Our Team
Bill Register has over 35 years’ experience in the marching arts. After marching in the 27th Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps (Revere, MA), Bill went on to become one of the Few and the Proud, spending three years in the U. S. Marine Corps music program. Bill then earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina, where he studied with Jim Hall, arranged percussion for the Carolina Band and performed with the South Carolina Philharmonic as well as the university’s symphonic band and percussion ensemble. In 1990 Bill began his involvement with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, where he served in many capacities, including Percussion Caption Head and Arranger, Program Coordinator, Staff Coordinator, and Director of Operations. His expertise and dedication propelled the corps to a DCI Division II World Championship in 1993 and to its first showing in the elite "Top 12" in 1995. In 1997 Bill became Director of Percussion at Fort Mill (S.C.) High School where he developed the percussion program into a premier scholastic music educational organization. His Percussion Ensemble was a two-time holder of the WGI Scholastic Concert World Championship and a Marching Scholastic A Finalist. Bill currently teaches at Ashley Ridge High School (Summerville, SC).
Marty McCartt is a freelance composer and arranger for junior high, high school, and collegiate level concert, marching, and jazz bands, as well as percussion and other small ensembles. He has written for and instructed the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, the Western Carolina University Marching Cats, the Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble, and many other outstanding national scholastic musical organizations. Acclaimed for his fresh, creative, and unique compositional style, Marty is always at the forefront of cutting-edge musical design. His product demonstrates his sensitivity to the overall concept and the resulting coordination that must exist among the visual and musical aspects of a production. His dedication to the overall effect is manifest in his music and his proven abilities in the realm of overall program coordination.
Joshua V. Hinkel serves as the Associate Director of Bands at River Bluff High School in Lexington, South Carolina. Ensembles under his direction have received superior ratings at festivals as well as numerous regional, state and circuit championships. Before coming to River Bluff, Mr. Hinkel served as Director of Bands at Ashley Ridge High School in Summerville, SC, Lake View High School in Lake View, SC and R.H. Rollings Middle School of the Arts in Summerville, SC. In constant demand as a composer and arranger, his works can be heard from concert halls of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. to the performing venues of Drum Corps International (DCI), Winter Guard International (WGI) and Bands of America (BOA).
Recently, Mr. Hinkel was the staff arranger for the Coastal Carolina University “Spirit of the Chanticleer” Marching Band and brass arranger for the Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps from Seattle, WA and Spokane Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps from Spokane, WA. His marching music affiliations include the Spirit of Atlanta, the Tampa Bay Thunder, Coastal Surge, Racine Scouts in addition to numerous high school and college programs throughout the United States. Currently, he also and is a featured concert band composer with C. Alan Publications from Greensboro, NC and Alfred Publishing from Van Nuys, CA.
Mr. Hinkel is a member of the Vic Firth Educational Team. He holds the B.M. in Music Education from the University of South Carolina and the M. Ed. in Secondary Education from Coastal Carolina University. Mr. Hinkel’s passion is to create new and exciting music for students of all ages in addition to teaching life-skills, leadership and the art of music making. He is also a national board certified teacher (NBCT). He resides in Lexington, South Carolina with his wife Jessica, Yorkshire Terrier Joey and attends NewSpring Church.
William Pitts is a composer, conductor, and arranger from Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up in Carrollton, Georgia, Will began his musical studies in piano and choir at age seven, saxophone in grade five, and began his conducting studies in grade seven. Pitts graduated summa cum laude from Emory University, where he studied saxophone, conducting, and composition. He was the first student to complete an Honors Project in both Conducting and Composition. He has completed graduate study in Music at North Georgia University and the University of Michigan.
Pitts served as a Conductor of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps of Rockford, Illinois, for three years (2005, 2007-2008). He was a finalist for DCI's Jim Jones Leadership Award all three years. In 2008, the Regiment took first place honors as World Champions at the Drum Corps International Finals. Will was also honored as Regiment's 2008 Mark Glasscoe Member of the Year. He has also served on Regiment's management and teaching staff.
Pitts is active as a music designer, adjudicator, and instructor for high school band programs throughout the country. Marching ensembles performing his arrangements have been recognized as Texas State Marching Band Finalists, along with Bands of America Regional Finalists, Regional Champions, and Grand National Finalists. His compositions and arrangements have been commissioned and performed across the United States, Brazil, and Australia. He has written works for and been commissioned by the University of North Texas, the Dallas Opera, Wake Forest University, the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble, the Vega String Quartet, the Atlanta Saxophone Quartet, the Northwinds Symphonic Band, horn virtuoso J.D. Shaw, tuba virtuoso Christian Carichner, and numerous high school and collegiate wind and chamber ensembles. He has also served as a production consultant and talent for Tom Blair, Inc., Drum Corps International, and MTV.
