After 14 Years, Band Director Says Goodbye to Oconee

For Bryan Agan, making the decision to leave Oconee County after 14 years as band director of wasn't easy.

Agan resigned last week to accept the position as band director of South Effingham Middle School in order to be closer to his two young sons.

"That is my sole reason for leaving," he said on Monday. Agan notified students on Friday morning and sent an e-mail about the news to parents and fellow teachers  later that afternoon.

"Every second of every day I get to spend with the kids is extremely special to me," he told Patch. "When you pour your life into someone else's, that's significant."

Agan recalled some of the many highlights of his career in Oconee.  The band's performance at Midfest this year --the third time in 7 years -- is certainly one of the those great moments.  Another is the symphonic band's winning of the Honor Award for the highest overall score of all the middle school bands at the National Adjudicator’s Invitational held in Atlanta last year. 

"I've loved my time here and I'm grateful for the opportunities I've been given," he said.  "Oconee County will always be a part of me."

Principal said Agan will certainly be missed.

"Mr. Agan is a phenomenal educator and a loss to our system," she said.  "It is with sadness that he is leaving, but we will do our very best to keep the level he has achieved in the fine arts department."

As for the search for Agan's successor, "We will begin the process next week taking a look at applicants and conducting group interviews," Marable said.

Agan said he would like the transition to be as smooth as possible and hopes to introduce the kids to the new band director by the end of the school year.

"There are not a lot of middle school band director jobs open in Georgia, so there are a lot of really good candidates," he said.

"I am forever grateful for all the incredibly talented students I have had the honor of teaching and the support you and all the parents over the years have shown me," Agan wrote in the e-mail to parents and teachers.  "I remain excited about the final stretch here at the end of the year and please know that I will give your children 110 percent up to the last moment I am with them."