Director Of Bands: Samuel Venable
A native of Virginia Beach, VA, Samuel L. Venable is currently the Director of Bands at Gloucester High School in Gloucester, VA. Mr. Venable received his high school education from Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach, VA. He received his Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Music Education from Old Dominion University in 2015. While in college, Mr. Venable studied saxophone under the Director of Bands, Mr. Dennis Zeisler. Mr. Venable performed in multiple ensembles, including Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, The Monarch Marching Band, and Saxophone Quartet. Mr. Venable was also active in his fraternity Phi Mu Alpha as a Bass singer and executive board member. In 2018 and 2023, the Gloucester High School band program was recognized as a Virginia Honor Band. In 2020, Mr. Venable was honored as the Gloucester High School Teacher of the Year. Mr. Venable currently resides in Williamsburg, VA, with his wife, Jenna, daughter Ava, and their two cats and Goldendoodle.
Assistant Director: Nicholas Hunter
Nicholas P. Hunter has served as the Director of Bands at Page Middle School and as the Assistant Director of the Gloucester Marching Dukes since 2018. Previously, Mr. Hunter was a band and orchestra director in Newport News and worked as a marching instructor at Woodside High School from 2006-2015. He also served four years in military intelligence in the US Air Force. After spending his formative years in Meadville, PA, Mr. Hunter marched with Chancellor HS and Massaponax HS in Fredericksburg, VA. He attended Shenandoah Conservatory and earned a Bachelor’s in music education from Old Dominion University. He has also completed some postgraduate work at Virginia Commonwealth University. Mr. Hunter resides in Gloucester with his wife, Hope, and children, Jack and Kate.
Colorguard Coach: Jeri-Lee Russ
A Letter From Coach:
I am Coach Jeri-Lee Russ! This is my 1st year coaching color guard at GHS, and I am so excited to be back with the marching band. I graduated in 2003 and was a member of the GHS Marching Dukes Color guard from 1999-2003, and was the captain my senior year. I went to Christopher Newport University and was an inaugural member of the Marching Captains in 2004 and the 2005 Discovery Winter Guard! In addition to color guard, I was a member of the Bayside Youth Ballet Company from 1999-2003 and continued dancing throughout college. I live in Gloucester with my husband, Justin, and our 3 kids (David, Colbie, & Penny) and our 2 dogs (Lucy & Hopkins). I am a preschool teacher at Petsworth Elementary School. When I am not with the color guard, I am watching my son march with the bass drum and watching my daughters play field hockey (Colbie is JV at GHS, and Penny is playing for Peasley Middle School). I also enjoy reading, shopping, and hanging out on the patio with my friends! I am so excited for this marching season and getting back into spinning. I have a great group of guard girls and am looking forward to an awesome season!
