Connor Settlemyre’s Journey in Music and Mentorship

Award-winning Graduate Becomes GWU’s First Student Chosen for National Ensemble

By Jackie Bridges

As Gardner-Webb University May 2025 graduate Connor Settlemyre embarks on his new position as band director at South Point High School in Gastonia, N.C., he has many examples of great leaders to imitate. Like his parent, he is a percussionist and was influenced by her interest in music along with his relative and sibling. Then, the sincerity and passion of his high school band director inspired him to become a music educator.

At Gardner-Webb, the Department of Music faculty also modeled effective leadership while helping him develop his talents. They played a role in Settlemyre’s decision to attend GWU too. “After my audition for the department, I received a handwritten letter from Dr. Eric Johnson welcoming me into the department,” Settlemyre shared. “I actually still have this letter and keep it on my desk to this day. The student-faculty relationships that I knew would develop strongly pulled me towards Gardner-Webb.”

Settlemyre earned a Bachelor of Arts in music education with a minor in youth discipleship studies. At the May 2025 graduation ceremony, he won the Most Outstanding Graduate Medal, an honor voted on by the faculty to recognize leadership, citizenship and academic excellence.

“A good leader is the product of many good leaders pouring into them,” Settlemyre reflected. “Leaders are selfless and desire group success rather than personal gain. A good leader listens, communicates clearly, makes thoughtful decisions, and brings out the strengths of a team. Leadership is not just about giving orders, rather it’s about setting an example, building trust, and empowering people to do their best.”

The sum of everything he learned from his mentors created a one-of-a-kind opportunity for him during his senior year. Settlemyre was selected to perform for the National Small Band Programs Intercollegiate Band. He became the first student from GWU to achieve this honor. Along with other college musicians from around the country, he performed at the 2025 National Conference of the College Band Directors National Association in Fort Worth, Texas.

“Being selected for this National Intercollegiate Honor Band truly feels like a capstone achievement for my collegiate career,” Settlemyre asserted. “Coming into Gardner-Webb as a 17-year-old freshman, I never really thought it would be a possibility to perform in a national ensemble. The music department faculty, especially Dr. (Sarah) Fabian, has poured countless hours into me, pushing me to improve every day.”

Fabian, Gardner-Webb director of Bands, traveled with Settlemyre to the conference. “I am incredibly proud of Connor for his dedication, hard work, and leadership over the past three years I have known him,” Fabian praised. “From day one, he has gone above and beyond to refine his skills, constantly seeking opportunities to grow both as a musician and as a leader within our music department. His selection to perform in the National Honor Band is a testament to his passion, perseverance and exceptional talent.”

Once he was chosen, Settlemyre received music excerpts to practice and recorded videos of himself performing. Before the event he was told he would sit as fourth chair percussionist in the national ensemble. On the day of the concert, after practicing 72 hours and getting to know the other musicians from around the country, Settlemyre was ready for the audience to hear the music.

The experience taught him techniques to improve as a performer, and an educator. “I learned so much from our conductor about how to captivate a group,” Settlemyre affirmed. “He did a fantastic job at keeping us engaged despite the long hours of rehearsal. This experience was life changing, and I will never forget it. I also want to thank Dr. Fabian for believing in me enough to even bring this possibility to me. Dr. Fabian has been with me every step of my collegiate career since she arrived at Gardner-Webb, and I am forever grateful for the impact she has left on my life. I also want to thank the music department for supporting me on this crazy journey. None of this would have been possible without the support of the faculty.”