JUDGES
BAND JUDGES
Neil Ruby |
Chris Lindley |
Neil Ruby is in his twenty-second year as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Chairman at Central - Carroll High School, in Carrollton, Georgia, earning consistent Superior Ratings at Concert, Jazz and Marching events. He is also the Fine Arts Liaison for the Carroll County School System. Mr. Ruby received a B.M. Degree in Music Education from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia, and a M.M. Degree in Music Education from the Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. He is a frequent adjudicator and clinician for events throughout the United States.
Mr. Ruby is a former Georgia Music Educators Association State Band Chair. He has served four terms as the GMEA District Seven Chairman and on the Music Selection Committee, Nominations Committee, Marching Band Committee, All-State Committee, and as a Mentoring Teacher for the State of Georgia. He is also a GMEA-Certified Head Adjudicator for the Large Group Performance Evaluations. Mr. Ruby has received the prestigious National Band Association Certificate of Merit for Music Excellence on three occasions. He is a 2012 Teacher of the Year recipient in Carroll County and was chosen as the STAR teacher of Central High School on 5 occasions and STAR Teacher for the Carroll County School System in 2004 and 2010. Mr. Ruby was also chosen as the Teacher of the Year by the Wal-Mart Foundation and the STAR 94 “Teachers Make a Difference” recipient as a Georgia Teacher of the Year. Under his direction, the Central-Carroll Band Program has earned over 500 superior ratings, 250 class placement awards, and 44 Grand Championships in the past 21 years. The Central – Carroll High School Bands have received letters of commendations from both Governor Sonny Purdue and Governor Roy Barnes and two resolutions from the Georgia State House of Legislature. Mr. Ruby and the Central –Carroll Marching Pride have represented the State of Georgia on two occasions in the Tournament of Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, and was the Honor Band in the 2015 Waikiki Holiday Parade and Pearl Harbor Commemoration in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Ruby is an active member of numerous professional organizations including: Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Mu, National Band Association, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and American School Band Director’s Association. Randy NelsonRandy Nelson is a Lifetime Member of the Florida Bandmasters Association after serving as the Director of Bands at Choctawhatchee HS in Fort Walton Beach, FL for 26 years. He is a member of the Winter Guard International Hall of Fame and a Past President of the Winter Guard International Board of Directors. Randy is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Florida Marching Band Coalition. He has adjudicated for Bands of America, Winter Guard International, Drum Corps International, ISSMA, CBA, FMBC and served as Chief Judge for the Western Band Association. Randy attended Jacksonville State University where he received his degree in Music Education. He is currently a freelance designer, adjudicator and clinician for bands and winter guards in the United States and Internationally. He resides in Jacksonville, FL.
David Waters
David Waters received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Alabama.. He was named Director of Bands at Muscle Shoals High School in the spring of 2012 after serving as Assistant Director since 1998. In the past six years, the high school symphonic band has received all superior ratings at the Alabama Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessment. In 2019, the band performed at the 2019 Alabama Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference in Birmingham, Alabama.
Under his instruction, the percussion section enjoyed competitive success in WGI winning two gold medals, one silver medal, and four bronze medals in a seven year span at World Championships. The ensemble medaled all seven years they attended. David was a six year member of the WGI national advisory board where he helped guide the direction of the indoor percussion activity. He also received the Outstanding Percussion Educator award, voted on by his peers throughout the Southeastern United States in 2010. David was recently honored with the University of North Alabama Alumni educator of the year. He is also the Muscle Shoals High School Teacher of the Year in 2016-2017. He is currently serving as District III Chairman of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. He is past chairman of the Shoals Area Band Directors Association. He is also a member of MENC, ASBDA, and PASIC. Mr. Waters is married to Christy Waters and they have a 10 year old daughter, Emmie Beth. |
Chris Lindley has been a band director for the past 24 years. He holds the Bachelors of Music Education from Jacksonville State University (1996) and the Masters of Arts from The University of Alabama (2004). He has previously taught at Carbon Hill High School, Saks High School, and is currently in his 18th year as Band Director at Albertville High School.
