Copiah-Lincoln Community College has named Jason Harrell as Co-Lin’s new assistant band director effective July 1, 2024. A seasoned educator with 21 years of experience, Harrell has been a part of the Pearl Pirate Band’s staff for the last 19 years.

Harrell earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Delta State University and a master’s degree in music from William Carey University. He is also a National Board Certified Teacher. He has served at Forest Hill High School in Jackson and Brandon High School in Brandon, where his concert band achieved Superior ratings.

Harrell’s experience includes teaching junior high low brass classes, directing the Pearl Jr. High Advanced Band (which also received Superior ratings), and managing administrative tasks for a junior high band program with over 250 students. He was also the director of the Pearl High School Varsity Band, which earned Superior ratings in concert and sight reading at the MBA State Band Evaluation.

As a freelance tubist in central Mississippi, Harrell has served as a band clinician and studied tuba under Dr. Ed Bahr and Mr. Wade Rackley. He has also given low brass lessons. His musical contributions include being a tubist with the Mississippi Wind Symphony and coordinating TUBACHRISTMAS.

He lives in Pearl with his wife, Belinda, and their two children, Emma and Austin. He is an active participant in McLaurin Heights Baptist Church in Pearl.