The Bandmasters Championship was established to offer Memphis and the Mid-South region a premier scholastic marching band competition. Organized by the University of Memphis Band Alumni Chapter, a group of former band members devoted to supporting the University's band through volunteer efforts and financial contributions, the event aims to deliver a top-tier experience.
Primarily an educational event, the Bandmasters Championship reflects the Alumni's belief in the significant positive influence of marching band activities on young people. Recognizing the diverse impacts on today's youth, the Alumni are committed to enhancing the marching band experience. This competition is designed to make marching band more enjoyable, exciting, and rewarding, while encouraging students to remain engaged through high school and beyond.
2024 Bandmasters Championship
INFORMATION FOR BANDS
Eligibility Requirements
Championship Division (Competitive)
To be entered into Championship Division, The Bandmasters Championship's competitive field, marching bands must be affiliated with an accredited K-12 public or private school. The Championship Division is not open to college/university bands, or to ensembles organized by private clubs, civic organizations, churches or non-accredited institutions. All performers must be school-age (K-12) students.
Eligible bands must have received a rating of either Superior (I) or Excellent (II) at a field marching contest in either the same academic year as the contest, or in the previous academic year. For example, a band wishing to compete in The 2017 Bandmasters Championship must have received a I or II rating in either the 2016-2017 or 2017-2018 academic year. Note: Bands needing to earn a I or II rating in 2016 may register on a contingent basis.
Alternatively, any band whose director is a past winner of The Bandmasters Championship is automatically eligible to enroll in the Championship Division. A "past winner" is defined as an individual who was the primary (not assistant) director of a Grand Champion band at The Bandmasters Championship, including the years 1963-1999 when the contest was known as the Mid-South Invitational.
Open Division (Exhibition)
Any marching band or performing ensemble comprised of school-age (K-12) students is welcome to perform in an exhibition at The Bandmasters Championship, schedule permitting. Exhibition bands receive written and taped comments from the Adjudicators, but do not receive a score and are not eligible to receive any awards (other than a Participation Award). t
Bands are grouped into four Classifications as follows:
- Small Classification (A): 0-39 wind musicians
- Medium Classification (AA): 40-59 wind musicians
- Large Classification (AAA): 60-89 wind musicians
- Extra Large Classification (AAAA): 90-above wind musicians
Classification is based on the maximum number of wind musicians in the band at any given time during its show. Example: A band performs most of its show with 80 wind players. In the final minute of the show, however, 20 color guard members pick up wind instruments and play along with the original 80. This band must register in Class AAAA because the maximum number of winds during the show is 100.
Any band can enter a higher classification, but not a lower one. This decision must be made at the time of registration and cannot be changed subsequently.
Class A bands will perform first, followed by AA, AAA, and AAAA. Within each of the four classes, order of performance is determined by a draw. The draw occurs in the University of Memphis band office on the Monday following the registration deadline. It is conducted by the U of M band office secretary and witnessed by the elected officers of the U of M band.
Each band will perform once. There will be no Finals competition.
The Bandmasters Championship utilizes the "caption" scoring system, consisting of eight (8) Adjudicators. Each Adjudicator is responsible for evaluating a specific area of the performance. These are the eight Adjudicator captions (click on links to view scoring sheets in pdf file format):
- Music Ensemble (20%): Evaluates the band's total musical performance from the perspectives of content and achievement. This adjudicator is located in the press box.
- Music Performance (20%): Evaluates individual aspects of the musical performance from the perspectives of composition and achievement. This adjuciator is located on the field.
- Music Effect (15%): Evaluates the musical repertoire, including such aspects as creativity, variety, artistry, and audience engagement. Also evaluates achievement of the repertoire. This adjudicator is located in the press box.
- Visual Ensemble (10%): Evaluates the band's total visual performance from the perspectives of content and acheivement. This adjudicator is located in the press box.
- Visual Performance (10%): Evaluates individual aspects of the visual performance from the perspectives of content and acheivement. This adjudicator is located on the field.