Mr. Lindley came to Albertville High School in 2001. Since that time, the Albertville Aggie Band has performed in the 2003 Hollywood Christmas Parade, in Nassau, Bahamas in 2005 and 2008, and in the 2007 Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Albertville Aggie Band was honored to march in the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, and since then has performed in the 2012 Chicago Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights Parade and the 2014 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Albertville Band just returned from its 2nd appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2018. In the concert band realm, the Albertville Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands have received consistent Superior Ratings at the Alabama State Concert Band Assessment, having received the “With Distinction” Citation since its inception in 2009. Mr. Lindley is an active judge and guest clinician across the southeast and has toured as a brass staff member with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps. Chris has performed with Orchestra Atlanta, the Rome Symphony Orchestra, Gadsden Symphony Orchestra, Lagrange Symphony Orchestra, and the Shoals Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Mr. Lindley was an adjunct horn instructor at Jacksonville State University and performed with the JSU Faculty Brass Quintet. Chris is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Alabama Bandmaster’s Association, Phi Mu Alpha, and Phi Beta Mu. He has served as Chairman of ABA District II, and is currently serving on the ABA Certified Adjudicator’s training committee. Chris was the 2017-2018 recipient of the Phi Beta Mu (Rho Chapter) Outstanding Bandmaster Award. He is married to Missy Lindley, band director at Albertville Middle School, and they have 18 year old twin girls, Haley and Katelyn. Keith Anderson
After beginning his teaching career as the Assistant Band Director at Bob Jones High School in 2001, Keith became the Director of Bands at James Clemens High School in December of 2011 as plans were being made to open the school in the fall of 2012. Since the school opened, all JCHS ensembles have scored consistent superior ratings in all adjudicated performances and multiple Best in Class awards at area marching contests in Alabama and Georgia. The JCHS Wind Ensemble performed at the Alabama Music Educators Association in January 2016, and the JCHS Marching Band performed in the London New Year’s Day Parade in January 2017.
Keith is regularly employed as an adjudicator for both band and percussion, having adjudicated in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of North Alabama and earned National Board Certification in November 2011, and has served as Alabama Bandmasters Association District Vice Chairman and Chairman. He is the deacon of the youth program at the West Huntsville Church of Christ and lives in Madison, AL with his wife Emily and their three boys Noah, Benjamin, and Isaac. |
PERCUSSION JUDGE
Jami' Fennell
Jami’ Fennell is originally from Walterboro, South Carolina. He attended Western Carolina University where he studied percussion with Dr. Mario Gaetano. While attending WCU he performed in the percussion, jazz, wind and gamelan ensembles. He was also a member of the Pride of the Mountains Marching band where he served as the section leader and was Most Outstanding Performer for the 2001 season. Jami’ was also a member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from 1999-2001, and in 2001 he was named Most Outstanding Performer. Jami’ also attended Jacksonville State University where he studied with Clint Gillespie and Tracy Tyler. While attending JSU he was a member of the Marching Southerners and the JSU PASIC line, and was the 2003 Most Outstanding Performer. Jami’ holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from JSU. From 2003-2010 Jami’ served on the staff of the Spirit of Atlanta drum and bugle corps. Then from 2011-2013 he served on the staff of the Cavaliers drum and bugle corps winning the Fred Sanford award for High percussion in 2011.
Currently Jami’ resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he is the Director of Percussion at Collins Hill High School and percussion coordinator for the Georgia State University Marching Band.
Currently Jami’ resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he is the Director of Percussion at Collins Hill High School and percussion coordinator for the Georgia State University Marching Band.
DRUM MAJOR JUDGE
Daniel Marshall
A native of Ellijay, Georgia, Daniel Marshall currently works as a School Counselor at Gilmer High School in Ellijay. Before his appointment at Gilmer High School, Marshall served as the Band Director at Lee Middle School in Sharpsburg, Georgia and Associate Band Director at East Coweta High School, also in Sharpsburg, Georgia.
During his undergraduate career, at Jacksonville State University, he served as Head Drum Major of the nationally-acclaimed Marching Southerners, principal horn of the Jacksonville State University Chamber Winds, and charter member of Pelham Street Brass, an all-student brass quintet on campus. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, he graduated summa cum laude and received the Dr. Clarence William Daugette Award for being the top graduate of his class. As a graduate student, his responsibilities included conducting the JSU Chamber Winds under the tutelage of Dr. Ken Bodiford, organizing the JSU Contest of Champions and JSU Honor Band, and aiding in the teaching of the Marching Southerners.
Marshall is a past member of the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the Alabama Music Educators Association, the Alabama Winds, and the Peachtree Chamber Players. He has guest conducted the nationally-acclaimed Heritage High School Wind Ensemble in Ringgold, Georgia as well as taught several leadership and drum major clinics throughout the Southeast. He has studied under the direction of Dr. Ken Bodiford, Dr. Jeremy Stovall, Mr. Blair Callaway, Mr. Jeffrey Solomon, and Dr. Ellie Jenkins. He was also on the teaching staff for the 2016 and 2017 United States Army All-American Marching Band in San Antonio, Texas. In his spare time, Marshall enjoys golfing with friends.
During his undergraduate career, at Jacksonville State University, he served as Head Drum Major of the nationally-acclaimed Marching Southerners, principal horn of the Jacksonville State University Chamber Winds, and charter member of Pelham Street Brass, an all-student brass quintet on campus. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, he graduated summa cum laude and received the Dr. Clarence William Daugette Award for being the top graduate of his class. As a graduate student, his responsibilities included conducting the JSU Chamber Winds under the tutelage of Dr. Ken Bodiford, organizing the JSU Contest of Champions and JSU Honor Band, and aiding in the teaching of the Marching Southerners.