Pitts' recent Honors and Awards include the 2008 Katherine Blumenthal Award for Composition, the 2009 Emory University Music Department Nominee for the Sudler Prize in the Arts, and the 2010 Award Recipient of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Band Directors Association Grant for Young and Emerging Wind Band Composers.
As a music educator, Pitts has served on the faculties of Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas, and Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in instrumental music, conducting, and music theory.
Lewis Norfleet is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting at the University of Washington, studying with Timothy Salzman. Prior to coming to UW, Mr. Norfleet taught at the secondary and collegiate levels for 17 years. Recently, he served as Director of Bands at Union High School (WA), a position he held since the school opened in 2007. During his tenure, Union HS ensembles performed at the 2010 Midwest Clinic, 2012 Music for All/Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, 2013 NAfME Northwest Conference, and the 2010 and 2012 Washington Music Educators Association State Conferences. From 2007 to 2013 he also served as co-conductor of the Southwest Washington Wind Symphony performing numerous concerts each year, including an appearance at the Western International Band Clinic in 2009. Prior to teaching at Union, his high school programs in Oregon and Washington were recognized as Oregon State Concert Band Champions (2005), three-time Northwest Marching Band Circuit Champions (2003, 2005, 2006), and were twice named a Grammy Signature School (2004, 2005). Before teaching in the public schools, Mr. Norfleet was the Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Director of Bands at Oregon State University (1996-2002). While at OSU the bands performed at the Fiesta Bowl, Oahu Bowl, and the National Concert Hall in Taiwan. He is an alumnus of the University of Oregon where he graduated with honors was was named the Outstanding Graduate Student in Music Education in 1997.Mr. Norfleet is also active as a composer and arranger having produced over 250 works for concert band, marching band, jazz band, symphony orchestra, percussion ensemble and various chamber ensembles. While most of his works have been privately commissioned, some have been published by Tapspace Publications, Matrix Publishing, Jalen Publishing, Marching Monk, Center X Productions, and Marching Show Concepts. He currently serves as a composer and/or arranger for ensembles across the United States and is in demand as an adjudicator and clinician for concert and marching festivals throughout the country.
Tim Fairbanks has taught at Centerville HS (OH) since 1997, serving as the Marching Percussion Director until 2011 and is currently the Drill Designer for the marching band, winter guard, and indoor drumline, which is a consistent Scholastic World Finalist at the WGI World Championships. Centerville Indoor Drumline is the 1999 Scholastic Open Champion and 2004 WGI Scholastic World Champion. Tim is the Director and Visual Designer for Rhythm X, WGI Percussion Independent World Class Champion in 2008, 2009, 2013 and has been the Drill Designer for the Bluecoats (Canton, OH) and Blue Stars (Lacrosse, WI). He proudly endorses the products of Pearl/Adams, Evans/D’addario, Sabian Inc., and is a Signature Artist with Innovative Percussion. Tim is the Vice President-Percussion for WGI Sport of the Arts, serving on the WGI Board of Director’s Executive Committee, in addition to membership on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and Steering Committee. Tim is an internationally in-demand clinician, designer, arranger and adjudicator.
Jon Crochet is a writer, editor, engraver, adjudicator, and performer. Jon received his bachelor’s degree in music media from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, and his master’s degree in music business and entertainment industries from the University of Miami, where he studied in-depth the multifaceted recording and music publishing industries.
Jon’s works for indoor and outdoor ensembles have been performed throughout the United States and Canada. His clients have comprised of groups ranging from early elementary to advanced musicians, including the University of Miami Band of the Hour.
In addition to creating arrangements for various percussion ensembles, Jon produces professional engraving for clients in all fields of music, from solo instrument and method books to contemporary wind bands and orchestras.
Currently, Jon is involved in the music publishing industry as a copy editor and engraver for The FJH Music Company Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He resides in Rock Hill, South Carolina, with his wife, Lorrie, and two sons, Kaleb and Ashton.
Nicholas Sipe resides in Murfreesboro, Tennessee where he is working on his undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education at Middle Tennessee State University. His teachers include Lalo Davila, Julie Davila, Derek Phillips, and Matt Jordan. While at MTSU, Nick has performed with many ensembles, including the Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, “Band of Blue” marching band, Steel Band, Salsa Band, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and the Wind Ensemble. With the Wind Ensemble, he has performed works such as David Maslanka’s Symphony No. 9 along with the U.S. and world premieres of other modern works. In the summer of 2013, Nick traveled with the "West Percussion Group" to Spain to perform in various Spanish cities, under the direction of Dr. Brian West. Additionally, Nick has performed with the Nashville Symphony.
