Dr. Kiene has been at Richmond Hill High School since 2007 and has taught at various levels from elementary school to college in the South Georgia area for 25 years. He holds degrees from Armstrong State University, Georgia Southern University, and the Shenandoah Conservatory. Dr. Kiene is a member of MENC, GMEA, and an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, having been inducted in 2006 for contributions to music education by the Zeta Omicron chapter at Georgia Southern University. Dr. Kiene has also a member of Phi Beta Mu, the International Band Masters Fraternity, having been inducted in 2017.
Under Dr. Kiene’s direction, the Richmond Hill High School band program has grown from approximately 100 students to well over 200, offering a highly competitive marching band, three concert bands, jazz band and a guitar program. The bands under Dr. Kiene have consistently scored superior ratings in both marching and concert settings. The Marching Wildcats have won more than 14 Grand Championships in the last ten years. The band places multiple students in GMEA district honor bands, the Georgia All State band and orchestra, and college honor bands throughout the southeast.
Dr. Kiene has been named Teacher of the Year for Richmond Hill High School and for the Bryan County School System for the year 2010-2011, Star Teacher for Richmond Hill High School and for the Bryan County School System in 2015, and received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence in 2013 during the band’s performance as a Georgia Band of Distinction at Georgia State University. Dr. Kiene was also named as a quarter-finalist in the Grammy Foundation’s 2015 Music Educator Grammy Award program. Additionally, Dr. Kiene has served as adjudicator for multiple concert and marching events, and as clinician for the Savannah Chatham School District and the Armstrong Chapter of the college National Association for Music Education and as student teacher supervisor for both Armstrong and Georgia Southern Universities.
Dr. Kiene is married to Annie Kiene, and has three awesome children; Jimmy, Andy and Elizabeth.
Assistant Band Director
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Kevin Britt
A native of Kentucky, Kevin Britt received a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Kentucky. While pursuing his degree, Mr. Britt worked with several state champion marching bands across the state. During his time at UK, he would perform concerts with every instrumental ensemble, including appearances at the International Trombone Festival and KMEA State Educators Conference. Mr. Britt enjoyed playing 4 years with the Wildcat Marching Band and was a senior assistant his final year, where he was awarded the Spirit of Blue for exemplifying the ideals of the program.
Upon graduation, Mr. Britt was appointed Director of Bands at Lilburn MS in Gwinnett County, GA. While there, he worked to grow the program to over 200 students and had several successful Large Group Performance Evaluation appearances. Mr. Britt oversaw the Lilburn Hispanic Heritage Ensemble, a student-run band that was invited to perform for a Georgia Congresswoman. During his time at Lilburn MS, Mr. Britt was named Teacher of the Month twice. On top of his duties at the middle school, he also worked with the Meadowcreek High School marching band as an assistant and was highly sought after to teach trombone sectionals throughout Gwinnett county.
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Mr. Britt joined the staff of Richmond Hill 2020, and in his free time enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.