JUDGES
BAND JUDGES
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ROB GRICE
Rob Grice's career as a music educator spans over 30 years and includes teaching at the elementary, secondary and university levels. His teaching tenures include Geneva High School (AL), Dauphin Jr. High (AL), Troy University / Adjunct Professor, Enterprise State Community College / Adjunct Professor, Hangzhou International School (China) and Dulwich College International (China). Mr. Grice has served as guest conductor and clinician throughout much of the United States as well as China, Canada, Singapore and Oman. In 2010, Mr. Grice traveled to Oman to conduct the American International School of Muscat High School Symphonic Band in the premiere performance of "Mountain of the Sun”. Other appearances include the International Asian Middle School Honor Band (Singapore), International Music Camp (International Peace Gardens), Mississippi All State Band Festival - Blue Band, North Dakota Bandmasters Jr High All State Band, Coe College Festival of Bands (Iowa), Las Vegas-Clark County Music Festival (Nevada), Dynamix: All China International Music Festival (China) and numerous other regional festivals, events and honor bands.
As a Composer, Mr. Grice's compositions have been performed widely within the United States as well as internationally, including Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. His original works and arrangements have been selected for performance at the Midwest Clinic, Society of Wind Instruments (Germany), Texas Music Educators Conference, Carnegie Hall, Bands of America Events, as well as numerous state and regional events. His music was featured on Japan's JVC Victor Entertainment BRN Compact Disc Series, a standard interpretive reference source for Japan's school music program. He receives many requests to commission new concert works and creates numerous publications for concert band and string orchestra each year. His most recent commissions include the Iowa Bandmasters Association, Connecticut Music Educators Association, Concordia International School (Shanghai, China), Association of Music in International Schools (United Kingdom), North Dakota Bandmasters Jr. High All-State Band, Milburn-Short Hills Township Education Foundation (New Jersey), The American International School of Muscat (Oman) Mountain Brook Band (AL) and Lyndonville Central School District (New York). His Compositions have gained much popularity among music educators and students alike and have been selected for numerous state, national and international contest music list. |
JODY DUNN
Joseph Wayne (Jody) Dunn is a 1986 graduate of Crestview High School where he now holds the position of band director. Mr. Dunn was twice the principal trombonist of the Florida All-State Band while a high school and junior high school student. He was also a member of the Florida All-State Choir. As a senior, he served as the Drum Major of the Crestview High School marching band, better known as "The Big Red Machine". He went on to earn his music education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1990. While at USM he was a member of the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, in which he served as section leader and vice-president. He was a member of the Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab I and the Trombone Choir. He performed with USM Chorale, Men’s Choir and was a founding member of the USM Jazz Singers.
Upon graduation from USM, Mr. Dunn accepted the position as director of the Pickering High School Band in Leesville, Louisiana. Under his direction, the band received its first ever Superior ratings. In 1993, he returned to his hometown of Crestview and became the Assistant Director of the Richbourg Middle School Band and Chorus until 1996. From 1996 to 2006 Mr. Dunn was the Associate Director of Bands at Crestview High School. While serving as the associate director, he was the visual coordinator of the marching band as well as the director of the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble II. He assumed his current position as Director of Bands at Crestview High School in 2006. In his capacity as Director of Bands, he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Concert Prep Band and Jazz Ensemble I. He also teaches percussion and color guard. Under his baton, the Wind Ensemble has received the Otto J. Kraushaar Award, the highest award given by the Florida Bandmasters Association numerous times. In 2011, Mr. Dunn was a clinician / conductor for the Southeastern United States Honor Band at Troy University. In 2012, the Crestview High School Band was featured in the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. In 2014, The Wind Ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In February of 2017, the Wind Ensemble performed at the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic in Troy, Alabama. Mr. Dunn is active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeast. He has served on the state executive board of the Florida Bandmasters Association. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Florida Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, where he was recently selected as President-Elect of the Omega Chapter. He is a recipient of the Certificate of Merit from the National Band Association. Jody is the proud father of Olivia, Elizabeth, Joseph and Elijah. |
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RUSS WAITS
Russ Waits is in his 28thyear as an educator and is currently the principal of Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Alabama. He previously served as principal of Emma Sansom Middle School and Mitchell Elementary School in Gadsden, Alabama. Mr. Waits was band director at Emma Sansom High School and Gadsden City High School and holds degrees from Jacksonville State University, Auburn University, and the University of Alabama. He also served as drum major of the Jacksonville State University “Marching Southerners” and marched with the Suncoast Sound and Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps.
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CURTIS BURTRUM
Curtis Burttram has taught in public schools in Alabama for the past 37 years. He is a graduate of Jacksonville State University where he earned both his B.S. and M.A. degrees in Music Education.
