Patrick Foray

Band Director at Weddington Middle School in Union County, NC
Education: B.M. with a concentration in Instrumental Music Education, UNC Charlotte (2019)
Hometown: Long Island, NY

Growing up, Patrick Foray said his older brothers were both in band, so he would attend their band concerts, which sparked his interest in joining the band himself. He joined band in 6th grade and immediately fell in love with it. He continued to play and grow his skills all through high school and even started teaching private trombone lessons his junior year of high school, which made him realize his love and passion for teaching music.

Now Patrick is the band director at Weddington Middle School in Union County, NC, where his students are excelling. Among their accomplishments: the Weddington Middle School 8th Grade Band, which he directs, is performing at the 2025 North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA) State Conference, an honor both for Patrick and his students.  Along with middle school, Patrick is also involved with the marching band and leading Indoor Winds at Weddington High School, which he says has been a fun and very rewarding experience.

While obtaining his music degree at UNC Charlotte, Patrick said that some of his favorite memories included travelling to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, with the UNC Charlotte Orchestra, performing with the UNC Charlotte Wind Ensemble at the NCMEA State Conference, school visits with the UNC Charlotte Jazz Ensemble, performing in the Charlotte Jazz Festival, and working with a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Ensemble.

“UNC Charlotte provided me with endless opportunities led by incredible professors that are truly passionate in what they teach. The consistent hands-on experiences with clinical visits, teaching lab ensembles, and intense rigor with the performance ensembles helped teach me the standard necessary to be successful as a band director.”

His advice for current students: “Never forget the reason as to why you pursued your major in the first place. Our profession can be very difficult and draining, but EVERYTHING you do is worth it and it all starts with your years in college. UNC Charlotte is a very special place to be. When things get hard, find peace in that.”