- Visual Effect (15%): Evaluates the visual repertoire including staging, variety, creativity, artistry, enhancement of music and audience appeal. Also evaluates achievement through communication, professionalism and emotion. This adjudicator is located in the press box.
- Percussion (5%): Individual and ensemble music performance of all percussion units, including battery and sideline (pit) percussion. This adjudicator is located in the press box.
- Color Guard (5%): Individual and ensemble performance of all color guard/auxiliary units, including flags, rifles, sabers, twirlers, majorettes, and dancers. This adjudicator is located in the press box. Note: If a band competes without a color guard, the average of the visual ensemble and visual performance score sheets will be used as a substitute for this caption.
Adjudicators
New for 2024! To provide the best experience for our bands, we've hired Dr. Andrew Poor, an experienced and well-connected adjudicator in state and national circuits, to assemble our full judging panel for this year’s event. All eight judges have been secured through these efforts. We will announce the complete panel once we have received all official bios.
The contest staff selects the adjudicators for The Bandmasters Championship. Each adjudicator must possess the highest level of competence and fairness and have a solid reputation among fellow music educators.
The contest staff may utilize the services of a judges' association to ensure the selection of qualified adjudicators with consistent educational philosophies.
Up to three (3) Adjudicators may be retained from the previous year's panel to facilitate continuity of judging from one year to the next. However, no person may serve as an Adjudicator for more than two (2) years consecutively.
Every effort is made to select Adjudicators from outside the immediate geographic areas of the participating bands.
2024 Adjudicators
Dwight Emmert is from Evansville, Indiana, where he is the Director of Fine Arts for the Evansville Vanderburgh School District. Mr. Emmert has held this position since its creation in 2011. The school district’s Fine Arts department has grown significantly during his tenure and now includes over 160 faculty and staff and an increase of nearly 40 percent in programs. Student involvement in school level FA programs is up over 250 percent during this period. At a district level, a vibrant Performing Arts Honors Program gives 900 students annually a chance to participate in semester long accelerated ensembles.
Mr. Emmert also serves as the Director of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps out of Rockford, Illinois. His involvement with the Phantom Regiment dates back to 1982, as a performing member. Since 2005, he has served in numerous roles including: Visual Caption Head, Drill Designer, Staff Coordinator, and Education Consultant. Mr. Emmert was inducted to the Phantom Regiment Hall of Fame in 2021.
Dwight is the father of two children, Andrew and Anni, and proudly became the grandfather of Winnie Kate in October of 2022.
Jason Palmer has been involved in the creation and instruction of the pageantry arts since 2001. Being the son of a musician and artist, he has always had a knack for music and design. Jason has been a successful music designer, drill writer, and body movement choreographer, for programs all across the country. Jason's goal is to create beautiful works of art musically, visually, and conceptually. Jason is currently the percussion director at Mt. Juliet High School and has been leading the percussion program for the last twelve years. Groups I have been involved with include: "The Commandment's Own" The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps(Drill Designer), Music City Drum Corps (Drill Designer); Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps (Drill Designer), Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps; Colts Drum and Bugle Corps; Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps (drill designer); Music City Mystique; Gateway Indoor Percussion Ensemble; Middle Tennessee State University Drumline and percussion ensemble; University of Northern Alabama Drumline; and was previously director of percussion of Fred J. Page High School 2001-2010.
Geoff Longo is originally from Colorado where his performance career began at a very young age under the strong influence of his parents and their passion for the arts. Starting off as a national champion gymnast at age 11, dancing, singing, and acting, were a part of his everyday life. He has been in countless productions over the years stemming from local theater, all the way to originating roles specifically written for him In 2008, Geoff graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy focusing on TV/film acting, stage combat, dance, and voice production/speech. He spent the next decade in LA working as an actor, while also teaching color guard. He spent three seasons marching with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (2008-2010), and marched one season with Corona (2009), and The Pride of Cincinnati (2015).
