Meet the Iron Horse Band

Derek Classey, Band Director

Mr. Derek Classey was born and raised in the greater Atlanta area. While there, he joined the band for the first time in sixth grade. He continued in the band all the way through high school while earning along the way spots in the top ensembles (including concert, marching, and jazz bands), section leader, and eventually drum major. 

While in the high school band program Mr. Classey realized his passion for not just music, but education as well. His high school directors were in many ways father figures to him and helped guide him in life and in music. 

After graduating high school, he turned his attention to obtaining a bachelor's degree in music education from Georgia Southern University. At the university level, he participated in various small brass ensembles, Jazz bands, and combos, and continued to earn spots in the top bands as well as leadership roles including drum major of the GSU Southern Pride Marching Band. It is at GSU where he met his wife and upon graduation, they relocated to the Charleston area and started a family.

While here in the Charleston area, Mr. Classey entered the teaching profession right here in Berkeley County at Sedgefield Middle School (SFM). While there the program involved over 200 band members, sent numerous students to the Berkeley County Center for the Arts, was consistently represented at All-County, All-Region, and All-state band events, and scored excellent and super at district and state-level concert performance assessment festivals. 

After six years at SFM, he accepted the position at Philip Simmons Middle, where the program grew from three members to over 100 in one year. In the Fall of 2023, Mr. Classey took over the reins at PSH.

Mr. Classey has a passion for music education and more importantly a passion for reaching ALL students.

Sonnybet V. Agbayani, Color Guard Director

Sonnybet V. Agbayani is currently the Director of Bands and Orchestra at Daniel Island School after coming out of retirement of 31 years.  Mr. A. received his Bachelors of Science degree in Instrumental Music and Biology from The University of South Carolina (Columbia) and Masters in Arts degree from The Citadel (Charleston).  

He hails from the Lowcountry and he is of Philippine decent where he taught in Berkeley County for twelve (12) years in the late 1980’s.  Mr. A. worked with Goose Creek High School, Sedgefield Middle School, Hanahan High School, Summerville High School, and Timberland High School, St. Stephen Middle and High School, Barnwell High School, West Ashley High School, and Manning Junior and High School band programs since 1987. Under his leadership, his bands has earned Excellent and Superior Ratings and the Outstanding Performance Award at the Middle School and High School Level for SCBDA Events.

 Mr. Agbayani’s professional affiliations include being a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Music Educators National Convention (MENC), South Carolina Band Director’s Association (SCBDA), South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA), Charleston County Band Director’s Association (CCBDA) and Edisto Conference Band Director’s Association (ECBDA and Berkeley County School District Band Directors Association (BCSDBDA). 

He served on the SCBDA State Concert Festival committee and was Site Chairman for the Junior Division Concert Performance Assessment for nearly 20 years and is a State/Regional Adjudicator/Evaluator.

In addition to his duties at Daniel Island School, Mr. A, has instructed and choreographed Colorguard, and Drum Major routines.  Mr. A. studied clarinet under William Hudgins, the principal clarinetist of the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra and has played with the Charleston Community Orchestra, Charleston Low Country Wind Ensemble and the Charleston Community Band and continues to enrich the lives of students and strive for excellence.

Mr. A comes to us this Fall as the PSHS Marching Band Assistant Director of Bands and Colorguard.

Meet the Boosters

  • Nicholas Lyden

    President
    Concession Chairman

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  • Kelly Kennedy

    Vice President

    Website and Social Media Chair

    Grant Research/Writer

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  • Anetria Coaxum

    Treasurer

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  • Amanda Gabriel

    Secretary

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  • Tracy Sullivan

    Food and Events Coordinator

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  • Laura Pierre

    Fundraising Chair

  • Becky Maher

    Volunteer Coordinator

  • Jaynie Carswell

    Volunteers/Photographer

  • Bill Carswell

    Equipment

  • Kenneth Sullivan

    Equipment

  • Rebecca Chastain

    Philip Simmons Middle School Liaison

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  • Andrea Jones

    Daniel Island School Liaison

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