
THE SUMMER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The Summer Leadership Institute fosters growth within the leadership of high school music programs. During this two-day event, 400 students from around the Southeast come together to learn effective leadership strategies and skills that will better equip them for leading themselves, their sections, and their ensemble.
The 2023 Institute sessions included keynote speaker Frank Troyka in sessions designed to motivate and inspire young musicians. Breakout sessions with Jerell Horton, Jeff Harper, David Roth, and Bridget Wildes focused on communication, team building, problem solving, public speaking and more. Directors attending the Director Track actively discussed new teaching methods focusing on highly effective and practical teaching techniques.
The Summer Leadership Institute is the place to get a head start on next year’s thinking today, make connections, get new ideas and learn new strategies from experienced educators and clinicians in the field.

COMPREHENSIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Learn the skills you need to lead!
Rehearsal Skills
Section Leader Skills
Team Building
Group Management Fundamentals
Problem-Solving Skill Development
Personal Growth
2023 SCHEDULE
Monday
Registration Opens
Keynote Session #1
Meet your Group Leader
Breakout #1
11:15 – 12:05 Breakout: Watts, Harper, Geer
11:15 – 12:05 Lunch: Wildes, Horton, Roth
12:20 – 1:10 Breakout: Wildes, Horton, Roth
12:20 – 1:10 Lunch: Watts, Harper, Geer
Breakout #2
Keynote Session #2
Breakout #3
Breakout #4
4:55 – 5:45 Breakout: Watts, Harper, Geer
4:55 – 5:45 Dinner: Wildes, Horton, Roth
6:00 – 6:50 Breakout: Wildes, Horton, Roth
6:00 – 6:50 Dinner: Watts, Harper, Geer
Camp Photo
Campus Greenway
Keynote Session #3
Dismissal
Tuesday
Doors Open
Keynote Session #4
Breakout #5
Breakout #6
11:40 – 12:30 Breakout: Wildes, Horton, Roth
11:45 – 12:35 Lunch: Watts, Harper, Geer
12:50 – 1:40 Breakout: Watts, Harper, Geer
12:45 – 1:35 Lunch: Wildes, Horton, Roth
Report to Sports Arena for Special Topics
Special Topics
Drum Majors: Classroom South 408
Color Guard: Sports Arena 4th Floor Gym (East)
Percussion: Sports Arena 4th Floor Gym (West)
Orchestra/Choir: Langdale Hall 318
Woodwinds: Classroom South 150
Brass: Classroom South 608
Keynote Session #5
Dismissal
Locations
Geer Breakout: Classroom South 408
Harper Breakout: Langdale Hall 700
Horton Breakout: Classroom South 608
Roth Breakout: Sports Arena 4th Floor Gym (West)
Watts Breakout: Sports Arena 4th Floor Gym (East)
Wildes Breakout: Classroom South 150
Keynote Sessions: Sports Arena
Meals: Piedmont Central Dining Hall
2023 Schedule
Monday
Registration Opens
Keynote Session #1
Breakout #1
Joe Huls: What to Expect from your Drill Designer
Lunch
Breakout #2
Keynote #2
Observe Student Breakout Sessions
Breakout #3
Big Note Instrument Repair
Breakout #4 - Observe a Session
Randall Coleman: But It’s Just ME! Successfully managing the marching band program when the “staff” is just “you”.
Dinner
Camp Photo
Campus Greenway
Keynote Session #3
Dismissal
Tuesday
Doors Open
Keynote Session #4
Breakout #5
Observe a Student Breakout Session
Breakout #6
Randall Coleman: Where Has the MUSIC Gone? Your ensemble should, first and foremost, play well. Ideas, rehearsal techniques and tips to keep music as the primary focus of your program.
Lunch
Report to Sports Arena for Special Topics
Special Topics - Observe a Session
Drum Majors: Classroom South 408
Color Guard: Sports Arena 4th Floor Gym (East)
Percussion: Sports Arena 4th Floor Gym (West)
Orchestra/Choir: Langdale Hall 318
Woodwinds: Classroom South 150
Brass: Classroom South 608
Keynote Session #5
Dismissal
Locations
Director Track: Langdale Hall 318
Geer Breakout: Classroom South 408
Harper Breakout: Langdale Hall 700
Horton Breakout: Classroom South 608
Roth Breakout: Sports Arena 4th Floor Gym (West)
Watts Breakout: Sports Arena 4th Floor Gym (East)
Wildes Breakout: Classroom South 150
Keynote Sessions: Sports Arena
Meals: Piedmont Central Dining Hall
2023 BREAKOUT SESSION LEADERS

