On Wednesday, July 29, Cheryl Thomas announced to the Three Rivers band community that she had accepted the position of co-director for the Vicksburg band program, alongside Jay Bennett.
On Thursday, July 30, Mr. Bennett announced to the Vicksburg band community that Mrs. Thomas had been hired to fill the position, which had opened following Ben Rosier’s departure after nearly two decades with the program. Mrs. Thomas has been the band director at Three Rivers High School since 2020, and was the band director in Coloma Community Schools prior to that, for 15 years.
What would you like to share about yourself and your family with the Vicksburg community?
I have been married to my husband, Brandon, for 22 years. We met in the WMU Bronco Marching Band. Our oldest daughter, Mia, is a senior at TRHS (percussionist and section leader of the drumline), and our youngest daughter Madilyn is an 8th grader (bassoonist and vibraphone player this year in the marching band). We have two dogs, a cat, two Holland Lop rabbits, and six chickens.
What inspired you to apply for the opening of co-director in the Vicksburg band program?
The biggest inspiration for me to apply for the opening is the opportunity to be a part of a collaborative teaching team and part of a band program known for the huge support from the VHS band families, administration, and community.
What will you miss most about the Three Rivers band program, and what lessons did you learn from your time there?
I will miss my students at Three Rivers, and all the support from the band families. I loved taking the Symphony Band to MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) State Festival in 2024, earning all 1st division ratings, the 7th and 8th grade bands to tour the Conn Selmer Factory last spring, and hosting four student teachers and one practicum class from WMU. I learned the value of giving students a variety of experiences, like having alumni come to class to share their experience of majoring in music or majoring in something else while being in a college marching band.
Any parting wishes or final statement you would like to leave with the Three Rivers Band Community as you move on to this next chapter of your career?
My parting wishes to the Three Rivers band families and community is a thank you all for entrusting me to be their band director. The Wildcat Marching Band is set up to have a great season. Through all of the concerts, marching band competitions, parades, performances at the new amphitheater, jazz band performing at Hastings and the Riviera in downtown Three Rivers, trips to Florida and Gatlinburg, the memories that we created will last for a lifetime.
What are you looking forward to the most, as co-director of the Vicksburg band program?
In my next chapter as a co-director of the Vicksburg band program, I am looking forward to creating awesome music and experiences for our band students, while continuing traditions that Vicksburg is known for. By working together with Jay Bennett, I feel that we are going to make a great team.
You bring with you a wealth of great experiences in the world of music education. What are some of the core values you bring with you to Vicksburg, which you hope to instill in your new students this year?
I am a very passionate person and I hope to instill a fire for music in my students. Finding your “why” is a core value that I am big on, and also the power of “yet.” I know that the students will achieve, but getting them to believe it is the biggest part in their success. Yay Band!
Any message to the Vicksburg Band community you would like to share, as we head into the Big Red Machine’s 2026 marching season?
My message to the Vicksburg Band community is that I am excited to get to meet everyone. To the Big Red Machine’s upcoming marching season, I am thrilled to see this show really come to life! Gold Rush is going to showcase a great contrast of dynamics, artistic expression, and visual elements. I cannot wait to see (and hear) the growth and musical depth created throughout the season. The powerful impacts will be there with contrasting colors of sound heard and seen from all sections of the band. I am excited to get to know everyone in the BRM this fall.
