High School Representatives

Elementary/Middle/Junior High School Representatives, cont.

Music Education Association Conference. In 2010 the band performed at the Tennessee Bandmasters Hall of Fame concert, which was the first time a middle school band was given the honor of performing for that prestigious event. In February of 2012 and 2018 the Wind Ensemble performed for the CBDNA/NBA Conference. The Oliver Middle School Band has received national recognition hosting several composers and top educators in professional development, clinic and concert settings. In 2019 the Oliver Middle School Band program was named as a national winner of the Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award by the National Band Association. The national publication “School Band and Orchestra” published their 10th Anniversary edition in July 2008 with an article entitled “Making Band the Thing to Do” profiling Ms. Waters, her successful teaching practices, and the keys to her highly successful Oliver Band Program. Ms. Waters has twice presented at the International Mid-West Band and Orchestra Conference. She has also developed professional development clinics on a variety of topics including: Beginning Band recruiting, Making the Transition to High School Band and Concert Etiquette in the Curriculum. Ms. Waters is frequently sought after as a professional development clinician and guest conductor across the United States and has been awarded the National

Band Association’s Citation of

Excellence four times. In addition to her responsibilities as Director of Bands at Oliver, she serves as content lead for the district and a “side by side” coach for young and emerging band directors. Ms.

Waters has also been recognized by the Country Music Association as a Teacher of Excellence four times. HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES

BRIAN COVEY (IL)

NOMINEE, HIGH SCHOOL

REPRESENTATIVE Brian Covey is the Visual and

Performing Arts Chairman, in addition to serving as Director of

Bands at Lockport Township High

School in Lockport, Illinois. Mr.

Covey was appointed Director in 2003 after serving two years as

Associate Director of Bands. While maintaining the Department, he conducts the Wind Symphony and the Freshman concert ensemble in addition to overseeing the athletic performance ensembles. Prior to joining Lockport High School, Mr. Covey attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree, a Master of Music Education degree at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, and an additional Master’s degree in Educational Administration from The University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Under his direction, the concert ensembles at Lockport Township High School have performed at numerous competitions and festivals throughout the state and country, consistently receiving Superior ratings. The Wind Symphony has become a nationally respected ensemble with performance highlights including the Illinois Superstate Festival at the University of Illinois (every year since 2004), the National Association for Music Education National Conference (2008), the Illinois Music Education Conference (2001, 2010, 2022), The Music for All National Concert Band Festival (2006, 2008, 2016, 2018), The World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles International Conference (2009), and The Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (2008, 2013, 2021). The Wind Symphony has been named a Mark of Excellence National Wind Band

High School Representatives, cont.

Honors National Winner (2010, 2013, 2016, 2020) and in 2008 was awarded the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Flag of Honor.

Mr. Covey has served as an adjudicator and clinician for many local and regional schools. He holds numerous Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association where he serves as a High School Representative on the Board of Directors, been awarded the “Chicagoland Educator of the Year”, the “Mildred Jackson Lockport Township High School Teacher of the Year Award,” and was highlighted in School Band and Orchestra Magazine. He is a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, American School Band Directors Association, and is the Illinois Music Education Association State Band Division President.

WOLSON GUSTAMA (GA)

NOMINEE, HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE

WOLSON GUSTAMA currently serves as the Director of Bands for Dutchtown High School. In his role, Gustama oversees nearly 170 students in several ensembles, including the Dutchtown High School Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, the “Sound of Dutchtown” Marching Band, Jazz Band, and numerous chamber ensembles. Under his leadership, the band has been invited to a number of prestigious events including the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference, the University of Georgia January Festival “Janfest”, the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic (SEUS) at Troy University, the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival at Georgia State University and the University of South Carolina Honor Band Clinic. Prior to joining Dutchtown High School, Gustama served as the assistant director of bands at Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Bethune-Cookman University, a Master of Music in Music Education from Florida State University and an Educational Specialist Degree (EdS) from Piedmont College. As a trumpeter, Gustama performs with the Cobb Wind Symphony in Marietta, Georgia. He holds memberships with the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), National Band Association (NBA), and the National Association for Music Educators (NAFME). Gustama is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and currently resides in McDonough, Georgia.

JERELL HORTON (AL)

NOMINEE, HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE

JERELL HORTON has been the band director at Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills, Alabama) since 2006. He is a graduate of Samford University. Prior to his appointment at

High School Representatives, cont.