Nick is currently the front ensemble instructor with the Franklin High School marching band based out of Franklin, TN. The Franklin marching band is an active competitor in BOA and placed 21st at BOA Grand Nationals in 2014. In 2015, he joined the staff of Music City Drum & Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician. Nick also teaches the front ensemble at Metro Indoor Percussion, a Scholastic A indoor drumline based out of Nashville, TN.
James Boyce graduated from East Carolina University in 2006 where he majored in Music Education. Since graduation, he has served music organizations across the United States through teaching and music composition. His formal experience began with instructing and arranging for the Havelock High School percussion program in Havelock, NC from 2005 through 2010. During this time, he was also an instructor for the West Carteret High School 2007 Indoor Percussion Theater, which was a WGI Scholastic A Regional Champion that year. In 2008, Jim was a co-front ensemble instructor with the WGI Independent World percussion ensemble, Constitution. Jim's growing interest in the indoor percussion activity led him to found, direct, and co-design the WGI Independent A percussion ensemble, Craven, in 2009. In 2010 they received a Bronze Medal at the WGI World Championships under his direction.
While freelance percussion teaching and composing is a passion, Jim's career has been in public education. From 2006 to 2010, he taught band at Havelock Middle School in Havelock, NC where his ensembles consistently received excellent and superior ratings. From 2010-2013, Jim was the Assistant Director of Bands and the Percussion Director at Northern Nash High School in Rocky Mount, NC. While in this position, the percussion program was honored to perform twice with the East Carolina University Percussion studio, receive a gold medal at the 2011 Atlantic Indoor Association Championships, win their class at the 2012 Spartanburg WGI Regional, receive silver medals at the 2012 and 2013 Atlantic Indoor Association Championships, and perform at the 2013 NC Day of Percussion East. Following his tenure at Northern Nash, Jim assisted with the opening of a new middle school and band program in the city of Rocky Mount, NC, serving as the band director and then assistant principal of the school. Throughout his teaching career, Jim also taught privately, having multiple students participate in the NC All-State Bands. Currently, Jim is a high school administrator in Durham, NC.
Jim has held memberships in the National Association of Music Educators, the North Carolina Band Master’s Association and the Percussive Arts Society. He has also served on the North Carolina Band Master's State Marching Band Committee and the Winter Guard International Percussion Advisory Board. Jim currently resides with his wife Cassie and their dog Ellie in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and hopes that both his service in education and musical compositions will lead students to more fulfilling lives. Jim proudly endorses Vic Firth drum sticks and mallets.
Chris Moss is the Director of Bands at Pendleton High School in Pendleton, South Carolina, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the Florida State University. Chris has performed in many organizations including the Florida State University Marching Chiefs, the Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, Paradigm Winter Guard, and Northeast Independent Winter Guard. Previously, Chris served nine years as the Assistant Band Director and Color Guard Caption Supervisor at Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina. Additionally, Chris has served on the brass staff with Capital Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps and the Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps.
Chris is currently a member of the South Carolina Band Director’s Association and the National Association for Music Education while being a National Board Certified Educator. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Carolina Indoor Performance Association and is an Adjudicator during Marching Band, Winter Guard, Winter Percussion, and Drum Corps seasons and is affiliated with Drum Corps International and Bands of America.
Chris has served as Drill Designer, Conceptual Designer, Program Coordinator, or Program Director for many award-winning marching bands and winter guards across the Southeast. Marching Band awards include State Finalists, Upper and Lower State Championships, State Championships and BOA Regional Finalists. Winter Guard awards include Circuit Championships, WGI Regional Finalists, WGI Regional Championships, WGI Elite Regional Championships, and WGI World Championship Finalists in the Scholastic A, Independent A, and Scholastic Open Classes.
Chris is married to Dr. Alison Starr-Moss, has two daughters, Lily and Evie, and two dogs: Schatzi and Pippin.
Monk, a Boxer, was a gift to Bill from the members of the Fort Mill High School Percussion Ensemble in May 2004. Monk immediately became "Bill's Best Friend" and in short order was promoted to Marching Monk’s Executive Muse. Monk’s exceptional demeanor and canine abilities led to his acceptance into obedience education with renowned trainer Michael Deangry, who recognized Monk as being "unlike other dogs" and "having a special, unique, positive energy." Since graduating with high honors, Monk has consistently displayed his skills in accepting and performing all commands (e.g., sitting, heeling, staying, shaking, speaking, lying down, going to bed, and praying as all good monks do). Monk is a self-starter in all pursuits—maintaining tip-top physical conditioning, guarding the premises, tail wagging, being an all-around good doggie, and making humans smile.