2026 SRCF Program Book

MARCH 25 - 26, 2026

SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUT

June

15 - 19, 2

Get ready to embark on a w musical journey at the 2026 Music Institute. With tracks foc percussion, jazz, music indus orchestra ensemble, there’s so for middle and high schoo enthusiasts. Led by Georgia esteemed faculty and guest inst this day camp is designed for th at least two years of musica Prepare to grow under the guid expert conductors and instruct will take your skills to the ne Immerse yourself in the vibran scene of downtown Atlan experience an unforgettable w musical excellence. Join us on for a week you’ll never forget!

Welcome to Georgia State University! It’s an exciting time here on our campus and within the School of Music as we partner with Music for All to host the 10th Annual Southeastern Regional Concert Festival. Your participation in this festival is a remarkable achievement, and we are thrilled to celebrate it with you.

Georgia State is proud to support Music for All’s mission of “creating, providing, and expanding positively life-changing experiences” for students while striving toward our vision to “make our world better by making music together.” One of the key ways we bring this vision to life is through the outstanding work of our large ensembles. The School of Music’s ensembles have received numerous invitations to perform not only across the state but also nationally and internationally.

Our Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Robert Ambrose, has been invited multiple times to perform at prestigious events such as the GMEA In-Service Conference and the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference. Our Jazz Combos recently performed at the Jazz Educators Network (JEN) National Conference, and our University Singers, under the direction of Dr. Deanna Joseph, had the honor of performing at the 2025 GMEA Conference and just last week at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Conference in Dallas, TX. Since its founding in 2010, our Panther Band, Georgia State’s marching band, has had the privilege of performing in iconic events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade® in Pasadena, The Presidential Inaugural Parade, and Super Bowl LIII

Beyond our students’ achievements, the School of Music takes pride in regularly hosting renowned performers and artists who collaborate with our students. Recent guests include GRAMMY Award-winning composers Eric Whitacre, Viet Cuong, and Carlos Simon; new music ensembles like Room Full of Teeth and 8th Blackbird; GRAMMY® nominee and hip-hop artist D Smoke; and soloists such as Marshall Gilkes and Jens Lindemann. Our students, faculty, and alumni also frequently collaborate and perform with professional organizations such as the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Opera, and Atlanta Ballet Our alumni continue to make us proud, with graduates who perform in major orchestras, opera companies, and the recording industry, as well as serving as composers, conductors, and educators in public schools and universities across the country.

Through our shared passion for music, we ’ ve created something truly special here in downtown Atlanta. I look forward to seeing you again soon whether at a School of Music concert, workshop, institute, or future festivals. Know that you are always welcome at Georgia State, and until we meet again, we hope you’ll keep Georgia STATE on your mind!

Chester Phillips Dean, College of the Arts

Georgia State University

Greetings,

The entire Music for All family welcomes you to the Southeastern Regional Concert Festival hosted at Georgia State University. Thank you for participating and supporting this Music for All Affiliate Regional Music Festival. Congratulations to host Robert Ambrose and the Georgia State team for making this event happen. Your commitment to music-making and music education in your area is so important to the music education community!

Music for All believes in the power of music and music education. Music for All’s vision is to be a catalyst to ensure that every child across America has access and opportunity to participate in active music making in his or her scholastic environment. The Affiliate Regional Music Festival program supports that vision by serving approximately 25,000 students each year. These events support all that is good in music education in our country: students and directors, growing and learning in a non-competitive, supportive atmosphere from world-class clinicians and adjudicators.

All of us at Music for All thank you for your continued support of music and music education, as well as Music for All events. You help us provide positively life-changing opportunities through your participation in this event and others. Your presence makes you part of the Music for All family.

Enjoy the music-making today!

Scott Casagrande Music for All Affiliate Regional Music Festival Coordinator

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

8:45 AM North Gwinnett Middle School, GA

9:45 AM Lufkin Road Middle School, NC

10:45 AM River Trail Middle School, GA

11:45 AM J.C Booth Middle School, GA

2:00 PM Georgia State University

4:30 PM Lakeside Middle School, GA

5:30 PM South Forsyth Middle School, GA

6:30 PM Daniell Middle School, GA

7:30 PM Morehead Middle School, NC

Thursday, March 26, 2026

8:15 AM James F. Byrnes High School, SC

9:30 AM Grayson High School, GA

10:45 AM Denmark High School, GA

12:00 PM Jefferson High School, GA

2:15 PM Georgia State University

4:30 PM North Cobb High School, GA

5:45 PM Johns Creek High School, GA

7:00 PM Creekview High School, GA

8:15 PM Lambert High School, GA

Congratulations to the ensembles of the 2026 Southeastern Regional Concert Festival!

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

A Non-Competitive Experience

Being invited is the achievement! The Festival’s non-competitive atmosphere provides a place for growth, cooperative encouragement and mutual respect among music programs, students, parents, boosters and administrators Directors select their own programs; there is no required repertoire There are no ratings or rankings so directors and their ensembles are free to stretch themselves, reach for new heights, and strive for innovation, growth and excellence, instead of focusing on a rating or placing Ensembles that perform at the Festival are recognized as being among the finest in the United States.

Concert Performances & Clinics

Each ensemble performs a concert before a knowledgeable audience, including the Festival evaluation panel, music educators and fellow participants in the Rialto Center for the Arts on the Georgia State University campus. Ensemble directors receive recorded and written comments from the evaluators. Following the performance, each invited ensemble receives an on-stage clinic with the Festival Clinician and one other member of the evaluation panel.

Scheduled Observation

Concert observation time is scheduled and required for each ensemble, ensuring that all ensembles perform for a knowledgeable, appreciative audience who in turn enjoy outstanding performances of quality literature

Master Classes

All students participate in instrumental master classes, led by top applied faculty professional musicians. This opportunity provides for interaction with outstanding performers whose insight and experience exemplify musical achievement.

FESTIVAL EVALUATORS, CLINICIANS, and PERSONNEL

Festival Hosts

Festival Coordinators

ROBERT AMBROSE

Director of Bands

Festival Event Staff

BLAIR LIPHAM

Administrative

Assistant Educational Outreach

Associate Director of Bands

LAWRENCE WILLIAMS Assistant Director of Bands

LINDSEY HANSEN-BRAVO

Director of Educational Outreach & Rialto Center for the Arts

Graduate Assistant Educational Outreach

John Cody Birdwell Festival Evaluator

RACHEL BREAUX

Graduate Assistant Georgia State Bands

Dr John Cody Birdwell is the Director of Bands at the University of Kentucky, where his duties include conducting the

University of Kentucky Wind Symphony, directing graduate programs in wind-band conducting, teaching graduate courses in instrumental conducting, history and literature, and supervising the administration of the University of Kentucky band program in the School of Music Prior to his appointment at the University of Kentucky, Dr Birdwell served as Director of Bands at Texas Tech University, Director of Bands at Utah State University, Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, and Director of Bands at Northern Michigan University. Dr. Birdwell's ensembles have toured extensively throughout the United States, China, and Great Britain, and the University of Kentucky Wind Symphony was recently selected to perform at the 2013 National Convention of the College Band Directors National Association Ensembles under Dr Birdwell's direction have also performed at numerous CBDNA national and division Conferences, and have also performed for the Kentucky Music Educator’s Association, Texas Music Educators Convention, Texas Bandmaster's Association Convention, and the Utah Music Educators Association. In 2008 the UK Wind Symphony toured the People’s Republic of China, and performed to capacity audiences in the cities of Suzhou, Yangzhou, Changzhou and Beijing

AMY REID Director of Band Operations

JESSICA BOUYER DEIDRA DOBBELMANN

Administrative CoordinatorEducational Outreach

ROGER POMPOSELLO

Graduate Assistant Georgia State Bands

JONATHAN KOCHIK

Administrative CoordinatorBands

Graduate Assistant Georgia State Bands

Dr Birdwell is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and holds degrees from The University of North Texas and West Texas A&M University.

Dr. Birdwell serves as President-Elect President of the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division, and holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Kentucky Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Mu, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu

Alpha He remains active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad

Often referred to as “The Beast from the Southeast,” Jason Casanova is a music educator and euphonium

performer in and around the southeastern region. In addition to teaching at Georgia State University, Mr. Casanova has also taught tuba and euphonium at Kennesaw State University, Jacksonville State University, and low brass at Agnes Scott College

His diverse performance resumé includes regular performances with the Georgia Brass Band, Fourth Ward Afro Klezmer Orchestra, Mercury Orkestar, and the

Graduate Assistant Georgia State Bands

Divergence Quartet Mr Casanova’s professional orchestral experience includes performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Rome Symphony Orchestra, LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and the San Antonio Symphony. He has served as a guest artist and adjudicator at the prestigious Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival, the International Euphonium and Tuba Festival (IET), the Euphonium and Tubas of Brazil (ETB) Conference, as well as various International Tuba Euphonium Association conferences

Mr Casanova received his Master of Music degree in euphonium performance from Georgia State University and his Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis on euphonium performance from St Mary’s University (San Antonio, Texas) He is also currently finishing up his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in euphonium performance at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. His teachers include Abel Cortinas, Dr Adam Frey, Lee Hipp, William Peter Kline, and Dr Matthew Shipes

Jason is a Besson performing artist/clinician and plays exclusively on a Besson Prestige 2052 euphonium

For more information visit www jcasanova com

FESTIVAL EVALUATORS, CLINICIANS, and PERSONNEL

Track Faculty Advocate, School of Music Graduate Director, and Woodwind Coordinator. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from Arizona State University where she studied with Martin Schuring, and her Bachelor of Music degree from Brigham Young University, studying with Geralyn Giovannetti In fall 2003, Dr Dahl was the sabbatical replacement for oboe professors Geralyn Giovannetti at Brigham Young University and Stephen Caplan at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Prior to her appointment at Georgia State University, Dr. Dahl was adjunct instructor of oboe at Utah State University. In addition to her university studies, during the summer of 2007 Dr Dahl studied with Joseph Robinson, former principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic

Dr Dahl has performed with the Atlanta, Utah and Phoenix Symphony Orchestras, the Arizona Opera Company and the Sunflower Music Festival Chamber Orchestra She is a founding member of Atlanta Chamber Winds which published a CD entitled Music from Paris on the Albany label. Dr. Dahl currently substitutes with the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and Columbus Symphony. She performs frequently with Chamber Music Atlanta and is an active freelance musician throughout Atlanta

Dr Dahl has presented several artist recitals at the International Double Reed Society Conferences, and was a guest chamber coach at Tianjin Conservatory in Tianjin, China in the summer of 2011 In addition to conducting masterclasses at several universities, Dr Dahl has organized masterclasses for the Georgia State oboe studio with guest artists including Joseph Robinson, John Dee, Martin Schuring, Pat McFarland, Elizabeth Koch-Tiscione, Mark Ostoich, Russ deLuna, Humbert Lucarelli, and Nancy Ambrose King

Alexander has been the Associate Professor of Trumpet at Georgia State University since 2018 and holds the Alex Freund Master Class Clinician Trumpet

Second Trumpet chair at The Atlanta Opera.

Being a founding member of the renowned brass quintet M5 MEXICAN BRASS since 2005 he has performed hundreds of concerts at International Festivals and concert tours on 5 continents, for example, the Kennedy Center, the Banff Summer Music Festival, the Cartagena International Music Festival in Colombia, the Sauerlandherbst in Germany, Italian Brass Week, PopArt Berlin, etc As an orchestral musician, he has performed all over Europe, Brazil, India, Algeria, Mexico, and the US. Performances as a soloist led him to Mexico, the U.S., Canada, Peru, Korea, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France.

Alexander was Co-Principal Trumpet at the Opera Bremen (Germany), soloist at Deutsches Theater Berlin, and has been a guest with the renowned Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Berlin State Opera, the WDR Radio Symphony

Orchestra Cologne, the NDR Radio Symphony Orchestra Hannover, Tenerife Symphony Orchestra in Spain, Orquesta Filarmónica de la Ciudad de Mexico, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and many others He performed under conductors like Daniel Barenboim, Semyon Bychkov, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Garry Bertini, Mitsuko Uchida, Arthur Fagen In 2024 he was guest Principal Trumpet for the US tour of the worldfamous Max Raabe & Das Palastorchester from Germany, performing in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Chicago, and Boston Symphony Halls.

In 2022, Alex was the host of the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast at Georgia State University, presenting 14 international guest artists

Alex is a certified Whitewater Rafting guide and speaks 6 languages

Eric Hawkins Master Class Clinician Horn

Atlanta-based horn player Eric Hawkins is a well-established and familiar face in the freelance orchestral

and chamber scene, performing frequently with ensembles such as the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, The Atlanta Opera Orchestra, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Chamber Brass. Hawkins has collaborated and performed with artists and bands including Mannheim Steamroller, The Who, Kansas, Chloë Agnew, Balsam Range, and Michael W Smith He recently recorded with John Driskell Hopkins from Zac Brown Band for Hopkins’ newest album “Lonesome High,” released in 2021

Mr Hawkins graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B M in Music Performance from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, and also earned an M M in Music Performance from Georgia State University As a graduate from Georgia State, his instructional career as come full-circle as he currently holds an Artist Affiliate position on faculty in GSU’s School of Music He is a past winner of the Southeast Horn Workshop Quartet Competition (2013), the Atlanta Horn Clinic Solo Competition (2016), and the Brumby Concerto Competition (2016) with his performance of Franz Strauss’s Concerto, Op 8 Hawkins maintains an active teaching studio of students from Atlanta, Alpharetta, Buckhead, Douglasville, and Marietta, with a large number earning places in the Georgia All-State Band, the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra He enjoys spending time with his wife, flutist Aleksandra Tevdoska.

