Band Faculty
David Willson is in his eighteenth 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 a member on the international board 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 sixth year as the Assistant 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
Deanna Nicholson- Niceville, FL
Deanna Nicholson is from Niceville, Florida and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Mississippi. As a clarinetist, she has performed in the UM Wind Ensemble, the UM Orchestra, the Corinth Symphony Orchestra, and the student woodwind quintet. She is active in the Sigma Alpha Iota music sorority, she is a member of Pi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda and the International Clarinet Association.
Alex Sargent- Smithville, MS
Alex Sargent is from Smithville, Mississippi and holds an Associate's Degree from Itawamba Community College and a Bachelor's degree in Music from the University of Mississippi. While at ICC, he earned many awards including Outstanding Band Member and the Fine Arts Department Award. While at Ole Miss, Alex participated in the Pride of the South Marching Band and was principal tuba in the UM Wind Ensemble.
David Samson- Rolla, MO
David Samson is from Rolla, Misssouri and is in his first 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.
Nelson Rodriguez- Brandon, FL
Nelson Rodriguez is from Tampa Bay, Florida and holds a Bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. He comes to Ole Miss after serving as a coordinator for high school music festivals at Walt Disney World. As a string bassist he has performed with numerous ensembles including the Belmont and Vanderbilt University Orchestras, the Disney World Orchestra and the Blue Lake International Orchestra. He is a former member of the Vanderbilt University "Spirit of Gold" marching band.
Instructional Staff
PERCUSSION-
Lee Moyer, Andy Murphy and Keith Morgan
COLOR GUARD-
Jada Presley-Forsythe
REBELETTES-
Carley Russell
SPIRIT COORDINATOR-
Amanda Hoppert
VISUAL DESIGNER-
Alan Temby
BAND SECRETARY-
Kristina Boggan