Director C. Phil Burns

C. Phil Bums is a graduate of Arkansas State University. He was a band director for 28 years, starting his teaching career in Hornersville, MO, and then moving to Marked Tree, AR, his home town. He was band director in Morrilton, AR and came to West Memphis in 1974 and remained WMHS band director and administrator of the West Memphis music department for 13 years.

In 1987 he became director of music at First United Methodist Church where he served for 6 years. He then went to work as the educational band representative for Arkansas for Amro Music, Inc. where he is currently employed.

During his time in West Memphis the band program began to grow until over a 100 students were in the West Memphis High School Band. The band won many awards in both marching and concert festivals during the years 1974 to 1987. He continues to be active in the band arena by attending the All State Band and the Arkansas School Band & Orchestra Association (ASBOA) conference each year. Phil is an honorary member of ASBOA and Phi Beta Mu music organizations.

He also serves on the board of directors of Dixie Band Camp.  He continues to be active at First United Methodist Church where he shares choir directing duties with two other choir directors.

Phil is married to Pat Bums and they have two children, Joe and Beth, and 4 grandchildren.