The System: Marching Band Methods Authors

Author Foreword

Marching bands and drum corps have evolved significantly over the decades, serving both traditional roles at sporting events and parades, and competing in festivals and competitions. The wide variety of these ensembles presents a challenge in adopting a uniform approach to their management and instruction. Consequently, there is no universally accepted standardization of terminology, teaching methods, or techniques.

The success of exceptional marching bands and drum corps is rooted in a strong foundation of basic principles. Performance quality improves in direct proportion to the mastery of these fundamentals. Therefore, it is crucial for the leadership within these bands to engage in ongoing learning and development. It is my hope that directors and leaders tasked with managing marching organizations will implement "The System" to either establish or enhance their programs, aiming for the highest levels of performance.

GARY E. SMITH
Associate Director of Bands and Director of the Marching Illini, Emeritus 
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 
President of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA)—2018

AWARDS:
‍
The University of Illinois Alumni Association Outstanding Educator

The Mary Hoffman Outstanding Music Educator

The Spirit of the Illini from the University of Illinois Athletic Association

The Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal

The 2015 Outstanding Alumni Award in the School of Music at Ball State University

FEATURED PUBLICATIONS:

The Instrumentalist
The School Musician
Band Director’s Guide

Author Bio

Gary Smith earned his B.A. from Butler University and his M.A. from Ball State University. His early career included roles as Director of Bands at Northside High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana (1964-68), and Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana (1968-72). He then served as Assistant Director of Bands and Marching Band Director at Indiana State University from 1972 to 1976. From 1976 to 1998, and briefly in 2004, he was Associate Director of Bands at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. There, he led the Marching Illini, Basketball Band, and Symphonic Band II, and taught marching band procedures and band arranging.

A member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association since 1988, Gary was nominated as its president for 2018. He is also involved with Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, the College Band Director’s National Association, the National Band Association, and the Florida Music Educators Association.

Gary's notable contributions include assisting with the 2005 Orange Bowl Halftime show, co-directing the Oklahoma Centennial All State Marching Band at the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade, and producing the finale for Singapore's 50th Anniversary of Independence Youth Celebration in 2015.

He formerly owned Smith Walbridge Clinics, a summer camp for music students and educators, and continues as a clinician. His extensive experience as a consultant, guest conductor, and clinician spans the United States and countries including Singapore, China, Australia, Japan, Canada, Ireland, and France.

Currently, he is the associate producer of the annual Disney Thanksgiving Parade of Bands in Orlando, FL, has coordinated the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl band festivities since 1987, and conducts the Bonita Springs Concert Band in Florida.

Contributing Authors

Dr. Corey Spurlin
Associate Director of Bands Auburn University
 —Chapter XII. Drill Design

Dr. David Waybright
Director of Bands University of Florida 
—Chapter XIII. Conducting/Tests

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser
Conn–Selmer 
—Chapter I. Leadership

Barry L. Houser
Associate Director of Bands University of Illinois, President of Smith Walbridge, Inc. 
—Chapter IV. The Drum Major

Matthew Black
Percussion Director Carmel HS, IN 
—Chapter X. Marching Percussion

Tom Keck
Director of Bands Utah Valley University 
—Chapter X. Marching Percussion

Jim Bailey
D’Addario & Company/ Evans Percussion 
—Chapter X. Marching Percussion/Tuning Drums

Scott Casagrande
Director of Bands Hersey HS, IL

David Maccabee
Director of Bands United Township HS, IL

Alfred Watkins
Director of Bands, Emeritus Lassiter HS

Jann-Michael Greenburg
Vice President of Business Affairs at Tresóna 
—Chapter II. Music/Copyright Laws

Chris Borgard
M.S., CSCS Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist Cal Poly State University

Roland Barrett
Composer / Arranger University of Oklahoma 
—Chapter II. Music/Editing Existing Arrangements-Examples

Shannon M. Clark
University of Kentucky Auxiliary CoordinatorAssistant Director Lexis Marching Arts—Chapter XI. Colorguard

J. Robert Arnold
Morehead State University Colorguard Assistant Director Lexis Marching Arts
—Chapter XI. Colorguard

Steve Scherer
Director of Bands Geneseo HS, IL