Linard McCloud has passed on his love of music to his students and communities across the state. He has been a music educator for over 30 years at Burke High School.
The Palmetto Invitational Contest, which Mr. McCloud initiated over twenty 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 and instruments and give six yearly scholarships to band members and Burke students totaling $6500. Mr. McCloud has also established a concert band exchange program as far away as St. Catherine’s, Ontario, Canada. Laura Secord Secondary School and Burke have established 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 Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, and Phi Beta Mu fraternities member. 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 6 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.