Anna Barnes is the Director of Bands at Alexandria Middle and High School.
Mrs. Barnes is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Gadsden State Community College where she earned an Associate in Arts degree. While at GSCC, she studied theory under Mr. George McSpadden and music education under Mr. Rip Reagan, who is a member of the Alabama Music Educators Hall of Fame.
Mrs. Barnes was privileged to perform with the Gadsden State Show Band, sing in the A Capella Choir, was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, and won the title as Miss Gadsden State 2009 – 2010. She also competed in and was a scholarship recipient of the Miss Alabama Pageant.
Mrs. Barnes graduated Summa Cum Laude with Special Honors from Jacksonville State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. While at JSU, she studied piano under Dr. Gail Steward and conducting under Dr. Ken Bodiford. Mrs. Barnes was privileged to perform with many ensembles at JSU including playing flute in the Symphonic Band, piccolo for the JSU Marching Southerners, keyboard and synthesizer for the Opera Theatre, and Principal Pianist for the Chamber Winds Ensemble. She was also a two-time recipient of the JSU Legacy Scholarship and recipient of the 2011 – 2012 Outstanding Instrumental Music Education Award.
Mrs. Barnes graduated Magna Cum Laude from Sam Houston State University and holds a masters degree in band conducting.
Through the American Band College of Ashland, Oregon, Mrs. Barnes was able to perform under the direction of Frank Ticheli and Johan de Meij. She also had the privilege to study conducting with Anthony Maiello and perform with the infamous Doc Severinsen.
Mrs. Barnes enjoys returning the love of music to her high school alma mater and has been doing so since 2012. As conductor of the marching and concert band, her bands have received consistent Superior ratings at marching festivals and State Music Performance Assessment. Members of the Sound of the Valley Marching Band performed with the Calhoun County All-Star Band in the 2018 Magnificent Mile of Lights Festival Parade in Chicago, IL and the 2020 Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, D.C.
Mrs. Barnes is a proud member of the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Alabama Conference of Educators, and the Calhoun County Band Directors Association.
She and her husband reside in White Plains, AL where their spare time is spent loving on their son Daniel and spoiling their goldendoodle named Sadie.
