Judges
David Bertman - Houston, TX
David Bertman, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Cheer and Dance plays a huge and very public role at the University of Houston. Overseeing more than 450 students makes him a roving ambassador on campus and in the Houston community. He is the conductor of the Moores School of Music Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and he teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting and assists in the coordination of the wind studies program. Bertman is co-author with Eddie Green and John Benzer of the Ensemble Musicianship Series published by Hal Leonard.
Prior to his tenure at UH, Bertman was Associate Director of Bands at Haltom High School in the Birdville ISD for thirteen years. Working with Greg Hull, Cindy Lansford, Tony Smith and Ben Maughmer, the band received numerous awards, including the 1993 Texas 5A Honor Band and an invitation to perform at the 1993 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Bertman earned his BM in instrumental music education from the University of Oklahoma, under the tutelage of Gene Thraikill, William Wakefield and Roland Barrett, and his MM in conducting from the University of Houston, where he studied with the legendary Eddie Green. As a faculty member of the University of Houston, he received the Bill Yeoman Award in 2003, the UH College of Liberal Arts and Social Science’s Alumni Faculty Award in 2004, the Moores Society Faculty of the Year Award in 2005 and the Houston Alumni Association Faculty Impact Award in 2010. Bertman was also the brass caption head for the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2001-2009, leading them to two Jim Ott brass trophies and four World Championships. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, the College Band Directors National Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Prior to his tenure at UH, Bertman was Associate Director of Bands at Haltom High School in the Birdville ISD for thirteen years. Working with Greg Hull, Cindy Lansford, Tony Smith and Ben Maughmer, the band received numerous awards, including the 1993 Texas 5A Honor Band and an invitation to perform at the 1993 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Bertman earned his BM in instrumental music education from the University of Oklahoma, under the tutelage of Gene Thraikill, William Wakefield and Roland Barrett, and his MM in conducting from the University of Houston, where he studied with the legendary Eddie Green. As a faculty member of the University of Houston, he received the Bill Yeoman Award in 2003, the UH College of Liberal Arts and Social Science’s Alumni Faculty Award in 2004, the Moores Society Faculty of the Year Award in 2005 and the Houston Alumni Association Faculty Impact Award in 2010. Bertman was also the brass caption head for the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2001-2009, leading them to two Jim Ott brass trophies and four World Championships. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, the College Band Directors National Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Kelvin Jones- Zachary, LA
Dr. Kelvin Jones is an active drill designer and music arranger for high school and university music programs across the country with his arrangements being performed throughout the United States, including the Dallas Winds. Jones is a 2011 recipient of the Louisiana Music Educators Association’s Young Music Educator of the Year, the 2013 recipient of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s Teacher of Distinction, and the 2014 LSU A.P. Tureaud award recipient for significant contributions to the university. His halftime shows have been featured at the 2017 College Band Directors National Association Conference (CBDNA) in Kansas City, MO and the 2018 Southern CBDNA Conference in Tampa, FL. He is the former band director at West Feliciana High School in St. Francisville, Louisiana. At WFHS, he led an active, comprehensive music program that produced numerous award-winning performances at state and national events, including the 2013 United States National Presidential Inauguration Music Festival in Washington DC.
Dr. Jones has also presented at international, national, and state music conferences across the United States, including Ohio, Texas, and Louisiana Music Educators Associations. He is published in the Instrumentalist magazine (Jan. 2014 and Dec. 2015), an active clinician, and has traveled internationally working with music programs in South America (Chile) and with the LSU marching band in Dublin, Ireland. He also serves as a clinician/instructor at the Smith-Walbridge Drum Major Clinic held in Charleston, Illinois working with high school and college drum majors from across the country.
He holds degrees in Music from Jackson State University and Louisiana State University. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity Inc., National Association for Music Education, Louisiana Music Educators Association, Louisiana Association of Jazz Educators, HBCU Band Directors Consortium, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He resides in Zachary, LA with his wife Felicia, a registered nurse, and their bundle of joy son, Samuel aka "BJ".
Dr. Jones has also presented at international, national, and state music conferences across the United States, including Ohio, Texas, and Louisiana Music Educators Associations. He is published in the Instrumentalist magazine (Jan. 2014 and Dec. 2015), an active clinician, and has traveled internationally working with music programs in South America (Chile) and with the LSU marching band in Dublin, Ireland. He also serves as a clinician/instructor at the Smith-Walbridge Drum Major Clinic held in Charleston, Illinois working with high school and college drum majors from across the country.
He holds degrees in Music from Jackson State University and Louisiana State University. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity Inc., National Association for Music Education, Louisiana Music Educators Association, Louisiana Association of Jazz Educators, HBCU Band Directors Consortium, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He resides in Zachary, LA with his wife Felicia, a registered nurse, and their bundle of joy son, Samuel aka "BJ".
