Ray B. Haney held degrees from Western Carolina University and Appalachian State University. During his 30 year career as Director of Bands at East Bladen High School (NC), his bands consistently received awards, accolades and invitations to perform around the country. His bands have performed at two presidential inaugural events, numerous state and regional conferences, and have been recorded on the
Heritage of the March series.

Mr. Haney has been a member of the 356th Army Band (VA), the North
Carolina Symphony, Barnum & Bailey's Circus Band, and the North Myrtle Beach Community Concert Band. He is the founder of the North Carolina Brass Quintet, the Stardusters Jazz Band, and a popular local Dixieland group.

Mr. Haney has won such awards as the Legion of Honor from Bandworld
Magazine, Citations of Excellence from the NC Bandmasters Association and the National Band Association, and was named a Top Ten Educator in the United States by the School Musician Magazine.

His guest conducting credits include the US Army, Navy, and Air Force
Bands as well as the Cape Fear Community Concert Band and numerous honor bands throughout the region. Mr. Haney has been elected to such
professional offices as President of the NC Bandmasters Association and the American School Band Director's Association.

In addition to his work as an adjunct faculty member at CCU, he held similar positions at Bladen Community College (NC) and Fayetteville State University (NC).

Graduates of Mr. Haney's program include a trombonist with the Houston Symphony, high school and college band directors, doctors, lawyers, and a space shuttle pilot. Many of these people credit Mr. Haney with contributing to their success. Ray was a huge fan of Harry James.

Bit of trivia: Ray was a student of Mr. Joe DeNardo who was a student of Giuseppe Verdi.

Biography courtesy of Bert Owen.