Band Directors
Mrs. Jessica Palmer Hood
Director of Bands
High School
Jessica Palmer Hood is the Director of Bands at Muscle Shoals High School in Muscle Shoals, AL. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Alabama and a Master of the Arts in Music Education from the University of North Alabama. Jessica is in her 11th year of teaching, during which her students and ensembles have continuously grown and achieved at high levels. Under Hood’s direction, the Muscle Shoals High School Band has received numerous marching band titles and concert band performance opportunities.
Jessica is the Past Chairman for the Shoals Area Band Directors Association, Vice Chairman for the Alabama Bandmasters Association District III and is an active judge, clinician, presenter, and conductor. She is also a clarinetist for the Alabama Winds and was a member of the ensemble during their 2017 Midwest performance. In 2024, Jessica was awarded the Young Bandmaster of the Year presented by the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, a distinguished bandmaster fraternity.
Hood is a member of the Alabama School Band Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, and Women Band Directors International. Jessica resides in the Shoals with her husband Griffin Hood and daughter Cora.
Mr. Daniel Seay
Director of Bands
Middle School
Mr. Daniel Seay has been the band director at Muscle Shoals Middle School in Muscle Shoals, Alabama since 2018. Prior to his current position Mr. Seay served as the band director at L.F Addington Middle School and J.J. Kelly High School in Wise, VA from 2004-2006. He was also the band director at Brooks High School in Killen, AL from 2006-2018. Mr. Seay graduated from Brooks High School in 1999. He received the Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree in 2004 from The University of Alabama. While in Tuscaloosa, he was a 5 year member and trumpet section leader of the “Million Dollar Band” as well as a 4 year member of the “Alabama Wind Ensemble”. He completed his Master of Arts Degree in Music Education from The University of North Alabama in 2017. While at UNA, he was a member of the “Studio Jazz Band.” He served as the Alabama Bandmasters Association District 3 Vice - Chairman from 2017-2019 and as Chairman from 2019-2021. He also served as the Chairman of the Shoals Area Band Directors Association from 2011-2012. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Phi Kappa Phi, American School Band Directors Association and Pi Kappa Lamda (Theta Theta Chapter). Mr. Seay has twice received the National Band Association “Citation of Excellence”; First in December of 2018 and also in January of 2023. He was also recognized by the University of North Alabama as a “2020 Distinguished Teacher Mentor'' in Secondary Education. He is the Muscle Shoals Middle School “Teacher of the Year” for 2023-2024. The Muscle Shoals Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Band had the honor and privilege of being selected to perform at the 2023 Alabama Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Seay’s bands have consistently received Superior Ratings at the Alabama State Music Assessment for the past 18 years, as well as having numerous All State and All District Honor Band participants. Mr. Seay is married to Dr. Amy Muse Seay, PhD, of Wilsonville, AL. The couple have four daughters: Caroline, Annalise, Elizabeth, and Emalia.
Josh Foust
Assistant Director of Bands
Mr. Josh Foust is an experienced band educator and percussionist, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from Texas Christian University. He graduated from Muscle Shoals High School in 2014.
Since 2023, Mr. Foust has served as an Assistant Percussion Director at Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas, where he instructed both middle school and high school band students. His performance background includes membership with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and Music City Mystique, providing him with a rigorous foundation in marching arts pedagogy and ensemble performance.
Mr. Foust is excited to return to Muscle Shoals and give back to the program that played an instrumental role in shaping his career. He looks forward to bringing his experience and passion for music education back to the community he proudly calls home.