MARCHING BAND SAMPLES AND PERFORMANCES
Each of the performances below are groups that I taught as well as drill that was designed, written, and taught by me. I have experience writing over 300 marching band shows since 2001 and continue in the activity by writing drill annually, guest teaching, and adjudicating.
CLICK HERE to download a sample of drill charts written for the Murray State Racer Band.
*I use Pyware Version 11 to create drill, and prefer the Ultimate Drill Book App for teaching drill to students.
In 2022, I served as both Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Murray State. This is a video of the Racer Band Performance at the annual Festival of Champions - a High School Marching Band Festival that brings 20+ groups to campus each year. I served as director, teacher of record, Drill writer, and program coordinator of this ensemble. Show selections include Rock You by Dirty Loops, Music for a Sushi Restaurant by Harry Styles, About Damn Time by Lizzo, Maria by Ricky Martin, and River Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turner.
The 2021 Murray State Racer Band was invited to perform at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, IN on November 12, 2021. I served as the director of the Racer Band, program coordinator, and drill writer. This experience was incredible for our students especially coming out of COVID. Show selections for the Grand National performance included Happy Days are Here Again, Toxic by Brittney Spears, Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles, La Mordiditax by Ricky Martin, and When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge.
This performance is the one and only time the 2020 Murray State Racer Band performed. The football season was canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; however, on October 25th, 2020, each student was allowed to invite two guests to the stadium to watch our only performance of the year. These students worked diligently to prepare a show for about 250 people. I was honored to work with such a dedicated group of students to make this labor of love happen. I served as director and wrote all the drill for this production. Song selections include Into the Unknown from Frozen II, Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, Solo Con Verte, and Thriller by Michael Jackson.
In 2019, I served as a Graduate Assistant for the University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Band. This is the 1st show of our 2019 season, and I wrote all of the drill for this show. I was given multiple opportunities in rehearsals to lead the instruction of the show as well.
Please enjoy this performance by the University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Band. This is the 3rd show of our 2019 season. I wrote all of the drill for the show and taught the ensemble for the rehearsals leading up to this performance. I was given a total of 8 hours of rehearsal time to put this together, and it was the first time ever that the Wildcat Marching band performed to different portions of the stadium throughout the halftime show.
Please enjoy this performance by the Evergreen High School Marching Band. This band was 2nd place in the all-northwest marching band circuit in 2017. this show features music by Richard Wagner, Javier Navarrete, and Jonathan Elias. I served as the head band director at Evergreen High School and also created the visual design, wrote the drill and was the principal instructor for the group.
Please enjoy this performance by the Douglas MacArthur High School band from 2012. The show is entitled Solaris with music by Frank Sullivan and also drill/visual design by me, Brent Johnson. I also served as the head band director and principal instructor for this ensemble.
Please enjoy this performance by the Winston Churchill HS Marching Band from 2008. This band was a three-time BOA Regional Finalist, and a Texas 5A state Finalist. Musical Works include Medea's Dance of Vengeance and Symphony No. 1 by Samuel Barber. I served as the Assistant Band Director and visual/drill designer.
Please enjoy this performance by the Daviess County High School Marching Band from 2007 at the Kentucky Music Educators Association State Marching Band Championships. This band was a bands of america Regional Finalist and placed 5th in the state of Kentucky for 2007. The music is Five Day Forecast by Frank Sullivan. I served as head band director, program coordinated, and drill/visual designer.
Please enjoy this performance of the Daviess County High School Marching Band from 2006 at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Marching Band State Championships. This band was a Kentucky State Finalist and 4th place overall for 2006. I served as the head band director, program coordinator, and drill/visual designer.