National Conference” (1991), co-hosted the 2019 biennial national conference, as well as the joint conferences of the North Central and Southwestern Divisions in conjunction with The Society for American Music (1998), served as president of the Southwestern Division (1989-91), and as national president (2003-05)

Dr Kellen King is currently an Artist Affiliate at Georgia State University and Reinhardt University Before his Kellen King Master Class Clinician Percussion appointment at GSU and RU, he was Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at Western Oregon University. Kellen has been published in Percussive Notes and has presented at OMEA in 2021 and 2022 in addition to performing at PASIC, TMEA, and MMC Kellen is an avid educator, researcher, and well-versed performer in classical and contemporary percussion, having spent most of his career focusing on solo, chamber, and electroacoustic music As an educator, Kellen has previously instructed at Western Oregon University, Mercer University, The University of Texas at Austin, Ithaca College, and Cornell University.

Kellen has taught and arranged music at an array of music organizations across the United States; teaching elite competitive marching band and collegiate level performance and academic courses, in addition to being a featured guest artist and clinician at institutions across the country During his education, he studied with Dr Thomas Burritt, Gordon Stout, Judy Moonert, Tony Edwards, Conrad Alexander, and Greg Evans Kellen earned his degrees from Western Michigan University (B.M. Music Education and Music Performance), Ithaca College (M.M. Percussion Performance), and The University of Texas at Austin (D M A Percussion Performance)

Tom Knight Festival Emcee

Tom Knight is an Emmy Awardwinning voiceover artist with an impressive range, embodying versatility and depth across a spectrum of voiceover work. A graduate of Nancy Wolfson's esteemed voiceover course, Tom's dedication to craft shines through in every project Represented by Houghton Talent in Atlanta, his voice has enhanced projects for top-tier brands like Acura, BOSE, BMW, Crown Royal, Disney, Honda, Walmart, Yamaha, and many others Tom's portfolio includes a variety of formats such as commercials, promos, narrations, and more, showcasing his adaptability and skill. His voice has not only narrated for major sporting entities like the Southeastern Conference and Sportstime Ohio, but also lent character to promotions for Equifax, Georgia Lottery, Hewlett Packard, Schlage Locks, and the Kentucky Derby The Emmy Award recognition underscores Tom's exceptional contribution to the voiceover industry, making him a distinguished choice for any project seeking a captivating and impactful voice

Lauded for his “outstanding technique” by the International Clarinet Association, Kenneth Long is Master Class Clinician Clarinet/Bass Clarinet a professor of clarinet at Georgia State University in Atlanta He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a Master of Music degree from Yale University where he was awarded the prestigious Thomas Daniel Nyfenger Prize for the most outstanding woodwind performer, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Ohio State University.

He currently serves as clarinetist/bass clarinetist with the Utah Festival Opera Orchestra and performs frequently with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra He is a founding member/principal clarinetist of the Atlanta Chamber Wi principal clarinetist of the Atlanta-based contempo chamber ensemble Bent Frequency, and has been a g artist on numerous occasions with the Atlanta Cham Players.

Coast Trombone Retreat in Montague, MI, and the Festi Nacional de Musica in Goiania, Brazil, in addition several universities across the United States.

William is currently the Second Trombone with Atlanta Ballet, the Des Moines Symphony, and Columbus Symphony (GA) Orchestras He has also performed with the Austin Lyric Opera, as well as the Victoria Bach, Texas Music and Hot Springs Music Festivals, and the 49th Armored Division Band His jazz experience includes performing with the Di Martino Osland Jazz Orchestra (DOJO) and the Waco Jazz Orchestra, among others.

Petrasek Class Clinician

Jessica Petrasek is an Atlanta-based flutist. She received her Master of Music in 2013 from Rice University’s

William received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in trombone performance from the University of Texas at Austin in addition to a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University

Dr. Long’s appearances abroad have included solo and chamber music performances in Germany, Greece, China, Canada, and Mexico. Recent conference and symposium highlights include performances at the San Francisco Festival of Contemporary Music, National Association of Composers/USA East-Coast Chapter Conference in New York City, Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival, College Music Society National Conference, Percussive Arts Society International Conference, North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, and a solo recital at the Society of Composers, Inc. National Conference in Atlanta.

William Mann has been the Associate Professor of Trombone at Georgia State University since 2013 William Mann Master Class Clinician Trombone

Before his appointment at GSU, William taught at Morehead State University, the University of Missouri, Prairie View A&M University, and the University of MaryHardin Baylor. In addition to college teaching, William taught instrumental music in the Texas Public Schools and served as a private studio teacher for over 12 years

As a founding member of the American Trombone Quartet, William has appeared at the International Trombone Festival, the Lille Trombone Festival (Lille, France), the Midwest Trombone Euphonium Conference, the Big 12 Trombone Conference, Illinois State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and James Madison University.

William is regularly sought after as a lecturer, clinician, and performer throughout the United States and Brazil, including the Blue Lake Music Camp in Blue Lake, MI, the Bay View Music Festival in Bay View, MI, the Third

Dr. Albert Nguyen currently serves as the interim director of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music and the director of bands at the University of Memphis. He also leads the Conducting Area and is the executive director of the Summer at the Scheidt Music Camps.

In his current role, Dr. Nguyen manages the School of Music's daily operations, overseeing all aspects of the University Bands program, conducting the University Wind Ensemble, leading the graduate wind conducting program, and teaching graduate courses in wind/band repertoire and rehearsal techniques

Under Nguyen's direction, his ensembles have performed at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference, the Tennessee Music Education Association All-State Conference, and internationally in Austria and Italy

Shepherd School of Music, where she studied with Leone Buyse on a full scholarship Jessica graduated from Princeton University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics and a Certificate in Music Performance, studying with Jayn Rosenfeld She is the Artist Affiliate in Flute at Georgia State University’s School of Music Jessica has served as Principal Flute of the Knoxville Symphony, Assistant Principal Flute/Piccolo of the Colorado Music Festival, Piccolo and Utility Flute of the Kansas City Symphony, Principal Flute of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and Piccolo/2nd Flute of the Sarasota Opera Orchestra She is currently Solo Flutist of the BreckCreate Breckenridge Institute of Fine Arts.

As a teenager, Jessica was a NFAA YoungARTS Silver Award Winner and a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, resulting in a solo performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She was a Miyazawa Flutes Emerging Artist from 2008-2013.

Jessica has received additional training at several summer festivals, including the Yellow Barn Music Festival, the Music Academy of the West, the Aspen Music Festival, the National Repertory Orchestra, and the Tanglewood Music Center, where she met her husband, Principal Percussionist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Joe Petrasek Jessica and Joe perform together as the Petrasek Duo, and have given recitals and masterclasses at several universities

As a conductor and clinician, he has been invited to work with ensembles throughout the United States and frequently gives presentations on diversity/inclusion and conducting at music conferences, including the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. Nguyen's professional journey began as the Director of Bands at Morrilton High School in Morrilton, AR. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. His exceptional teaching, creative activity, and service at the University of Memphis have been recognized with the prestigious Pearl Wales Professorship He is also a past recipient of the First Tennessee Professorship and is an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Beta Mu, and the Diversity Committee for the College Band Directors National Association

Mallory Thompson ‘79, ‘80 MMus is the former director of bands professor music, and coordinator, of the Mallory Thompson Festival Evaluator conducting program at Northwestern University, where she held the John W. Beattie Chair of Music. In 2003 she was named a Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence. As only the third person in the university's history to hold the director of bands position, Thompson conducted the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, taught undergraduate and graduate conducting, and administered all aspects of the band program She made five recordings with the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble on the Summit Records label, which are available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Music, led the Symphonic Wind Ensemble in performances at the College Band Directors National Association national conventions in

FESTIVAL EVALUATORS, CLINICIANS, and PERSONNEL

2001 and 2017 and earned praise from composers including John Adams, Michael Colgrass, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Karel Husa, Morten Lauridsen, David Maslanka, Jonathan Newman, Carter Pann, Joel Puckett, Kevin Puts, and Adam Schoenberg

Thompson received the Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied conducting with John P Paynter and trumpet with Vincent Cichowicz She received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Donald Hunsberger

Maintaining an active schedule as a guest conductor, conducting teacher, and guest lecturer throughout the United States and Canada, Thompson has had the privilege of teaching conducting to thousands of undergraduates, graduate students, and professional educators She has served as a conductor or clinician at the College Band Directors National Association regional and national conventions, the Midwest Clinic, the Interlochen Arts Academy, numerous state music conventions, and the Aspen Music Festival. In addition to conducting all-state ensembles throughout the United States, she has had professional engagements as guest conductor with the United States Air Force Band, the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the United States Army Field Band, the United States Coast Guard Band, the United States Navy Band, the West Point Band, the Dallas Wind Symphony, Symphony Silicon Valley, the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Monarch Brass Ensemble, and Banda Sinfônica in Sao Pãulo, Brazil In 2019, she was awarded the Medal of

Honor by the Midwest Clinic in recognition of her service to music education and continuing influence on the development and improvement of bands and orchestras worldwide. Her professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, and the American Bandmasters Association

Dr Thompson is especially proud of her 58 graduate conducting students and the hundreds of outstanding Symphonic Wind Ensemble members with whom she has had the joy of making music at Northwestern She treasures her relationship with the Wildcat Marching Band and is honored to preserve and grow Northwestern’s legacy

Atlanta-based saxophonist Jack Thorpe is the Artist Affiliate of Jack Thorpe Master Class Clinician Saxophone

In March of 2022, he was named the winner of the University of Illinois’s Presser Graduate Award Thorpe’s interest in collaborating with composers to create new works has also influenced his work as a chamber musician. Recently, Thorpe’s saxophone duo, Vex, has premiered new works by Emily Koh, Yaz Lancaster, and Anthony R. Green.

Thorpe holds a D.M.A in saxophone performance and literature from the University of Illinois, an M.M. in saxophone performance from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a B.M. in saxophone performance from Georgia State University where he was the recipient of the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award His teachers include Debra Richtmeyer, Jan Berry Baker, and Nathan Nabb with additional study under Frederick L Hemke

Thank you to the individuals and organizations that help make this event possible!

Rialto Center for the Arts

Nathan Brown, Stage Manager

Christopher Duenow, Events Manager

Big Note Instrument Repair

Jim Schmelzer

Sound Mill Recording

David Testa

School of Music Student Volunteers

NORTH GWINNETT MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Sugar Hill, GA

Wednesday March 25, 2026 8:45 AM

TRAVIS DOWNS

Director of Bands

FRED NORTON

Director of Bands

Travis Downs has been sharing his love of music with students for over twenty-five years He is currently in his thirteenth year at North Gwinnett Middle School in Sugar Hill, Ga. Before his appointment at North Gwinnett in 2013, Mr. Downs served as the Director of Bands at Valdosta Middle School in Valdosta, Ga., Assistant Band Director at VMS, and

Assistant Band Director at Tapp Middle School in Cobb County, Ga.

Ensembles under Mr. Downs’ direction have received invitations to perform at many music conferences and clinics on multiple years and has been presented with the National Band Association Citation of Excellence on seven separate occasions

During his tenure, both VMS and NGMS Band programs have been the recipient of the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award Mr. Downs has served GMEA in several positions over his career including serving as the State Chair for the Band Division from 2020-2023.

Fred Norton is in his 24th year of teaching middle school bands. Prior to North Gwinnett, he taught at Hightower Trail and Griffin Middle School. During his time at Hightower Trail, the 8th Grade Symphonic Band performed at UGA MidFest, the University of Alabama, the MFA Southeastern Regional, the GMEA In-Service Conference, and the Music For All National Festival. The HTMS Band program received the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award twice and the GMEA Music Program of the Year Award

Mr Norton has received five Citations of Excellence from the NBA He holds degrees from the UGA and Indiana University He has worked with numerous band programs including Lassiter High School, his alma mater. Guest conducting invitations include the UGA Summer Music Camp and the UAB Honor Band Festival.