Geoff spent three summers (2011-2013) with The Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps on staff and as their color guard caption head and visual designer. He spent eight years (2009-2016) on staff with the Arcadia HS as a primary choreographer, technician, and designer. He spent 9 years (2014-2022) on staff with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in various roles from technician, choreographer, and designer. Currently, he is one of the colorguard designers and lead choreographer for The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps.
He has taught, consulted, designed and collaborated with many successful high schools
and independent organizations around the world including, Air Academy HS (CO), Liberty
HS (CO), Rampart HS (CO), Opus X World (CO), Avidity Independent (MO), Maysville HS
(MO), MBI Winter Guard (MN), Emanon World (NJ), Collage Winter Guard (OH), The Blackwatch
(NJ), Dawson HS (TX), Eastlake HS (TX), Seven Lakes HS (TX), Klein Oak HS (TX), and
Third Coast Independent (TX). He traveled to Bahrain with Ascend Performing Arts serving
as the color guard supervisor where the group performed for the F1 Grand Prix Opening
Ceremony in 2017. In 2018, he traveled
to Indonesia, where he spent time working with the NSDQ Drum and Bugle Corps helping
them secure another Championship.
Outside of Colorguard, Geoff is studying Graphic Design at Arizona State University and can always be found with coffee in hand. After gradation, Geoff is seeking to make graphic design his full time focus exploring the many avenues this new adventure will offer. His current hope and dream is to work on logos, company branding, and product design while also maintaining at least one foot in the marching arts community by some form or fashion.
Chad Schaedler is currently a part of the education team at Modulation Z, a WGI PIA group based out of Saint Peters MO. He is also on staff at Missouri State University working with the MSU Pride marching percussion program as a clinician and arranger. Over the past 25 years Chad has served the marching arts as a designer, arranger, adjudicator and most importantly as an educator. He has instructed a number of percussion ensembles at all levels including The Cavaliers, The Crossmen, The Bluecoats, The Colts, Gateway Indoor, and various high school programs across the country. Chad currently resides in O'Fallon, Missouri with his wife Kim and their four children—Cameron, Dalen, Ellason, and Gannon.
Dr. Michael Hancock serves as the Director of Bands at the University of Central Arkansas, conductor of the UCA Wind Ensemble, directs the graduate instrumental conducting program, teaches courses in undergraduate instrumental conducting, and administers the UCA Bands Area and its five concert and athletic ensembles.
As a conductor, Dr. Hancock has worked to spread a philosophy of music that is encompassing and borderless. In doing so, he has enjoyed a career spanning multiple continents, ensemble genres, and worked in both professional and educational settings. Known for his collaborative approach to rehearsals and deeply meaningful performances, he has sought new and intriguing opportunities to perform in collaboration with visual artists, actors, and guest composers. Ensembles collaborating with Dr. Hancock, and their commitment to the performance of new music, have been praised by prominent contemporary composers including Michael Colgrass, Michael Daugherty, Zhou Tian, Paul Dooley, Joel Puckett, Steven Bryant, and James Stephenson. Most recently, Hancock has had the privilege to conduct performances for the College Band Directors National Association Southwest Divisional Conference, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Winter Conference, and the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association.
Dr. Hancock began his career in the public schools of Texas and Arkansas, and he continues his commitment for advocating an artful music education. He frequently serves as a guest conductor, and clinician throughout the United States and Europe, and has presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and several state music conferences. He is the principal conductor, member of the summer faculty, and board member of the Destination Band Camp at UCA, which teaches 1,600 music students each summer. His professional affiliations include Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and the College Band Directors National Association.
Dr. Hancock earned both his MM and DMA at the University of Miami, FL where he was a Henry Mancini Conducting Fellow, and served as the Associate Conductor of both the Frost Wind Ensemble and Frost Chamber Winds. He studied orchestral conducting and repertoire at the Conservatorium Maastricht in the Netherlands, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University. His teachers include Gary Green, Thomas Sleeper, Jan Cober, Hal Cooper, and Pat Ellison.
