LEADS BUCKEYE BAND — Chuck Eddy is the new director of the Buckeye Local High School Marching Band. He and the 49 members are gearing up for a slew of events over the upcoming year, including games, parades and other performances. -- Contributed

CONNORVILLE — Chuck Eddy is leading the marching band as the new director at Buckeye Local High School, but for him it has been a seamless transition.

Eddy, who has served as assistant band director for the past five years, took the reins from longtime director Bill Stephens, who retired after more than three decades at the podium. He said it was a true student-to-teacher moment because he studied under Stephens at Martins Ferry High School long before they worked together at Buckeye Local, and he graduated in 1994. Eddy earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Mount Union in 1999, and eventually gained a career-tech license from Kent State University.

“I went from a Purple Rider to a Purple Raider,” he joked.

The Martins Ferry resident and his wife, Karen, have two sons, Jonas and Zane, who are Buckeye Local students. Eddy remained in the area and began instructing students of his own, working at Southwest Junior High School as a choir and general music teacher for five years and also Buckeye North Elementary as a music educator for eight years before heading at BLHS. He had served as an assistant band director since 2020 with Stephens and junior high band director Stacey Soos, plus he has directed the junior high choir, jazz band and theater and coached cross country, track and football.

He transitioned into his current role in July and has been busy ever since, joining his 49 young musicians for band camp at Bethany College to learn pregame and show performances and holding practice at the high school, as well as participating in school games and local events. The band has already appeared at the Buckeye Local Back-to-School Bash and Jefferson County Fair in August and Barnesville Pumpkin Festival Parade in September, in addition to the “Quaker Steak and Lube Football Kickoff Show” on WTRF-TV. Eddy also planned a full slate of activities for the upcoming year with the OVAC Showcase of Bands on Oct. 18, the Dillonvale Halloween Parade, Wheeling Christmas Parade, YTR Christmas Parade, Brilliant Christmas Parade, and school Christmas concert in December. The choir will perform the national anthem at a Wheeling Nailers game on Jan. 25 and more events include the spring performance of “The Wizard of Oz” on March 19-21, the Queen of Queens Pageant on March 24 and the spring concert on April 7.

He said he was ready to take on the challenge but has remained in contact with Stephens now and again for advice.

“It’s wonderful, and I love every day to teach students music and singing in the choir,” Eddy said. “I keep in touch with Stephens. He’s a great friend and sometimes I call with questions. He’s a wonderful man and helped with the transition.”

Eddy now works with Soos, assistant director Katie Rogers and drumline instructor Logan Zumpano and said he hopes to carry on the tradition of keeping the hills alive with the sound of music.

“It was an honor to be his successor,” Eddy said. “Just helping him over the years has helped me to be prepared for what I’m doing now. I’m very comfortable and very happy to be where I am. We have a great school and a great group of students, and it’s a blessing to be able to teach them.”

He anticipates the number of players to increase in the future since 70 students are in the seventh- and eighth-grade band and another 36 sixth-graders participate. Eddy said he wants to shape musical minds and create good stewards of tomorrow.

“I just want to continue to help the marching band be a staple in our community, and I hope each student who comes through learns about music and becomes a wonderful citizen as they grow.”