2025 President-Elect Ballot

In his 19th year as the Orchestra Director at Sumter High School, Erik Hines continues to grow the outstanding program that currently has over one hundred students and three separate performing ensembles. The Orchestra also has an after-school gift & talented program, along with a seasonal full symphony. The ensemble has also performed 3 times at the SCMEA State Conference, most recently in February 2020. The program has earned 14 consecutive Superior ratings at the SCMEA Concert Performance Assessment and is the recipient of multiple Orchestra Division Outstanding Performance Awards.

As a percussionist, Erik works as a performer, composer, adjudicator, design consultant, and team member of many successful ensembles. His most current work has been with WGI medalist St. Martin Independent, multi-time WGI finalist Civitas Independent, and the 2024 State 5A Bronze Medalist, West Florence High School. He also composes marching band and indoor percussion music and drill for multiple ensembles across the state and southeast region, including several SC State Finalist bands.

Mr. Hines received his BA and Master’s Degree in Music Education from North Greenville University. He is also a proud graduate of James F. Byrnes High School, where he performed in both the band and full orchestra programs. He has been a director, composer, and adjudicator of percussion, band, and orchestra for over 25 years and holds an educational endorsement from Vic Firth, Inc. He also currently serves on the Executive Board for the SCMEA Orchestra Division as the Past-President.

Mr. Hines currently teaches Orchestra and AP Music Theory, has been a Top 5 Teacher, and was the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year at Sumter High School. He was the proud recipient of the Ford Unsung Heroes Award in 2021. He currently lives in Sumter with his beautiful wife Allison and their Labrador Retrievers, Maximus and Scarlet.