Blair Callaway is in his third year as an Instructor of Instrumental Music Education at Jacksonville State University. Blair taught high school band for twenty-eight years at Heritage HS, Gilmer HS, Foley HS (AL), Alma Bryant HS (AL), and Russellville HS (AL). He marched with the Guardsmen, Cavaliers and Suncoast Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. Blair is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, American School Band Directors Association, National Band Association, Georgia Association of Jazz Educators and the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is the 2018 Heritage High STAR Teacher, 2015 Heritage High School Teacher of the Year and is a member of Phi Beta Mu. He has received the NBA Citation of Excellence four times and his bands have received the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award three times. Blair is a Past President of the American School Band Directors Association. He has been an instructor for the U.S. Army All American Band and has performed with the Tara Winds at the 2015 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and the 2021 Alabama Winds at the Western International Band Clinic. Blair serves as the organist at Anniston United Methodist Church.
As a native upstate New Yorker, Nick Gerling started his career as a student within the New Hartford band and winterguard program in the early 2000’s. As an educator his routes were planted teaching around the state as a choreographer/technician within programs such as Naples, New Hartford, Hilton, Cicero North Syracuse, Mohonasen and Westomoreland. All the while perusing a Music Education and Operatic Performance studies degree from Nazareth University in Rochester New York. He continued his local presence as a performer/designer with the Empire Statesmen Drum Corp from 2011-2013 and as a designer with the White Sabers Drum Corps from 2016-2018. However, his greatest impact was felt within his time at Phoenix HS where he was the marching band and winterguard director. Within his time there from 2012-2019, he helped to bring home three state marching band championships and 5 WGI semi-finalist finishes in the respective SA and SO classifications. Nicholas now lives in Houston Texas where he was the Director of the Dawson HS Colorguard program, located in Pearland Texas, for the past 5 years and has enjoyed traveling all over the country to work with scholastic and independent organizations as an educator/designer. Some of which include Cumberland Valley HS PA, Rampart HS CO, New Hartford HS NY, Seven Lakes HS TX, Deer Park HS TX, Redemption Independent, Third Coast Independent and Origins.
Ben Lupton has served as Music City Mystique's Battery Caption head since the 2016 season. He became a member of MCM’s quad line in 2009 and joined the staff after aging out in 2011. His drum corps career includes three seasons on quads with Spirit DBC from 2007 to 2009. Ben taught Genesis DBC during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Since 2018, Ben has been working with the Starriders Drum and Bugle Corps out of Bad Münder, Germany.
Ben moved to Nashville in 2012 after earning a Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Western Carolina University. He currently works at Fork’s Drum Closet specializing in Educational Sales, helping Schools and music programs get the gear they need. His passion for sharing music and helping others never stops. Ben is very fond of nature, promoting positivity, and spending time with his beautiful wiener dog Shempi.
Awards presented at The Bandmasters Championship are as follows:
- Participation Award: Each Open Division band, and each Championship Division band receiving a rating of II, III, or IV receives a Participation Award.
- Superior Rating Award: Each band receiving a rating of "I" or Superior receives a plaque in recognition of this accomplishment.
- Outstanding Color Guard for each Classification (based on the Color Guard Adjudicator score)
- Outstanding Percussion for each Classification (based on the Percussion Adjudicator score)
- Outstanding Music Performance for each Classification (based on the combined score of the Music Performance Adjudicators)
- Outstanding Visual Performance for each Classification (based on the combined score of the Visual Performance Adjudicators)
- Outstanding General Effect for each Classification (based on the combined score of the Music and Visual General Effect Adjudicators)
- First, Second and Third Place for each Classification (based on total band score)
- Overall Placement: Given to bands, regardless of Classification, receiving the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th highest total band scores.
- Honorable Mention: Given to the band, regardless of Classification, receiving the third highest total band score.
- Reserve Grand Champion: Given to the band, regardless of Classification, receiving the second highest total band score.
