Name:
Mr. Sills
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SCHOOL:
Clinton Public Schools Band Department
CLASS:
Band
SCHOOL PHONE:
601 924 5519
James R. Sills, Jr.
Mr. Sills is now in his 11th year at Clinton High School and has been
Director of Bands 9 years for the district. His bands have consistently rated
Superior at all contests, in every category, both in the state of Mississippi
and out of state. Most recently, the Wind Ensemble rated Superior, Best in
Class and Best Overall Band at the Lone Star Showcase of Music Festival in
Dallas, TX, in the spring of 2008.
Past and present professional affiliations include Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu
Alpha, MS Bandmasters Association, Association of Concert Bands, National
Federation of High School Activities Association, and Phi Beta Mu. In the
summer of 1999, he served as the marching band director of the Mississippi
Lions All-State Band. In December of 2000, he was recognized by School Band
and Orchestra Magazine as one of the “50 directors in the United States that
make a difference in school music”. He also received the same honor again in
December, 2005. He has been nominated to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
on seven occasions as well as being inducted into the National Honor Roll of
Outstanding American Teachers.
Mr. Sills is married to Jennifer Sills and they are the proud parents of 7-
year old twins, Peyton and Kaitlyn. In his “spare” time, Mr. Sills rides and
trains his Tennessee walking horse, Ella.
Jennifer W. Sills
Mrs. Sills is currently in her eighth year as Assistant Band Director at
Clinton High School. Her duties include coordinating the Beginning Band
Classes and assisting with the 8th Grade Band at Clinton Junior High School.
Mrs. Sills is involved in each aspect of the High School Band program,
including assisting with the Jazz Band and Marching Band. Under her baton,
the Clinton High School Concert Band has consistently rated Superior in
Concert and Sight reading at the Mississippi High School Activities
Association State Band Festival. She has been a clinician for several area
band clinics over the past several years.
A graduate of Yazoo City High School, Mrs. Sills attended Hinds Community
College and Delta State University. She served as Drum Major of the Hinds
Eagle Band. While at Delta State, Mrs. Sills was an Honors Recital
participant for 5 semesters, a member of the Wind Ensemble under the
direction of Mr. Gary Cook and Mr. Ken Lewis. She received the Jeff Ross
Capwell Music Leadership Scholarship, was president of Mu Phi Epsilon music
fraternity and was included in the Omicron Delta Kappa international honors
fraternity while attending DSU. After graduating with honors in 1998, Mrs.
Sills served as Assistant Band Director at Forest Hill High School until 2001.
Professional affiliations include the Mississippi Bandmasters Association,
Texas Music Educators’ Association, Capital District Band Directors’
Association and Phi Beta Mu International Band Fraternity. Mrs. Sills is also
a member of the Mississippi Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. Craig
Young.
Last, but certainly not least, Mrs. Sills is the wife of James Sills,
Director of Bands for the Clinton Public School District, and the mother of 7-
year-old twins, Peyton and Kaitlyn.
Martin Buckhalter
In his seventh year at Clinton, Martin Buckhalter has eleven and a half years
of teaching experience and serves as an Assistant Band Director. Mr.
Buckhalter's duties include coordinating the band at Sumner Hill Junior High
School, teaching beginning Low Brass at Clinton Junior High School, assisting
with the Clinton High School Jazz Band, Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind
Ensemble, as well as teaching Low Brass sectionals and private lessons. Mr.
Buckhalter previously taught at Northwest Rankin Middle and High Schools in
Flowood, MS, and at Marianna High School in Marianna, FL. While at Marianna,
he was named to the “Who's Who Among America’s Teachers." Also while a
director in Marianna, the band program was awarded the Band Enrollment Award
by the Florida Bandmasters Association in 1999 and the bands were invited to
perform at the inaugural parade of Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the New
Years Day Parade in London, England.
Mr. Buckhalter received his Bachelors of Music Education in December, 1996,
and his Masters of Music Education in August, 2003, from the University of
Southern Mississippi. While a student, he studied conducting with Dr. Thomas
Fraschillo, Dr. Steven Moser and Dr. Gary Adam. He also studied tuba with Tom
Stein.
As well as playing tuba professionally, Mr. Buckhalter is often asked to
judge Solo and Ensemble Festivals and various auditions. His past and present
professional affiliations include the Mississippi Bandmasters Association,
Texas Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida
Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, National
Band Association and the Capitol District Band Directors Association where he
has served as Secretary for three years.
Mr. Buckhalter and his wife Betsy have two boys, James McClellan and Keagan
Adler, and reside in Brandon. When not at work, Mr. Buckhalter and his family
enjoy traveling to the mountains of Northeast Georgia.
David Vernon
Mr. Vernon is currently in his 3rd year as assistant band director at
Clinton. His duties include teaching the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade percussion
students at the junior high level. At the high school he coordinates the
marching percussion section and also teaches the 9th period percussion
ensemble class. Mr. Vernon also assists with the jazz band, wind ensemble
and concert band and teaches several private lessons.
Mr. Vernon is a graduate of East Central High School in Hurley Mississippi.
He attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and received his
Bachelors of Music Education degree from the University of Southern
Mississippi in December of 2006. While at USM Mr. Vernon served as the
drumline captain and as principal percussionist in the Wind Ensemble. He
also performed with the USM symphony orchestra, on clarinet with the Concert
Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Steel Band. In 2004 he performed as a member
of the snare section of the Madison Scouts.
Professional affiliations include the Mississippi Band Masters Association,
the Texas Music Educators’ Association, the Percussive Arts Society, and Phi
Theta Kappa honor society.
Mr. Vernon is happily married to his beautiful wife Eleyna Vernon. They
currently reside in Clinton.
Eleyna Vernon
Mrs. Vernon is currently in her second year of teaching at Clinton. She
recently graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2007 with
honors in music education. She is a former member of the USM Wind Ensemble,
Symphony Orchestra, and The Pride of Mississippi. She attended high school
at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA.
Mrs. Vernon's duties with the Clinton Band program include teaching the 8th
grade band, helping with the beginner band, and working with the marching
band and concert band at the high school. She also teaches private clarinet
lessons.
Professional affiliates include Mississippi Bandmaster Association, Texas
Music Educators Association, and International Clarinet Association.
She currently lives in Clinton with her husband David.