Mr. Norton serves on the Executive Board of the Cobb Wind Symphony and resides in Atlanta with his wife, Darby.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The North Gwinnett Middle School band program has over 550 students enrolled in grades 6-8 under the direction of Travis Downs and Fred Norton Bands from North Gwinnett Middle have earned superiors in the Large Group Performance Evaluations sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association since the school opened in 2009. The North Gwinnett Band Program has been featured at the University of Georgia Middle School Festival (2011, 2016), the GMEA In-Service Conference (2013, 2016, 2024), the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival (2016, 2019, 2023, 2026), the Percussive Arts Society (2023) and the Midwest Clinic (2024). Students have been selected to the GMEA District 13 Honor Bands and to the GMEA Middle School All-State Bands each year since the school opened. The NGMS Fine Arts Department was recognized by GMEA as the “Music Program of the Year” for the state of Georgia for the 2017-2018 school year

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Into the Clouds!.........................................................................................................Richard L. Saucedo

Home............................................................................................................................Katie O’Hara Labrie

Fable

Bunker Hill March

Erik Morales

Karl L King

arr James Swearingen

The Country Club Stomp!......................................................................................................JaRod Hall

NORTH GWINNETT MIDDLE SCHOOL

Flute

Sophia Cheon

Khushi Hirani

Jeevesh Jegan

Nathan Jeon

Leon Lee

Caslynn Louis

Stella Min

Jasmine Tan

Viktoriia Tarbaeva

Zilan Yang

Oboe

Minji Kim

Elizabeth Lee

Serah Yoo

Bassoon

Matthew Won

Clarinet

Sijun An

Maureen Bae

Joy Chen

Michael Deng

Chloe Gaddam

Jathwesh Jegan

Frances Kim

Jacob Kim

Kaylee Kim

Noah Kim

Yeriel Kim

Roy Lee

Ethan Pak

Daniel Park

Shyla Rajavasireddy

Madison Vo

Eli Wall

Elliott Wilder

Lucy Yin

SYMPHONIC BAND

Bass Clarinet

Kathryn Gillette

Molly Kiser

Moulik Sharma

Alto Sax

Daniel Chung

Nathan Daniel

Jiseop Lim

Charlotte Miller

Brandon Nam

Sam Sepmeyer

Charlee Shropshire

Tenor Sax

Jacob Febo

Baritone Sax

Caroline Rivers

Trumpet

Jacob Dawit

Michael Enciu

Abe Goldstein

Arhaan Musani

Ian Pak

Mason Pickett

Tate Sampey

Jennifer Shim

Wilson Wang

Julian Youn

French Horn

Paige Kelley

Edward Kim

Rohit Manohar Lakshmi

Trombone

Jonathan Ahn

AJ Hansen

Davis Kim

Brandon Lin

Henry Nguyen

Pedro Ribeiro Rossa

Prithvi Tyagi

Aiden Wong

Euphonium

Raiyan Bacchus

Charlotte Gallant

Liam Grytdal

Tuba

Jackson Hardy-Chase

Sefe Onikoyi

Joshua Ramos

Logan Unger

Percussion

Ean Awasthi

Jake Boutin

Araina Cosby

Ahan Dev

Zachary Howard

Ethan Kim

Museong Kim

Austin Liu

Elise Nam

Daksh Paramkrishna

Judd Paxton

Joshua Rowan

Tyler Wayne

LUFKIN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Apex, NC

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 9:45 AM

RYAN WING Director of Bands

Ryan Wing is the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair at Lufkin Road Middle School and serves as the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) Middle School All-County Honor Band Clinic Chair. He grew up in Holly Springs, NC and is an alumnus of the Lufkin Road Middle School Band Program. Mr. Wing completed his Bachelor of Music in Music

Education from The University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2023 While in Utah, his primary conducting teachers were Dr Rebekah Daniel, Dr Don Peterson and Dr Brian Sproul During his time at The University of Utah, Mr Wing was a performing member of various concert ensembles and served as Drum Major for the Marching Utes for 4 years, including 2 performances in the "Tournament of Roses" Parade and "Rose Bowl" Game in 2022 and 2023.

During Mr. Wing’s tenure at Lufkin Road, his bands have consistently earned Superior ratings at the North Carolina Bandmasters Association Music Performance Adjudication. The Lufkin Road Middle School Symphonic Band was recently invited to perform at the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival hosted by Georgia State University in March of 2026 In 2025, the Lufkin Road Middle School Symphonic Band performed at the Music for All Mid-Atlantic Concert Band Festival at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The Lufkin Road Middle School Band Program frequently participates in commission and consortium opportunities for the young wind band. In May of 2025, the Lufkin Road Middle School Symphonic Band gave the world premiere of Tyler S. Grant's "Arc of the Storm", dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of Lufkin Road Middle School. Recent and future artistic collaborations include Katherine Bergman, Steven Bryant, and Tyler S Grant

Mr Wing is a 2025 recipient of the "Young Director Award of Excellence" from the North Carolina Bandmasters Association East Central District (NC ECDBA). Mr. Wing was recently awarded the "Ed Rooker ENCORE Award" presented by the North Carolina Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA). Mr. Wing’s professional affiliations include the North Carolina Bandmasters Association, North Carolina Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

Lufkin Road Middle School is a multitrack, year-round middle school in Apex, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, and part of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). The Lufkin Road Middle School Band Program offers four concert ensembles: Beginning Band, Beginning Select Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band Under Mr Wing’s direction, the program has grown from 75 to 265 students

Lufkin Road Middle School Band students regularly earn positions in prestigious groups such as the WCPSS Middle School All-County Honor Band, the NC ECDBA Middle School All-District Bands, and the North Carolina All-State Band. The Lufkin Road Bands consistently receive Superior Ratings at both state and local festivals. In 2025, the Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the Music for All Mid-Atlantic Concert Band Festival in College Park, Maryland, hosted by the University of Maryland.

El Relicario

Cyclone

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Jose Padilla arr Michael Story

Michael Oare

Fragile................................................................................................................................................Randall Standridge

The Cave You Fear..................................................................................................................Michael Markowski

Byzantine Dances

Carol Brittin Chambers

Flute

Pratheek Bandi

Archer Bryan

Philip Garcia

Ema Kato

Addison McNaughton

Anna McNaughton

Gabriella Ortiz Rojas

Dylan Rivera

Hailey Royal

Hanush Satti

Naisha Singh

Oboe

Jessica Manning

LUFKIN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Clarinet

Sam Alan

Shloka Bonakurthi

Mariia Chernenkaia

Noah Ermyas

Emiliya Hobbs

Olivia Kaufman

Veeksha Nittala

Chinmay Prakash

Emily Robertson

Gracie Salas

Linus Showell

Ophelia Song

Steven Salinas

Bass Clarinet

Emily Killian

Isabella Murthy

Jameson Padgett

Willis Pedersen

Olivia Stander

Alto Sax

Edward Archambault

Pedro Piatnicka

Anvi Thota

Tenor Saxophone

Finnegan McCormick

Kendall Pedersen

Baritone Sax

Cayden Fermanis

Trumpet

Viaan Alla

Lukas Bowers

Gabriel Davis

Cooper Fermanis

Atticus Kusa

Traidy Lewis

Aashrith Pitchuka

Mallory Spain

Amber Thomas

French Horn

Jaxon Brooks

Vishaka Indrakmar

Antonio Marreiros

Trombone

Carlee Bradin

Joao Coelho Kalkmann

Ethan Davis

Colby Hobgood

Andrew Holmes

Jiayin Li

Landon Rollins

Maxwell Spain

Zachary Stittleburg

Jordan Taylor

Euphonium

Cody Brooks

Grayson Christensen

Sean Lancaster

Tuba

Riley Bridge

Helen Peterson

Anders Wenstrand

Percussion

Eliza Andersen

Akshaj Anumukonda

Theodore Clark

Dylan Eng

Gibson Hockersmith

Aarya Khanna

Teagan Macchia

Allie Wishusen

Emily Wittwer

RIVER TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Johns Creek, GA

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 10:45 AM

DR. JENNIFER LAMBERT Director of Bands

Dr. Jennifer Compton Lambert is Director of Bands at River Trail Middle School in Johns Creek, Georgia, a position she has held since 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Berry College, a Master of Music Education and Doctor of Education from the University of Georgia.

Under her direction, the River Trail Bands have consistently earned superior ratings at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations in the past twenty years. The River Trail Symphonic Band has appeared at the 2024 Midwest Clinic, the 2010, 2019, and 2024 Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference, the 2011 and 2023 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival, the 2018 Reinhardt University Middle School Honor Band Clinic and the 2013 Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Symphonic Band was also a recipient of the Exemplary Performance Award in 2011 and 2018.

Dr. Lambert was selected as the Georgia Music Educators Association’s District V Music Educator of the Year and River Trail Middle School’s Teacher of the Year for 2023-24 She has been awarded the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association in 2010, 2012, 2019, 2023 and 2024 She serves as a guest clinician and conductor throughout the Southeast Dr Lambert is the founder and music director of Quintet Envy, an ensemble based at Northview High School comprised of former River Trail Middle School clarinetists They have performed at the 2023 Georgia Music Educators InService Conference and the 2024 Music for All National Chamber Music Festival

Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, Phi Beta Mu, International Trumpet Guild, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Omicron Delta Kappa.

Dr. Lambert resides in Cumming, Georgia, with her husband and children.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

River Trail Middle School, located in northeastern Fulton County in Johns Creek, Georgia, serves approximately 1,100 students in grades 6-8 The goal and mission of the faculty and staff is focusing on leading students to their full potential through excellence in academics, arts, athletics, and service to the community. According to the U.S. News and World Report, River Trail is ranked the #1 middle school in Fulton County Schools district and #6 in the state of Georgia. In addition to a wide range of regional, state, and national placements for academic and club-sponsored events, River Trail consistently receives state and national honors and awards for its band program.

The band program at River Trail is under the direction of Jennifer Compton Lambert Currently, there are 300 students in the band program River Trail Band students participate in GMEA Solo and Ensemble, District V Honor Band, All State Band, MidFest at the University of Georgia, and the Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. The River Trail Bands have consistently earned superior ratings at Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) District V Large Group Performance Evaluation. The River Trail Symphonic Band has performed at The Midwest Clinic, 2024, the GMEA State In-Service Conference 2010, 2019, and 2024; the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival 2011, 2023; the Music for All National Festival 2013, and the Reinhardt University Middle School Honor Band Clinic 2018 In 2011 and 2018, the River Trail Symphonic Band received the Exemplary Performance Award from the Georgia Music Educators Association

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Freedom City ; Karl L King

Blessing Wind Yukiko Nishimura

Sunbloom...................................................................................................................................................Gavin Lendt

Forgotten Tales of the West Adrian B Sims

RIVER TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Flute

Kaylin Lee

Jae Ryin Yee

Shrihaan Chowdhury

Jadee Chang

Tiffany Matsumoto

Oishiki Jana

Aaron Lim

Sarah Shikhel

Preston Lee

Kashvi Singh

Katy Liu

Chloe Li

Jialin Wang

Oboe

Selena Mao

Gowtam Divi

Bassoon

Logan Hedrick

Siddharth Musalgaonkar

Clarinet

Daniel Lee

Nathan Yoo

Nishi Sathish Kumar

Yaoyue Jiang

Francis Li

Ethan Chun

Dana Hsia

Hazel Wong

Maahi Shetty

Zihao Wang

Advik Muthuraaman

Flora Guo

Junwoo Hui

Devin Ye

Andrew Gao

Bass Clarinet

Chaulian Vo

Kaylee Ting

Alto Sax

Eric Mao

Yujun Han

Brendan Woehler

Aiden Schnieber

Pranav Ratheesh

Dylan Huynh

Tenor Sax

Doyun Kim

Aleksei Smychkovich

Baritone Sax

Edison Ross

Trumpet

Armaan Ghorieshi

Yeonho Chu

Daoud Daoud

Meetansh Katare

Caitlin Reynolds

Aangi Rathod

Archith Dhanvanthari

Samaya Rufai

Deniel Cadena

Nathan Abraham

French Horn

Ian Hwang

Aryana Jamkhandikar

Daniel Chae

Laasya Neeli

Trombone

Avi Shetty

Rowena Saha

Jinhee Lee

Ritwik Kakulla

Genesis Palma

Anthony Cammock

David Hermes

Luke McFadden

Bharath Matikoti

Elnata Tewolde

Euphonium

Rachael Chan

Tuba

John Dickerson

Korben McCallum

Percussion

Aarav Bendre

August Cardwell

Evan Chang

Amaira Vatsa

Sarath Chadalawada

Oliver Thepchatri

Jeslyn Kim

Srikar Danturthi

Saarth Joshi

Gabriel Castro

J.C. BOOTH MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Peachtree City, GA

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 11:45 AM

BRAD MOORE

Director of Bands

Brad Moore, currently in his second year as the Band Director at J C Booth Middle School in Peachtree City, Georgia, is marking his 23rd year in music education A native of Vidalia, Georgia, he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Valdosta State University in 2003 Mr Moore began his teaching career in the Grady County School System, where he served as Director of Bands at Whigham School for 16 years In 2019, he transitioned to a position in Decatur County, Georgia, and in 2024, he accepted the role of Director of Bands at J C Booth Middle School In 2025, Mr. Moore obtained a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Valdosta State University. He is currently pursuing an Education Specialist degree in Music Education as a graduate student at Auburn University. Mr. Moore actively participates in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) and the National Association for Music Education.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The mission of J.C. Booth Middle School is to support every student by providing high-quality instruction, fostering teacher collaboration, and cultivating a welcoming school community where every student is valued and every moment matters The J C Booth Middle School Band includes over 200 students from 6th to 8th grade The Symphonic Band, an auditioned ensemble of 7th and 8th-grade students, rehearses both during and after school hours. The J.C. Booth Symphonic Band has previously performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, MidFest at the University of Georgia, and the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic in Troy, AL. Located in Peachtree City, GA, J.C. Booth Middle School is part of the Fayette County School System.

