Mr. Thornton holds a Bachelor in Music Education and a Certificate of Music Performance from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Thornton is deeply rooted in Drum Corps International including three seasons performing in the mellophone section of the World Class Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from 2016 to 2018.This experience performing at the highest level of the activity paved the way for his transition into instruction, leading to a position on the brass staff for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. His leadership and instructional impact within the organization eventually resulted in his promotion to Assistant Brass Caption Head during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. 

His public school teaching career kicked off with four highly successful years at Travelers Rest High School, where his impact earned him the titles of Greenville County First-Year Teacher of the Year and a finalist for Emerging Teacher of the Year. Under his leadership, the TR band program established itself as a thriving comprehensive program. The marching band achieved South Carolina State Medalist status and broke onto the national competitive scene as a Bands of America (BOA) Regional Finalist. On the concert stage, his ensembles consistently brought home Superior with Distinction ratings, earning the state’s prestigious Outstanding Performance Award (OPA). Mr. Thornton also championed the expansion of the program into the indoor marching arts, piloting the Indoor Winds ensemble to titles as both a WGI Regional Champion and a CWEA Champion. 

Most recently, Mr. Thornton brought that same culture of excellence to Lexington High School, where the program achieved incredible success across every standard of evaluation. The Lexington Wind Ensemble performed as a featured ensemble at the USC Band Clinic. Both concert bands earned Superior with Distinction ratings at SCBDA concert performance assessment. Mr. Thornton’s focus on individual student musicianship yielded unprecedented results at the region and all state auditions, placing an incredible 55 students into the Region Band and advancing 11 to the South Carolina All-State bands. The program was honored with the Outstanding Performance Award with Distinction and even boasted the overall winner of the competitive Master’s Recital. 

Mr. Thornton’s music education journey originally began in D5; it is ultimately where he fell in love with teaching and decided to become a music educator. Returning to the place that started it all is an absolute full-circle moment. He looks forward to joining the rich legacy that is the James F. Byrnes Band and continuing to help students become the very best version of themselves!