Some recent band programs under Mr. Burttram’s direction include Gadsden High School, Walker High School, and Albertville High School. During his career his bands have performed all across the Southeast as well as across the nation, including invitations to perform at Fiesta Bowl National Pageant of Bands and the National Cherry Blossom Parade as well as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over the last 30 years, Mr. Burttram has been an active judge throughout the southeast for both concert and marching band festivals. Mr. Burttram’s current professional memberships include Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, AMEA, and the Alabama Bandmasters Association. |
BETTY BATES
Betty Bates is the former director of the Scottsboro High School Band. Ms. Bates retired in 2005 after spending her entire teaching career of 25 years in Scottsboro. She received her music degrees from Troy University and Jacksonville State University.
During her tenure, the Scottsboro Band performed all across the United States. The marching band participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Fiesta Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, the Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade, and the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. The marching band made appearances in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Orlando, and Gatlinburg.
The Scottsboro Symphonic Band performed at the District and State levels for 25 consecutive years where they consistently earned superior ratings. The SHS Symphonic Band also had the honor of commissioning three band works by noted composers David Holsinger, Sean O'Loughlin, and Ralph Ford. The band also performed at Loyola University, AMEA, and the SEUS Clinic at Troy University.
Ms. Bates current professional memberships include Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, AMEA, ITA, and the Alabama Bandmasters Association. She also plays trombone with the Alabama Winds.
She is an active clinician and adjudicator, and lives in Guntersville, Alabama where she enjoys playing the mountain dulcimer and ukulele.
During her tenure, the Scottsboro Band performed all across the United States. The marching band participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Fiesta Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, the Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade, and the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. The marching band made appearances in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Orlando, and Gatlinburg.
The Scottsboro Symphonic Band performed at the District and State levels for 25 consecutive years where they consistently earned superior ratings. The SHS Symphonic Band also had the honor of commissioning three band works by noted composers David Holsinger, Sean O'Loughlin, and Ralph Ford. The band also performed at Loyola University, AMEA, and the SEUS Clinic at Troy University.
Ms. Bates current professional memberships include Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, AMEA, ITA, and the Alabama Bandmasters Association. She also plays trombone with the Alabama Winds.
She is an active clinician and adjudicator, and lives in Guntersville, Alabama where she enjoys playing the mountain dulcimer and ukulele.
PERCUSSION JUDGE
DR. TAYLOR CASH
Taylor Cash is the Associate Director of Bands at Albertville High School in Albertville, Alabama. At Albertville, Taylor teaches nearly 70 percussion students grades 7-12 in addition to directing 3 percussion ensembles, conducting the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Assisting with the award winning “Aggie” Marching Band. The Aggie Band marched in the 2018 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA and most recently marched in the Disney World Parade, the 2014 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Magnificent Mile Parade in Chicago, IL, and the 2011 Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. In addition to their performance in the Rose Parade, The Albertville Percussion Ensemble was invited to be the featured performance for the 2011 Tournament of Roses Presidential Gala. Under Taylor’s direction the High School Percussion Ensemble has grown from 8 members to 35 and was chosen to perform at the 2014 Alabama Music Educator’s Conference. As Conductor of the Symphonic Band and Concert Band, his bands have received consistent ratings of Superior and Superior with Distinction. In 2014, Taylor was awarded the National Band Association Citation of Excellence and in 2016 awarded the Edward H. Cleino Outstanding Young Music Educator Award for the State of Alabama. Taylor has also served on the Executive Board for the Alabama Bandmasters Association as Chairman of District II.
Taylor recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Alabama. He is also a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Jacksonville State University and Boston University with a BA in Music Education and a MM in Music Education respectively. Taylor has had experience conducting Concert Bands, Opera Theaters, and Percussion Ensembles and has been privileged to study conducting with Dr. Ken Ozzello and Dr. Ken Bodiford. While at JSU, Taylor served as Tenorline section leader, Drumline Captain of the Marching Southerners Percussion Section as well as serving as Tenorline section leader for SPIRIT Drum and Bugle Corps. Taylor also serves as principle percussionist with the Birmingham, AL based community band, Alabama Winds, and performed at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL in 2017.
Taylor is an active percussion arranger, consultant, instructor, and judge throughout the Southeast. He has worked with numerous High Schools and Universities including: The University of Alabama, Auburn University, Miami University (OH), and Jacksonville State University. Taylor is a member of MENC, NEA, AEA, ABA, NBA, NAfME, ODK, KDE, and the Percussive Arts Society. Taylor is proud to be an Educator Artist for Innovative Percussion, REMO Drumheads, and Sabian Cymbals.
Taylor recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Alabama. He is also a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Jacksonville State University and Boston University with a BA in Music Education and a MM in Music Education respectively. Taylor has had experience conducting Concert Bands, Opera Theaters, and Percussion Ensembles and has been privileged to study conducting with Dr. Ken Ozzello and Dr. Ken Bodiford. While at JSU, Taylor served as Tenorline section leader, Drumline Captain of the Marching Southerners Percussion Section as well as serving as Tenorline section leader for SPIRIT Drum and Bugle Corps. Taylor also serves as principle percussionist with the Birmingham, AL based community band, Alabama Winds, and performed at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL in 2017.
