Clinician Detail

What Do I Need From the Music Supervisor?

Clinic Synopsis:

This double-session will identify and stimulate discussion on the various roles and expectations of music leaders from different perspectives. The sessions will also focus on developing priorities and broadening understanding. NOTE: Limited enrollment to 60 Music Administrators through registration.

Mike Back - Biographical Information

Mike Back has been at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia since 1985, where he serves as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair. Prior to his appointment as Director of Bands, Mr. Back served as the assistant director at Walton for thirteen years. Before coming to Walton, Mike was the percussion coordinator and arranger for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. As a native of Alexandria, Kentucky, Mike attended Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1981. Under Mr. Back’s leadership, the band program at Walton has 300 students performing in four concert bands, marching band, two jazz bands, full orchestra and winter guard. The band has received national recognition through performances at Bands of America Regional and Grand National competitions. The band has also marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and is a two-time participant in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. In 2010, the John Philip Sousa Foundation presented the Walton Band with the prestigious Sudler Shield. Mr. Back is a member of the National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, the Percussive Arts Society, Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Beta Mu and Who’s Who Among Americas Teachers. He also served on the staff of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Marching Band that performed in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. Mr. Back has served as a clinician, judge and consultant throughout the United States and is an educational artist for Innovative Percussion. He lives in Marietta, Georgia with his wife Andrea, and their two children, Katie and Connor.

Stephen Meyer - Biographical Information

Stephen Meyer is currently serving as the Interim Assistant Director of Bands at the University of South Carolina where he is teaching courses in music education, conducting the University Band, assisting with the Carolina Marching Band, and supervising student teachers. Prior to USC, Stephen was the Director of Bands at Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas. Under his direction, the Clear Creek Wind Ensemble was recently a featured performer at the 2013 Midwest Clinic, has twice been named a National Winner in the National Wind Band Honors Project, a runner-up for the 2013 American Prize in Wind Ensemble Performance, and the Grand Champion of the 2013 Dallas Wind Symphony Invitational. He previously taught at Harrison High School in Cobb County, Georgia, where he assisted with performances at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the Georgia Music Educators Association, and the University of Georgia January Festival. As Co-Director of the Marching Band, the band was a consistent Bands of America Regional and Super-Regional Finalist, a Bands of America Grand National Finalist in 2007, and a featured ensemble in the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Stephen graduated magna cum laude from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and in 2013, graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Michigan. In 2008, Stephen was one of three conductors chosen to participate in the National Band Association Young Conductor Project and in 2009, was selected to participate in the Frederick Fennell Memorial Conducting Masterclass. Stephen has presented clinics at The Midwest Clinic, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and the Illinois Music Educators Association and has been a contributing author to the Teaching Music through Performance in Band series. His modern adaptation of Florent Schmitt’s original work for wind band, Selamlik, has been recorded by the Showa Wind Symphony of Japan and performed at major universities across the country.

Grant Rivera - Biographical Information

Dr. Grant Rivera currently serves as the Chief Leadership and Learning Officer for the Cobb County School District. Cobb County School District has 114 schools that serve over 110,000 students in the metro-Atlanta county. He served as principal for nine years, which includes South Cobb High School in Austell, Georgia (2005-2009), Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia (2009-2011), and Westlake High School (2011-2014). Prior to being appointed principal, Grant held positions as a high school assistant principal, special education teacher, and coach in Cobb County, Georgia. Grant received a B.S. in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and an M.A. in Learning Disabilities from the University of Alabama. He holds a Doctorate of Education from the University of Alabama, with an emphasis in School Law. Grant has been associated with numerous professional development activities in the area of school law, school law enforcement officer research, and special education law. He also served as adjunct professor of Educational Law at the State University of West Georgia. Grant has worked with several school districts around the country as a consultant and practitioner for school improvement and family engagement. Grant and his wife, Jennifer, live in Atlanta.