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Byzantine Dances....................................................................................................Carol Brittin Chambers

Blue Ridge Reel

A Shaker Gift Song

Brian Balmages

Frank Ticheli

Critical Mass........................................................................................................................................Todd Stalter

Flute

Sunwoo Hong

Lily Park

Esme Robbins

Jio Park

Charlotte Smith

Mikayla Dela Cruz

Saakshaat Sawhney

Oboe

Julia Dahl

Leo Nam

J.C. BOOTH MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Clarinet

Becca Williamson

Asher Kerr

Eyla Poeffel

Kyle Choi

Yuna Sakamoto

William Chang

Kangmin Lim

Charlize Lewis

Daniel Kang

Won Lee

Jasper Brown

Ryan Kim

Siyona Rao

Bass Clarinet

Rebecca Kim

Bassoon

Orli Slack

Alto Sax

Jeffrey Mennicke

Greyson Crigler

Collin Lafontant

Jeannine Manson

Tenor Sax

Haruto Ikehata

Baritone Sax

Jack Gundersen

Trumpet

Evan Westafer

Akshath Thiyag

Cayleigh Snyder

Hae Seung Shin

Alexander Sanchez

Madeline Cole

Matias Gomez Flores

Jeremiah Sellars

Noah Cooke

Crew Jones

French Horn

Evan Oh

Manu Krishna

Sylvia Smilley

Sarah Beam

Trombone

Kingston Ingram

Owen O'Brien

Charlotte Tiller

Bowe Bloom

Elijah Rosario

Samantha Calderon Sepulveda

Wyatt Cook

Euphonium

Karsyn Martinez

Nicole Rodriguez

Tuba

Eric Elzie

Tylor Cook

Percussion

Eva Cook

Benjamin Infinger

Aidyn Sihachack

Blake Aversman

Sophia LoCurto

Madeline Maxie

Kinley Murphy

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE

Atlanta, GA

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 2:00 PM

ROBERT J. AMBROSE Director of Bands

Conductor Robert J. Ambrose enjoys a highly successful and diverse career as a dynamic and engaging musician. His musical interests cross many genres and can be seen in the wide range of professional activities he pursues. Dr. Ambrose studied formally at Boston College, Boston University and Northwestern University, where he received the Doctor of Music degree in conducting. Dr. Ambrose currently serves as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Georgia State University, a research institution of over 53,000 students located in Atlanta.

Dr Ambrose is in constant demand as a guest conductor and has performed on four continents Recent engagements include performances in Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan as well as across the United States. In 2016, Dr. Ambrose was invited to spend ten days on tour as a guest conductor with the United States Army Field Band Ambrose is the only civilian in history to be invited to guest conduct a premiere American military band on tour This engagement led to the formation of the National Chamber Winds, a professional wind dectet based in Washington, D.C. for which he is Founder and Music Director. Ambrose is also the Founder and Music Director of the Atlanta Chamber Winds and Ensemble ATL, ensembles comprising musicians from the Atlanta Symphony, Atlanta Opera, and Atlanta Ballet Orchestras

Dr. Ambrose has strong ties to the Finnish music community. Recent guest conducting appearances include the Finnish Navy Band, the Helsinki Police Band, the STM Summer Music Festival Wind Orchestra, the Rauma Wind Band, and the youth wind bands of Kokkola, Kotka, and Rauma. He has taught conducting workshops in Tampere, Rauma, Kuopio, and Kokkola, and has served as a guest lecturer at the Central Ostrobothnian Conservatory and the Sibelius Academy

Ambrose is a prolific arranger with nearly two dozen publications to his credit. His transcriptions and editions are published by Presser Music, Murphy Music Press, C. Alan Publications, Fennica Gehrman (Finland), and Edition Tilli (Finland). His transcriptions appear on several state lists and have been performed around the world

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

Under the direction of Dr Robert J Ambrose, the Georgia State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble is recognized as one of the finest ensembles of its type in the region As the premier wind band at Georgia State, the ensemble is comprised of the most advanced woodwind, brass, and percussion players in the School of Music, selected each semester by audition. The ensemble’s repertoire is drawn from significant literature written for wind ensemble, symphonic band, and chamber winds. Most literature is performed with one player assigned to each part. Alumni of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble hold positions in many of the leading orchestras, bands, and chamber ensembles in the country, including the Atlanta Symphony and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has accepted multiple performance invitations at prestigious conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and Georgia Music Educators Association. A performance by the ensemble of Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, under the direction of Robert Ambrose, has received repeated airings on Georgia Public Radio. In addition, the ensemble’s reference recordings can be heard on the websites of numerous composers. Under the direction of Dr. Ambrose, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble released American Manuscripts on the Summit Records label. Dr. Ambrose and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble are committed to supporting the creation of new works for the wind band medium and have commissioned or co-commissioned more than three dozen works for winds since Dr Ambrose’s tenure began in 2001

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Danzón No. 2.........................................................................................................................................................................Arturo Márquez trans by Oliver Nickel

Mystic Dance..................................................................................................................................................................................Rick DeJonge

Eric Hawkins, horn

Amen!................................................................................................................................................................................................Carlos Simon

I. Lively

II Soulfully

III Mysteriously, Lively

Go BIG or Go HOME...............................................................................................................................................................Jessica Meyer

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE

Flute/Piccolo

Rachel Breaux

Emily Gabbitas

Dillon Hauke

Nicole Hom

Oboe

Ayahnah Glymph

Sophia Monteagudo

Michael Tijerina

Bassoon

Ahmad Duncan

Jackelin Guevara-Blanco

Connor Haley

Clarinet

Emily Bridges

Nova Davis

Omosede Edoigiawerie

Azure Jimenez

Richelle Nunez

Rachel Odendahl

Angelica Ricardo

Niland Siebenaler

Braeden Weyhrich

Saxophone

Ella Casey

Riley Chester

Quentin Foster

Ximena Laguna

Jay Moon

Trumpet

Alvin Brown

Caleb Cannon

Douglas Escobar

Daniel McKay

William Morgan

Devin Scott

Horn

Ethan Atkinson

Nicholas Dooley

Susan Henson

Terri Ingram

Trombone

Grant Erie

Xavier Genao

Jakobi Gerideau

Aiden Stratton

Euphonium

Camilo Ayala

Roger Pomposello

Tuba

Cesar Garcia Arroyo

Benjamin Prior

Double Bass

Isabella (Rex) Delgado-Hernandez

Percussion

Nick Coppola

Jake Flack

Caleb Franklin

Dylan Mantione

Julian Mitchell

Veronica Mora

Zyler Osborn

Piano

Gavin Lee

LAKESIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Cumming, GA

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 4:30 PM

JARON LEHMAN

Director of Bands

Jaron Lehman holds the position of Director of Bands at Lakeside Middle School in Forsyth County, Georgia There, he sets the curriculum for the concert ensembles, including leading the Symphonic Band, Concert Winds, 7th Grade Band, and 6th Grade Advanced Band. He also is the coordinator for sectional staff and private lessons. The Lakeside Middle School Bands consistently earn superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation and previously performed at the University of Georgia Middle School Honor Band Festival, the Georgia Music Educator Association In-Service Conference, and the Music for All Southeastern Regional at Georgia State University. The Lakeside Middle School Symphonic Band was also honored with the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award in the 2020-2021 and 2023-2024 school years Previously, he was the Associate Director of Bands at Lakeside Middle School, the intermediate winds instructor at the Atlanta Music Project, and a horn clinician and private lesson instructor for schools in the Metro Atlanta area. He is also active in the marching arts, serving on the marching staff of South Forsyth High School.

Mr. Lehman received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Georgia. While there, he studied horn with Dr. Jean Martin-Williams, Dr. Cathy Kilroe-Smith, and Dr. James Naigus; he also studied conducting with Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity

BRENDAN DUNAVANT

Associate Director of Bands

Brendan Dunavant is a passionate musician and dedicated educator based in the Atlanta, GA area. He is currently teaching at Lakeside Middle School in Cumming, Georgia and enjoys supporting South Forsyth High School

Originally from Michigan, he earned his bachelor's in music education from Michigan State University During his undergraduate studies, Mr. Dunavant had the privilege of studying conducting with Dr. Arris Golden and Dr. David Thornton, and french horn with Professor Corbin Wagner. Mr. Dunavant's bands consistently earned Superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Large Group Performance Evaluation.

Highly active in the marching arts, Mr. Dunavant has worked with several indoor and outdoor groups on Visual Staff at Genesis (2021), Matrix Open and World (2022), Music City (2023-2024), and currently at The Academy from Tempe, Arizona

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The Lakeside Middle School Band Program serves over 500 students and consists of a 6th grade beginning band, an advanced 6th grade band, six concert bands that perform at the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation, a jazz band, and an active chamber program The Band Program has been honored with the Georgia Music Educators Association Exemplary Performance Award in the 2023-2024 and 2020-2021 school years. The Lakeside Middle School Symphonic Band has a rich tradition of excellence and has performed at the 2022 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival, the 2023 GMEA In-Service Conference, and the 2023 Music for All Southeastern Regional.

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PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Brian Balmages

Courtly Airs and Dances Ron Nelson

I Intrada

II Basse Danse (France)

III Pavane (England)

IV. Saltarello (Italy)

V. Sarabande (Spain)

VI. Allemande (Germany)

National Fencibles.................................................................................................................John Philip Sousa conducted by Brendan Dunavant

LAKESIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Flute

Shreya Rajan

Kylee Newell

Grace Heo

Mykah Eugenio

Sristi Kilaru

Aditri Thakur

Pratham Karre

Anish Koduri

Tovah Schroeder

Anna Kim

Oboe

Aadhya Alahari

Callan Brake

Bassoon

Rian Kumar

Delwin Sebastian

Clarinet

Ryyan Drissi

Hasini Chaganti

Shrihaan Keskar

Sahasra Arvapalli

Akshay Emani

Lilia Connor

Vishruth Vaka

Shambhavi Singh

Itzia Luna

Siddhant Babar

SYMPHONIC BAND

Bass Clarinet

Aarish Ahmed

Adithi Kamalam

Sharanya Medicherla

Alto Sax

Aanya Chavda

Ryan Chaudhary

Cherisha Karthikeyan

Olivia Thomas

Nitya Daram

Ashwanth Jagadish Karthika

Anjali Shome

Rachel Mitchell

Pranay Saraogi

Rishi Penmatsa

Tenor Sax

Aidan Blatt

Thrinaadh Kalyanapu

Baritone Sax

Krithik Premkumar Horn

Trumpet

Tanishka Kulkarni

Adhvik Nandyala

Marvin Devkota

Vihaan Singh

Aryaman Sachindev

Vedansh Galgali

Akhilesh Thandra

Anthony Phan

Sree Tanvee Kudupudi

Kaundinya Kapila

Tejansh Batra

Jay Dhinakaran

Leah Song

Ronit Chetan

Aadhira Raja

Sridivya Lingatlu

Aadit Thumaty

Lucas Wang

Shanaya Singhal

Mason Gao

Trombone

Saanvi Sharma

Aadi Shah

Cohen Stroud

Arjan Acharya

Yuvaraj Majji

Charan Dammalapati

Cameron Romo

Asher Addargada

Karaline Sandor

Euphonium

Calloway Hill

Avyay Maddu

Tuba

Iyanmugil Vinoth

Shivam Chippa

Raghav Lathwal

Riyansh Tripathi

Rohan Padubidri

Avni Panchal

Percussion

Kanil Hari

Anisha Salvi

Daniel Jay

Rayaan Maiti

Maanas Shastri

Andrew Li

Cooper Lee

Pranay Srikantapuram

SOUTH FORSYTH MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Cumming, GA

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 5:30 PM

ANDREW POOR Director of Bands

Andrew F Poor, DME, is Director of Bands at South Forsyth Middle School in Cumming, Georgia Dr Poor received his DME and MM in Trumpet Performance from the University of Cincinnati CCM. He also holds the BME (High Honors) from the Univ. of Florida. Dr. Poor is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, ASCAP, NAfME, National Band Association, and GMEA. Dr. Poor has been the recipient of numerous honors, notably, the 2016 Forsyth County System-Wide Teacher of the Year, and the NBA Citation of Excellence on nine occasions Over his thirty-four-year career, his ensembles have given numerous invitational performances, including the 17th International Cultural Festival in Tottori, Japan, SEUS Honor Band Clinic, Univ of GA MidFest, GMEA State In-Service Conference, Univ of Alabama MS Honor Band, National Band and Orchestra Festival-Carnegie Hall, CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference, Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival, and the Music for All National Festival.

BRANDON WAUGH Assistant Director of Bands

Brandon Waugh is in his first year as the Assistant Director of Bands at South Forsyth Middle School At SFMS, Mr Waugh is involved in all aspects of the band program, instructing over 400 students across 8 performing ensembles. He also serves as the primary director for the SFMS Advanced Concert Band and Jazz Band. Originally a native of Cumming, Georgia, Mr. Waugh received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Georgia. After completing his music degree, Mr. Waugh served the last three years as the Assistant Director of Bands at Fayette County High School and Bennett’s Mill Middle School in Fayetteville, Georgia Mr Waugh has also been widely involved in the marching arts He currently serves as a brass instructor for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in Madison, Wisconsin, and has worked previously with Music City Drum and Bugle Corps in Nashville, Tennessee.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

South Forsyth Middle School (1,351 students in grades 6-8) was initially located on the same campus as South Forsyth High School before 1998. The current campus is in the lower southeast corner of Forsyth County, Georgia, in the city of Cumming. Forsyth County has experienced rapid growth in the past two decades, from 114,000 in 2004 to 260,000 in 2025. This growth trend is expected to continue over the next decade, making Forsyth County one of the country's top five fastest-growing counties.

Demonstrating excellence in the arts, academics, and athletics, South Forsyth Middle School was named a U S Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School in 2014 and a Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch in 2019 Annually, our students' test scores are among the highest in all academic areas in the state, and the school has received numerous state-level recognitions for academic excellence. The arts also thrive at South Forsyth Middle School, with over 75% of the school population involved in our outstanding band, chorus, art, and drama programs. Moreover, the school is proud of its nationally recognized robotics program, top-performing math team, numerous exceptional athletic programs, and successful clubs, such as HOSA, DECA, and FBLA.

