COMPOSERS
ADRIAN B. SIMS
Adrian B. Sims, born in Seattle, Washington, is an accomplished composer and conductor of music for bands, orchestras, and chamber ensembles of all levels. Adrian has more than 50 publications to his name, and many of his works have been selected for the JW Pepper Editor’s Choice List, the Bandworld Top 100 List, and the Texas Prescribed Music List. His music has been performed at prestigious conferences, such as The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, The Texas Music Educators Association, and at new music reading sessions across the country. Adrian has been commissioned by numerous organizations, including the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity, to compose a new work that premiered at The 78th Midwest Clinic.
He is frequently invited to conduct honor bands, rehearse, and lead clinics with bands and orchestras of all levels across the United States. Adrian has recording experience as both a conductor and producer, and has recorded music at the University of Maryland at College Park, The University of Texas at Austin, and The Palladium in Indianapolis. He has produced recordings of works by notable composers such as Viet Cuong, David Biedenbender, and Katahj Copley.
Adrian’s primary mentors in composition include Brian Balmages, Dr. Robert Gibson, Omar Thomas, and Dr. Donald Grantham. He received his Master’s degree in Composition from The University of Texas at Austin and Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Composition from the University of Maryland at College Park. At the University of Maryland, he studied trombone with Matthew Guilford, solo bass trombonist with the National Symphony Orchestra, and Aaron LaVere, principal trombonist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Frank Ticheli
Ticheli joined the faculty of the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music in 1991, where he served as Professor of Composition until 2023. From 1991 to 1998, Ticheli was Composer in Residence of the Pacific Symphony, and he still enjoys a close working relationship with that orchestra and their music director, Carl St. Clair.
Ticheli is well known for his works for concert band, many of which have become standards in the repertoire. In addition to composing, he has appeared as guest conductor of his music at Carnegie Hall, at many American universities and music festivals, and in cities throughout the world, including Schladming, Austria, at the Mid-Europe Music Festival; London and Manchester, England, with the Meadows Wind Ensemble; Singapore, with the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band; and numerous cities in Japan, with the Bands of America National Honor Band.
Frank Ticheli is the winner of the 2006 NBA/William D. Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest for his Symphony No. 2. Other awards for his music include the Charles Ives and the Goddard Lieberson Awards, both from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Walter Beeler Memorial Prize, and First Prize awards in the Texas Sesquicentennial Orchestral Composition Competition, Britten-on-the-Bay Choral Composition Contest, and Virginia CBDNA Symposium for New Band Music.
Dr. Ticheli received his doctoral and masters degrees in composition from The University of Michigan. His works are published by Manhattan Beach, Southern, Hinshaw, and Encore Music, and are recorded on the labels of Albany, Chandos, Clarion, Klavier, Koch International, and Mark Records.
JaRod Hall
JaRod Hall (b. 1991) is a Texan composer, educator, and performer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of North Texas and a master's degree from Texas State University. His principal teachers include Don Little (tuba); Dennis Fisher, Dr. Nicholas Williams, and Dr. Caroline Beatty (conducting); and Dr. Michael Ippolito and Dr. Jack Wilds (composition).
He is an 8-year veteran band director, during which time his students received perennial sweepstakes awards at the Texas University Interscholastic League Concert and Sightreading Evaluations, as well as being recognized at the state level. Notably, his 2018 non-varsity band at Griffin Middle School in Frisco, TX was the first middle school band in Frisco ISD history to win the Citation of Excellence, which honored the top 2 non-varsity bands in the state that year in class A.
A tubist and trombonist, JaRod has performed with the North Texas Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, 3 O’ Clock Lab Band, Carrollton Wind Symphony, Metropolitan Winds, Texas State Symphonic Winds, and the Texas State Wind Symphony - of which he played principal tuba for two years. JaRod is also a four-year Texas All-State Band member (2007 - 2009 tuba; 2010 1st chair jazz bass trombone in the state), the maximum number of times possible for any individual high school student in the state of Texas. He served as drum major for the 2013 Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and was a member of the 2014 Disneyland All-American College Band.