- Bandmasters Grand Champion: Given to the band, regardless of Classification, receiving the highest total band score is presented the Joe Sills Championship Cup, a rotating trophy to be held by the current Bandmasters Grand Champion band for the next marching band season.
The Bandmasters Championship is proud to feature one of the most impressive venues for any marching band contest in America. Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, home of the University of Memphis Tigers since 1965, has hosted memorable college football games, professional sports, concerts, and hundreds of other events. And each year on a Saturday in late October, it welcomes many of the South's top bands. Fans appreciate Liberty Stadium’s plentiful seating and excellent sight lines. Directors are treated to our spacious press box hospitality area, and students can enjoy a variety of concessions before and after their performances. The 58,000-seat Liberty Stadium provides the perfect atmosphere for championship marching band performances. The field is completely enclosed, so attention is squarely focused on your band with no outside distractions. The AstroTurf playing surface, the latest in artificial turf technology, looks and feels just like natural grass but stays in perfect condition no matter what the weather conditions. The press box provides the adjudicators an excellent vantage point and good read of your show, visually and musically. Our complimentary high-camera video recording gives you an unparalleled view of your drill. Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium is the largest stadium in Tennessee, Arkansas or Mississippi to host a marching band contest. Performing here is a thrilling experience for every band member, one that each will remember for a lifetime! The Bandmasters Championship is pleased to showcase your band in this professional-quality arena!
INFORMATION FOR FANS
Tickets may be purchased online in advance.
Ticket prices are $25 for adults and children over age 6. Children aged six and under are admitted for free.
- Save money and buy early! Tickets are on sale for $20 until October 18, 2024.
The Bandmasters Championship uses digital tickets. All seating is general admission. There are no reserved seats since seating on the performance side of the stadium (25,000+) is plentiful. No refunds.
The Bandmasters Championship is, first and foremost, an educational event. For this reason, it is our policy not to require admission to any school music student, at any grade or school. Complimentary passes are available to any music or band student. These passes must be requested in advance by the student's music teacher or band director. There is no limit to the number of passes a teacher may request; in fact, we encourage middle school/junior high band directors to bring their entire bands to The Bandmasters Championship. Non-participating high school bands are also welcomed to join our audience to watch, listen and learn.
To request passes for your students, please e-mail us and include the following information:
- Your name
- School
- Mailing address, city, state and zip code
- Telephone number
- Number of passes required
- Names of all staff members (including you) attending the contest
What You Can Bring Into the Stadium
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium has a Clear Bag Policy which allows only the following bags through the admission gates:
- Small clutches and purses purses no larger than 5" x 7"
- Clear bags and totes no larger than 12" x 6" x 12"
Please note that The Bandmasters Championship does not control this policy. It was implemented by stadium management for the safety and security of all attendees, and is now a common procedure at large sports venues. We encourage you to view the stadium's Prohibited Items List if you plan to bring any items into the stadium.
Directions to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
- From West Tennessee - Take I-40 to Sam Cooper Blvd. Take the Highland Street exit and turn left (south). Turn right at Central Avenue. Turn left onto Hollywood Street. Parking (Access 4) will be on your RIGHT.
- From Arkansas - Take I-40 to the I-40/240 interchange. Take exit 1E onto I-240. Take the Madison Ave. exit. Turn left onto Madison. Turn right onto East Parkway South. Turn left onto Central Avenue. Parking (Access 7) will be on your RIGHT.
- From Mississippi - Take I-55 to the I-240 interchange. Take exit 6B onto I-240 north. Take exit 30 onto Union Avenue. Turn right onto East Parkway South. Turn left onto Central Avenue.Parking (Access 7) will be on your RIGHT.
Parking
Spectator parking is located on the north and west sides of the stadium. You may access these from Central Avenue (Access Gate 7), or from Hollywood Street (Access Gate 4). Spectator lot parking is $5.
Spectators will not be permitted to park with band buses and equipment trucks in the band parking lots.
Admissions Gate
Spectators may enter Liberty Stadium at Gate 3 on the stadium’s west side. Tickets are on sale at that location. Contest programs are also available at the ticket booth and inside the concourse.