Taylor is an active percussion arranger, consultant, instructor, and judge throughout the Southeast. He has worked with numerous High Schools and Universities including: The University of Alabama, Auburn University, Miami University (OH), and Jacksonville State University. Taylor is a member of MENC, NEA, AEA, ABA, NBA, NAfME, ODK, KDE, and the Percussive Arts Society. Taylor is proud to be an Educator Artist for Innovative Percussion, REMO Drumheads, and Sabian Cymbals.
DRUM MAJOR JUDGE
DR. JEREMY BENSON
Dr. Jeremy Benson is an Associate Professor of music in the David L. Walters Department of Music at JSU. He serves as the Director of Orchestral Activities and the conductor of the JSU Civic Symphony, conducts the Jacksonville Opera Theatre Company productions, and teaches flute applied. He has served as the conductor for the Southern Opera Theatre Company and several community theatre productions.
As an active soloist, chamber musician, and adjudicator, Dr. Benson was named a First Prize Winner at the 2011 Alexander & Buono International Solo Competition where he gave a solo performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY. He was also the first prize winner at the Kentucky Flute Society's Concerto Competition in 2010. He has served on adjudication panels, been a lecturer, and performed for several national and international solo competitions and master classes around the world.
Dr. Benson was a Marching Southerners drum major for four years in college. He has served as a conducting teacher and coach for almost twenty years where his students receive top awards and recognition. His love for educating young conductors is demonstrated in his role as a conducting teacher for workshops and clinics including the Marching Band Academy summer workshops.
He completed the Master of Music degree from the Florida State University, the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and studied at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Musicians.
As an active soloist, chamber musician, and adjudicator, Dr. Benson was named a First Prize Winner at the 2011 Alexander & Buono International Solo Competition where he gave a solo performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY. He was also the first prize winner at the Kentucky Flute Society's Concerto Competition in 2010. He has served on adjudication panels, been a lecturer, and performed for several national and international solo competitions and master classes around the world.
Dr. Benson was a Marching Southerners drum major for four years in college. He has served as a conducting teacher and coach for almost twenty years where his students receive top awards and recognition. His love for educating young conductors is demonstrated in his role as a conducting teacher for workshops and clinics including the Marching Band Academy summer workshops.
He completed the Master of Music degree from the Florida State University, the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and studied at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Musicians.
COLORGUARD JUDGE
GREG KING
Greg King is originally from Allentown, Pa, but currently resides in St Petersburg, FL. Greg is no stranger to the DCA realm. His Drum Corps Marching experience consisted of marching with both The Westshoremen and the Sunrisers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps from 1990 thru 1999. After Marching, Greg turned to the instructional side where has held the Color Guard Caption Head/Designer position with the Reading Buccaneers Senior Drum Corps 2000-01, 2006-07 and the Hawthorne Caballeros Senior Drum Corps 2003 and 2004 culminating in two consecutive High Color Guard Awards, as well as an assistant guard caption head position with The Crossmen Drum Corps in 2005 as well as guard design for Teal Sound Drum Corps in 2010.
Greg has also taught various marching band and color guard programs throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. A side from teaching, Greg also enjoys adjudicating in various local and regional indoor and outdoor circuits, including the Tournament of Bands, Three Rivers Winter Ensemble Association, Mid-Continent Color Guard Association, North Texas Color Guard Association, Carolina Winter Ensemble Association and the Florida Federation of Color guard Circuit as well as Drum Corps Associates.
Greg has also taught various marching band and color guard programs throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. A side from teaching, Greg also enjoys adjudicating in various local and regional indoor and outdoor circuits, including the Tournament of Bands, Three Rivers Winter Ensemble Association, Mid-Continent Color Guard Association, North Texas Color Guard Association, Carolina Winter Ensemble Association and the Florida Federation of Color guard Circuit as well as Drum Corps Associates.
DANCELINE & MAJORETTE JUDGE
NOELLE STOVALL
Noelle Millirons Stovall has served as the Coordinator for the Marching Ballerinas of Jacksonville State University since the 2012 Marching Southerners season. She also coordinates the GoGos of JSU’s pep band, Hardcorps. Since 2008, she has worked with dancers and baton twirlers across the state and southeast, including a summer with the Universal Dance Association and three seasons with Calhoun Academy of Dance. Noelle graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2012 from JSU, followed by her Masters of Public Administration, majoring in Administrative Management, in 2015. While in her undergraduate years at JSU, she served as an Ambassador, Orientation Leader, and danced as a Marching Ballerina and GoGo for four seasons. For much of her graduate years, she served as the Graduate Assistant for the JSU Office of Student Life. Noelle continues to work in student services at Gadsden State Community College, and lives in Jacksonville with her husband Jeremy and their daughter.
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