JaRod's compositions appear on the Texas Prescribed Music List, The J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice" list, and the Bandworld Top 100 list. His original brass choir "Silver Fanfare" was selected as a winner of the 2020 Dallas Winds Call for Fanfares and his grade 2 concert band work "Through the Storm" was selected as the 2021 Barbara Buehlman Prize winner for middle school band. Additionally, JaRod is a nationwide marching arts arranger and consultant.
JaRod resides in San Antonio, Texas with his wife, Rachel (the smart one in the family) who is a medical student at the University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Joe Hobbs
Joe Hobbs has been involved with DCI for over 20 years. Most recently, Joe was on the percussion staff for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. During his time there, The Bluecoats were awarded the Fred Sanford Award for high percussion in 2022 (the first in corps history), and they were the 2024 DCI World Champions. Joe was also the Battery Arranger for Music City Drum Corps from Nashville, TN from 2023-2024. In 2023, the percussion section had its highest percussion placement in the corps history. He served as the Percussion Caption Head for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2015-2018. Before joining The Cavaliers, Joe served on the percussion staff for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. He was also involved with Music City Mystique as a Battery Instructor from 2009-2011.
Joe is currently the Director of Percussion at Vandegrift High School in Austin, TX. Under his direction, the percussion section has seen national recognition and national competitive success. The group won the Dripping Springs Drum Line Contest in 2016, 2017, and 2019 and the Lone Star Classic in 2018. The Vandegrift Drum Line was also invited to perform at the 2019 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis as a featured clinician. The Vandegrift Percussion Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2017 and 2024 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
The band program at Vandegrift High School has also received national recognition since opening in 2009. Vandegrift was named the 2022 and 2023 UIL 6A Texas Marching Band State Champions. The group was also named the BOA Grand National Champion in 2019. Other honors include the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the 2021 Midwest Band and Orchestra Performing Ensemble, the 2020 Sudler Shield Recipient, the 2020 Sudler Flag Recipient, the 2021 UIL 6A Silver Medalist, and the 2018 UIL 6A Honor Band.
Joe is a sought-after writer, clinician, and judge. Tapspace Publications published his snare drum methods book titled The Starting Line. The book focuses on developing young snare drummers’ rhythmic comprehension and expanding rudimental vocabulary. His marching percussion arrangements have been performed by The University of Texas, The University of Alabama and The Phantom Regiment.
His marching career began with the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001 to 2003. During his time at Southwind, he was named the 2003 DCI I&E Snare Drum Champion. From 2004 to 2006, he was a member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. While a member of the Cavaliers, Joe won two DCI World Championships (2004 and 2006), the 2006 DCI I&E Mixed Ensemble Championship, the "Cavalier of the Year Award," and the “Zildjian Award.”
Joe received his Music Education degree from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He is endorsed by Pearl Drums, Innovative Percussion, Sabian Cymbals and Evans Drumheads. He currently lives in Austin, TX with his wife, Kara, and their daughter, Nina.
Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith (1958-2023) is one of the most popular and prolific composers in America today. He has over 600 publications in print with the majority composed and arranged through his long association with Warner Bros. Publications and the Belwin catalog.
Mr. Smith’s credits include many compositions and productions in all areas of the music field. His original works for winds and percussion have been programmed by countless military, university, high school, and middle school bands throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. His Symphony #1 (The Divine Comedy), Symphony #2 (The Odyssey), Symphony #3 (Don Quixote), Inchon and Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual have received worldwide critical acclaim. His educational compositions such as The Tempest, Encanto, and The Great Locomotive Chase have become standards for developing bands throughout the world.
Mr. Smith’s music has received extensive airplay on major network television as well as inclusion in multiple motion pictures. From professional ensembles such as the United States Navy Band, United States Air Force Band, Boston Pops and the Atlanta Symphony to school bands and orchestras throughout the world, his music speaks to audiences in any concert setting. As a conductor, clinician and keynote speaker, Mr. Smith has performed throughout North America, Asia, South America, Europe and Australia. His music has been recorded by various ensembles and is available on CD and download through iTunes, Amazon, and other recorded music outlets.