Band students only will be permitted to enter the stadium at Gate 4. Due to security procedures that are now typical at public events, please be prepared to have your bags and purses searched.
Absolutely no food or beverages may be brought in from outside the stadium. Ice chests and water coolers are prohibited. This applies to spectators, band members, staff and chaperones. This rule is in adherence to the stadium's contract with its concessionaire.
First Aid
Emergency medical services are available throughout the event. The First Aid station is located on the stadium concourse next to Gate 4 (band entrance). Please locate an usher if you need assistance.
Etiquette
Out of respect for the performers and the audience, spectators are to refrain from entering or leaving the seating area during a band performance. This will be enforced by the ushers.
THE CONTEST
The Bandmasters Championship was conceived to provide Memphis and the Mid-South region with a scholastic marching band contest of the highest possible caliber. The event is produced by the University of Memphis Band Alumni Chapter , an association of former band members dedicated to supporting the University's band through volunteer activities and financial support.
The Bandmasters Championship is, first and foremost, an educational event. The Alumni recognize the many influences on young people today - both good and bad - and are convinced that the marching band activity has an overwhelmingly positive impact on the lives of the students who participate. This contest was created to promote marching band in every way possible - to make it more fun, more exciting, more rewarding, and to encourage students to continue their participation through high school graduation and beyond.
The mission of The Bandmasters Championship is:
To produce a world-class marching band competition that contributes to the musical, physical and social education of young people, recognizes excellence of students and educators, and motivates them all to achieve the extraordinary.
The objectives of The Bandmasters Championship are:
- To promote the highest standards of performance in scholastic marching bands.
- To provide recognition to students for their hard work and achievement, and to the professional music educators who instruct them.
- To establish an event that is exciting, motivating and memorable for the participating students, and entertaining for family, friends and fans.
- To obtain the services of esteemed music educators as adjudicators, so that they may offer constructive commentary to each participating band.
- To encourage the growth and development of the scholastic marching band activity, both in quality and quantity.
- To support the University of Memphis Band by contributing all event proceeds to band fellowships and scholarships.
Governing authority over The Bandmasters Championship is vested in the Executive Committeeof the University of Memphis Band Alumni Chapter. The Chapter is responsible for all aspects of this event including scheduling, obtaining facilities, financing, planning, marketing, band registration, recruitment of volunteers, establishment of format and rules, and hiring adjudicators. In consideration of these responsibilities, the Chapter reserves the right to make any and all decisions pertaining to the current operation and future direction of the contest.
The contest mission, philosophy, rules and format are documented in the Official Rules and Regulations. A Competition Advisory Committee is appointed by the Chapter's Executive Committee each November. The committee consists of five (5) Alumni Chapter members, one (1) UofM band director, and the Director of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. The purpose of this committee is to thoroughly review the Official Rules and Regulations, as well as the contest's operating procedures, and recommend changes to the Executive Committee as deemed necessary.
Any revisions to the Official Rules and Regulations must be approved by majority vote of no less than two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Committee no later than March 1st in order to be enacted for that year's contest.
Each year, the men and women of the University of Memphis Band Alumni Chapter volunteer hundreds of hours to planning and producing The Bandmasters Championship. Our contest leadership team consists of:
Jeremy M. Stinson - Contest Director
As contest director, Mr. Stinson is responsible for the planning and execution of the The Bandmasters Championship. He is the main point of contact for participating band directors, and also controls event-day operations from the press box. Jeremy has been the director of The Bandmasters Championship since 2003. Under his leadership, the event has grown tremendously, with band participation, fan attendance and public awareness at all-time highs. Contest Leadership Each year, the men and women of the University of Memphis Band Alumni Chapter volunteer hundreds of hours to planning and producing The Bandmasters Championship. Our contest leadership team consists of: Mr. Stinson is a 1997 graduate of Collierville High School. He was a trombonist in The U of M band from 1997 to 1999, and drum major from 2000-2001. While on the graduate staff with The U of M Band in 2002, Mr. Stinson assisted with the marching band and conducted the pep band at Lady Tiger basketball games. Mr. Stinson holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degree from The University of Memphis. Mr. Stinson is manager of Tiger Book Store.
