I got the chance to interview the Great Mr. Asis! He was very kind to take the time out of his day and busy schedule to let me ask him a few questions. Mr. Asis is the band director of the Gaffney High Band of Gold. In my opinion, he is one if the greatest teachers out there.

Q: How long have you been teaching at Gaffney High School?

A: 9 years

Q: What made you want to teach music/band?

A: It’s the best job in the world! Every day I get to teach and play music with students who love music just as much as I do.

Q: What did you do before you came to Gaffney High?

A: I taught band at middle school in North Carolina.

Q: What did you originally want to be when you were growing up?

A: When I was a child, I wanted to be a superhero a or a Jedi Knight. However, when I realized I wanted to teach, I really wanted to be an Archaeologist. I loved the Indiana Jones movies: a college teacher who finds ancient relics and gets to beat up bad guys. Who wouldn’t want to be that?

Q: Did you have a job during high school? If so, where did you work?

A: I worked at Food Lion running a register and bagging groceries.

Q: Were you in band in high school or college?

A: I played trumpet and euphonium in high school, and was the drum major my senior year. I also played euphonium when I was in college.

Q: Where did you graduate from?

A: Appalachian State University (Go Apps!)

Q: Where are you from?

A: Gastonia, NC

Q: What is your favorite movie/TV show?

A: Movie- The Sandlot and Dumb and Dumber; TV Show- The Mandalorian

Q: What is your favorite song/genre of music?

A: Hard to pick a favorite genre, I love it all. As for a favorite song, one of my new favorites lately has been “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Cooking has to be one of my favorite things to do, or watching Bobby Flay or Gordon Ramsey tell me how to cook.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Sushi

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Blue

Q: What is your favorite past vacation?

A: Siesta Key, Fl. Can’t beat the beaches there.

Q: How would you describe your band?

A: Our program’s success is based on my students’ taking ownership in their program. We rely heavily on our student leadership as well as our students’ willingness to practice and get better at their art form. Band is a class students choose to be part of for 4 or more years, and I always hope that each year they choose to do their best so the band can be at its best.