Band Faculty
David Willson is in his nineteenth year as Director of Bands at the University of Mississippi. Under his leadership the band has developed into a truly outstanding university band and has doubled in membership. A Jackson, MS native who attended Provine High School and the University of Mississippi, Mr. Willson has directed bands in Mississippi at Independence, Columbus and Clinton. His bands have consistently won awards at the state and national level. Mr. Willson was awarded the A.S.B.D.A. Outstanding Young Band Director Award in 1985 and in 1990 the Mississippi Bandmasters Outstanding Band Director of the Year. Willson worked on the Mississippi Lions All-State Band Staff five times including serving as head director in 1995 when the All-State Band won the international parade in Seoul, Korea. He has served as president of the Mississippi Bandmasters, Mississippi Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, the state chair of C.B.D.N.A., and served four years on the N.F.I.M.A. national board. He is now currently serving as the International President of Phi Beta Mu. Willson is active nationally as a conductor, adjudicator and speaker. Mr. Willson conducts the UM Wind Ensemble and instructs music education and various courses within the music department. His “Band Calisthenics” and “Starting Beginning Bands” books are used extensively throughout the Mid-South. Mr. Willson was the 2005-2006 recipient of the Frist award for outstanding service to students and is the 2006-2007 recipient of the Elsie M. Hood Oustanding Teacher Award for the University of Mississippi.
Dr. Bill DeJournett is in his seventh year as the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Mississippi. His duties include assisting with the marching band, conducting the "Rebel Rebound Sound" basketball band, conducting the UM Symphonic band, and teaching courses within the music department. Prior to coming to Ole Miss, Dr. DeJournett was Director of Athletic Bands at Colorado State University and at Elon University in North Carolina. Dr. DeJournett has also taught in the public schools of Alabama and Georgia. He posesses degrees from the David L. Walters Department of Music at Jacksonville State University, Northern Illinois University, and the University of Mississippi.
Dr. DeJournett is the author of "Brass Secrets", and his articles have appeared in the Instrumentalist, Fanfare, the NFIMA Journal and the NACWPI Journal. He has presented his research at professional confereneces throughout the Southeast and in Seattle, Washington. His professional associations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Omicron Delta Kappa, the Mississippi Bandmaster Association, Music Educators' National Conference, the College Music Society and the College Band Directors' National Association, and has served as state chair for the National Band Association. Dr. DeJournett has conducted honor bands and adjudicated concert festivals in Mississippi, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina, West Virginia and Saskatchewan. He has earned a reputation as a respected marching band adjudicator having judged numerous contests in Georgia, North Carolina, Colorado, Mississippi and Arkansas and is currently sanctioned by the USSBA. Dr. DeJournett is a former member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and a former member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps of Rockford/Loves Park, Illinois, and has instructed various drum corps at the Open Class and World Class levels.
Graduate Assistants
David Samson- Rolla, MO
David Samson is from Rolla, Misssouri and is in his second year of Doctoral studies at the University of Mississippi. He has taught in the public schools of Missouri for six years in St. Elizabeth, Salem and the St. Louis areas. David holds degrees from Central Methodist University and the University of Central Missouri. He has studied conducting from Patrick Casey. His professional memberships include the Missouri Bandmasters Association, Missouri Music Educators Association, MENC and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Ashley Winstead- Union, MS
Ashley Winstead is from Union, Mississippi and holds the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Mississippi and an Associate's Degree from Itawamba Community College. While at Ole Miss, Ashley was a member of the UM Symphonic Band, the Pride of the South, the Lafayette/Oxford/University Orchestra, and Women's Glee. In 2008 she served as a student instructor for the Ole Miss Colorguard. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and Sigma Alpha Iota. She was awarded the Taylor Medal in 2009.
Eric Bonds- Cumming, GA
Eric Bonds is from Cumming, Georgia and is in his first year of Doctoral studies at Ole Miss. Eric has taught Elementary through High School bands in the public schools of metro Atlanta, most recently in the Fulton County School System. He holds degrees from North Georgia College and State University and Boston University. His professional memberships include the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, and Percussive Arts Society.
Michael Blake- Hopatcong, NJ
Michael Blake is from Hopatcong, New Jersey and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Elon University in North Carolina. As a student at Elon, Michael was a member of several ensembles including Brass Quintet, Wind Ensemble, and “The Fire of the Carolinas” marching band where he served as trumpet section leader in the 2008 season. Michael is a four-time recipient of the Phillips-Perry academic award and is a member of Mu Phi Epsilon professional music fraternity.
Instructional Staff
PERCUSSION-
Lee Moyer, Andy Murphy and Keith Morgan
COLOR GUARD-
Ashley Winstead
REBELETTES-
Carley Russell
SPIRIT COORDINATOR-
Amanda Hoppert
VISUAL DESIGNER-
Alan Temby
BAND SECRETARY-
Kristi Boggan