We’re thrilled to introduce one of the newest faces joining the Salem High School family: Robert Rigby, who has stepped into the role of teacher and director in the band department. With experience in teaching music in Roanoke, he is excited to bring leadership and passion for music to our students and community. We sat down with Rigby to learn more about his journey.
What do you teach and/or what is your role? Please include sports and club sponsorships.
I teach all the band classes here at Salem High School. This includes marching band, concert band, jazz band, and any affiliations related to the band program.
Where were you previously, and what brought you to Salem?
I was at William Fleming High School in Roanoke, VA, as the Assistant Band Director, Beginning Guitar, and Music Production Teacher. It was always in my blueprint to eventually teach in Virginia Beach, as I am originally from here. Virginia Beach was where I learned all my musical talents through my time in elementary, middle, and high school. I wanted to return back to Virginia Beach to teach in the district that taught me everything. Salem has all the tools needed to create an excellent music program: motivated students, motivated staff, motivated administrators, and motivated alumni.
What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
I really enjoy the fine arts aspect that goes into everything in this school. Everyone shares an appreciation for the arts, whether or not the students are involved in a program. I can come to school and always know that the students will have something interesting for me to learn in their music knowledge or their understanding of a musical work we are working on.
What inspired you to go into education (or work in a school)?
When I was in high school, I was a drum major, which led fellow band members towards an end goal, in this case, a completed marching band show. The experiences of leading everyone towards the same goal and feeling the satisfaction of hard work paying off became the main driver for me as an educator. My passion for music was to be the best I could be, so I could teach others the same drive for themselves. I strive to be the leader of the field I am in and understand that I still have many more years ahead of me to get even better than I am now.
