My name is Brady Massey, and I have two decades of experience arranging, composing, doing clinics, and writing drill. While I've done a lot of judging as well, I'm cutting back on that because of this business.
I am currently an assistant band director at Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas. I am in my 18th year of teaching, but began designing while in college and drum corps. I will serve as an assistant band director at Arkansas State University in the Spring of 2008, conducting the ASU Concert Band.
I was the drum major for the Sky Ryders of Hutchinson, Kansas, from 1986-1988. I had the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the top names in our business. Keith Hall, who now owns The Band Hall (arguably the best source for uniforms, guard equipment and supplies) was my drum major instructor and our visual caption head. Tommy Keenum was our program coordinator, and Mark Wessells was our percussion instructor. Larry Kerchner was our brass arranger, and our drill was designed by Marc Sylvester. Obviously, there were many more individuals responsible for the success of the corps during those three years, but these "names" are among the top in our industry. I was also fortunate to work with folks who are now among the top music educators in the country, including Dr. Chris Knighten and Mr. Frank Troyka.
I received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas in 1989, where I studied with Russell Langston, Steve Pederson and Denis Winter. I either designed or assisted with the design of all of our marching performances during my last three years there.
My Master's Degree is in music composition. I studied with Dr. Jared Spears at Arkansas State University, earning my degree in 1990. While there, I was also fortunate to work with Patricia Brumbaugh and Dr. Tom O'Connor.
I began teaching at Trumann (AR) High School, and was there for six great years. I taught for a year at Hoxie (AR) High School before moving to Pocahontas. I am proud to say that my bands have earned consistent superior ratings since my second year of teaching, and have won numerous titles and honors in local, state, regional and national events. Most recently, I have enjoyed ten successful years as director of bands at Pocahontas High School in Pocahontas, Arkansas.
I taught the Delta Brigade Drum and Bugle Corps for the 1994, 1995, and 1997 seasons, serving as program coordinator and visual caption head. We were DCI's "Corps of the Year" in 1994 and 1995. This award is for the most improved drum corps of the season. In division II/III competition (smaller corps), we finished 14th, 5th, and 13th in the three seasons we toured together, and were the II/III Drum Corps South Champions in 1995. Since there were around 60 II/III corps, these were all honors.
My professional affiliations include the American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, the Arkansas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, and the National Band Association. Past affiliations include Kappa Kappa Psi, the American School Band Directors Association, and I served as secretary for Drum Corps South and on the board of directors for Dixie Band Camp. Among the awards I've been honored to receive include Teacher of the Year in the Trumann and Pocahontas School Districts, the KAIT-TV Golden Ruler Award for Excellence in Education, ASBDA Young Director of the Year, Phi Beta Mu Young Director of the Year, and was a finalist for Arkansas Teacher of the Year in 1994.
My wife Carol, my daughter Makenzie and I make our home in Pocahontas, Arkansas.