Mr. Smith is the President/CEO of RWS Music Company, exclusively distributed through Alfred Music. In addition, he is currently teaching in the Music Industry program at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. His teaching responsibilities are focused in music composition, production, publishing and business.
Tyler S. Grant
Tyler S. Grant is an internationally recognized composer, arranger, conductor, and clinician of music for concert bands, orchestras, and chamber ensembles of all levels. His music is featured regularly in performances by both region and all state honor ensembles and is also featured annually on Editor’s or Publisher’s Choice Repertoire Lists around the world. His work, Panoramic Fanfare, was a winner of the Dallas Wind Symphony’s 2014 “Call for Fanfares” Competition. Panoramic Fanfare has since been performed by collegiate and professional ensembles throughout North America.
Since 2010, Tyler has regularly accepted commissions for new works and produced new publications for bands and orchestras each year. He credits his mentor Brian Balmages as pivotal to his success as a composer. Notable performance venues of his works include The Midwest Clinic, Carnegie Hall, Music for All’s National Concert Band Festival, the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Bands of America Grand Nationals, and numerous state-wide, national, and international music conferences and conventions.
In addition to composing and arranging, Tyler enjoys conducting and clinic engagements with ensembles throughout the United States. He has served as a clinician with over 150 school instrumental music programs and honor groups across more than 25 states. Tyler was a contributing author for Alfred Music Publishing Company’s Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development series and has contributed interviews to numerous podcasts and articles including School Band & Orchestra Magazine and The Instrumentalist. Notable conducting venues include The Midwest Clinic and all-state bands in Nebraska, Oregon, Alabama, Louisiana, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
Tyler is a graduate of the University of Alabama where he earned a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education and studied conducting with Professor Randall Coleman. Before becoming a full-time composer and arranger, Tyler served as the Director of Bands at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School from 2019-2023. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, and maintains an active composing and conducting schedule. His published works are available through The FJH Music Company, Inc., Alfred/MakeMusic Publications, and Tyler S. Grant Music Works, LLC.
Erika Svanoe
Dr. Erika Svanoe (b. 1976) is a conductor and composer for wind band, known for her lyrical melodies, nods to classic literature, musical deconstruction, humor, and pastiche. Her works have been performed by distinguished ensembles such as “The President's Own” United States Marine Band, the United States Army Band “Pershing‘s Own,” the US Navy Band, the US Air Force Band, and the National Concert Band of America. Her music has been featured on Wisconsin Public Radio, in Bandworld's Top 100, and the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. Her first major work, The Haunted Carousel, won the 2014 NBA Young Band Composition Contest. Her first album, "The Music of Erika Svanoe," was recorded by Andrew Boysen, Jr. and the University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony, and released in 2022.
As a conductor, Dr. Svanoe has been a guest faculty artist with the Manhattan School of Music Camerata Nova Wind Ensemble, interim conductor of the St. Olaf Band, and featured civilian guest conductor of the USAF Heritage of America Band. She has held collegiate appointments at Augsburg University, Bemidji State University, and the University of New Hampshire, and remains active as a guest conductor and clinician, appearing with high school, university, and All-State and festival ensembles across the United States. She is presently the conductor of the University of Wisconsin–Stout Symphonic Band.
She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The Ohio State University under Russel C. Mikkelson, where she served as conductor of the OSU Collegiate Winds, assistant conductor of the OSU Wind Symphony, and taught undergraduate conducting classes. Her DMA dissertation included a critical edition of Aaron Copland's El Salón México for wind ensemble. She holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Her music is published through Alfred Music, G.Schirmer/AMP, J.W. Pepper, and self-published through Swan Maiden Press. She is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). She is also the creator and publisher of Marrying Mr. Darcy, the Pride & Prejudice card game, and occasionally advocates and speaks on the topic of arts entrepreneurship, with appearances at the XOXO Festival and in a variety of gaming-related media. Originally from Whitewater, Wisconsin, she currently lives in Menomonie, WI with her husband, designer and graphic novelist Erik Evensen.
