By SCOTT POWELLLedger Staff Writer

Jeff Kuntz

At 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jeff Kuntz signed a contract to become the new Gaffney High School band director.

Fifteen minutes later, Kuntz was on the practice field helping Bob Cotter, who resigned in March to become band director at Blue Ridge High, with color guard tryouts for the Gaffney High band.

“I’m eager to get busy here. I was intrigued by the Gaffney High band opening and felt I could make a strong contribution,” Kuntz said. “There is great student and community support here. This is one of the attractive things about the position.”

Kuntz plans to start working with the Gaffney High band program immediately. He made arrangements with Cotter on Thursday to spend time with the band next week.

Kuntz comes from Spartanburg where he worked as interim band director at Converse College and spent the past two years at Gable Middle School. He also spent time directing the jazz ensemble at Dorman High School where he was the associate band director from 1999-2004.

His hiring will become official upon approval by school trustees at their June 14 meeting.

His 18 years as band director include 11 years at Clearwater and Osceola high schools in Florida.

Kuntz is entering his third year as jazz events chairman for the South Carolina Band Directors Association. He is the orchestra conductor for this month’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” by the Spartanburg Repertory Company.

“Jeff has a variety of things from his background he can bring to our band program,” Gaffney High Principal Dr. Quincie Moore said. “He was the clear choice to continue with the great things the band has accomplished in recent years.”

The Gaffney High band has won two Outstanding Performance Awards, the highest award given by the South Carolina Band Directors Association. The winter guard recently won its second straight Carolina Winter Ensemble Association circuit championship as the top winter guard in North and South Carolina.

Kuntz is excited about the opportunity to build on the winter guard tradition being established at Gaffney High School. His winter guard at Clearwater High in Florida finished sixth in its division in the world Winter Guard International in 1999.

He oversaw the Dorman High winter guard for years, highlighted by a strong showing in the 2001 Carolina International Performance Association finals.

“All of the high school bands I have worked with have a strong winter guard program,” he said.

Kuntz worked with students from middle school through college this year.

“I think high school students have the best blend of maturity and enthusiasm,” he said. “During my interviews, Dr. Moore and (superintendent) Dr. (Bill) James were into Gaffney and education and I share their enthusiasm.”

Kuntz, 42, is married to Janet R. Estep. They have an 8-month-old son, John Robert.