Mr. Ray to Be Inducted into the Broken Arrow Bands Hall of Fame

Mr. Joshua Ray, Director of Bands at Harrison High School, will be inducted into the Broken Arrow Bands Hall of Fame during the Hall of Fame Celebration Weekend in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on Sunday, November 9, and Monday, November 10, 2025. The Hall of Fame honors alumni, educators, and supporters whose leadership, artistry, and service have left a significant legacy in the field of music education.

Darrin Davis, Executive Director of Fine Arts and Director of Bands Emeritus at Broken Arrow Public Schools, explained Mr. Ray’s selection to the Hall of Fame:

Mr. Ray’s nomination and selection were based on his extraordinary accomplishments as a music educator, conductor, and leader in the marching arts, as well as his profound connection to the Broken Arrow Bands, where his musical journey first began.

A 2001 graduate of Broken Arrow High School, Joshua was an outstanding student leader within the Pride of Broken Arrow. He often reflects on the formative experiences he had as a member of the Pride—where he learned the values of teamwork, excellence, and accountability that continue to shape his teaching philosophy today. He credits his time in the Broken Arrow Bands with instilling a lifelong belief in the power of the arts to build community and character, lessons that have become cornerstones of his own program at Harrison High School. 

Mr. Ray joined the faculty at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Jazz Ensembles in 2007. In 2012, Mr. Ray became the Director of Bands and has since served the band program as a co-lead teacher for all three concert ensembles, assisted with the fall percussion class and Jazz Ensembles, and served as the Lead Visual Instructor for the nationally acclaimed Harrison Marching Band. He has conducted ensembles that have performed in state and national in-service conferences, including the Midwest Clinic and the Georgia Music Educators Convention. He is an AP certified Music Theory instructor who also serves as adjudicator, brass specialist, and guest conductor across the state of Georgia. Mr. Ray is affiliated with professional organizations that include the National Band Association (NBA), the National Association for Music Education (MENC), and the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA).

Mr. Davis further recognized Mr. Ray’s successes at Harrison: 

Professionally, Joshua has built a nationally recognized program at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, where his ensembles are known for their musical precision, artistic depth, and commitment to student-centered excellence. Under his direction, the Harrison Band has earned consistent state and national distinction, performing at the highest levels of competition and concert performance. Beyond Harrison, Joshua is a sought-after clinician, adjudicator, and educational leader, known for his insight, humility, and devotion to nurturing the next generation of student musicians.

Please join us in recognizing Mr. Ray, whose career reflects the dedication, excellence, and pride that Harrison Bands strives to instill in its students. 

Thank you, Mr. Ray, for your leadership and commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of our students through the power of music!