Super Regional Championship at Atlanta October 28, 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, GA
Adjudicator Biographies National Presenting Sponsor
MUSIC PANEL (alphabetical by last name) 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 marching band, 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 United States, 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 Bands of America (BOA).
Marty Griffin, Toms River, NJ Marty Griffin received his undergraduate degree in music at William Paterson University, where he performed with the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble and the New Jersey New Music Ensemble. He also has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Kean University. Marty has been a Band Director in New Jersey for 27 years, and he is currently the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Fine Arts at Monroe Township High School. His responsibilities include directing the Marching Band (16 years), Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble as well as teaching AP Music Theory. The MTHS Marching Band was selected to represent New Jersey at the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in 2016. Marty performed for five seasons with the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps and he has been a percussion arranger for high school bands throughout New Jersey since 1987. Marty currently judges for numerous organizations including Winter Guard International (WGI), Bands of America (BOA), and Drum Corps International (DCI). In 2006, Marty was selected to judge for the Drum Corps Japan Championships held in Yokohama, Japan. He is currently the Percussion Caption Head for Drum Corps Associates, as well as judging coordinator for The Mid Atlantic Percussion Society.
Jarrett Lipman, San Antonio, TX Jarrett Lipman is the Director of Bands at Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson High School in San Antonio, Texas. He is currently on the Brass Staff at the Boston Crusaders Drum Corps of Boston, Massachusetts. From 2010 - 2016, Lipman was on the brass staff at The Cadets Drum Corps. At Johnson High School, Lipman directs the Marching Band, co-conducts the Wind Ensemble with Alan Sharps, and assists with the Symphony Band, Concert Bands, and Jazz Ensembles. The CT Johnson High School Marching Band is a consistent Bands of America (BOA) Regional Finalist and two-time Grand Nationals Finalist, and was named Champion of the 2015 BOA McAllen Regional, 2014 BOA San Antonio Super Regional, and Houston Regional. In addition, the CTJ Band earned the Bronze Medal at the 2014 UIL State Marching Contest, and has been a state finalist since 2012. The CT Johnson Wind Ensemble advanced to the TMEA State Honor Band Contest in 2012 placing 5th overall, and again in 2014 placing 3rd overall. In addition to his work at CTJ, Lipman enjoys assisting other programs as a clinician or programming consultant. Lipman graduated with dual degrees in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 2007. In 2014, Lipman was selected as the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity Texas Chapter's “Outstanding Young Bandmaster.”
Page 1 of 3 Van Mathews, North Richland Hills, TX Van Mathews is the Director of Bands at L.D. Bell High School in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. During his tenure, the L.D. Bell Blue Raider concert ensembles and marching band have seen much success at Bands of America (BOA) competitions and various other contests. Prior to joining the L.D. Bell staff in 2008, Mr. Mathews taught eight years in the Birdville Independent School District at Haltom High School. As a Texas resident, Mr. Mathews has also taught at Lewisville High School in the Lewisville Independent School District and at Lake Highlands High School in the Richardson Independent School District. Mr. Mathews has marched and served as a brass caption coordinator, brass staff member, and consultant with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, and Suncoast Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. He will be returning to the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps to assist the members and staff as a consultant and serves on the design team as Musical Coordinator. Mr. Mathews received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Carolina and his Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois. While at the University of Illinois, he completed all course work for the Ed. D. in Music Education. Van is an adjudicator for Bands of America (BOA), as well as numerous local and national marching band contests. Additionally, Mr. Mathews conducts clinics and consultations for various concert and marching programs throughout the United States and Europe. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Lappa Lambda, and Gamma Beta Phi. He currently lives in North Richland Hills, Texas with his patient and loving wife, Brenda, charming and talented daughter, Gabriella, and spirited firstborn son Derek.
VISUAL PANEL (alphabetical by last name) Bret Mascaro, Collegeville, PA Bret Mascaro became the Director of Education for Zeswitz Music in Reading Pennsylvania, after retiring as a music teacher, band director, and department coordinator for the Methacton School District. 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.
Neal Smith, Canton, MA Mr. Neal Smith is a Visual Designer and has designed shows for Drum Corps, Marching Bands, Color Guards, and Percussion ensembles throughout the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, and Europe. His designs have won numerous Regional, National, International, and World Championships. Mr. Smith’s trademark style of coordinating all the elements of sound, color, and movement has made his designs entertaining, engaging, and effective. In addition to designing, he is a consultant and clinician and has worked on Marching Arts Task Forces in developing programs in inner cities. Mr. Smith is a member of the Massachusetts Judges Association and judges Regional, National and World Championships for Bands of America (BOA), New England Scholastic Band Association, Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association, MAC, Drum Corps Associates, and various independent judging associations. Mr. Smith was a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps beginning at the age of 12 and would continue to march for nine years as brass soloist and drum major. Mr. Smith is a member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame, The Massachusetts Music Educators and Drum Corps Hall of Fame, the Boston Crusaders Hall of Fame, and the Connecticut Hurricanes Hall of Fame.
Robert Solomon, Van Nuys, CA Mr. Robert Solomon has been involved in the marching arts since 1979. He performed as a member of the color guard for the Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, and at California State University in Northridge. He then turned to instructing and has designed for several top programs in Southern California, where he continues to do that today. Mr. Solomon has been judging since 1996 and is an adjudicator for Winter Guard International (WGI), Drum Corps International (DCI), Bands of America (BOA), and various state and local associations. He played trumpet and was drum major at El Camino Real HS in Woodland Hills, CA. Robert is a banker and lives in Los Angeles with his golden retriever, George.
Page 2 of 3 CHIEF JUDGE Richard Saucedo, Fishers, IN Richard L. Saucedo was the Director of Bands and Department Chairman at the William H. Duke Center for the Performing Arts at Carmel High School in Carmel, IN for 31 years. Under his direction, Carmel bands received numerous state and national honors. The Indiana Bandmasters Association named Saucedo Indiana’s “Bandmaster of the Year” for 1998-99, and recently named him the state’s 2010 “Outstanding Music Educator.” Saucedo is a freelance arranger and composer, having released numerous marching band arrangements, concert band works, and choral compositions. He is currently on the writing staff for the Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation. Saucedo travels throughout the country as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor and has been a featured clinician at a number of prominent conferences and clinics. Saucedo is also an Educational Consultant for Music for All. He has served as Music Caption Head for the Drum Corps Midwest Judges Guild and as a music judge for Drum Corps International. Saucedo has also served as the brass composer/arranger for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and was the brass composer/arranger for the Blue Stars in 2013. Saucedo did his undergraduate work at Indiana University in Bloomington and finished his Master’s Degree at Butler University in Indianapolis.
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