Mr. Linard McCloud,
Director of bands, has passed on his love of music not just to his students, but to communities across the state. He
has been a music educator for over 44 years at Burke High School.
The Palmetto Invitational
Contest, which Mr. McCloud initiated thirty-five years ago, brings together marching bands from small schools throughout
South Carolina and many historical black Colleges and Universities. Over the years, the audience for the program
has grown to more than 9,000 people and has generated enough revenue to purchase uniforms, instruments, and give
six yearly scholarships to band members and Burke students totaling $6,500.00. Mr. McCloud has also established
a concert band exchange program, through which his students have performed as far away as St. Catherine's Ontario, Canada.
Laura Secord Seconday School and Burke have establised a unique relationship since 1990. This program started with Dave Marsden
and has been continued under the direction of Dave Sissler.
Mr. McCloud is a member
of Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, and Phi Beta Mu Band fraternities. He has received numerous awards for his achievements
and was presented the Key to The City of Winter Haven, Florida. Mr. McCloud is credited with helping Burke Band members and
students earn over 16 million dollars in academic and band scholarships. He is married to the former Veronica Rivers and they
have two children, Rosalee and Linard R. McCloud and four grands (Linard R. Jr., Gracen, Layla, and Sonny).