Jonathan Sweet - West Lafayette, IN
Dr. Jon Sweet currently resides in West Lafayette, IN and serves as Assistant Professor of Bands at Purdue University. Since 2004, Jon has been designing award-winning marching band shows and has been influential in concept planning and visual design. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kentucky in 2019, a Master of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2013, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Abilene Christian University in 2004.
Dr. Sweet spent 11 years as a public-school band director in Texas, where his groups frequently achieved superior ratings, best in class awards, best in festival awards, outstanding visual awards, and outstanding general effect awards.
In demand as both a marching and concert band clinician, Jon has worked with many fine groups and incorporates his love of energetic performances and positive experiences in the education of students and leaders. He has also served as a guest honor band clinician for groups in Colorado, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Jon has adjudicated for UIL, Kentucky Music Educators, USBands, American Classics Festivals, and other invitational competitions.
Jon is happily married to his wife Lori since 2004. In his spare time, Jon enjoys flying drones, playing with Legos, reading, and a good cup of coffee.
Dr. Sweet spent 11 years as a public-school band director in Texas, where his groups frequently achieved superior ratings, best in class awards, best in festival awards, outstanding visual awards, and outstanding general effect awards.
In demand as both a marching and concert band clinician, Jon has worked with many fine groups and incorporates his love of energetic performances and positive experiences in the education of students and leaders. He has also served as a guest honor band clinician for groups in Colorado, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Jon has adjudicated for UIL, Kentucky Music Educators, USBands, American Classics Festivals, and other invitational competitions.
Jon is happily married to his wife Lori since 2004. In his spare time, Jon enjoys flying drones, playing with Legos, reading, and a good cup of coffee.
Alan Sears, Atlanta, GA
Alan Sears is originally from Mableton, GA. He was raised in a very musical family and developed a love for music at a very early age. He began formal study in piano at age five and soon turned his attention towards percussion. He obtained a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Georgia Southern University in 1999.
At Georgia Southern Mr. Sears was named principal percussionist for the Georgia Southern Symphonic Wind Ensemble for the 96,97,98, and 99 seasons. While in this ensemble he performed under the direction of Dr. Daniel Pittman, David Holsinger, Francis McBeth and many other famous conductors. He also toured extensively as a performer over the Eastern United States and throughout Europe. He was a member of the "Southern Pride" Marching Drumline and Indoor Drumline. He instructed and arranged for the group from 1996-1998.
Mr. Sears now serves as the Director of Percussion for the Sprayberry High School "Band of Gold." During his time there the Drumline and Percussion Ensemble have consistently received superiors and placed first in contests throughout the southeast. In addition to his duties at Sprayberry, Mr. Sears consults and arranges for many groups throughout the state and teaches percussion privately in the Atlanta area. His students have been named to the Georgia All-State Band and Orchestra, the Georgia Governors Honors Program, and received scholarships and placement in some of the most prestigious college music programs in the country. Mr. Sears also serves as the Music/Program Director and Arranger for Atlanta Quest, and is the Caption Head and Arranger for the 2008 DCA Class A Champion and Open Class Finalist Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Sears also has his arrangements published with CounterMotion Inc.
Mr. Sears is member of the Percussive Arts Society and a co-founder of the Georgia Alliance for Performing Arts Education, a non-profit foundation that provides a broad scope of activities for high school and college students, as well as community ensembles throughout the state.
Mr. Sears married to Mrs. Monna Sears and the proud father of two sons Hayden Alan Sears and Cole Alexander Sears.
At Georgia Southern Mr. Sears was named principal percussionist for the Georgia Southern Symphonic Wind Ensemble for the 96,97,98, and 99 seasons. While in this ensemble he performed under the direction of Dr. Daniel Pittman, David Holsinger, Francis McBeth and many other famous conductors. He also toured extensively as a performer over the Eastern United States and throughout Europe. He was a member of the "Southern Pride" Marching Drumline and Indoor Drumline. He instructed and arranged for the group from 1996-1998.
Mr. Sears now serves as the Director of Percussion for the Sprayberry High School "Band of Gold." During his time there the Drumline and Percussion Ensemble have consistently received superiors and placed first in contests throughout the southeast. In addition to his duties at Sprayberry, Mr. Sears consults and arranges for many groups throughout the state and teaches percussion privately in the Atlanta area. His students have been named to the Georgia All-State Band and Orchestra, the Georgia Governors Honors Program, and received scholarships and placement in some of the most prestigious college music programs in the country. Mr. Sears also serves as the Music/Program Director and Arranger for Atlanta Quest, and is the Caption Head and Arranger for the 2008 DCA Class A Champion and Open Class Finalist Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Sears also has his arrangements published with CounterMotion Inc.
