Memphis Sound Announces 2009 Staff

Memphis Sound is pleased to announce the return of the entire staff from its stunning 2008 season! While the staff is still intact, some juggling has been done to reorganize the staff into a more beneficial season for the 2009 Membership. “I have a strong belief in the staff of Memphis Sound. The return of the staff will give our membership the key for success.” – James Thomas, Program Coordinator

Presenting the 2009 Memphis Sound Staff:

Executive Director – Pam Opie
Pam is entering here second year as Executive Director of Memphis Sound. She is a founding member of the corps and is credited with keeping the corps active through some very trying times. She is very active in the Boy Scouts of America organization as an organizer of large scale events.

Program Coordinator – James Thomas
James (JT) is currently the color guard coordinator for Coppell High School in Dallas, Texas. As well as working with Coppell High School, he is the choreographer for Southlake Carroll High School and is adjunct faculty at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Prior to his position at Coppell High School, JT was the color guard director at LD Bell High School in Hurst, Texas. His organizations have won numerous BOA regional titles as well as top 5 finishes at the BOA Grand National Championships. Furthermore, his groups have been numerous WGI regional medalists and finalists in both the Scholastic A and Open classes.

Visual Designer – Nathaniel Neugent
Nathaniel is a highly sought after drill designer in the Southwest. He works with such schools as Coppell High School, Argyle High School, Wills Point High School as well as others. He is currently a middle school band director in Mansfield, Texas. Prior to his position there, Nathaniel was the head band director at Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas. While under the director of Nathaniel, the Creekview Band was a numerous BOA Regional Finalist as well as qualifying for the Texas State Marching Contest.

Visual Caption Head – Kenneth Thompson
Kenneth is currently a middle school band director in Duncanville, Texas where he also works with the famous Duncanville High School Marching Band. Kenneth was the brass caption head and visual caption head for Memphis Sound in 2008. This year he will be focusing on just the visual program for “Mempho” Prior to coming to Memphis Sound, Kenneth was on staff with Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps from Lexington, Kentucky.

Visual Tech – Brandon Slovak
Brandon is currently one of the assistant band directors at Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas. Coppell was the 2008 Class 5A Bronze Medalist at the Texas State Marching Band Competition. Prior to Coppell High School, Brandon was the assistant band director at Coppell Middle School North where they were named the State Honor Band in 2006. Brandon was formerly on staff with Frontier Drum & Bugle Corps and is an alum of the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps.

Brass Caption Head – Andrew Snead
Andrew Snead is in his first year as Director of Bands at Fuqua School Farmville, VA where he oversees all aspects of the innovative band program. Outside of his teaching position at Fuqua, he is active an adjudicator and clinician, working with a number of programs throughout the Southeast. Prior to his current appointment he completed studies at Longwood University with an emphasis in conducting and wind pedagogy. As a conductor Mr. Snead studied at the South Carolina Conductors Institute at the University of South Carolina, and is in high demand for both instrumental and choral ensembles. Andrew joined the instructional staff at Memphis Sound during the 2008 season. Andrew is also an alum of the Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps. He holds membership in Phi Mu Alpha, MENC, VMEA, and the National Band Association.

Brass Tech – John Martin
John is currently completing his studies in music at University of Tennessee – Martin. He is alumnus of the 2007 World Champion Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps.

Percussion Caption Head – Ryan Pride
Ryan returns to Memphis Sound for his 2nd year in 2009. Ryan just recently completed his degree in Music Education from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He is on the percussion staff at New Braunfels High School in New Braunfels, Texas. He is also on staff with Austin Independent Percussion…and indoor competitive unit. Prior to coming to Memphis Sound, Ryan was on staff with the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps of San Antonio, Texas. He is a former marching member with the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps.

Percussion Tech – Matt Howell
Matt is returning for his 2nd year with Memphis Sound. He is a former marching member with such units at Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps, Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps, and Gateway Indoor Independent Marching Unit. He is on the percussion staff with Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee as well as a tech with Gateway Indoor.

Percussion Tech – Jordan Arnett
Jordan is a former marching member with Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps and the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. He currently resides in North Carolina where he is pursuing a music education job.

Color Guard Caption Head – Bethany Longcrier
Bethany returns to Memphis Sound for her 2nd year in a new position. She is currently the color guard director at Southwest High School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is a former member of the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps. She is currently marching with Black Gold Winter Guard and Independent World Winter Guard from the Dallas / Fort Worth area. Bethany is a dynamic teacher who strives for her students to achieve the things they thought were not possible.

More staff announcements coming soon! If you are interested in a staff or intern position, please email James Thomas at jtdallas [at] tx [dot] rr [dot] com.