Thank you for your interest in the Dr. Joe Barry Mullins Band Festival! This festival is designed for bands of all levels. Bands may choose to receive "ratings" or "comments only". All bands attending this year's festival will be given the opportunity for a short clinic by one (or more) of the judges immediately following their concert performance.
Online Registration- You may register online at any time. Payment is due by Friday, March 6th.
Program and Seating Chart- Please submit by Friday, March 20th so that we may print programs and stage set-up charts.
Festival Adjudicators
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Sid McNeal - Concert
Sid McNeil is currently the Assistant Principal at Olive Branch High School. Prior to his role in administration, Mr. McNeil served eleven years as Director of Bands at Olive Branch High School where the band consistently received superior ratings at all MHSAA festivals and over 60 “Best in Class” and “Grand Championship” awards in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Prior to coming to Olive Branch High School, Mr. McNeil taught five years at Cleveland High School where, under his direction, the band received all superior ratings in both marching and concert bands and doubled in size. Mr. McNeil was the recipient of the “Mississippi Band Director of the Year” Award presented by Phi Beta Mu in 2010 as well as the “A.E. McClain Outstanding Young Band Director’s Award” presented by the Mississippi Bandmasters Association in 1999. Mr. McNeil serves as a Past President of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, I-55 Band Association, and Hernando-Desoto Band Association; and is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Theta Kappa, Music Educators National Conference, Pi Kappa Lambda. Mr. McNeil actively serves as a clinician and adjudicator for various events throughout the Southern United States. In 2008 he served as Assistant Concert Director for the Mississippi Lion’s All-State Band. He is also the Director of Music at Boulevard Baptist Church in Southaven. Mr. McNeil enjoys spending his free time fishing and hunting as well as hanging out with his wife, Andrea, and his nine year old son, Lee. |
Brian Pitts - Concert
Brian Pitts is currently in his 30th year of teaching. Mr. Pitts is currently serving as an assistant band director at Southaven High School. He has held similar positions at Warren Central and Oak Grove, and was the head director at MRA for three years. Mr. Pitts has been active throughout the state as a clinician and adjudicator, as well as a presenter at the Mississippi Bandmasters Association State Clinic. His arrangements have been featured in the lobby show of the Mississippi Lions All-State band numerous times. Ron Cox - Sight Reading
Ron Cox is a graduate of Senatobia High School and a two-year member of the Mississippi Lions All-State Band. He received a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Mississippi. Ron worked from 1985-1992 as the junior high director and assistant high school director in the Winona School District. From 1992-2007, he was the Director of Bands in the Senatobia City Schools. In 2008, he became the Director of Bands at Independence High School where he taught until his retirement in 2013. Mr. Cox has served as an adjudicator and clinician in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas. Ron is also a past-president of the I-55 Band Association. |
Kent Hisaw - Concert
Kent Hisaw is a native of Booneville, Mississippi. He received his B.M.E from the University of Southern Mississippi and his Associate of Arts Degree from Northeast Mississippi Community College. Mr. Hisaw was a band director teaching in public schools in Mississippi for 28 years. He retired in 2009 after serving as the Director of Bands at Southaven Middle School in Southaven, Mississippi. Prior to Southaven, Kent was an assistant band director with the Grenada School District for twenty-two years, Kosciusko for two years, and Prentiss County one year. His band programs at the middle and high school levels consistently rated superior in concert and sight-reading. While teaching at Grenada the marching band earned state championships in 2004 and 2005 and while at Southaven the marching band earned the state championship in 2008. For fourteen years Kent has been the visual coordinator for the Mississippi Lions All-State Band. In 2012 he received the Lions Band Outstanding Staff Member Award. Kent maintains an active schedule as a clinician and adjudicator for both concert and marching band events throughout the South including affiliations with WGI, MIA, SCGC, and GCGC.. |
Dr. Joe Barry Mullins
This festival is held in memory of Dr. Joe Barry Mullins, who was Director of Bands at the University of Southern Mississippi from 1969-1980. During his tenure at USM, he positively impacted thousands of students. His outstanding teaching methods and encouragement led many of his students to choose a musical teaching or conducting career. Dr. Mullins also conducted the University of Southern Mississippi Orchestra for many years.
This festival is held in memory of Dr. Joe Barry Mullins, who was Director of Bands at the University of Southern Mississippi from 1969-1980. During his tenure at USM, he positively impacted thousands of students. His outstanding teaching methods and encouragement led many of his students to choose a musical teaching or conducting career. Dr. Mullins also conducted the University of Southern Mississippi Orchestra for many years.