Gregory S. Nelson - Sponsorship & Communications Coordinator
Mr. Nelson is responsible for the External Communications for the contest in regards to media and public communications. He has been with the contest 16 years in 2021. Mr. Nelson is a 1983 graduate of Millington High School. He was a Trumpet player in the U of M Band from 1983-1988. Greg received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from The University of Memphis in 1988. Currently,. He is in pursuit of a Masters in Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He is employed by Love Worth Finding Ministries where he leads the Prayer Team Ministry. Also, he is employed by The Billy Graham Evangelical Association, also in Prayer Ministry. Greg serves as Bartlett Camp Chaplain with the Gideons and as a Deacon at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis. Additionally with the U of M, the Journalism and Strategic Media Board of Directors.
Christopher B. Darr - Contest Operations Coordinator
Mr. Darr has played a leading role with The Bandmasters Championship since 1998. A past contest director, Chris led the team in 2002 that redesigned the contest and moved it permanently into the Libery Bowl. He now oversees a variety of areas including adjudication/scoring, rules and procedures, video production, and the contest website. Chris is a 1989 graduate of McGavock High School in Nashville. He played tuba in the Mighty Sound of the South from 1989 through 1992. He holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from the U of M, and is Managing Director of Planning & Business Analysis, Air Operations at FedEx Express.
History of The Bandmasters Championship The name "Bandmasters Championship" has only been around since 2002, but the contest has over four decades of tradition behind it! The first U of M marching competition, the Mid-South Invitational, began in 1963 at Whitehaven Stadium. The contest ran continuously from that year until 1999, having been canceled just once (1985, due to heavy rain). The contest remained at Crump Stadium through the '60s and '70s, and was held in Liberty Stadium during the early 1980s before moving to Halle Stadium in East Memphis for many years. The Mid-South Invitational consistently hosted bands from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky and Alabama.
In the late 1990's, the University of Memphis Band Alumni Chapter took an expanded role in the planning and organization of the contest, in an effort to assist the U of M band staff. A decision was made that Halle Stadium was no longer an acceptable location for any marching band contest, much less a contest with such a long and distinguished history. After the 1999 Mid-South Invitational, the Chapter Executive Committeevoted to find a new and permanent home for the contest - and the most obvious location was the Tigers' home stadium, Liberty Stadium.
Through the support of Dean Richard Ranta of the U of M College of Communication and Fine Arts, as well as Associate Athletic Director Bill Lofton and Mrs. Patty Bladon, U of M Alumni Development Director, Liberty Stadium was secured in 2002 as the permanent site for the competition. At the same time, many aspects of the contest (format, scoring system, etc.) were evaluated and changed. The Band Alumni Chapter also decided to rename the contest to The Bandmasters Championship in honor of the professional music educators who have contributed so much to past, present, and future Mid-South band students.
By the second decade of the 2000s, The Bandmasters Championship regained its place as the region's largest and most prestigious marching event. Consistently drawing 25-30 bands and an overall attendance of 8,000 people or more, the contest has earned a reputation as the place to see outstanding performances year after year. The U of M Band Alumni are proud to carry on this long tradition!