The staff and students actively support our mission, “To embrace, educate, and empower all students ” The students from South Forsyth Middle School are zoned to attend either Lambert High School in Suwanee, Georgia, or South Forsyth High School in Cumming, Georgia

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

The Corcoran Cadets (1890)..............................................................................................................John Philip Sousa

Illumination (2013).......................................................................................................................................David Maslanka

Kevin Yang, piano

Our Cast Aways (2018)..................................................................................................................................Julie Giroux

Electrify (2025).................................................................................................................................Nicole Chamberlain Commissioned by the South Forsyth Middle School Bands (World Premiere)

Brandon Waugh, conductor

Everglow (2024)...........................................................................................................................................Katahj Copley

SOUTH FORSYTH MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Flute

CiCi Lu▲♫

Jiyoo Kim ▲

Karen Panichvatana▲♫

Anika Chaudhuri ▲

Siri Kartikiran▲♫

Architha Kasavaraju ▲

Avyan Yeluguri▲

Isha Karkhanis ▲

Dami Odusami

Oboe

Avantika Anoop▲

Meghaj Garg▲

Bassoon

Saahithi Gottipati▲

Dishan Gheewala ▲

Bhabin Mandava

Clarinet

Mason Hong ▲♫

Emilie Shen ▲♫

Angeline George▲♫

Kevin Yang▲♫

Renga Sadayappan ▲

Pranav Gandhi

Joseph Chow▲

Pranav Manikandan▲

Atharva Murthy▲

Joshua Kim▲

Bass Clarinet

Saisha Deshpande ▲

Sahana Gopinath▲

Vishal Karthikeyan▲

Vedav Gadde

Alto Sax

Julien Fong ▲♫

Adhiraj Sharma ▲♫

Kavya Hande▲♫

Alex Wei▲♫

Tenor Sax

Antony Anish

Baritone Sax

Lithvik Jagadeesan▲

Horn

Shivein Singh▲ ♫

John Koh▲

Rishitha Pingili ▲

Rey Pande

Avinesh Manikandan▲

Nivaan Joshi

Trumpet

Rishith Munnuru ▲

Sonia Nair▲♫

Lahari Tata▲♫

Andrew Dowd ▲

Jitin Mathew▲

Diyan Vora ★▲

Dhruv Nayak▲

Tanishi Chaudhary▲

Oviya Pandian▲

Adhya Ranjan▲

Trombone

Aazhi Vijayakumar▲

Tanmayi Kalluri▲♫

Paxton Chan▲♫

Kellen Lack ▲

Adhrit Krishna

Daneesh Dalli

Caleb Wang

Pravara Nagaraju ♫

Adrian McGrath▲

Jackson Montwid

Euphonium

Mithran Saravanan

Nitya Gaggara▲

Ryan Kling▲

Tuba

Vedanth Suresh ▲♫

Andrew Spiller ▲

Vihaan Jaeel

Thomas O'Mara▲

Percussion

Isaac Deladisma▲

Tichen Yu ▲

Arjun Bhandari ▲

Christian Finn Lee▲

Jake Lei▲

Akshay Duddu

Deion Azhakathu

Mihir Kulkarni

=All-State Band/Chorus

=District Honor Band *Students listed in Chair Order

DANIELL MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

Marietta, GA

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 6:30 PM

KEVIN

BOYLE Director of Bands

AMY ADAMS

Associate Director of Bands

Mr Kevin Boyle is the Director of Bands at Daniell Middle School, and he has taught band and percussion in Georgia for over 20 years. Mr. Boyle’s ensembles have received consistent Superior ratings at Georgia’s annual Large Group Performance Evaluation. His band students participate in All-District and All-State Bands each year. His middle school percussion ensembles have performed at the Lassiter Percussion Symposium, and his marching ensembles have participated in the Georgia Indoor Percussion Association, SAPA, and WGI.

He is a co-author of the Habits of a Successful Middle School Musician book series, and he has contributed to developing the digital resources for the Do It! Play in Band series from GIA Publications.

An active clinician, Mr. Boyle has presented at The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, as well as in-service conferences in New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, and Alabama. Mr. Boyle has also conducted district-level Honor Bands in California, Georgia, and Tennessee.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Georgia in 2005, and his master’s degree in music education from the University of North Texas in 2019. Professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, and the Percussive Arts Society

Kevin Boyle proudly represents Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, Sabian Cymbals, and Mapex/Majestic percussion instruments He currently resides in Kennesaw, GA with his wife Allison

Amy Adams is the Assistant Band Director at JJ Daniell Middle School. She is in her twentieth year of teaching band. A trombonist, Mrs. Adams specializes in low brass instruction at all age and experience levels. Mrs. Adams received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Eastern Michigan University Mrs Adams also holds a master’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign She received Specialists Degree from the University of West Georgia in Instructional Technology

Mrs. Adams was selected as Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year at Pine Mountain Middle School in Kennesaw, GA. She is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education, and the Zeta chapter of Phi Beta Mu.

Mrs Adams resides in Kennesaw, Georgia, with her husband Tim, daughter Vanessa and their pet, JoJo

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

Opening in 1965, J.J. Daniell Middle School is named for Judge James Jordan Daniell (1877-1973), a Cobb County Commissioner who taught in a one-room schoolhouse before the turn of the century. After 61 years, J.J. Daniell Middle School continues to promote an appreciation for the roots of hometown life while preparing its students to branch out into the larger world We are a family Many of our parents and teachers attended middle school at J J Daniell and have remained in this area to see their children attend the same school Today we are a "Georgia School of Excellence" that serves approximately 800 students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades

The J.J. Daniell Band currently serves around 300 of those students in beginning band, two concert bands, and percussion ensemble. The concert bands consistently earn superior ratings at their annual Large Group Performance Evaluations, and the percussion ensemble performs annually at the Southeastern Percussion Symposium. The band is also represented at the district and state levels and at Solo and Ensemble festival. This is the first invitational performance for the J J Daniell Band since 1999

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Shimmering Joy..............................................................................................................................................Tyler Grant

Loch Lomond

Circles

JaRod Hall

Brian Balmages

Kvetchers...........................................................................................................................................................Laura Estes

DANIELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

SYMPHONIC

BAND

Flute

Cici Beine

Emily Biggers

Fatima Diaz

Akshara Konduri

Charisse Lewis

Ellie Mendoca

Vaughn Silvera

Lexie Smith

Jolan Snowden

Skii Tolbert

Imogen Villegas

Kate Whatley

Oboe

Aziel Boddu

Cassy Campbell

Bassoon

Makyla Cole

Clare Crawford

James Head

Emerie Meadows

Clarinet

Kosisochi Akano

Kaja Allpere

Lylanna Davis

Briana Hicks

Gabriela Holanda

Fernanda Koop

Kayla Lorenzo

Jaina Mathe

Muskaan Meghani

Ellie Payne

Malhar Rajole

Autumn Robinson

Noelle Simpson

Blake Snead

Jackson Tice

Bass Clarinet

Prachi Paul

Freya Zhang

Alto Sax

Chloe Hicks

Zoie Holmes

Mahin Laliwala

Leonardo Moreno

Shopnil Talukdar

Tyler Wilson

Tenor Sax

Khorsheed Vakshapour

Baritone Sax

Jacob Lara

Jamya McLauren

Trumpet

Cassie Bloxom

Maylu Carroll

Hadassah Celestin

Gabby Dandridge

Rodrigo Espino-Gomez

David Gary

William Heinlein

Cameron Helstrom

Nabeel Khan

Charles Moore

Rasul Muhammad

Doug Schmieder

Zion Townsend

Emma Williams

French Horn

Josalyn Barbee

Kendall Lawson

Kamryn Martin

Morgan Powell

Kate Ramsay

Savannah Stine

Trombone

Logan Auers

Darby Bagley

London Britt

William Fernandez

George Gapuzan

Kaleb Hozdic

Ava Lorenzo

Kadeen Mondragon

Cristian Sierra

Dexter Waltz

Euphonium

Palmer Bolton

Ethan Cook

Fred Gapuzen

Jacob Gripp

Percussion

Jason Asuquo

Elliot Blanche

Arnold Camarena

Mackenzie Coleman

Will Costello

Neville Lamont

Ethan Mendonca

Sakshar Patel

Addison Quattrochi

Jon Thomas

Piano

Leen Abdulbaki

Betsy Tettamant-Fleming

Tuba

Julius Asogu

Aiden Loewen

Derick Visaint

Taha Bensihm

MOREHEAD CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS BAND

Morehead City, NC

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 7:30 PM

JASON ROBISON Director of Bands

Originally from Central Louisiana, Mr. Jason Robison graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and with a Masters in Wind Conducting from Winthrop University Mr Robison began his teaching career in Charlotte, NC at the Smith Academy of International Languages from 2004-2016 The band program at Smith Academy grew from 80 to 200+ within Mr Robison’s first 4 years with critical acclaim being awarded to his jazz band within the first two years culminating with their performance at the NCMEA conference in 2013

Mr. Robison served as the North Carolina South Central District Bandmaster Associations Middle School Representative from 2010-2012 and 2014-2017 and Commission/Clinician chair from 2012-2019. From July of 20102012, Mr. Robison served as the musical director of the Queen City Brass Band, a community band formatted as a traditional British Brass Band. Mr. Robison was on staff of the East Mecklenburg Marching Eagles 2010-2019. In 2013 Mr Robison was inducted into the prestigious ASBDA (American School Band Directors Association)

In 2016 Mr. Robison accepted the position as band director at Crestdale middle school in Matthews, NC before assuming the same role at Morehead City Middle School in 2020. His 6th, 7th, 8th grade concert and jazz bands have been awarded 40 consecutive Superior ratings at North Carolina Music Performance Adjudication events and various festivals since 2007. Several of Mr. Robison’s students consistently audition and make local, regional, and allstate honors bands in concert and jazz settings.

Beginning in 2021, Mr Robison joined the staff of the Carteret Collective Sound Marching Band His beginning band was featured at the 2023 NCMEA professional development conference in Winston-Salem presenting “Real time teaching: Basics and Fundamentals.” His 8th Grade Honors Band performed for the NCMEA Professional development conference in 2025.

Mr. Robison currently serves as a freelance clinician, adjudicator, and musician around North Carolina in concert, jazz, and marching band fields.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The Morehead City Middle School Band mission is to provide comprehensive music education experiences that inspire and prepare students with excellent skills, knowledge, and confidence The band program at Morehead City has a rich tradition of excellence since its opening in 1980. 165 of the 490 students at MCMS are enrolled in the band program. Beginning band classes are organized by instrumentation with 7th/8th graders being placed into performance bands at intermediate and advanced levels. Many students audition for and are placed into local, regional, and All State Honors Bands. MCMS performing bands have consistently earned Superior ratings at North Carolina Concert Band Assessment since the 1980’s The Morehead City 8th grade band has performed at the North Carolina Music Educators Association on three occasions (2001, 2016, 2025). The 2025 MCMS Honors Band consists of 42 of the most talented, hardworking, and well rounded students who have a passion for music performance.

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Excelsior Galop.......................................................................................................................................................................................................Karl King

The Witch and the Saint

Steven Reineke Salvation is Created Pavel Chesnokov

arr. Michael Brown

The Anguish of Nosferatu..............................................................................................................................................................................Ed Kiefer

MOREHEAD CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS BAND

Flute

Elin Cosgrove

Norma Gonzalez

Elliot Ives

Kyrie Pelagio

Eddie Sydnor

Clarinet

Ella Buckel

Noelia Gonzalez

Hannah McMunn

Adeline Rose Mloganoski

Aubrey Nelson

Skylar Newkumet

Mackenzie Schwartz

Conley White

Bass Clarinet

Garrett Davis

Bella Hunter

Win Perry

Alto Sax

Beau Boudreau

Lorelei Ludden

Georgie Vandersea

Tenor Sax

Jack Wagaman

Baritone Sax

Bennett Williams

Trumpet

Miguel Barajas

Alex Cottrell

Eliot Edwards

Regan Farrell

Ivalysse Fabian

Jed Griggs

Jordan Salazar

French Horn

Emma Fertall

Holt Perry

Trombone

Cooper Grigoriciuc

Mallory Hyatt

Eva Gray Smith

Euphonium

Nathan Sugg

Tuba

Brennan Allen

Christopher Gandarilla

Percussion

Tessa Bacheler

Hannah Beck

Carson Compton

Noah Crawford

Liam Mossor

Chloe Suralik

TROMBONE DAY

April 11, 2026

Join us for Atlanta Trombone Day at Georgia State University, where we welcome high school and collegiate students, and early professionals to attend this one day workshop featuring performances by renowned guest artist, the Atlanta Trombone Ensemble under the direction of Gil Estes, and the Georgia State University Trombone Choir, led by Bill Mann.

Participants will perform in a mass trombone choir, attend lectures, exhibits, and performances.

SUMMER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

June 1 - 2, 2026

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Fostering growth within leadership of high school music programs, this two-day event brings 400 students from around the Southeast together to learn effective leadership strategies and skills that will better equip them for leading themselves, their sections and their ensemble.

Designed to motivate and inspire young musicians, institute sessions include keynote speakers and students attend breakout sessions which focus on communication, team building, problem solving, public speaking, and more.

Get a head start on next year ’ s thinking today, make connections, get new ideas, and learn new strategies from experienced educators and clinicians in their field at the Summer Leadership Institute.

JAMES F. BYRNES HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Duncan, SC

Thursday March 26 2026 8:15 AM

CHRIS MOSS Director of Bands

Chris Moss is the Director of Bands for District Five Schools of Spartanburg County and James F. Byrnes High School. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the Florida State University, a Masters Degree in Music Education from Anderson University, and is currently in the Music Education Doctoral Program at Boston University.

