Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Georgia 15341
Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Rome, GA
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Darlington names fine arts director and head of house

May 22, 2009 | 374 views
Darlington School is pleased to announce that Kim Tunnell has been named interim director of fine arts for grades PK-12 and Marcus Holmes has been named head of Thornwood House, effective July 2009.

In the newly created fine arts position, Tunnell will be responsible for managing Darlington’s choral music, instrumental music, drama and visual arts programs at all three divisions. She will continue to teach General Music in grades pre-K to 4 as well as 7th and 8th grade Chorus. Erin Westmaas will lead the Concert Choir, in addition to the Ladies’ and Men’s Chorales, and team teach the Musical Theater class with Rudy Childs. Childs, a local business owner and the director of this year’s winter musical, has also agreed to teach Drama and direct the winter musical.

“Darlington’s arts program is one of our great successes, and it is important to thank Dan Bishop for the solid foundation he has laid at the Upper School,” said Headmaster Tom Whitworth. “Now, by appointing a fine arts director, we can build upon these successes at all three divisions. Kim’s enthusiasm for the arts is contagious, and I know that our students and our entire fine arts program will reap great benefits as a result of her leadership.”

An integral part of the fine arts faculty since 2001, Tunnell has taught 7th and 8th Grade General Music, 8th Grade Drama and Lower School General Music; directed the Middle and Lower School choruses, Lower School plays and Artistic Expressions summer day camp; and served as an accompanist for the Upper School choirs. She holds a B.M. and B.M.E. from Shorter College and a M.M.E. from the State University of West Georgia, and has also taught music at Pepperell Middle School, Midway Primary and Cartersville Middle School.

“I am absolutely thrilled about my new role, and I look forward to building upon our strengths at all grade levels,” Tunnell said. “I’ll be actively working at the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools and will have my hands in a lot of different things, but one of my main goals is to pull all three divisions together through the arts. Together we have so many opportunities to share our talents with the community.”

As head of Thornwood House, Marcus Holmes replaces Tara Inman, who will direct the ESL program next year in addition to coordinating the spiritual life program. In his new role, Holmes will be the primary point of contact for residential parents and students alike. He will work closely with teachers and advisers to advocate for each student in his care. He will also be a vital part of the student life team, ensuring the continuity of Darlington’s mission through the six residential Houses.

“Marcus is a hard worker who clearly has the respect of the campus community,” Whitworth said. “He has the support of the students we interviewed as well as others who live on his current hall in Wilcox. His passion and active interest in student activities paired with his boarding school background make him the perfect choice for head of house. We had several good candidates to consider for this position, so I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who applied. I am very pleased with the way things turned out, and I look forward to seeing Marcus thrive in his new role.”

Holmes has been a desktop support specialist in Darlington’s I.T. Office and a resident faculty member in Moser House since July 2006. Prior to his work here, he spent three years as a support technician for Markel Corp. During this period, he and his family lived in a girls’ dormitory at St. Catherine’s School (Va.), where his wife Melinda worked in the College Counseling Office. Holmes served weekend duty and was a Study Hall proctor. He holds a B.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University.

“I am a product of the boarding system, and to this day – 25 years later – I still have connections with my teachers and coaches,” Holmes said. “Those ties are very special and important to me, and I look forward to building those same relationships with the girls of Thornwood House. I am excited about being more involved with our students and being someone special in their lives. My family and I had a great time at St. Catherine’s before we came to Darlington, and I just look forward to getting back in that routine. My wife and two daughters are very excited as well.”