Vestavia Hills High School, he served as assistant director at Pizitz Middle School and Vestavia Hills High School.

While at Vestavia Hills, the bands have consistently earned superior rating at district and state concert band festivals as well as the ABDA festival. The Vestavia Hills Wind Ensemble performed at the 2011 Alabama Music Educators Conference, and the Music For All National Concert Band Festival in 2013. The Vestavia Hills High School Rebel Marching Band performed in the 2010 London New Year’s Day Parade in London, England and the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. The Vestavia Hills High School band was awarded the National Program of Excellence Southern Division Blue Ribbon Award presented by the National Band Association.

Mr. Horton has served as an honor band clinician within the states of Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia. He is also on staff for the Auburn Summer Marching and Leadership camp and the Music For All Summer Symposium. Mr. Horton a National Board Certified teacher and was named to SBO Magazine’s 2014 list of 50 Directors “Who Make a Difference.” Mr. Horton was honored to serve on 2017 Music for All Tournament of Roses teaching staff and is delighted to serve once again on the 2020 staff. He is married to Monica Horton (also an educator) and they have three children, Madina Jaimes, Israel, and Chism. received numerous awards in Oahu’s annual competitions and festivals. In 2018 they performed at the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA after being selected through a rigorous screening process. The marching band has also traveled internationally under Mr. Kamei’s direction. Past appearances includes Beijing, China (2007) and London, England (2011).

Known as one of the premier concert programs in Hawaii, the Pearl City High School Symphonic Winds consistently achieves Division 1 ratings at the annual OBDA Parade of Bands. The Symphonic Winds also travels regularly and has performed at the 28th (2016) and 21st (2009) Hamamatsu Festival in Hamamatsu, Japan. Domestically, the band has performed in a joint concert with the Troy University Symphony Band in Troy, Alabama (2013) to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. John M. Long.

In 2014, Mr. Kamei founded the University of Hawaii West Oahu University Band. He is on faculty as a lecturer and band director. The University Band is comprised of students from the university, community members, and high school students in the precollege Running Start program. Currently in its eighth year, the band continues to expand its

CHADWICK KAMEI (HI)

NOMINEE, HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE

CHADWICK KAMEI is the Director of Bands, Fine Arts Department Head, and Learning Center Coordinator at Pearl City High School in Pearl City, Hawaii. He joined the staff in 2005 and was appointed to Director of Bands in 2006. His duties include supervising all aspects of the band program as well as conducting the Symphonic Winds and the Concert Band. Each year, as the Learning Center Coordinator, Mr. Kamei organizes the Oahu Marching Band Festival, the Uta Matsuri (Japanese Song Festival), the Pearl City Complex Festival, and the Hawaii Wind Band Festivals (Middle and High School).

Under his direction, the Pearl City Marching Band has

High School Representatives, cont.

membership and repertoire.

Mr. Kamei received his Bachelors of Education in Music and his Masters in Arts in Music Education from the University of Hawaii. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from Boston University.

Mr. Kamei was elected as a High School Representative for the National Band Association 2018-2022 (two terms). He is also holds memberships in the American School Band Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, Hawaii Music Educators Association, and the Oahu Band Directors Association. Mr. Kamei is a Legion Laureate of the John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor and in 2016 was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, considered to be one of the highest honors given in the wind band profession.

KEVIN KNIGHT (TX)

NOMINEE, HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE

KEVIN KNIGHT is the Director of Bands for the Crosby Independent School District, located just northeast of Houston, TX. In this administrative and teaching role, he serves as the head director for the district band program, working with all bands throughout Crosby ISD.

Mr. Knight arranges many musical pieces and charts all drills performed by the Crosby Cougar Marching Band. Under Mr. Knight’s leadership, the Crosby High School Band program has earned several state and national honors and repeat advancements. Some of these include the TMEA State Honor Band Finals, the UIL State Marching Contest, performing at the Midwest Clinic, receiving the Sudler Flag of Honor, and being named a Program of Excellence by the National Band Association. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He has earned the following degrees: Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Education in Educational Leadership. He has also earned a professional certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University.

In 2019, Mr. Knight was named the Texas Young Bandmaster of the Year by Phi Beta Mu, Alpha Chapter. He is also a 2021 inductee into Phi Beta Mu, International Bandmasters Fraternity.

Mr. Knight serves on the Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Flag committee, the NBA Selective Music List committee, and the Public Relations committee for Phi Beta Mu Alpha Chapter.

