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 recently moved from Pittsburgh, PA to Metro Atlanta to serve as the Assistant Band Director at McEachern High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Master of Science in Special Education from Duquesne University.
While in Pennsylvania, Ms. Cicco served as the Director of Bands at Deer Lakes High School and Thomas Jefferson High School. She also taught for the Diocese of Pittsburgh prior to her move to public schools in 1998. While under her direction, the band programs consistently received superior ratings at district and regional concert band and jazz band festivals.
An avid percussion educator, adjudicator, and clinician, Ms. Cicco hosted the Annual Pittsburgh Day of Percussion since 1998. In addition she was the Director of Percussion for Three Rivers Winter Ensemble Association. She served as a consultant and technician for several high schools including Norwin, High School. She was also the Front Ensemble Instructor for the General Butler Vagabonds Division III Jr. Corps and the Pit Caption Head for Conquest Percussion and Project Percussion Independent Open and World Class WGI Finalists.
Ms. Cicco performs with the Cobb Wind Symphony and the Georgia Brass Band. She is an active marching band and pageantry arts adjudicator with USSBA, FFJA, and SAPA.
Did you know…that Ms. Cicco has met Pope John Paul II, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and three different American presidents?
While in Pennsylvania, Ms. Cicco served as the Director of Bands at Deer Lakes High School and Thomas Jefferson High School. She also taught for the Diocese of Pittsburgh prior to her move to public schools in 1998. While under her direction, the band programs consistently received superior ratings at district and regional concert band and jazz band festivals.
An avid percussion educator, adjudicator, and clinician, Ms. Cicco hosted the Annual Pittsburgh Day of Percussion since 1998. In addition she was the Director of Percussion for Three Rivers Winter Ensemble Association. She served as a consultant and technician for several high schools including Norwin, High School. She was also the Front Ensemble Instructor for the General Butler Vagabonds Division III Jr. Corps and the Pit Caption Head for Conquest Percussion and Project Percussion Independent Open and World Class WGI Finalists.
Ms. Cicco performs with the Cobb Wind Symphony and the Georgia Brass Band. She is an active marching band and pageantry arts adjudicator with USSBA, FFJA, and SAPA.
Did you know…that Ms. Cicco has met Pope John Paul II, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and three different American presidents?
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 Mr. Ralph Skiano. Ms. Knight was the principal clarinetist of the JMU Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and performed regularly with chamber ensembles. Ms. Knight was a member of “Virginia’s Finest” -- the JMU Marching Royal Dukes, and served as Drum Major, 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 two band classes and a chamber winds class, 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 two band classes and a chamber winds class, 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.