South Walton High School is thrilled to have Bobby Escamilla as our Band Director. A native of Harrison Township, Michigan, “Mr. E” played the mellophone for the L’Anse Creuse High School marching band and the French horn for the symphony band, while taking piano lessons on the side. Mr. E proudly remembers his favorite marching band performance—a tribute to the Sun god Ra--click here to see Mr. E perform that show!
Mr. E knows very well that music teachers make a difference. Amanda Smith was his first piano teacher. Mr. E says, “I loved her because she just got me, understood me and encouraged my love for music. i later moved on to Jennifer Gayle because I needed to go to a more rigorous teacher. I still follow both of them on Facebook today—i am friends with all my teachers on Facebook."
After high school, Mr. E attended Xavier University in Ohio, majoring in Music Education. While Xavier doesn’t have a marching band, Mr. E found many opportunities to participate in music from concert band, chamber orchestra, pit orchestra, pep band for basketball teams, chamber groups and piano. Being so far away from home was hard at first but got easier because he made friends in his new music community and established a new life.
Mr. E arrived at South Walton High in the summer of 2016 to take on the band program while getting himself adjusted to life in Florida. "This community has been wonderful. I grew up near Lake St Clair, Michigan,” says Mr. E. "I was able to go to the beach when I wanted to. I’ve always wanted to work in a coastal town.” This new beach life is shared with his two beloved dogs, Clara and Christopher Robin. Clara is a Schnauzer/Cocker Spaniel mix and is “chill,” as Mr. E describes her. Christopher Robin is a unique “designer” dog—an English bulldog and Corgi mix. He keeps Mr. E and Clara on their toes!
Since Mr. E became Band Director the program has grown dramatically. “I want this program to become an EPIC program, much like what our district is wanting from every program they offer,” Mr. E explains. And he is well on his way, with the additions of AP Music History and piano class for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year. This is no small feat but Mr E is doing what it takes to make it happen.
Mr. E believes that success will depend on having band members who are passionate, caring, and hard-working. He believes South Walton really has the right qualities to make the program successful. “It’s definitely gotten more professional; the musicianship is higher, and the dedication is higher as well. Across the board everything has just gotten better in terms of communication, family environment and personalities."
As Mr. E thinks about the ups and downs of any musician’s journey, he thinks back on one moment of his own. "I remember once when my mind went blank in a recital. I was supposed to be to playing Villa-Lobos' "Bachianas Brasileiras" on the piano. It was mortifying because I had no music—it was all by memory. My arm started to give out too. I just kept going and figured it out. It was a very difficult recital—a full audience at Xavier. I recovered, thankfully. I will never forget it.”
We’re so thankful Mr. E’s musical journey has brought him to South Walton!
Mr. E knows very well that music teachers make a difference. Amanda Smith was his first piano teacher. Mr. E says, “I loved her because she just got me, understood me and encouraged my love for music. i later moved on to Jennifer Gayle because I needed to go to a more rigorous teacher. I still follow both of them on Facebook today—i am friends with all my teachers on Facebook."
After high school, Mr. E attended Xavier University in Ohio, majoring in Music Education. While Xavier doesn’t have a marching band, Mr. E found many opportunities to participate in music from concert band, chamber orchestra, pit orchestra, pep band for basketball teams, chamber groups and piano. Being so far away from home was hard at first but got easier because he made friends in his new music community and established a new life.
Mr. E arrived at South Walton High in the summer of 2016 to take on the band program while getting himself adjusted to life in Florida. "This community has been wonderful. I grew up near Lake St Clair, Michigan,” says Mr. E. "I was able to go to the beach when I wanted to. I’ve always wanted to work in a coastal town.” This new beach life is shared with his two beloved dogs, Clara and Christopher Robin. Clara is a Schnauzer/Cocker Spaniel mix and is “chill,” as Mr. E describes her. Christopher Robin is a unique “designer” dog—an English bulldog and Corgi mix. He keeps Mr. E and Clara on their toes!
Since Mr. E became Band Director the program has grown dramatically. “I want this program to become an EPIC program, much like what our district is wanting from every program they offer,” Mr. E explains. And he is well on his way, with the additions of AP Music History and piano class for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year. This is no small feat but Mr E is doing what it takes to make it happen.
Mr. E believes that success will depend on having band members who are passionate, caring, and hard-working. He believes South Walton really has the right qualities to make the program successful. “It’s definitely gotten more professional; the musicianship is higher, and the dedication is higher as well. Across the board everything has just gotten better in terms of communication, family environment and personalities."
As Mr. E thinks about the ups and downs of any musician’s journey, he thinks back on one moment of his own. "I remember once when my mind went blank in a recital. I was supposed to be to playing Villa-Lobos' "Bachianas Brasileiras" on the piano. It was mortifying because I had no music—it was all by memory. My arm started to give out too. I just kept going and figured it out. It was a very difficult recital—a full audience at Xavier. I recovered, thankfully. I will never forget it.”
We’re so thankful Mr. E’s musical journey has brought him to South Walton!
Mr. E’s Favorite Things:
- Favorite Comedy Movies: "Devil Wears Prada”—Miranda is awesome; and “Anchorman”—Love Ron Burgundy—"Well that escalated fast”
- Favorite Movie Musical: “West Side Story"
- Favorite Pop Song: “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
- Favorite Classical Composition: “Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy
- Favorite Instrument: Piano
- Favorite Hobbies: Dogs, Photography, Hiking, Kayaking, Shopping, Playing Pokemon and Binge-watching Netflix (I recommend “A Series of Unfortunate Events”)
- Favorite Food: quesadillas—made at home or from Chipotle or Barbacoa
- Favorite Band Trip: Hawaii!