Past Contest Winners Bands with Multiple Championships
- 1963 Milan High School Band Milan, Tennessee
- 1964 Humboldt High School Band Humboldt, Tennessee
- 1965 Stuttgart High School Band Stuttgart, Arkansas
- 1966 Stuttgart High School Band Stuttgart, Arkansas
- 1967 Bolivar Central High School Band Bolivar, Tennessee
- 1968 Bolivar Central High School Band Bolivar, Tennessee
- 1969 Bolivar Central High School Band Bolivar, Tennessee
- 1970 Humboldt High School Band Humboldt, Tennessee
- 1971 Athens High School Band Athens, Alabama
- 1972 Overton High School Band Memphis, Tennessee
- 1973 Lafayette High School Band Lexington, Kentucky
- 1974 Lafayette High School Band Lexington, Kentucky
- 1975 Murray High School Band Murray, Kentucky
- 1976 Murray High School Band Murray, Kentucky
- 1977 Murray High School Band Murray, Kentucky
- 1978 DuPont High School Band Hermitage, Tennessee
- 1979 Russell County High School Band Russell Springs, Kentucky
- 1980 Briarcrest High School Band Memphis, Tennessee
- 1981 Ripley High School Band Ripley, Tennessee
- 1982 Ripley High School Band Ripley, Tennessee
- 1983 Ripley High School Band Ripley, Tennessee
- 1984 Ripley High School Band Ripley, Tennessee
- 1986 Grenada High School Band Grenada, Mississippi
- 1987 Grenada High School Band Grenada, Mississippi
- 1988 Grenada High School Band Grenada, Mississippi
- 1989 Marshall County High School Band Benton, Kentucky
- 1990 Union City High School Band Union City, Tennessee
- 1991 Clinton High School Band Clinton, Mississippi
- 1992 Grenada High School Band Grenada, Mississippi
- 1993 (Small) Germantown High School Band Germantown, Tennessee (Large) Bartlett High School Band Bartlett, Tennessee
- 1994 (Small) West Point High School Band West Point, Mississippi (Large) Bartlett High School Band Bartlett, Tennessee
- 1995 (Small) Greenwood High School Band Greenwood, Mississippi (Large) Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee
- 1996 (Small) Kirby High School Band Memphis, Tennessee (Large) Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee
- 1997 (Small) West Point High School Band (Large) Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee
- 1998 (Small) West Point High School Band West Point, Mississippi (Large) Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee
- 1999 (Small) Ripley High School Band Ripley, Tennessee (Large) Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee
- 2002 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee
- 2003 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2004 Houston High School Band Germantown, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2005 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2006 Houston High School Band Germantown, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2007 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2008 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2009 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2010 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2011 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2012 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2013 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2014 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2015 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2016 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2017 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2018 Hernando High School Band Hernando, Mississippi (Scores)
- 2019 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2021 DeSoto Central High School Band Southaven, Mississippi (Scores)
- 2022 Arlington High School Band Arlington, Tennessee (Scores)
- 2023 Munford High School Band Munford, Tennessee (Scores)
Note: The contest was not held in 1985, 2000, 2001, or 2020.
Bands with Multiple Championships
- 21 - Munford High School Band, Munford, Tennessee ('95, '96, '97, '98, '99, '02, '03, '05, '07, '08, '09, '10, 11, '12, '13, '14,'15, '16, '17, ’19 & ’23)
- 5 - Ripley High School Band, Ripley, Tennessee ('81, '82, '83, '84 & '99)
- 4 - Grenada High School Band, Grenada, Mississippi ('86, '87, '88 & '92)
- 3 - Bolivar Central High School Band, Bolivar, Tennessee ('67, '68 & '69)
- 3 - Murray High School Band, Murray, Kentucky ('75, '76 & '77)
- 3 - West Point High School Band, West Point, Mississippi ('94, '97 & '98)
- 2 - Humboldt High School Band, Humboldt, Tennessee ('64 & '70)
- 2 - Stuttgart High School Band, Stuttgart, Arkansas ('65 & '66)
- 2 - Lafayette High School Band, Lexington, Kentucky ('73 & '74)
- 2 - Bartlett High School Band, Bartlett, Tennessee ('93 & '94)
- 2 - Houston High School Band, Germantown, Tennessee ('04 & '06)
Contacts
If you would like more information about The Bandmasters Championship, or if you have any specific questions, please e-mail us, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
For information about the contest, you may also call the University of Memphis Band Office at (901) 678-2263.
- UofM Band Alumni Chapter
- The Mighty Sound of the South Marching Band
- Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music