Programs under Chris’s direction consistently achieve at both state and national levels. While at Byrnes High School as both Director of Bands and Assistant Director of Bands, the band was named State and Upper State champions and Bands of America Regional Class Champions. During his tenure at Pendleton High School, the Pride of Pendleton Marching Band was named State Champions five times and in 2020 the Pendleton Symphonic Band was featured in performance at the SCMEA Inservice Conference.

Chris studied Trombone with John Sizemore, Matt Anderson, and Dr. John Drew and is currently a member of the Poinsett Wind Symphony. Chris through his design company, Innovative Visual Concepts, currently serves as drill designer and conceptual consultant for many bands and winter ensembles across the Southeast with numerous honors including Bands of America Regional Finalists, South Carolina Marching Band State Champions, Winter Guard Scholastic Circuit Champions, WGI Regional Finalists and Champions, and WGI World Championship Finalists.

Chris is currently a member of the South Carolina Band Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and Phi Beta Mu while being a National Board Certified Educator. He has received a Citation of Excellence and the Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence from the National Band Association. He also currently serves as an Adjudicator for Drum Corps International and Bands of America and has attended the WGI Judge’s Academy.

Chris is married to Dr. Alison Starr-Moss, has three daughters, Lily, Evie, and Josie, and their dog, Nugget.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The James F. Byrnes High School Band is proud to represent Spartanburg County and the District Five community and has a long tradition of excellence. The marching band has been named State Marching Band Champion 13 times including being named the 6A State Champion in 2024. The band has also won 26 Upper State Championships, made Bands of America Grand National Semifinals 7 times, been a Bands of America Regional Class champion 12 times, and is a two time Bands of America Regional Champion: Johnson City in 1999 and Conway in 2024 The band has also represented our community in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 3 times, the Presidential Inaugural Parade twice, the Tournament of Roses parade, and will return to New York City for the Macy's Parade in 2026. The Byrnes Concert Program features 4 concert bands and had two bands receive a Superior with Distinction in Grade VI in 2023 and 2024. The top ensemble has been featured at the South Carolina Music Educators Association Inservice three times and the USC Band clinic twice. The Byrnes Winter Guard program includes three competitive units in the CWEA circuit and is a consistent Circuit and Regional class champion. The varsity guard, Indigo, was a Scholastic A World Championship Finalist in 2009 and has made Open Class Finals 4 times

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite

Karl King

Deciduous.................................................................................................................................................Viet Cuong

Southern Harmony..............................................................................................................Donald Grantham

I The Midnight Cry

II Wondrous Love

III. Exhilaration

IV The Soldier’s Return

Flute

Madeline George

Gaoussou Traore

Ellette Dillard

Kylee Stacker

Noah Rybak

Oboe

Regan Tice

Bassoon

Kip Fletcher

JAMES F. BYRNES HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Clarinet

Sarah Coleman

Bri Hand

Kinsley Pearson

Alaina Ramsey

Stella Parham

Ava Hough

Misa Desai

Bass Clarinet

Caroline Wright

Contra Bass Clarinet

Vacari Sullivan

Alto Sax

Tyler Willis

Javon Brown

Madelina Tabia

Tenor Sax

Sunny Sayaboulom

Baritone Sax

Colt Belcher

Trumpet

Michael Bustos

Grayson Crutchlow

Henry Cotter

Nathaniel Hart

Alexander Snyder

Nicholas Rini

Trombone

Noah Bullard

Emmaline Howard

Giovanni Notarianni

Benjamin Warner

French Horn

Tavares Hubbard

Matthew Price

Matthew Nix

Jonathan May

Bryson Miller

Euphonium

Jake Boykin

CJ Fleming

Tuba

Josiah Hagood

Justin Telemaque

Percussion

RJ Cummings

Zac Eakins

Porter Howard

Will Jones

Owen Montgomery

Regan Shiflet

GRAYSON HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Loganville, GA

Thursday, March 26, 2026 9:30 AM

JOHNATHAN

ANCELL Director of Bands

Johnathan A. Ancell currently serves as Director of Bands at Grayson High School in Gwinnett County, Georgia. In this role, he oversees a comprehensive band program of 280 students, which includes Concert Band II, Concert Band I, Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Winterguard, Percussion Ensemble, and the 185-member Marching Band. Under his leadership, the Grayson bands have consistently earned superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation and have received numerous Class Champion awards. In Fall 2021, the Marching Band performed in the program ’ s first Bands of America Regional in Jacksonville, Alabama. In January 2024, the band marched in the London New Year’s Day Parade. Most recently, the Wind Ensemble, the programs premier ensemble, was selected to perform in December 2025 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Tri-States Honor Band & the 2026 Music for All Southestern Regional Concert Band Festival at Georgia State University. During the 2024–2025 & 2025-2026 school years, Mr. Ancell was named a top 3 finalist for Teacher of the Year at Grayson High School.

Prior to his appointment at Grayson, Mr. Ancell served as Director of Bands at Shiloh Middle School, also in Gwinnett County. During his five-year tenure at Shiloh, the program grew from 190 to 310 students, consistently earned superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation, and saw many students selected for UGA’s MidFest Honor Band, District Honor Band, and All-State Band. He was named runner-up for Teacher of the Year for both the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 school years. In addition to his middle school teaching, he served on the marching band educational staff at Duluth High School and Chattahoochee High School.

Mr. Ancell holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (percussion) from Georgia Southern University (2015), a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Columbus State University (2019), and a Specialist in Education in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University (2022). Mr. Ancell is currently working to complete his Doctor of Music Education Degree from Liberty University.

From 2019 to 2024, he served on the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Marching Band Committee, acting as committee chair during the 2023–2024 school year. He also serves as Director of Worship Technology at Duluth First United Methodist Church, a role he has held since 2022. Mr. Ancell is a member of the Atlanta Wind Symphony, an all-adult community band based in North Fulton County, which performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in 2020 and 2025, and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, in December 2021. Mr. Ancell is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), the National Band Association (NBA), and was inducted into the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) in the summer of 2025.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

Now in its 26th year, the band program is a proud and active part of the Grayson High School community, a school home to over 3,800 students. The program serves around 280 student musicians each year and includes four concert ensembles Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Concert Band I, and Concert Band II Students also have opportunities to participate in Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Winterguard, and the 185-member Marching Rams The band program has performed on both national and international stages, including an invitation to participate in the 2024 London New Year’s Day Parade, representing the school and community abroad. In December 2025, the Wind Ensemble was invited to perform as a featured group at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Tri-States Honor Band.

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Florentiner March.....................................................................................................................................................................Julius Fučik ed. Frederick Fennell

Molly on the Shore

“Finale” from Symphony No 5, Op 47

Percy Aldridge Grainger

Dimitri Shostakovich

trans. Charles B. Righter

GRAYSON HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Flute

Emily Douglas

Ayano Mitchell

Amanda Jagnanan

Ure Njoku-Obi

Suraiya Weaver

Zoe Howell

Oboe

Janina Loethen

Bassoon

Christina Nguyen

Clarinet

Mara Daniels

Favor Adebayo

Jackson Toeug

Trey Yarde

Samai Johnson

Aiden Holloway

David Anjorin

Bass Clarinet

Anthony Bono

Joshua Smith

Contra Bass Clarinet

Cayden Wilson

Alto Sax

Daniel Esparza Romero

Amari Porter-White

Samantha Donnelly

Tarik Brown

Engell Martinez

Tenor Sax

Addison Athanasios

Nolan Montaque

Baritone Sax

Aiden Seber

Alexander Buenabad- Guerrero

Eric Flores-Rodriguez

Trumpet

Joshua Etrew

Tristen Williams

Joshua Omadio

Noah Hensley

Berachah Sippo

Chase Day-Gamble

Lisa Jefferson

French Horn

Abigail Daniels

Greyson Busse

Emma Coven

Audrey Mendez

Trombone

Pierre Metraillier

Sofia Sevilla Cintron

Trey Hill

William Chapman

Erik Alexander

Fechukwu Okibie

Euphonium

Andrew Taylor

Henry Small

Tuba

Jailex Evangelista

Joshua Jenkins

Ma'lhani Washington

David Omoregbe

String Bass

Mason Ferguson

Percussion

James Tete

Arlene Martinez-Herrera

Kendall Vinson

Shelton Jeanelus

Ved Darji

Mekhi Francies-Vickerie

David Leeth Jr

DENMARK HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Alpharetta, GA

Thursday, March 26, 2026 10:45 AM

KAYLA

POOR Director of Bands

JACOB SOESBEE Associate Director of Bands

Kayla Poor joined the faculty at Denmark High School as the Assistant Director of Bands in 2020 and was named Director of Bands in the fall of 2022. Her responsibilities include directing and instructing the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and coaching the school’s various Chamber Ensembles Previously, Kayla served as the Director of Bands and Choir at River Ridge Academy in Bluffton, South Carolina Under her direction, ensembles consistently receive Superior ratings at adjudications and competitions. Most recently, the Denmark Band Program was awarded the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award and has been accepted to perform at multiple regional Music for All events.

Highly active in the marching arts, Kayla Poor worked as a brass instructor with Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from 2017-2023, serving as the Brass Assistant Caption Head from 2020-2023. She is currently serving as a member of the Brass Leadership Team of the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2026 season Before her role as an instructor in the activity, she was a performing member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015 Kayla’s professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota.

Jacob Soesbee serves as Assistant Director of Bands at Denmark High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, where he is dedicated to cultivating musical excellence and meaningful educational experiences for his students Prior to his role at Denmark High School, he was the Assistant Director of Bands at Haynes Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta. Jacob earned his bachelor's in music education from Georgia State University, where he performed in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Clarinet Choir, Panther Band, and various chamber ensembles.

Jacob was named the winner of the Undergraduate Winds and Percussion Conducting Competition at Georgia State University in 2024 He has further developed his artistry through conducting symposia at the University of North Texas, Northwestern University, Shenandoah University, and Georgia State University Jacob maintains professional affiliations with the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Band Association and the International Clarinet Association.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The Denmark High School Band Program was established in the fall of 2018 as part of the Forsyth County School District. The Denmark High School Bands consistently earn Superior ratings at the GMEA District 9 Large Group Performance Evaluation, and the various marching ensembles have experienced consistent competitive success With a strong chamber music program, a large percentage of students successfully participate in the GMEA District 9 Solo and Ensemble Festival, as well as provide a significant presence in the District 9 High School Honor Bands and GMEA All-State Bands. The Denmark Brass Ensemble was an invited featured chamber ensemble as part of the 2024 Georgia Music Educators Association State In-Service Conference. The 2024-2025 Denmark Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the Music for All Regional Concert Festival in Orlando, Florida in April of 2025. The Denmark Band Program was awarded the 2024-2025 GMEA Exemplary Performance Award which is the highest honor a total band program can receive in the state of Georgia

As advocates of a growth mindset, we strive for a rigorous and inclusive musical environment for all students. Our motto is, “Just Get Better!”

Students from the band program enjoy numerous musical opportunities including, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Indoor Percussion, Winter Guard, and numerous chamber ensembles.

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

The Home Town Boy March................................................................... Karl L. King, arr. James Swearingen

October

Eric Whitacre

Khan Julie Giroux

The Rusty Bucket..................................................................................................................Carol Brittin Chambers

Armenian Dances, Part 1

Flute

Mahima Yammada

Reya Modugula

Likhitha Uppala

Ava Williams

Sophia Boulton

Oboe

Emma McCulley

Bassoon

Tanaya Kalwade

Clarinet

Arnav Raj

Juliana Tirado-Pena

Teja Chitta

Liana Matura

Dylan Dehipitiarachchi

Rohit Arunachalam

Srinidhi Nenmeni

Aayan Grover

Jacob Soesbee, conductor

DENMARK HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Bass Clarinet

Praneeth Samineni

Saanvi Moota

Alto Sax

Kayla Bae

Devanshi Bohra

Ethan Jatikusuma

Shiva Senthilnathan

Tenor Sax

Mahathi Yammada

Baritone Sax

Emily Nguyen

Trumpet

Jacob Dragos

George Barberena

Vishruth Yelisetti

Rohan Srikanth

Ekansh Bal

Lucy Lange

French Horn

Abi Clary

Enrique Ward-Pinzon

Victoria Solorzano

Trombone

Filbert Jatikusuma

Thatcher Cornwell

Tony Cotrina-Duarte

Alfred Reed

Euphonium

Siddharth Kamireddy

Tuba

Michelle Mbugua

Parth Gupta

Kavinseetha Kumaran

Percussion

Krishna Arul

Ben Duke

Sachit Gupta

Kenneth Low

Mikella Miani Zuniga

John Nguyen

Sashreek Raghupatruni

Jacob Sprigg

JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONIC WINDS

Jefferson, GA

Thursday, March 26, 2026 12:00 PM

NICHOLAS GOLDING Director of Bands

Nicholas Golding, currently in his eighteenth year of teaching, is the Director of Bands at Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Georgia His concert ensembles have been invited to perform at many prestigious events, including the GMEA InService Conference, the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival, and honor band clinics at the University of Georgia, the University of South Carolina, and Reinhardt University.

Golding’s marching programs have earned national honors, including the 2011 USSBA Group IV A National Championship and the 2016 WGI Winds Scholastic A World Championship. A frequent Bands of America finalist, his Jefferson band recently performed at the Musical Salute to Liberation in Normandy and the 2025 London New Year’s Day Parade.

A graduate of the Armed Forces School of Music, Mr. Golding served as a French hornist and staff arranger for Navy Band Great Lakes, Navy Band Mid-South, Navy Band Southeast, and the 572nd Air Force Band He continues his service today as a member of the 116th Army Band in Marietta, GA.