Mr. Knight holds memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, the National Band Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. He is an active adjudicator, guest conductor and clinician across the state of Texas.

High School Representatives, cont.

BOBBY LAMBERT (SC)

NOMINEE, HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE

BOBBY LAMBERT is Director of Bands at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Originally from Cherokee, North Carolina, Mr. Lambert attended Western Carolina University to obtain his Bachelors Degree in music education and then the University of Massachusetts to receive a graduate assistantship and a Masters of Music Degree in saxophone performance.

From 2001 until 2013, Mr. Lambert was the assistant band director at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois where he enjoyed great success in both the marching and concert arena. The marching band was a consistent finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Championships and a repeat winner of the 2A National Championship. At the state level, the band continued its winning streak as the Class Champion for the State of Illinois Marching Band Championship begun in 1980. Under his direction, the Concert Band at Marian found great success in performance assessment: consistently receiving superior ratings and being named overall champion at The State of the Art Catholic Concert Band Festival, and class champion at The Illinois State University Concert Competition and The University of Illinois Superstate Concert Festival.

In 2005, he founded the school-wide leadership program at Marian, designing the curriculum and coordinating its implementation to over 1200 students with over 50 faculty members. Drawn from the world of business, finance, and psychology, the Leadership Program curriculum gives every student practical experience with communication skills, group dynamics, and ethical leadership. Since 1997, Mr. Lambert has directed student leadership camps around the country. In 2013, Mr. Lambert headed the inaugural Bands of America Drum Major Institute at Ball State University as part of the BOA Summer Symposium. This contemporary camp brings the most experienced staff and the latest information to student leaders from across the country. Over 1000 high school students participate in various leadership programs with Mr. Lambert each summer. In addition to serving as consultant with several programs across the country, Mr. Lambert has worked with the All-American Marching Band sponsored by the U.S. Army and the Bands of America Tournament of Roses Marching Band. He has also served as guest conductor for honor bands in Virginia and Illinois. Mr. Lambert’s professional affiliations include MENC and Phi Mu Alpha. He has been honored with an induction to the Marian Catholic Fine Arts Hall of Fame in 2013 and voted a Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator in 2009. He now lives in South Carolina with his wife Alysia, who is a choral director and their daughters, Maria Katherine and Olivia Claire.

High School Representatives, cont.

EDWARD PROTZMAN (OH)

NOMINEE, HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE

Edward F. Protzman is the Director of Bands at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio, where he directs multiple concert bands, including the Mason High School Wind Symphony. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, the Ohio Music Educators Association, and the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. He currently serves as the Ohio State Chairperson for the National Band Association. His ensembles have performed at music educator conferences in Ohio, Kansas, and Pennsylvania and the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2021 The Mason Wind Symphony was selected as a National Winner as part of The Foundation for Music Education’s National Wind Band Honors Program. This December, the Mason Wind Symphony will perform at the 76th Midwest West International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Protzman is the 2019 winner of the George N. Parks Leadership in Music Education Award presented by the National Association for Music Education and Music for All. As a clinician and educator, he has worked with groups across the United States and Canada. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Kutztown University, Kutztown PA, a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Moravian College Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania, and a Graduate Diploma in Wind Conducting from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. He is currently a candidate for the Doctorate of Music Education Degree at Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia.

KEVIN SHIRA (MS)

NOMINEE, HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE

KEVIN SHIRA is currently in his fifth year on staff at Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs, Mississippi) serving in his first year as the Director of Bands. His teaching responsibilities include directing the Blue-Grey Pride marching band, conducting the OSHS Wind Symphony, and assistant instructor to the double reeds at Ocean Springs Upper Elementary.

Prior to joining Ocean Springs High School, Shira spent two years as the Assistant Director of Bands for the Pass Christian School District. His concert ensembles earned consistent superior ratings both at local and state evaluations. In the Fall of 2016, he assisted the award-winning Pride of the Pass Marching Band as they won the Class 4A silver medal, placing first in music.

Shira attended Colonial Forge High School in his hometown of Stafford, Virginia. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was actively involved in promoting the School of Music. At USM, Shira performed with the Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra and in numerous chamber ensembles under the direction of Dr. Mohamad Schuman, Dr. Jay Dean, and Dr. Kimberly Woolly. Shira was a four-year drum major of the Pride of Mississippi, leading them in performance at the 84th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the 2011 Conference USA championship Game, and several other bowl game appearances. In