Christina Huss
With a career spanning 38 years in music education, Christina M. Huss has taught and conducted bands at both the middle school and high school level, most recently as Director of Bands at Valdosta Middle School, where she retired in 2016.
Throughout her career, Ms. Huss’ bands have performed in multiple venues throughout the Southeastern United States and have consistently received superior ratings in various state and regional events.
Ms. Huss has served in a variety of roles in state music affiliations and has enjoyed various honors and awards, including Teacher of the Year and STAR Teacher, during her 28-year tenure at Brooks County High School in Quitman, GA. Since retiring, Christina enjoys composing music for bands and orchestra, and continues to mentor and teach middle school band part-time for the Lowndes County, GA band program. Prior to coming to Lowndes County, she served as Director of Bands at both Valdosta Middle School in Valdosta, GA, and Berrien Middle School in Nashville, GA.
Ms. Huss’ primary focus is instrumental literature for young bands and orchestras, and can currently be found at Excelcia Music Publishing, Randall Standridge Music, Wingert Jones Music, and Carl Fischer Music. Her compositions are found on numerous State festival and contest lists, as well as J.W. Pepper’s Editor’s Choice picks and Bandworld Magazine’s Top 100. Most recently, Christina’s music has been featured in performances throughout the country, including the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.
Ms. Huss is an alum of Valdosta State University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education. She is a founding co-director and conductor of the Azalea Winds Community Band based in Valdosta, GA, where she continues to perform and serve as an adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician.
Most recently, Ms. Huss is a 2021 Recipient of the Citation of Merit from the Women Band Directors International. Currently, Ms. Huss lives in Valdosta, GA, where she enjoys spending time with her family, and is often found in the park or at the beach with her granddaughters.
Evan VanDoren
Evan VanDoren is an in-demand music composer regularly commissioned to create engaging & award-winning music for marching bands and concert ensembles at all skill levels. Evan’s music is regularly performed around the country, including premiere performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. In 2025, Evan was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Composition for his works, Luminosities & Prophetic Dances.
Evan serves as the brass composer & arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Santa Clara, California. Additionally, Evan is an active clinician who has presented at various events, including Drum Corps International, the Music Educators National Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Music for All. He regularly consults with music programs across the nation.
Before devoting his life to creating music, Evan was a band director at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During that time, the band was awarded multiple marching state championships and national recognition. He received a Bachelor’s in Music Education with Honors from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Katie, daughters Anna & Sara, and their dog, Cooper.
Randall D. Standridge
Randall Standridge (b.1976) received his Bachelor's of Music Education from Arkansas State University. During this time, he studied composition with Dr. Tom O'Connor, before returning to Arkansas State University to earn his Master's in Music Composition, studying with Dr. Tom O'Connor and Dr. Tim Crist. In 2001, he began his tenure as Director of Bands at Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Arkansas. He left this post in 2013 to pursue a career as a full-time composer and marching arts designer.
Mr. Standridge's music is performed internationally. He has had numerous works selected for the J.W. Pepper's editor's choice. His compositions Snake Charmer, Gently Blows the Summer Wind, and Angelic Celebrations have been included in the "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band" series. He has had numerous works performed at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. The Arkansas State University Wind Ensemble premiered his work Art(isms) at the 2010 CBDNA conference in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and his work Stonewall: 1969 was premiered at the National LGBA conference in 2019. His Symphony no.1: A Ghost Story was premiered in 2023 and was awarded third place for the American Prize in Composition in 2025. His works unBroken, Animation (Episode 1: WABBIT!), and Stonewall: 1969 have been named as honorable mentions for the American Prize as well. In addition, Mr. Standridge's "unBroken Project," a musical initiative about mental health, has received widespread acclaim for its musical content and for providing opportunities to normalize discussions about mental health for music students and audiences.
In addition to his career as a composer, Mr. Standridge is the owner and editor of Randall Standridge Music, LLC and Grand Mesa Marching. He is in demand as an arranger/designer for the marching arts. He lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas, with his husband, Steven, and their very, very spoiled pets.