MICHAEL PACE Assistant Director of Bands

Michael Pace is in his fifteenth year as Director of Bands at Jefferson Middle School Under his leadership, the program ’ s performing ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings at evaluations, with students frequently selected for districtand state-level honor events In recognition of his dedication to excellence in the classroom, Mr Pace was named Jefferson Middle School’s Teacher of the Year in 2014.

Mr. Pace earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Georgia in 2011, double-majoring in Music Education and Music Performance. During his time at UGA, he studied clarinet under Dr. D. Ray McClellan and conducting under Dr. John Lynch He furthered his expertise in 2025 by completing a Master of Music Education from the University of Colorado Boulder.

An active performer, Mr Pace frequently appears with ensembles throughout the Atlanta and Athens areas as both a section member and a featured soloist He is currently a member of the Athens Symphony

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The Jefferson High School Symphonic Winds is the flagship ensemble of the JHS band program. Comprised of 38 select musicians in grades 9–12, the ensemble utilizes a wind-ensemble model with one to two players per part Students in the Symphonic Winds are highly active in campus life, representing a diverse cross-section of Jefferson High School through their involvement in varsity athletics, drama, choral ensembles, and academic honor societies.

The broader Jefferson High School band program serves 130 students across several award-winning ensembles, including the marching band, two jazz bands, and various concert and percussion groups. The Jefferson band program has earned a reputation for excellence on both regional and international stages. Notable recent appearances include the 2022 Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival and the 2023 Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference In 2026, the ensemble was featured at the Reinhardt University Honor Band Clinic, the University of South Carolina Band Clinic, and returned to the Music for All Southeastern Regional Internationally, JHS musicians have performed at the 2022 Musical Salute to Liberation in Normandy, France, and the 2025 London New Year’s Day Parade.

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Americans We

Henry Fillmore

ed. Frederick Fennell

When Jesus Wept..............................................................................................................................................................................William Schuman

Bugler’s Holiday

Ancient Flower

Mr. Michael Pace, Conductor

Leroy Anderson trans Michael Edwards

Yukiko Nishimura

El Camino Real Alfred Reed

Flute

Jackson R Swancey*

Aleya G Plumblee

Paisley G Coile

Elias J Donaldson

Clarinet

Carter T. Anderson*

Bonnie K Stephens

Lucy E Wheeler

Hannah E Peevy

Jade J Mattei-Holt

Madilyn G Graham

Bass Clarinet

Juan F. Sanchez*

JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONIC WINDS

Alto Sax

James L McGovern* R Jamie Bishop

Tenor Sax

James T. Browning*

Baritone Sax

Carter L Cleveland*

Trumpet

Caleb S Leslie*

Josiah W Tedder

Bhryze Gabriel S. Braga

Logan M. Richardson

Horn

Garrett C. Richmond*

Connor H. Brewer

Julien E. Venegas

Seiji A. Bennett

Trombone

Andrew A Sorah*

Asa R McAuley

Carrie F Pottle

Hayden J. Fowler

Elsa V. Kim

Bass Trombone

Rhett W Hamby*

Euphonium

Bryce G. Betts*

Tuba

Caleb W Funderburke*

Gabrian M Hernandez Jowdry

Percussion

Lola G Suplita*

Amelia H Neilson

Isabela G Cheyka

Samuel E Arata

Lyric J Lay

Lily C Chambers

*Denotes principal player

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE

Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 26, 2026 2:15 PM

ROBERT J. AMBROSE Director of Bands

Conductor Robert J. Ambrose enjoys a highly successful and diverse career as a dynamic and engaging musician. His musical interests cross many genres and can be seen in the wide range of professional activities he pursues. Dr. Ambrose studied formally at Boston College, Boston University and Northwestern University, where he received the Doctor of Music degree in conducting Dr Ambrose currently serves as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Georgia State University, a research institution of over 53,000 students located in Atlanta.

Dr. Ambrose is in constant demand as a guest conductor and has performed on four continents. Recent engagements include performances in Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan as well as across the United States In 2016, Dr Ambrose was invited to spend ten days on tour as a guest conductor with the United States Army Field Band. Ambrose is the only civilian in history to be invited to guest conduct a premiere American military band on tour. This engagement led to the formation of the National Chamber Winds, a professional wind dectet based in Washington, D C for which he is Founder and Music Director Ambrose is also the Founder and Music Director of the Atlanta Chamber Winds and Ensemble ATL, ensembles comprising musicians from the Atlanta Symphony, Atlanta Opera, and Atlanta Ballet Orchestras.

Dr. Ambrose has strong ties to the Finnish music community. Recent guest conducting appearances include the Finnish Navy Band, the Helsinki Police Band, the STM Summer Music Festival Wind Orchestra, the Rauma Wind Band, and the youth wind bands of Kokkola, Kotka, and Rauma. He has taught conducting workshops in Tampere, Rauma, Kuopio, and Kokkola, and has served as a guest lecturer at the Central Ostrobothnian Conservatory and the Sibelius Academy.

Ambrose is a prolific arranger with nearly two dozen publications to his credit His transcriptions and editions are published by Presser Music, Murphy Music Press, C Alan Publications, Fennica Gehrman (Finland), and Edition Tilli (Finland) His transcriptions appear on several state lists and have been performed around the world.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

Under the direction of Dr. Robert J. Ambrose, the Georgia State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble is recognized as one of the finest ensembles of its type in the region. As the premier wind band at Georgia State, the ensemble is comprised of the most advanced woodwind, brass, and percussion players in the School of Music, selected each semester by audition. The ensemble’s repertoire is drawn from significant literature written for wind ensemble, symphonic band, and chamber winds. Most literature is performed with one player assigned to each part. Alumni of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble hold positions in many of the leading orchestras, bands, and chamber ensembles in the country, including the Atlanta Symphony and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has accepted multiple performance invitations at prestigious conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and Georgia Music Educators Association. A performance by the ensemble of Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, under the direction of Robert Ambrose, has received repeated airings on Georgia Public Radio In addition, the ensemble’s reference recordings can be heard on the websites of numerous composers. Under the direction of Dr Ambrose, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble released American Manuscripts on the Summit Records label Dr. Ambrose and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble are committed to supporting the creation of new works for the wind band medium and have commissioned or co-commissioned more than three dozen works for winds since Dr Ambrose’s tenure began in 2001

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Danzón No. 2.........................................................................................................................................................................Arturo Márquez trans by Oliver Nickel

Mystic Dance..................................................................................................................................................................................Rick DeJonge

Eric Hawkins, horn

Amen!................................................................................................................................................................................................Carlos Simon

I. Lively

II Soulfully

III Mysteriously, Lively

Go BIG or Go HOME...............................................................................................................................................................Jessica Meyer

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE

Flute/Piccolo

Rachel Breaux

Emily Gabbitas

Dillon Hauke

Nicole Hom

Oboe

Ayahnah Glymph

Sophia Monteagudo

Michael Tijerina

Bassoon

Ahmad Duncan

Jackelin Guevara-Blanco

Connor Haley

Clarinet

Emily Bridges

Nova Davis

Omosede Edoigiawerie

Azure Jimenez

Richelle Nunez

Rachel Odendahl

Angelica Ricardo

Niland Siebenaler

Braeden Weyhrich

Saxophone

Ella Casey

Riley Chester

Quentin Foster

Ximena Laguna

Jay Moon

Trumpet

Alvin Brown

Caleb Cannon

Douglas Escobar

Daniel McKay

William Morgan

Devin Scott

Horn

Ethan Atkinson

Nicholas Dooley

Susan Henson

Terri Ingram

Trombone

Grant Erie

Xavier Genao

Jakobi Gerideau

Aiden Stratton

Euphonium

Camilo Ayala

Roger Pomposello

Tuba

Cesar Garcia Arroyo

Benjamin Prior

Double Bass

Isabella (Rex) Delgado-Hernandez

Percussion

Nick Coppola

Jake Flack

Caleb Franklin

Dylan Mantione

Julian Mitchell

Veronica Mora

Zyler Osborn

Piano

Gavin Lee

NORTH COBB HIGH SCHOOL WIND SYMPHONY

Kennesaw, GA

Thursday, March 26, 2026 4:30 PM

DAVID WIEBERS

Director of Bands

David Wiebers is the Director of Bands at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, GA, bringing over two decades of experience as a Head Band Director in Texas and Georgia schools Mr Wiebers focuses on building strong music programs where students can excel Ensembles under his direction have earned recognition at state and regional levels, including UIL Area Marching Contest advancements, multiple marching band grand championships, and consistent superior ratings for concert bands

He enjoys supporting students in their musical pursuits Many have achieved placement in prestigious groups such as the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, Texas and Georgia All-State ensembles, and the Governor's Honors Program Mr Wiebers is proud that numerous former students have gone on to successful careers in music performance and education

He earned his Master's in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music and his Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Georgia, where his teachers included Fred Mills (Canadian Brass) and Steve Dancz. His conducting background includes studies with Dr. John Culvahouse, Mark Cedel, and Allen Crowell.

David is married to Tina, and they have two daughters, Rileigh and Abby. They actively serve in the Student and Music Ministries at First Baptist Church Woodstock.

SCOTT PANNELL

Associate Director of Bands

Mr. Pannell has served as the Associate Director of Bands at North Cobb High School since 2007. During his tenure, the band program has been featured at the Music for All Southeastern Concert Band Festival (two appearances), the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference (two appearances), and the University of Georgia JanFest (two appearances). Additionally, the North Cobb High School Marching Band has earned multiple class championships and grand championships throughout Georgia and neighboring states.

Prior to North Cobb, Mr. Pannell served as Director of Bands at Sewell Middle School and as well as Assistant Director of Bands at Bremen High School. He also served as the Director of Bands at Lithia Springs High School. Ensembles under his direction have earned numerous superior ratings, class championships, and Grand Championships.

Mr. Pannell is an active adjudicator and clinician, having judged band and percussion ensembles at competitions and exhibitions throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area and across the southeastern United States. Since 2008, he has adjudicated visual and visual effect captions for indoor percussion and winds circuits around the southeast, also including service with the Winter Guard Arizona circuit He has also served as a band and percussion instructor and clinician for several Georgia high schools

A native of Columbus, Georgia, Mr Pannell earned the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Georgia Southern University, where he studied under the direction of Dr Daniel Pittman and Dr Matthew Fallin He is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Instructional Technology at the University of West Georgia Mr Pannell resides in Douglasville, Georgia, with his wife, Dawn, and their children, Brantley, Render, and MercyElise

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The North Cobb Band Program was founded in 1958 when North Cobb High School opened in Kennesaw, Georgia. Today, it provides a comprehensive band curriculum for over 300 students, enhanced by extracurricular offerings like jazz band, percussion ensemble, various chamber ensembles, and the Warrior Marching Band. The program ' s premier ensemble, the Wind Symphony, consistently achieves Superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Large Group Performance Evaluation. It has also been honored with performance invitations to the GMEA State Conference in 2006, 2012, and 2020, as well as the University of Georgia January Honor Band Festival in 2019. Students from the North Cobb band program regularly earn places in distinguished statewide and regional groups, including the Georgia Governor's Honors Program, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, GMEA All-State Band, and the GMEA District XII Honor Band

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

March of the Belgian Paratroopers

Song for Lyndsay

Pierre Leemans arr Charles Wiley

Andrew Boysen

Grace Jiang, flute

Eric Chastain, horn

Mr. Scott Pannell, Conductor

Symphony No. 2.....................................................................................................................................................John Barnes Chance

I Sussurando

II Elevato

III Slancio

Urban Light.................................................................................................................................................................................James David

NORTH COBB HIGH SCHOOL WIND SYMPHONY

Flute

Grace Jiang

Zahra Jow

Matheus Correia

Leah Zapata

Isabella Bayon

Macey Collins

Laila Cooper

Oboe

Kaitlin Montgomery

Kayleigh Hodoly

Ella McLaughlin

Bassoon

Wyatt Baxter

Simran Kant

Tori Nguyen

Clarinet

Seneca Clark

Daniella Perez

Gabino Chavez

Christopher Steiger

Thalia Johnson

Landon Alva

Gabriel Ruiz-Figueroa

Bass Clarinet

Jennifer Ross

Santiago Lopez

Alto Sax

Abrianna Santiago

Jason St. Fort

Gavin Duprey

Joseph Williams

Tenor Sax

Brisa Romo-Bautista

Baritone Sax

Jaydon Sharpe

Amelie Petersen

Trumpet

Olyvia Graham

Madison Herrick

Sebastian Taborda

Aidan Brennan

Braxton Thomas

Zachary Baxter

Horn

Eric Chastain

Cason Paris

Garrett Adams

Sierra Richards

Trombone

Andrew Chastain

Clark Goff

Jeremiah McKinney

Jackson McMellen

Bass Trombone

Ian Taylor

Euphonium

Sebastian Zambrano

Tuba

Jayden Henley

Aniah Harris

Daniel Parker

Percussion

Kaylen Hall

Peyton Pham

Jackson Bell

Alex Rivers

Tashombii Stribling

Logan Roman

Gavin Tate

Fronzak Blydan

Essel Mensah

JOHNS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Johns Creek, GA

Thursday, March 26, 2026 5:45 PM

BRYAN

DANIELS Director

TY

CUNDY

Assistant Director

Mr. Bryan Daniels is in his sixth year as Director of Bands at Johns Creek High School in Johns Creek, GA. Previously he served as the Associate Director of Bands at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia and was also the Assistant Director of Bands at Dobyns-Bennett High School, a Bands of America Grand National Finalist program Ensembles under his direction have earned consistent ‘Superior’ ratings at Performance Assessments and have been featured at regional performances such as the University of Georgia's JanFest, the University of Alabama's High School Honor Band Clinic, and the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival.

