Conductor-Deborah Hamner

 

Deborah Hamner was born in Bowling Green, OH but spent most of her life in Owosso, MI.  She was involved year-round in church, Bible Quiz, sports (volleyball, track and basketball) and band. 

 

After graduating from High School, Deborah attended Michigan State University, majoring in Music Education.  After one semester of college she joined the Marine Corps as a clarinet player.  She was stationed in Okinawa, Japan; Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point, NC; and Parris Island, SC.  She also attended the Ceremonial Conducting/Drum Major Course in Virginia Beach, VA.  After 6 years of playing clarinet Deborah became an Enlisted Conductor, and conducted for hundreds of thousands of people at Recruit Graduation Ceremonies at Parris Island, the Outback Bowl in Florida, as well as performances in Guam, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout the southeastern United States.  In 2005 she received the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Musician of the Year Award, based on her performance as a clarinet player, conductor, and leader throughout her time in the Marine Corps.  In 2009-2012 she was a recruiter for the 6th Marine Corps District.  During this time, she traveled throughout the southeastern United States, musically approving any musician interested in joining the Marine Corps Music Program.

 

Ms. Hamner retired from the Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant and began her teaching career at Bridges Preparatory School in 2015 as a Band Director and Music Teacher.  Since January 2020 she has been teaching Band, Music Appreciation, and Piano at May River High School.  She and her husband Jaime have two daughters, Danielle and Nicole.

​

Deborah was appointed to the position of Assistant Director of the Lowcountry Community Concert Band in 2023, In 2024, the LCCB was absorbed into the USCB-OLLI sponsor and she was appointed conductor. University enrollment has pushed the band off campus and by mutual agreement, the band will continue as the Bluffton Symphonic Band With Ceborah as conductor.