Eugene Cottrell
Travel Specialist
Cottrell was named to Who’s Who of America’s Teachers in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006. In 2005 he was named a National Teacher of the Year by the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.
Eugene Cottrell attended Concord University in Athens, WV. While there, he marched with the world championship finalist Canton Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 1990 and 1992. In 1992, he was a section leader and soloist for the Bluecoats. After graduation, he taught at West Point Middle and High School in Mississippi as an assistant band director for 3 years. He spent 15 years at Northwood High School (six years concurrently at Horton Middle School) in Pittsboro. During that time period his bands received consistent superior ratings at the middle school and high school levels concurrently. Cottrell was named to Who’s Who of America’s Teachers in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006. In 2005 he was named a National Teacher of the Year by the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.
In 2011 he received the Jackson Parkhurst Award for Special Achievement from the NC Symphony. Along with the Maxine Swalin Award for Outstanding Music Educator, these awards recognize NC music teachers who “Make a lasting difference in the lives of students of all abilities and backgrounds, Serve the community in an exemplary manner as a role model in music education, Instill a love for music in children, and inspire students to reach appropriately high musical standards.”
Currently finishing his 5th year as Director of Bands at Pinecrest High School the Marching Patriots have won several Grand Championships over the past five seasons while receiving all superior ratings over that same time period. The Pinecrest Wind Ensemble has also received superior ratings in grade V and VI. Mr. Cottrell (along with Matthew Holt) is a founding director of the Pinecrest Symphony, a collaboration between the orchestra and band programs at Pinecrest. Eugene has also been an all county clinician in NC, VA and WV. Mr. Cottrell was most recently the guest clinician for the North Carolina Southeastern 9/10 All District Band which represents over 45 high schools. He enjoys family time with his wife, Leslie, and daughters, Madison and Sydney. Mr. Cottrell is also a published photographer and he loves golf way more than it loves him back."