Marshall is a past member of the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the Alabama Music Educators Association, the Alabama Winds, and the Peachtree Chamber Players. He has guest conducted the nationally-acclaimed Heritage High School Wind Ensemble in Ringgold, Georgia as well as taught several leadership and drum major clinics throughout the Southeast. He has studied under the direction of Dr. Ken Bodiford, Dr. Jeremy Stovall, Mr. Blair Callaway, Mr. Jeffrey Solomon, and Dr. Ellie Jenkins. He was also on the teaching staff for the 2016 and 2017 United States Army All-American Marching Band in San Antonio, Texas. In his spare time, Marshall enjoys golfing with friends.
COLORGUARD JUDGE
Andrea Wendorf
Mrs. Wendorf holds a Bachelor of Science, Master’s of Arts in Teaching, and Educational Specialist degrees from Lee University and is the Cleveland City Schools System Science Teacher Leader while currently teaching Physics and Environmental Science and also serving as the colorguard director at Cleveland High School in Cleveland, Tennessee where she has been named Teacher of the Year in 2011 and 2018. She was a member of Bluecoats Drum and Bugle corps for 5 years where she was named colorguard captain her last 3 years, and she has been teaching colorguard since 1994. She has worked with groups that have competed in Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, Bands Of America, and USBands.
DANCELINE & MAJORETTE JUDGE
Missy Lindley
Missy Lindley has served as a Band Director in the Alabama Public School System for 28 years. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Alabama.
Mrs. Lindley is in her eighteenth year as Director of Bands at Albertville Middle School and Associate Director at Albertville High School. She also serves as the Advisor for the Albertville High School Southern Stars Danceline. The Southern Stars have been on national television in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California twice. The Southern Stars have been featured in the Algy Team Collection Catalog three times under her leadership with one of her own designs being featured in the catalog for production to the public this year.
Throughout her twenty-eight years of teaching, Mrs. Lindley’s bands have received consistent superior ratings in marching, concert and jazz competitions at both the state and national levels. Most recently Mrs. Lindley’s band received the rating of Superior at the Alabama Bandmasters Association State Music Performance Assessment. In 2017 Mrs. Lindley was Alabama’s selection for School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s 50 Directors Who Make a Difference.
Mrs. Lindley plays professionally throughout the state and keeps an extensive studio of private flute students who consistently earn honor band invitations and All-State Band positions. Mrs. Lindley has been the Principal Flutist of the Shoals Symphony Orchestra and the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra.
Mrs. Lindley is an active adjudicator and clinician for marching contests and honor bands throughout the Southeast, as well as being an ABA Certified Adjudicator. She is a past Chairman for District II of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. She currently serves on the Music Selection Committee of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. Mrs. Lindley is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota and Tau Beta Sigma Honorary music sororities. She is an alumna of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She is also a member of the National Association for Music Education and the Alabama Bandmasters Association.
Missy is married to Chris Lindley who is the Director of Bands at Albertville High School. Missy and Chris enjoy being a husband and wife team at work and at home as parents to eighteen year old twins Haley and Katelyn, who are Freshmen at Jacksonville State University where Katelyn is a Ballerina with the JSU Marching Southerners.
Mrs. Lindley is in her eighteenth year as Director of Bands at Albertville Middle School and Associate Director at Albertville High School. She also serves as the Advisor for the Albertville High School Southern Stars Danceline. The Southern Stars have been on national television in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California twice. The Southern Stars have been featured in the Algy Team Collection Catalog three times under her leadership with one of her own designs being featured in the catalog for production to the public this year.
Throughout her twenty-eight years of teaching, Mrs. Lindley’s bands have received consistent superior ratings in marching, concert and jazz competitions at both the state and national levels. Most recently Mrs. Lindley’s band received the rating of Superior at the Alabama Bandmasters Association State Music Performance Assessment. In 2017 Mrs. Lindley was Alabama’s selection for School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s 50 Directors Who Make a Difference.
Mrs. Lindley plays professionally throughout the state and keeps an extensive studio of private flute students who consistently earn honor band invitations and All-State Band positions. Mrs. Lindley has been the Principal Flutist of the Shoals Symphony Orchestra and the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra.
Mrs. Lindley is an active adjudicator and clinician for marching contests and honor bands throughout the Southeast, as well as being an ABA Certified Adjudicator. She is a past Chairman for District II of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. She currently serves on the Music Selection Committee of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. Mrs. Lindley is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota and Tau Beta Sigma Honorary music sororities. She is an alumna of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She is also a member of the National Association for Music Education and the Alabama Bandmasters Association.
Missy is married to Chris Lindley who is the Director of Bands at Albertville High School. Missy and Chris enjoy being a husband and wife team at work and at home as parents to eighteen year old twins Haley and Katelyn, who are Freshmen at Jacksonville State University where Katelyn is a Ballerina with the JSU Marching Southerners.
