Regional Championship at Austin September 23, 2017 Ÿ Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex Ÿ Round Rock, TX

Adjudicator Biographies National Presenting Sponsor

MUSIC PANEL John Bell, Lebanon, IL Dr. John Bell is currently the Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he conducts the Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds, teaches conducting and music education courses. Additionally, Dr. Bell is the Music Director of the St. Louis Brass Band in St. Louis. Dr. Bell earned his Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Music Education from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from LSU. He was Associate Director of Bands at the University of Northern Colorado, where he founded the university's , the Pride of the Rockies. Seven years of Dr. Bell's career were spent in the public schools of suburban Chicago, where he was Director of Bands and Chair of the Department of Music at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, IL. Dr. Bell is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and the American School Band Directors Association. He has received the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence and is a contributing author to the acclaimed series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. He is Director of the Illinois Ambassadors of Music for their 16-day tours of Europe, and lead the 250-member band, orchestra, and choir tour again this past summer. Dr. Bell has conducted honors and all-state bands throughout the , and has judged pageantry and symphonic championships for many states in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Thailand, as well as championships events for Drum Corps International (DCI), and (BOA).

Don Hill, Ventura, CA Mr. Don Hill lives in Ventura, CA, where he is active as a free-lance composer and arranger. He is currently published by Great Works Publishing Inc. and Ludwig Music, and has received commissions from high schools and universities throughout the United States. Donald has been a member of The American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) since 1994, and six times has received recognition from the ASCAP Special Awards Panel for his works. Don judged for Drum Corps International (DCI) from 1984 to 2001, and served as the Caption Chairman for Brass and Music General Effect, from 1993-1999. Don is currently the wind arranger for Broken Arrow High School and Harrison High School, among many others. He also judges for Bands of America (BOA) and many other invitational contests, both nationally and internationally.

Allan Kristensen, Clovis, CA Mr. Allan E. Kristensen is a retired music educator and arts supervisor, currently working part-time as an arts consultant with the Fresno County Office of Education. As a supervisor, he supported the arts in over 100 schools, aligning and strengthening arts programs where they were weak and bringing life to the arts where it was vacant. As a band director, his marching and concert ensembles have won many national, state and local championships, and superior ratings. Mr. Kristensen earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Jose State University where he studied percussion with Anthony J. Cirone. He also credits , Robert Kalkofen, , and Andy Narrell for his percussion development. He has performed with various symphonies and artists, as well as having marched with and taught, the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Kristensen is a highly recognized music adjudicator and clinician world-wide, having judged both the Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Championships and the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships several times. He has served as President of the Western Band Association (WBA) and President of the Fresno-Madera County Music Educators Association (FMCMEA). This year, he was recognized by CMEA as California’s Outstanding Administrator. He is married to Kim, and they have a daughter named Ryann.

Mike Rubino, Morgan Hill, CA Mr. Mike Rubino is a retired director of Live Oaks High School in Morgan Hill, CA. Under his direction, Live Oaks was a two-time Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Champion. Mr. Rubino's career has spanned from a start- up award-winning high school music program, to elementary education, and to providing cultural musical exchanges for over 800 students to experience diverse cultures. Mr. Rubino is an adjudicator for BOA, State School Page 1 of 3 Music Association, the Michigan State Competitive Marching Band Association, the Oregon Band Directors Association, and Drum Corps International (DCI). Mr. Rubino is also a member of the BOA Hall of Fame.

VISUAL PANEL Lee Carlson, Palm Springs, CA Mr. Lee Carlson has been involved in the pageantry arts for over 40 years. He has spent the last 34 years as the drill designer and color guard instructor for the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band. Mr. Carlson judges for Bands of America (BOA), Drum Corps International (DCI), and many Winter Guard Circuits across the United States. Mr. Carlson served four years as Visual Caption Head for DCI and currently serves as Judges Training Coordinator. Mr. Carlson has judged in Europe and Asia, and has adjudicated the Drum Corps Japan Championships seven times. He has written for and taught many mass bands including the opening of the Los Angles Olympics, Centennial of the Statue of Liberty, the Bicentennial of the French Revolution, and the Centennial of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Mr. Carlson owns and operates a pottery studio in Palm Springs, CA.

Bret Mascaro, Collegeville, PA After retiring as a music teacher, band director, and department coordinator for the Methacton School District, Mr. Bret Mascaro became the Director of Education for Zeswitz Music in Reading PA. During his 34-year career, Mr. Mascaro served as a Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District President and Festival Coordinator. In retirement, Mr. Mascaro is also the head director for the American Music Abroad Silver Tour and an Assistant Conductor for the Montgomery County Concert Band. Mr. Mascaro has been a designer or instructor for the Crossmen, Troopers, and Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and many high school bands from across the country. He has been a clinic presenter for Drum Corps International (DCI) as well as several regional competitive circuits. Mr. Mascaro has served as an adjudicator across the United States, Canada, and Japan for organizations such as Winter Guard International, DCI, Bands of America, and several state pageantry associations.

Kyle Miller, Las Vegas, NV Currently teaching Language Arts in Las Vegas, Mr. Kyle Miller’s pageantry experience begins with high school marching band. While studying music at University of Iowa, he began teaching and designing. This progressed into judging, consulting, and teaching nationwide. He continues to place high value on his experience and opportunities to judge Bands of America / Music For All events. Also evaluating Drum Corps International (DCI) and Winter Guard International (WGI) programs, he works to develop a broad range of pageantry arts in addition to his everyday position as a classroom educator. He has served as Judge Liaison and Chief Judge in Illinois and Texas and is fortunate to have additional experience judging internationally, evaluating performances in Europe, Thailand, and Japan.

CHIEF JUDGE Gary Markham Mr. Markham is recently Retired Supervisor of Instrumental Music for the Cobb County School District in Marietta, GA. He is the former Director of Bands at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County, VA. He has over four decades of experience in music education, with 25 years as a high school band director and 20 years as a music supervisor. He currently serves internationally as clinician, guest conductor, adjudicator, and consultant. The Cobb County Music program has been named one of the “BEST Communities for Music Education in America, 12 times. Mr. Markham received his B. S. degree from Mansfield State University, M. Ed. degree from Penn State University, and studied for his Ph. D. (ABD) in conducting and music supervision at George Mason University with Tony Maiello and Arnald Gabriel. His leadership experience includes membership on several state and national music education executive boards including the Midwest Clinic Advisory Committee. He is currently the Senior Education Consultant and Chief Judge for Bands of America (BOA), Executive Director of the Music Administration Collaborative, and Judge Education Director for Drum Corps International (DCI). He is a 1992 recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation's "Sudler Order of Merit" and the Robinson Symphonic Band is the 1992 recipient of the "Sudler Flag of Honor.” In 2006, Mr. Markham was presented with the Georgia Music Educators Administrative Leadership award and was inducted into the BOA “Hall of Fame.” In 2007, Mr. Markham received the DCI & Coltrin Page 2 of 3 & Associates “Excellence in Music Education Award.” In 2009, NAfME presented the first “Excellence in Marching Music Education” to Mr. Markham for serving as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Commission for writing National Standards and a lifetime devoted to marching music excellence.

Page 3 of 3