Jeff Harper
Jeff Harper is the Associate Band Director at Lassiter High School and currently serving in his 25thyear as a high school music educator in Cobb County, Georgia. Harper earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia, a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois, and Specialist in Education from Berry College. Harper studied conducting with Dr. Dwight Satterwhite, Dr. John Culvahouse, and Mr. James Keene.
Harper serves as a clinician and adjudicator for concert bands and marching bands throughout the United States and abroad through Bands of America, Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, the Japan Marching Band Association, Drum Corps Japan and the Malaysia Marching Band Association. In 2021, Harper presented at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and serves as the Keynote presenter for the Georgia State University’s Student Leadership Institute. Harper has guest conducted the Georgia Brass Band, regional honor bands, and university high school music workshops. He has developed curriculum and taught leadership clinics at the University of Georgia Summer Leadership Camp and the Georgia State Student Leadership Institute.
Harper’s ensembles have performed at the National Concert Band Festival, The Georgia Music Educators Conference, and the University of Georgia High School Music Workshop. Harper is a four-time recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence. As an assistant director with Kennesaw Mountain and Lassiter High Schools, the bands have performed at The Midwest Clinic, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rose Parade®, and the Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Parade. Harper resides in Kennesaw with his husband David Roth and his son Jacob.

Jerell Horton
Jerell Horton has been the band director at Vestavia Hills High School since 2006. He is a graduate of Samford University. Prior to his appointment at Vestavia Hills, he served as assistant director at Pizitz Middle School and Vestavia Hills High School. While at Vestavia Hills, the bands have consistently earned superior ratings 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 in 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 is 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 the 2017 Music for All Tournament of Roses teaching staff. He is married to Monica Horton (also an educator) and they have four children; Madina Jaimes, Israel, Chism, and Loula Grayce.

Matthew McCord
Matthew M. McCord is an accomplished attorney who has helped many clients in the Atlanta area with both criminal defense and personal injury cases. The Law Office of Matthew M. McCord, P.C. is based in McDonough, Georgia. McCord provides clients in Atlanta, Jonesboro, Fayetteville, and the surrounding cities and counties with aggressive, passionate, and informed representation. After receiving his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law, McCord worked as a prosecutor for the government as well as a defense attorney for insurance companies. He spent two years working for the Clayton County solicitor general and one year as an assistant district attorney for Newton County. These experiences gave him the well-rounded perspective he brings to his practice today. Matthew McCord also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia.

David Roth
David Roth joined the faculty at Kell High School as the Assistant Director of Bands in 2008 and was named Director of Bands in 2011. Under his direction, the Kell Wind Ensemble has performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (2017), the Music For All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival (2017), the GMEA State Convention (2016), and the January High School Music Festival (JanFest) in Athens, GA (2013). In 2010, the Kell Wind Symphony performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the marching band won two BOA Regional Championships. Prior to joining the Kell program, Mr. Roth was the Assistant Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School where he conducted the Kennesaw Mountain Wind Symphony at the 2006 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and was a part of multiple BOA regional championship marching bands between 2004-2008.
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Mr. Roth graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Music Composition and earned his Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois. He was a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from 2000-2003, serving as the corps’ drum major from 2001-2003. While a member of Carolina Crown, he helped found the Carolina Crown Student Leadership Task Force, an initiative aimed at enhancing the level of student leadership within the corps that is still in effect today.
Mr. Roth is currently an active clinician, guest lecturer, adjudicator, and music arranger across the Southeast. His professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, the National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Georgia Music Educator’s Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Roth lives in Kennesaw, GA with his husband Jeff and seven-year old son Jacob.

