Band Directors

Patrick Butler has been the Director of Bands at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, NC since 2013. Under Mr. Butler’s direction, the Mighty Knight Marching Band has become a symbol of excellence in North Carolina, winning many local and regional awards. Since 2015 the Mighty Knight Marching Band has been performing at Bands of America events, including the 2017 & 2019 Grand National Championships.  In 2017 the Ardrey Kell High School Wind Ensemble was awarded the Charlotte Musical Showcase Award of Excellence for the most outstanding high school music ensemble in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Prior to his position at Ardrey Kell High School, Mr. Butler was Director of Bands at Pulaski County High School in Dublin, VA, from 2002-2013, serving as assistant from 2002-2004. At Pulaski County High School, his band consistently earned superior ratings and was a Virginia Honor Band. His marching bands have performed at the Champs Sports Bowl and the National Fourth of July Parade in Washington D.C. Mr. Butler is graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.A. in music with concentrations in music education and performance. He holds professional memberships in National Education Association, National Association for Music Education, and is an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He resides in Waxhaw, NC, with his wife Kourtney, dogs Titus and Bailey, and cats Joi and Lulu.

David Shives is the Associate Director of Bands at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, NC.  Prior to his position at Ardrey Kell, Mr. Shives spent 5 years as the Director of Bands at Community House Middle School in Charlotte, NC. As the band director at Community House his bands earned consistent superior ratings at local and regional band competitions. In 2018, the Community House 8th grade band received a superior rating, and first place of 42 bands at the Southeast Music in the Parks competition in Atlanta, GA.  In 2017, the Community House Middle School 8th grade band was awarded the Charlotte Musical Showcase Award of Excellence for the most outstanding middle school musical ensemble in Charlotte. Mr. Shives has also served as director for the Ardrey Kell Winter Winds program for the past 3 seasons.  In 2019, this ensemble received the silver medal in scholastic A competition at the WGI Winds Worlds Championships in Dayton, OH. Mr. Shives is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a B.A. in Music Education and a B.A. in Euphonium Performance. Mr. Shives is also a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a M.M. in Music Education. He holds professional memberships in National Education Association, National Association for Music Education, Society for Music Teacher Education and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He lives in Fort Mill with his wife Kati, and their dog Lily.