About the Director

Mr. Stephen L. Clendenin

Director of Bands, Granby High School

7101 Granby St.

Norfolk, VA 23505

757-451-4110 School   757-451-4118 Fax

E-MAIL

Mr. C was born and raised in Norfolk where he began playing the clarinet in the 6th grade and began studying guitar privately.  He quickly developed a love for playing and practicing and by the time he was in the 10th grade was the woodwind section leader and clarinet soloist in the top high school ensemble.  It was during his high school years that he began to develop a love for helping others, for performing, and for teaching.  Although Mr. C loved playing in the band he was active in many other areas primarily on the football and baseball field, where he was an all-district athlete.  After high school he attended Virginia Wesleyan College with hopes to continue in music while having the opportunity to continue playing baseball.  After about a year he knew that music was where most of the passion was and the decision to make it a career developed. 

During the college years C was an active performer in many groups including the Virginia Wesleyan Chamber Winds, the Old Dominion University Wind Ensemble, Creo, the Virginia Intercollegiate Band, the Virginia Wind Symphony, and various other solo and chamber ensembles in the area.  After 2 years, he was Principal clarinetist of all the aforementioned ensembles.  He was a concerto competition winner at Old Dominion University and featured soloist on many occassions.  He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Collegiate Honor Society, and was the recipient of the Excellence in Music award as the top graduate in the degree field of music. 

Since college, Mr. C has earned a Masters in Music Education from Old Dominion University, performed at Carnegie Hall, performed at the prestigious Mid-West Clinic in Chicago, performed at the American Band Masters Association Conference, performed with the Tidewater Winds as Assistant Principal, taught orchestra, and accepted the position as Director of Bands at Granby High School in June of 2004.  

Mr. Clendenin's Principal teachers are Patti Farrell Carlson, and Dennis J. Zeisler.  

Mr. C currently resides in Norfolk with his wonderful wife Cameron who is a history teacher at Lake Taylor High, and their two dogs Tucker and Oliver.