Bridget Wildes
Bridget Wildes is currently Fine Arts Assistant at the Buford High School after serving seven years as the Associate Director of Bands at Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia. Mrs. Wildes is a native of Lawrenceville, Georgia and received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia State University in 2013 and Master of Music in Music Education in 2019 from Kent State University. While at GSU, she was a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra. She also served as one of the inaugural drum majors of the GSU Panther Marching Band. Mrs. Wildes studied oboe with Dr. Lara Dahl and conducting with Dr. Robert Ambrose, Dr. Chester Phillips and Dr. David Vandewalker.
Mrs. Wildes currently assists with the band programs at both Buford High School and Buford Middle School, including the Marching Band of Wolves. She also works closely with the Buford High School Theater department, assisting with musical theater and the One Act Play competition. During her time at Mill Creek High School, their ensembles were invited to perform at the Kennesaw State University Concert Band Invitational, the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival at Georgia State University, the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, the University of Georgia January Music Festival, the University of Alabama Honor Band Clinic and the 2019 Music for All National Concert Band Festival as a featured ensemble. The marching band was a consistent grand champion at marching band competitions, ten time Bands of America Regional Finalist, and three time BOA Class AAAA Regional Champion. The Mill Creek Winds were also named two time WGI Winds World Championship Silver Medalists.
Bridget Wildes is an active clinician, adjudicator and freelance musician, as well as a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Band Association. She is the current District 13 High School Band Chair, and plays an active role in the organization of District 13 events. She has presented twice at the GMEA In-Service Conference- in 2019 on developing and maintaining student leadership and in 2020 on taking the next step in your program to reach your goals. She has also been an invited clinician at the Georgia State University Summer Leadership Institute and Georgia State University Double Reed Day. Bridget and her husband Jacob, a band director as well, reside in Suwanee with their four year old son, Caleb, and their newborn daughter, Kerry Beth.
Dr. Adam F. Dalton
Georgia State University
Dr. Adam Dalton was the Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Marshall University. He oversaw all aspects of a comprehensive band program, including concert bands, the Marching Thunder, and basketball pep bands. He also conducted the Marshall Wind Symphony, taught courses in music education and conducting, and served as the recruitment director for the music department. Before this position, Dr. Dalton served as Director of Athletic Bands at Marshall for five years.
Dr. Dalton is a native of Virginia, where he attended James Madison University and earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. After graduating, he moved to Atlanta, GA, where he taught high school at Milton High School, an extensive 5A program in Georgia. He then accepted a Graduate Teaching Assistantship at The University of Alabama, where he received his Master of Arts in Music Education and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting. Dr. Dalton performed with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps for three years earning two world championships and a gold medal in individual and ensemble. He also marched in various independent winter guards in the southeast, consistently making finals at Winter Guard International. His designing and teaching experience includes the 2008 World Champion Phantom Regiment, The Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, The Cadets, Troopers, and Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He is featured on the WGI video, Toss, and served as a clinician and performer for the first everSpinfest Clinic, an annual educational event sponsored by WGI. Dr. Dalton maintains a busy schedule as a designer, consultant, and adjudicator for marching bands and indoor groups nationally and internationally.
Dr. Dalton worked with every ensemble at The University of Alabama and was a featured conductor for the 2013 All-State Festival performance with The Alabama Wind Ensemble. His high school band received superior ratings at the Large Group Performance Association. As a percussionist, Dr. Dalton performed with the Alabama Wind Ensemble for four years, including their ten-day tour of Italy in 2012. He is a founding member of the Alabama Winds, a community band based in Birmingham, AL. He has also participated in the Alabama Wind Ensemble recording project, The Glass Bead, available on Albany Records.
T. Devin Reid
Georgia State University
T. Devin Reid is currently an active musician and educator throughout the southeast. A native of Fayetteville, NC, Mr. Reid is a 2005 recipient of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship. He holds a Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
In 2018 Mr. Reid accepted the position as Assistant Director of Bands at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Prior to this, Mr. Reid served as the interim assistant director of bands for two years. In this capacity he co-teaches the Panther Marching Band, conducts the Basketball Band, conducts the University Concert Band, teaches undergraduate and graduate level conducting courses, and supervises student teachers in the field. Since his arrival, the GSU Concert Band has grown to become the largest instrumental concert ensemble at the university. With Mr. Reid’s direction, the GSU Panther Band performed in 2019 as part of the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show, been accepted as a CBDNA Southern Region top marching band in 2020, and been accepted to perform in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade.
Mr. Reid has presented clinics and workshops at numerous state music conventions. He is a recurrent guest conductor at the International Euphonium and Tuba Festival. He is also an active concert band and marching band clinician and adjudicator throughout Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, American String Teacher’s Association and is an endorser for Sabian Cymbals.
FEES
Student registration fees are based upon the group size. Registration includes access to all Student Track sessions, all materials for the Institute, Institute T-Shirt, lunch and dinner on Monday, and lunch on Tuesday.
Student Group Size:
1-9 students: $105.00 per student
10-19 students: $100.00 per student
20-29 students: $95.00 per student
30+ students: $90.00 per student
In compliance with the University System of Georgia’s Minors on Campus Policy, the Summer Leadership Institute requires all participants who will be under age 18 at the time of the program to have an adult director or adult chaperone present for the entire Institute.
Adult registration fees are per person and include access to all Keynote Sessions, lunch and dinner on Monday, and lunch on Tuesday. Directors are also provided access to all Director Track sessions and materials for the institute in addition to the Keynote Sessions and indicated meals.
Adult Registration Cost:
$55 per person
Those who wish to be housed close to campus are responsible for booking their own rooms. Directors aiming to bring a body of students should plan to reserve a hotel block. There are numerous housing options near campus.
We are offering a group rate at the hotels listed below. Please book directly with the hotel and direct all your questions to the booking office.
Book your group rate for GSU-Summer Leadership Institute You will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event. |
Event Summary: GSU-Summer Leadership Institute |
Start Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023 |
End Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 |
Last Day to Book: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 |
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate: Residence Inn Atlanta Downtown for $142 per night |
Book your group rate for GSU-Summer Leadership Institute You will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event. |
Event Summary: GSU-Summer Leadership Institute |
Start Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023 |
End Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 |
Last Day to Book: Tuesday, May 22, 2023 |
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate: Atlanta Marriott Marquis Book your group rate for GSU-Summer Leadership Institute Reservations Toll Free: 1-866-469-5475 |
Book your group rate for GSU-Summer Leadership Institute You will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event. |
Event Summary: GSU-Summer Leadership Institute |
Start Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023 |
End Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 |
Last Day to Book: Tuesday, May 31, 2023 |
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate: The Candler Hotel Book your group rate for GSU-Summer Leadership Institute 127 Peachtree Street NE,Atlanta, GA 30303USA phone+1 404-523-1200 |