McEachern Band Directors
Mr. Harper
Mr. Jeff Harper is currently Director of Bands at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA. Before his appointment at McEachern High School, he was the Associate Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School for nine years. While teaching at Kennesaw Mountain High School, the band program received acclaim through national and regional performances including the Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic, Bands of America, and Winterguard International.
Mr. Harper received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Music Education Degree from the University of Illinois. While at UGA, Mr. Harper studied trumpet with Albert Ligotti, Moffit Williams, and Fred Mills, former and founding member of the Canadian Brass. His conducting teachers include Dr. Dwight Satterwhite, Dr. John Culvahouse, and Mr. James Keene. Also, Mr. Harper was Drum Major of the University's Redcoat Marching Band. Mr. Harper was a member of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps from Bergenfield, New Jersey in 1996. In 1998, Mr. Harper was on staff with the Cadets, who won the Drum Corps International World Championship.
Mr. Harper is an adjudicator and clinician for music education. He has served as a guest clinician for numerous school groups as well as served as a national adjudicator for the marching band and drum corps activity. In 2002, Mr. Harper began judging for Drum Corps International and continues to judge throughout the United States and abroad. Mr. Harper was an international evaluator and clinician on two occasions for the Drum Corps Japan championship in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to judging, Mr. Harper teaches leadership clinics and conducting seminars to students each summer at the University of Georgia. His professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Drum Corps International.
Mr. Harper received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Music Education Degree from the University of Illinois. While at UGA, Mr. Harper studied trumpet with Albert Ligotti, Moffit Williams, and Fred Mills, former and founding member of the Canadian Brass. His conducting teachers include Dr. Dwight Satterwhite, Dr. John Culvahouse, and Mr. James Keene. Also, Mr. Harper was Drum Major of the University's Redcoat Marching Band. Mr. Harper was a member of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps from Bergenfield, New Jersey in 1996. In 1998, Mr. Harper was on staff with the Cadets, who won the Drum Corps International World Championship.
Mr. Harper is an adjudicator and clinician for music education. He has served as a guest clinician for numerous school groups as well as served as a national adjudicator for the marching band and drum corps activity. In 2002, Mr. Harper began judging for Drum Corps International and continues to judge throughout the United States and abroad. Mr. Harper was an international evaluator and clinician on two occasions for the Drum Corps Japan championship in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to judging, Mr. Harper teaches leadership clinics and conducting seminars to students each summer at the University of Georgia. His professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Drum Corps International.
Ms. Cicco
Cecilia Cicco is Assistant Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chair at McEachern High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Master of Science in Special Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ms. Cicco is currently working on a Doctorate in Musical Arts at Boston University.
Ms. Cicco is an active marching band and pageantry arts adjudicator. She has served on the Review Committee for the National Association of Secondary School Principals and as a member of the MENC: The National Association for Music Education Band Advisory Committee. In addition, Ms. Cicco serves as a division coordinator at the Music for All, Inc. Summer Symposium eHer professional affiliations include MENC, Georgia Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and Mu Phi Epsilon. She is also a Faculty Lifetime Member of The TRI-M Music Honor Society.
Ms. Cicco is an active marching band and pageantry arts adjudicator. She has served on the Review Committee for the National Association of Secondary School Principals and as a member of the MENC: The National Association for Music Education Band Advisory Committee. In addition, Ms. Cicco serves as a division coordinator at the Music for All, Inc. Summer Symposium eHer professional affiliations include MENC, Georgia Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and Mu Phi Epsilon. She is also a Faculty Lifetime Member of The TRI-M Music Honor Society.
Ms. Knight
Brittany Knight is currently serving her first year teaching as Assistant Band Director at McEachern High School, having recently moved from Leesburg, Virginia. Ms. Knight graduated in May of 2009 with her Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. While at JMU, she studied clarinet with Dr. Janice Minor, and performed as principal clarinetist of the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Knight was a member of “Virginia’s Finest” -- the JMU Marching Royal Dukes, and served as Drum Major in the Fall 2008 season, including their performance in the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Ms. Knight is currently a clarinetist with the Cobb Wind Symphony, under the direction of Mr. Alfred Watkins. She teaches the Concert and Symphonic 1 Bands, Chamber Winds, and assists with Mr. Harper & Ms. Cicco’s classes at McEachern. Her professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, the International Clarinet Association, and Tau Beta Sigma.
Ms. Knight is currently a clarinetist with the Cobb Wind Symphony, under the direction of Mr. Alfred Watkins. She teaches the Concert and Symphonic 1 Bands, Chamber Winds, and assists with Mr. Harper & Ms. Cicco’s classes at McEachern. Her professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, the International Clarinet Association, and Tau Beta Sigma.