Ian Pask is in his tenth year as Band Director at Fort Payne High School and twelfth year teaching in Fort Payne.  Before being appointed the Director of Bands he was the Fort Payne Middle School Band Director for two years.  Prior to Fort Payne, Ian was the Elementary Music Teacher for Arab City Schools.

Ian is a graduate of Medina High School in Medina, NY.  He attended Jacksonville State University for his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, where he was a member of the Marching Southerners, Chamber Winds, Wind Ensemble, Hardcorps, and Symphonic Band.  He was also a founding member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity chapter at JSU.

Ian also attended Jacksonville State University for his Masters in Music Education.  While completing his Masters he was blessed to be a graduate assistant for the University Bands department, travel to London with the Southerners, and guest conduct Hardcorps and Symphonic Band.  He also enjoyed conducting lessons with Dr. Jeremy Stovall and Dr. Ken Bodiford.

The FPHS Band has earned repeated Superior ratings and consistently finishes in the top of their class at every competition under his direction.  The band has also shown significant growth since his tenure began.  The concert ensembles have achieved Superior ratings at State Music Performance Assessments, including perfect scores on stage and in sightreading.  He is excited to see the growth of the Fort Payne program.

Ian lives with his wife Angie, his son Ezra, daughter Millie, and their dogs.  When not directing bands, Ian and his family enjoy spending time outside gardening, Jacksonville State football, and visiting friends and family.

Sawyer Strickland is a summa cum laude graduate of Jacksonville State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (2022). He recently received his Master of Arts in Music Education this Spring (2024). During his undergraduate studies, Sawyer served as the Principal Horn in the JSU Chamber Winds, the Head Mellophone Section Leader for the Marching Southerners, accepted an invitation into the Phi Kappa Phi honors society, and student taught at Fort Payne High School and Fort Payne Middle School. During his graduate studies, Sawyer served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the University Bands where he assisted with the logistical and day-to-day operations of the Marching Southerners and the three concert bands.

During his collegiate career, Sawyer performed in the Marching Southerners, Chamber Winds, Horn Choir, Brass Band, Brass Choir, JSU Civic Symphony, and the Mountain Street Brass Quintet. He also performed in the pit orchestra for several JSU musical theatre productions and is a current performing member of the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra.

Sawyer is married to his high school sweetheart, Camryn. They have a four-year-old miniature schnauzer, Margot, and are looking forward to welcoming their first child later this year. In his free time, Sawyer enjoys playing disc golf and going on walks with his wife and dog.