Conductors

Richard L. Petty, conductor and co-founder

Richard L. Petty graduated from Effingham High School, Effingham, Illinois in 1956.  He attended Murray State University, Kentucky on a drum major scholarship where he majored in trombone and minored in voice.  He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters Degree in Music Education from Murray State University.

In 1960, Richard was appointed music teacher at Lone Oak High School in Paducah, Kentucky where he developed outstanding instrumental and choral programs.  In addition to his duties at the high school, he also taught intermediate band and beginning band at the middle school.

While at Lone Oak High School he started the distinguished Kentucky Colonel Band.  By the end of his eighth year over 500 students were enrolled in the instrumental music program.  His students earned over 250 Superior ratings at the Kentucky Music Educators Associations State solo and ensemble contests.  Under his direction, the bands and choirs consistently received superior ratings.

The Lone Oak High School Marching Kentucky Colonel Band successfully competed in marching events from Miami to Chicago and was selected to represent the State of Kentucky for the inauguration of President Lyndon Johnson.

In addition to his career in education, Richard has served over fifteen years as a church choir director.  He was selected to direct the Combined City Choir for the Annual Christmas Cantata in Paris, Tennessee.  His choirs have performed such works as Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ”, Handel's “Messiah” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.”

Richard received the Duke of Paducah Award from the City of Paducah, Kentucky and was named a Kentucky Colonel by Bert Combes, Governor of Kentucky, for his work in music education.  In 1970, he was elected President of the Murray State University’s Alumni Council.

Along with conducting the Believers Concert Band, Richard plays trombone with the Northwinds Symphonic Band and the Sentimental Journey Jazz and Swing Band.

Richard is married to Rita Humphreys Petty.  They have been married for fifty years and have three daughters and seven grandchildren.  Rita plays timpani in the Believers Concert Band.

In 2002, Richard became the Director of the Believers Band. Under his leadership the band has grown from five members to forty-five talented musicians.  The band’s distinguishing feature is its programming which combines popular and light classical music to appeal to the musical interests of the widest audience possible.  Among the memorable events of the Believers Concert Band was the 2007 season when the band gave thirteen performances and entertained over 3,500 people.  The ensemble has continued to make significant musical strides since that time and is becoming a well respected musical group that contributes to the community.

Larry F. Preiss, assistant conductor, 2005-2010

Larry Preiss has been personally involved in music since he played in the outstanding 120 piece North Miami Senior High School Band in Miami, Florida.  As a senior in high school he was selected as Captain of the Marching Band and the Concert “A” Select Band.  Larry’s talent in music earned him the position as Youth Choir Director of the Grace Methodist Church in Miami, Florida while he was still in high school.  He was later appointed to serve as Choir Director of the Callahan Methodist Church in Callahan, Florida before moving to Georgia

Although Larry chose the field of technology and did not pursue a career in music he continues his interest in music.  He served as interim choir director of the Gainesville First United Methodist Church (GFUMC) in Gainesville, Georgia while a search was being conducted for that church's current Director of Music Ministries, Sam Marley.  He has often been called upon to rehearse and lead the Chancel Choir over the years.  For the past 20 years, in addition to singing in the GFUMC Chancel Choir he also plays in that church's hand bell choir. Larry is currently playing clarinet in the acclaimed Northwinds Symphonic Band and in the Believers Concert Band.

Larry has a Masters Degree in Information Technology from American InterContinental University and recently retired from Cisco Systems in Lawrenceville, Georgia.  He is President of the Believers Band Executive Board and led the effort to establish the infrastructure to support the band’s mission and ministry.

He met his wife Brenda of 41 years in a church choir. (You meet the nicest people in choir.) They have 2 children and 6 grandchildren.

“Larry was selected as the Assistant Director of the Believers Band for his unique ability to express the musical requirements of a piece of music and his ability to communicate with members of a musical ensemble.  Larry’s musical abilities and compassion for his fellow man make him perfect for his role with the Believers Band,”  Richard L. Petty, Conductor of the Believers Concert Band.