Mr. Daniels received his Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville under Dr. Gary Sousa. While at Tennessee he studied trumpet with Dr. Cathy Leach as well as conducting with James Fellenbaum He also earned his Bachelor of Arts in Production Studies in Performing Arts in Music from Clemson University where he studied conducting and arranging with Dr Mark Spede and trumpet with Tim Hurlburt

Mr. Daniels is active as a clinician, adjudicator, presenter, freelance performer, and private lessons instructor and is a two-time recipient of the National Band Association's "Citation of Excellence." His professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi. He currently serves as a trumpet player for the Atlanta Wind Symphony. Bryan resides in Norcross, GA with his wife Megan and their dog, Charlie

Mr Ty Cundy is currently in his first year as Assistant Director of Bands at Johns Creek High School and Autrey Mill Middle School, and is in his third year coordinating percussion within the cluster. In this position, he conducts wind band, coordinates rehearsals, and oversees all aspects of percussion instruction, including marching front ensemble, marching battery, concert percussion, and percussion ensemble.

Prior to working in Johns Creek, Mr. Cundy studied at Georgia Southern University, from which he graduated summa cum laude in 2023 with a B M in Music Education and a minor in Music Technology At GSU, he performed with the Southern Pride Marching Band, was principal percussionist of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble, and was the pianist of the Jazz Ensemble. In 2022, Mr. Cundy was awarded the Theodore Presser Undergraduate Music Scholarship. Mr. Cundy has studied percussion with Dr. Matthew Fallin and Brandon Kunka. Mr. Cundy also performs regularly with the Atlanta Percussion Ensemble, and teaches private lessons. Mr. Cundy is affiliated with Phi Eta Sigma, the Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education.

Mr Cundy currently resides in Duluth In his free time, he enjoys cooking and trying new restaurants with his girlfriend, Monica, cheering for the Green Bay Packers on Sundays, and collecting and playing vinyl records

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The Johns Creek High School Wind Ensemble is the school's auditioned ensemble. Founded in 2009, the Wind Ensemble has consistently earned "Superior" ratings in Large Group Performance Evaluation. Students in this ensemble audition and participate in the GMEA All-State Band, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra The Johns Creek marching band is also excitedly anticipating marching in the 2027 London Parade This is the Johns Creek concert band program ' s first invited performance in school history

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Commando March

Samuel Barber

Mr. Ty Cundy, conductor

Some Treasures Are Heavy With Human Tears.....................................................................John Mackey

The Gladiator

Roma

John Philip Sousa

Valerie Coleman

JOHNS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Flute

Aditi Barde

Lucas Huang

Kara Kim

Korrine Lee

Olivia Ling

Junhui Park

Oboe

Eden Yun Yu

Bassoon

Anthony Kim

Samantha Mendez

Clarinet

Shinyue Chen

Justin Choi

Claire Daunais

Tiffany Hong

Dylan Kim

Terin Ohm

Tyler Park

Anish Vudathu

Tenor Saxophone

Geena Choi

Jenevieve Groom

Baritone Saxophone

Hudson Linke

French Horn

Anna Cleveland

Hailey Roberts

Varun Subramanian

Daichi Takimoto

Audrey Hall

Daniel Wright

Bass Clarinet Alto Saxophone

Aaron Rogalski

Corinne Thorpe

Elaine Wang

Clio Alencar

Blake Butler

Grant Chapman

Oliver Dolfin

Samvid Kallem

Dannon Kong

Derek Lee

Trumpet Trombone

Tina Alfred

Acsyry Mercado

Adam Pancake

Amelie Roy

Advik Saravanan

Euphonium

Noah Evans

Sasha Morgan

Fareeda Rasheed-Rahji

Tuba

Ian Ok

Victoria Stone

Gabe Weatherby

Percussion

Logan Barnhill

Carson Glenn

Alex Jang

Isaac Lee

Kaiwen Liu

Alan Zhang

CREEKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Canton, GA

Thursday, March 26, 2026 7:00 PM

STEPHEN MCCARTHY

Director of Bands

Stephen McCarthy, Director of Bands at Creekview High School, is a native of Waycross, GA. A graduate of Valdosta State University and Reinhardt University, he has led award-winning programs in multiple schools, with his concert bands performing at prestigious events including the GMEA In-Service Conference (3x), University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson Band Clinic (2x), Reinhardt University Honor Band Clinic (2x), University of South Carolina Band Clinic, Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic, and the National Band Association Southern Division Conference. His marching bands have earned numerous superior ratings, grand champion titles, and performed in the National Orange Bowl Parade and National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade (2x).

Mr. McCarthy has served in leadership roles for GMEA, including chief adjudicator and marching band chair. A sixtime recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence, he is an active member of several professional music organizations, including the National Band Association and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity

MIKE LYNCH Percussion

Director

Mike Lynch, Percussion Director at Creekview High School, retired in 2016 after thirty-two years of teaching band and percussion in grades five through twelve. The last twenty-four years were spent at Simpson Middle School and Lassiter High School, both Cobb County Schools located in Marietta, Georgia. Mr. Lynch’s middle and high school percussion ensembles have performed at The Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference on seven different occasions, the Music for All Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival in 2000, 2002, 2010 and 2015, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2005 and 2011, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2007

Mr Lynch is co-author of “Field Level – The Ultimate Band Directors Guide to fielding the Ultimate Marching Percussion Section,” “Rudimental Cookbook” and “Just Desserts” all published by Row-Loff Publications. He is the director of the Southeastern Percussion Ensemble Symposium and is an educational endorser for Mapex, Majestic, Remo, Vic Firth, and Zildjian.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

Located in Cherokee County, the Creekview High School Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group made up of students in grades 9-12. The Wind Ensemble represents the most advanced instrumental performers at Creekview High School Members of the Wind Ensemble consistently audition and perform with the GMEA District 9 Honor Band, GMEA All-State Band, North Georgia Youth Wind Symphony, Emory Youth Chamber Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Performances for the Creekview Wind Ensemble include the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational, in which the band earned a superior rating and the most outstanding percussion award, the Reinhardt University Honor Band Clinic on two occasions, and the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson High School Band Festival.

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Panoramic Landscapes

Tyler S Grant

A Movement for Rosa Mark Camphouse

The Old Grumbly Bear...................................................................................................................................................................................Julius Fucik

arr. Andrew Glover

Jonah Szeder, Soloist

Celebrations....................................................................................................................................................................................................John Zdechlik

CREEKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Flute

Isabella D’Agostino

Evelyne Weil

Annabelle Etienne

Amilia Huggins

Oboe

Cari Schlueter

Bassoon

Levi Norris

Julianna Perez

Clarinet

Rachel Samples

Samantha Belangee

Rosalina Sykes

Madeleine Young

Sarabeth Brown

Violet Diaz

Bass Clarinet

Jessa Bredemann

Alto Sax

Miles Young

Sydney Davis

Timothy Brumbelow

Tenor Sax

Allison Hefner

Baritone Sax

Cedric Coggon

Trumpet

Todd Lofton

Brayden Singleton

Griffin Stone

Addie Ross

McKenna Dooley

Jackson Nunn

Cooper Nalley

Horn

Keira Flahardy

Brody Young

Ava Hart

Annabelle Lindsey

Trombone

Patrick Shone

Luke Dooley

Diego Lugo

Aiden Somilleda

Henry Diaz

Shaye McDonald

Euphonium

Shane Timcoe

Cole White

Tuba

Jonah Szeder

Timothy Powell

Percussion

Stephen Duncan

Chase Johnson

Evan Tossing

Parker Agnelli

John Merrill Williams

Aria Mathews

Lucy Paire

Joli Hart

Katie Rickert

LAMBERT HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Suwanee, GA

Thursday, March 26, 2026 8:15 PM

KEVIN

MORRISON Director of Bands

JONATHAN BUCHHOLZ

Associate Director of Bands

Kevin Morrison is the Director of Bands at Lambert High School in Suwanee, Georgia He serves as the Conductor of The Lambert High School Wind Ensemble and the concert band. Since joining the Lambert community in 2021, Mr. Morrison's ensembles have received invitations to perform at the 77th Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in 2023, the Music For All National Concert Band Festival in 2025, the 2025 GMEA In-Service Conference and the Music For All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival.

In addition to his work with the Lambert Bands, Mr. Morrison has extensive pageantry arts experience. He was the Visual Caption Supervisor for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from 2019-2024 and served on the Visual Proficiency Judges Training Panel for Drum Corps International He has also worked with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps, the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps He has been a featured clinician and teacher leader for the Music For All Summer Symposium and is a highly sought-after pageantry arts designer, instructor, and adjudicator

Mr Morrison completed his undergraduate studies in K-12 instrumental music at Auburn University and later earned his Masters in Music Education from the University of South Florida He also holds a professional certificate in composition and orchestration for television and film from Berklee College of Music.

PAUL MCCREA Director of Percussion

Dr Jon Buchholz is currently the Associate Director of Bands at Lambert High School in Suwanee, GA The Lambert High School band program is nationally recognized for their excellence in music performance and education Recently, Lambert ensembles have received invitations to perform at the 77th Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra, and Music Conference in 2023, both the Music For All National Concert Band Festival, and Southeastern Regional Concert Festival, and GMEA In-Service Conference in 2025

Prior to his appointment as Associate Director of Bands at Lambert High School, Jon Buchholz completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at The University of Alabama. During the pursuit of his terminal degree, Dr. Buchholz taught at both The University of Alabama and University of West Alabama, including students in music education, performance, theory, and composition in both undergraduate and graduate areas.

Paul McCrea is currently the Director of Percussion at Lambert High School in Suwanee, Georgia He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the Bower School of Music & the Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University, studying under respected educators including Dr Patricia Gingras, Professor Troy Jones, and Dr. Timothy Yontz.

During his time at FGCU, Paul served as Principal Percussionist for the Wind Orchestra and performed with the Bower School of Music Honors Percussion Quartet and various chamber ensembles. His performance career extends into the Marching Arts, having performed with world-class ensembles such as the Boston Crusaders and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as Infinity Percussion.

As an educator, Paul brings a wealth of hands-on experience. He has taught private percussion lessons to high school and college students, both in-person and virtually, for over five years His instructional experience includes teaching the drumline at North Fort Myers High School, serving as Associate Band Director and Percussion Coordinator for the Cape Coral High School Marching Band, and joining the 20242026 instructional staff of Spirit of Atlanta to teach the tenor drum section Paul is also a dedicated member of NAfME, NEA, and GMEA

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The Lambert Wind Ensemble has been under the direction of Kevin Morrison since the fall of 2021 and has become widely recognized as one of the top concert ensembles in the country Accolades include the 2023 and 2026 Music for All Southeastern Regional Festival at Georgia State, The 77th Midwest Clinic, International Band and Orchestra Conference, The 2025 Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and the 2025 Georgia Music Educator's Association In-Service Conference The Lambert Wind Ensemble has continually pushed the envelope for what high school ensembles are capable of performing The ensemble is one of four high school groups to attempt the colossal Symphony No 4 by David Maslanka and will be the first high school group to perform all five movements of Kevin Day's Concerto for Wind Ensemble and the only high school band to play Kevin Day's trumpet concerto: Pyrotechnics The Lambert Wind Ensemble has collaborated with some of the best musicians in the business including: Dr Mallory Thompson, Chris Martin, Dr Kevin Sedatole, Alex Kaminsky, Dr David Vandewalker, Alfred Watkins, Freddy Martin, Julie Giroux, Jessica Meyer and Minoo Dixon

PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Joyce’s 71st New York Regiment

Thornton Boyer arr M Lake

Dr. Jonathan Buchholz, conductor

Australian Up-Country Tune.............................................................................................................................................................Percy Grainger arr Cliffe Bainum

Concerto for Wind Ensemble.....................................................................................................................................................................Kevin Day

I. Flow

II Riff

III Vibe

IV. Soul

V. Jam

Quantum Surfer

Piccolo

Yun Teng Lin

Flute

Emma Kim

Benjamin Lee

Alexis Ma

Oboe

Lingxuan Bi

Courtney Liu

Bassoon

Shriyog Andavan

Zachary Kusumo

Jessica Meyer

World Premiere

LAMBERT HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

Clarinet

Max Wang

Nathan Share

Aaron Chong

Ronil Reddy

Yubo Wang

Aaron Liu

Jason Zhou

Joseph Lee

Contrabass Clarinet

Maya Mathis

Eb Clarinet

Emily Tan

Alto Sax

Larry Kong

Yun Tian Lin

Tenor Sax

Naren Mandali

Baritone Sax

Pratyush Manake

Trumpet

Isaac Long

Ethan Evarts

Christian Daffron

Jiayi Leng

French Horn

Straughan Baker

Krithvik Naveen

Narendrakumar

Raghava Murthy

Tuba

Sudarshan Thirunarayanan

Collin Om

Gregory Chang

Percussion

Abbyella Deladisma

Abhinav Dubba

Yukun Chai

Vishanth Vijay

Amar Vargantwar

Bass Trombone

Sohum Sinha

Trombone Euphonium

Lane Wentworth

Avanith Vijay

Ethan Wei

Isabella Easow

Chris Hayes

Charlotte Lee

Jerry Liu

Aiden Kim

Daniel Blasucci

Elise Deladisma

SUMMER CONDUCTING INSTITUTE

Conducting Fellows Application Deadline: April 15, 2026