Welcome

Richard Irby is the Founder and CEO of the North Georgia Winds Organization. Mr. Irby currently works in Educational Sales for Pecknel Music Company Covering South Carolina and  the North Georgia areas. Since his start in the music retail world in 1996, Mr. Irby has been supporting music education by making sure that educators had the tools they needed to keep their passion for teaching alive. Mr. Irby is a product of the Valdosta City School System and Valdosta State University. It is with these Institutions that Richard got his start in music and was able to perform around the country while studying music and practicing his instrument.

This ensemble is a culmination of an idea that Mr. Irby put together many years ago. Timing, location and the right conductor finally fell into place allowing a dream to become a reality.  After many hours of planning and the support of his wife Amanda, North Georgia Winds has started its musical journey.  

Mr. Irby’s affiliations are Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity, the National Association for Music Education, and the Georgia Music Educators Association. Georgia is the lifelong home for both Richard and Amanda so it was only fitting to make this group a part of their community.

Matt Fuller is a retired music educator having taught 30 years of high school, college and elementary band. He was named the 2013-14 Teacher of the Year and served as Department Chair at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. Before starting the band program at Apalachee High School in the fall of 2000, Mr. Fuller taught in Fayette and Clayton counties. He has received degrees from the University of Kentucky (BMEd), the University of Georgia (MMEd), and from Lincoln Memorial University (EDS). Mr. Fuller’s bands have twice performed at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival as well as at the Southern Division on MENC Conference. Bands under his direction consistently received Superior ratings in concert, jazz, and marching idioms. Mr. Fuller is the past Secretary/Treasurer with the Georgia chapter of Phi Beta Mu and has performed with Tara Winds and Georgia Winds community band for over 20 years.

He currently works as a music fundraising specialist with Profit Plus and serves as a regional student representative for new electronic portal Scholarship Auditions. In addition, Mr. Fuller is an adjunct music instructor at The University of North Georgia, Toccoa Falls College, and Truett-McConnell University. Mr. Fuller is an active clinician, adjudicator, performer, and private lesson instructor. He also serves as a certified chief adjudicator for GMEA Large Group Performing Evaluations. Mr. Fuller is married to his lovely wife Kristen and reside in Winder where they have two wonderful sons, Jonathan and Patrick.