Mr. Sears is member of the Percussive Arts Society and a co-founder of the Georgia Alliance for Performing Arts Education, a non-profit foundation that provides a broad scope of activities for high school and college students, as well as community ensembles throughout the state.
Mr. Sears married to Mrs. Monna Sears and the proud father of two sons Hayden Alan Sears and Cole Alexander Sears.
Barry Houser, Urbana-Champaign, Il
Barry L. Houser is the Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Marching Illini, Director of the Fighting Illini Athletic Bands, and Clinical Associate Professor of Music where his responsibilities include conducting a number of concert ensembles in the Illinois Bands program, the Athletic Bands, and the 375 member Marching Illini in addition to teaching marching band procedures. Professor Houser’s teaching experience encompasses both extensive public school and university experiences.
A native of Indiana, Professor Houser served as Director of Bands and Performing Arts Director at NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana, where his bands developed a reputation for great musicianship which in turn earned the program state and national recognition. Prior to his position at NorthWood, Houser served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida. Bands under Houser have performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the NBC Today Show, the ISSMA State Marching Finals, and the Indiana Music Educators State Convention. Other performances include the Indianapolis 500 Parade, the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Outback Bowl Parade and Halftime Show, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Washington DC National Memorial Parade, Chicago Bears Halftime shows, and performances with Maynard Ferguson, the Dallas Brass, Canadian Brass, Boston Brass, Gregg Potter, Douglas Yeo and many other talented artists.
Houser holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, NAfME, Golden Key National Honor Society, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi International Band Fraternity, Honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and has been honored by the Indiana General Assembly and the US House of Representatives. He is the recipient of the Indianapolis Star Academic All Star Award, the WNDU Channel 16 Excellence in Education Award, as well as being listed in various “Who’s Who” publications throughout his career.
Professor Houser is active nationally as a guest conductor and clinician in both the marching and concert mediums. He has served on the staff of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band and the National Events Mass Band, which performs annually at the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a contributing author to the popular marching band textbook The System by Gary Smith as well as numerous submissions to the Teaching Music through Performance in Band series. Houser has served as Governor of the North Central District of Kappa Kappa Psi and currently serves as chapter advisor for the Nu Xi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi on our campus as well as Chapter Advisor for the Phi Mu Alpha Chapter. He has served as the North Central Division Chair for the National Band Association and is currently serving on the Athletic Band Board for the College Band Directors National Association as well as the Chair of the Athletic Bands for the Big Ten Band Directors Association. During the summer, Professor Houser is the Director and President of the renowned Smith Walbridge Clinics, one of the largest marching band | leadership camps in the country with locations in Illinois and Florida, attracting over 1000 students each year.
Professor Houser is an educational consultant for Ultimate Drill Book and is recognized as a Yamaha Master Educator.
A native of Indiana, Professor Houser served as Director of Bands and Performing Arts Director at NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana, where his bands developed a reputation for great musicianship which in turn earned the program state and national recognition. Prior to his position at NorthWood, Houser served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida. Bands under Houser have performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the NBC Today Show, the ISSMA State Marching Finals, and the Indiana Music Educators State Convention. Other performances include the Indianapolis 500 Parade, the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Outback Bowl Parade and Halftime Show, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Washington DC National Memorial Parade, Chicago Bears Halftime shows, and performances with Maynard Ferguson, the Dallas Brass, Canadian Brass, Boston Brass, Gregg Potter, Douglas Yeo and many other talented artists.
Houser holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, NAfME, Golden Key National Honor Society, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi International Band Fraternity, Honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and has been honored by the Indiana General Assembly and the US House of Representatives. He is the recipient of the Indianapolis Star Academic All Star Award, the WNDU Channel 16 Excellence in Education Award, as well as being listed in various “Who’s Who” publications throughout his career.
Professor Houser is active nationally as a guest conductor and clinician in both the marching and concert mediums. He has served on the staff of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band and the National Events Mass Band, which performs annually at the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a contributing author to the popular marching band textbook The System by Gary Smith as well as numerous submissions to the Teaching Music through Performance in Band series. Houser has served as Governor of the North Central District of Kappa Kappa Psi and currently serves as chapter advisor for the Nu Xi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi on our campus as well as Chapter Advisor for the Phi Mu Alpha Chapter. He has served as the North Central Division Chair for the National Band Association and is currently serving on the Athletic Band Board for the College Band Directors National Association as well as the Chair of the Athletic Bands for the Big Ten Band Directors Association. During the summer, Professor Houser is the Director and President of the renowned Smith Walbridge Clinics, one of the largest marching band | leadership camps in the country with locations in Illinois and Florida, attracting over 1000 students each year.
Professor Houser is an educational consultant for Ultimate Drill Book and is recognized as a Yamaha Master Educator.