macb conductors
Dr. Alfred D. Wyatt, Sr., Founding Director
Mr. Curtis Byrdsong, Principal Associate Director
Mr. Vanable H. Moody, Sr., Associate Director
Mr. Allen Ward, Jr. Associate Director

Dr. Alfred D. Wyatt, Sr., MACB founding director, received his undergraduate degree from Clark College and his post-graduate degrees from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois, and Atlanta University. His teaching career began in Forsyth, Georgia, in 1950. He moved his teaching career to Atlanta and served as band director/department chair at Price High School for 19 years. Dr. Wyatt also served as band director and adjunct music professor at Clark College/Clark Atlanta University, music resource teacher for Atlanta Public Schools (APS), and assistant principal and education administrator in Area Offices and the Secondary Division of APS before his retirement.
Dr. Wyatt also plays French horn for MACB. His vision for a community band to enhance the lives of underserved children and adults resulted in the organization of the Metropolitan Atlanta Community Band in October of 1996.
Dr. Wyatt also plays French horn for MACB. His vision for a community band to enhance the lives of underserved children and adults resulted in the organization of the Metropolitan Atlanta Community Band in October of 1996.

Mr. Curtis Byrdsong, principal associate director and a charter member of MACB, received his bachelor of arts degree in music education at Clark College, and he earned his master of music education degree and his certification in instructional supervision from the University of Georgia. Mr. Byrdsong began his teaching career in the Henry County school system as director of bands at West Side High School. He then went to Atlanta Public Schools as director of bands at Smith High School. He received numerous music awards in addition to being named Teacher of the Year once and Star Teacher twice. He was later promoted to music resource teacher/curriculum specialist for the Area II schools of Atlanta, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the various music programs, and then to music coordinator for the entire Atlanta school system, where he remained until he retired in 1996.
Mr. Byrdsong also plays bass clarinet for MACB, and has arranged and composed several works for the band. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu (National Band Masters Fraternity), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the National Education Association.
Mr. Byrdsong also plays bass clarinet for MACB, and has arranged and composed several works for the band. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu (National Band Masters Fraternity), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the National Education Association.

Mr. Vanable H. Moody, Sr., MACB associate director, was named director of bands at Atlanta’s Frederick Douglass High School when it was established in 1968, and he was a mainstay of the school’s music program for the next 41 years, until his retirement. He organized and developed the school’s band program—down to designing the band uniforms and writing the school song. At Douglass, Mr. Moody achieved Teacher of the Year and was named an 11Alive “Teaching Excellence” Class Act Winner. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference and the Georgia Association of Educators. Before going to Douglass, he played alto sax with the 36th Army Band at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he arranged and composed music for the jazz band.
Mr. Moody earned his master’s degree at VanderCook College of Music and undergraduate degree in music at Clark College. He plays alto sax when not conducting and was instrumental in shaping and improving MACB’s alto and tenor sax sections.
Mr. Moody earned his master’s degree at VanderCook College of Music and undergraduate degree in music at Clark College. He plays alto sax when not conducting and was instrumental in shaping and improving MACB’s alto and tenor sax sections.

Mr. Allen Ward, Jr., MACB associate director, served as band director at Atlanta’s Booker T. Washington High School for 18 years, where he was awarded Teacher of the Year and Stellar Teacher honors by his peers and administrators and named Star Teacher several times by students. Mr. Ward received a commendation of appreciation letter from President Jimmy Carter for planning and producing Mr. Carter’s “Kid Day” celebration. He also received certificates of merit from mayors Andrew Young and Bill Campbell for outstanding contributions to the city of Atlanta.
Now retired, Mr. Ward plays euphonium not only with MACB but also with the West Side Wind Ensemble. He is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and other education and fraternal organizations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Clark College, master’s degree in music from Georgia State University, and education specialist degree from Jacksonville State University.
Now retired, Mr. Ward plays euphonium not only with MACB but also with the West Side Wind Ensemble. He is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and other education and fraternal organizations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Clark College, master’s degree in music from Georgia State University, and education specialist degree from Jacksonville State University.