Dr. James Standland

Director of Bands

Dr. James Standland has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from The University of Southern Mississippi, as well a doctorate in musical arts in conducting from the school. He began as a graduate assistant at USM in 2004 and became assistant director of The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band two years later.

He’s been the drill designer and music arranger, as well as director of the basketball pep bands.

Standland has been conductor of the Concert Band, University Band and the Symphonic Winds. He served two stints as director of the marching band, as well. He was previously director of bands at Marianna High School in Florida.

His professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Mississippi Bandmasters Association, College Band Directors National Association, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Percussive Arts Society and American School Band Directors Association MENC.  He was named a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician and received the Florida Bandmasters Association State Student Enrollment Award.

He served as an adjudicator at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade International (Dublin, Ireland, 2016 and 2019); Mississippi MAIS Concert Band Festival (Jackson, 2016); Gulf Coast Band Directors Association McDonalds Scholarship Competition (2017 and 2018); and Gulf Coast Band Directors Association Scholarship Competition (2019).

Adrienne Cocco

Assistant Director of the MGCCC Bands

Ms. Adrienne Cocco is a native of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She was previously a band director for the Long Beach School District and is in her 7th year of teaching. In 2016, she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. In 2021, she graduated from William Carey with a Masters Degree in Music Education. During her time at USM, she also studied trumpet performance with Jason Bergman and performed at National Trumpet Competition in 2015.

Her musical performance background includes Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeny Todd, Cinderella, and Legally Blonde. Ms. Cocco has performed in various places such as Australia, Carnegie Hall, Seattle, Canada, Chicago, and Hawaii.

She has a private trumpet lesson studio on the Gulf Coast and has been teaching trumpet privately for 16 years. Her students have made a variety of prestigious ensembles such as the Mississippi Lions All-State Band, the GCBDA Honor Band, All-South Honor Band, MSU Honor Band, the U.S Army All American Marching Band, and various Drum and Bugle Corps.

She is very excited to be a part of the faculty at MGCCC and looks forward to working with the Band of Gold.

Wil Richmond

Assistant Director of the MGCCC Bands

Wil Richmond is a proud alumnus of MGCCC and has served as both an adjunct professor of percussion and percussion technician at Gulf Coast. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from The University of Southern Mississippi.  He was previously the assistant band director at Harrison Central High School.

Richmond has also worked with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps and has a strong knowledge in the field of percussion studies and instrumental music.

A devoted, hardworking teacher committed to excellence in music education, he is dedicated to teaching students and preparing them for higher levels of music at the college level and in music careers.

Kenny Myrick

The Voice of the Band of Gold

Kenny Myrick holds a Masters of Music Performance (Woodwinds) MM and a Masters of Music Education MME from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. He also earned his Bachelors of Music Education BME from the same institution.

Since August 1997, Kenny has been a dedicated music instructor at MGCCC Perkinston Campus. In his role as Applied Woodwind Instructor, he instructs students in Band, Choir, and serves as a Collaborative Pianist. Recognized for his excellence, Kenny was nominated for Instructor of the Year in both 2018 and 2019, with additional acknowledgement through the Employee Recognition award at Perkinston Campus in Spring 2016.

Kenny’s diverse course offerings include Applied Flute, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, and Clarinet Lessons for both majors and non-majors. He also teaches Fundamentals of Music, Music Appreciation, Woodwind Ensemble, and Allied Arts. Kenny’s contributions extend beyond the classroom as he serves as the Voice of the Band of Gold and assists the Band. Furthermore, he holds the position of Pianist for Perkinston Tri-Campus Choir, Perkinston Choir, and MGCCC Music Majors.

Believing in the potential of all students, Kenny sets high expectations, aiming to push them beyond their initial perceptions of what they can achieve. He sees the journey toward these high expectations as the true path for students to discover their voice, their art, and themselves. Kenny is dedicated to providing students with the necessary skills, information, opportunities, and support to navigate this journey. Ultimately, his goal, like that of all teachers, is to guide students to a point where they no longer need his guidance.