CSJA Presents: Inside the Judge's Circle

In Episode 5 of CSJA Presents: Inside the Judge’s Circle, we sit down with longtime CSJA adjudicator, percussion educator, and renowned marching arts announcer Brad Bell to explore a career that has taken him from the drumline to the judging box and behind the microphone at some of the activity's biggest events.We begin with Brad's journey growing up in Greenville, Ohio, where his musical experiences started in an unexpected place: the flute section. From teaching himself percussion to discovering drum corps and eventually performing with Northern Aurora and the Glassmen, Brad shares the experiences, educators, and opportunities that shaped his lifelong connection to music.We then explore his time at Bowling Green State University, where he balanced concert band, marching band, vocal performance, and drum corps. Along the way, we hear some unforgettable stories, including how an impromptu performance with the university's men's chorus landed him on the stage of Late Show with David Letterman.Our conversation moves into Brad's experiences as a percussion educator and adjudicator, including his early days with CSJA, the challenges of judging fast-paced competitions, and the importance of providing meaningful feedback to performers and directors. We also discuss his approach to teaching percussion, developing young musicians, and the value of building strong fundamentals.From there, we discover how Brad found his way into an entirely different side of the marching arts. What began as an unexpected opportunity to explore his talents behind the microphone eventually led to announcing opportunities with Drum Corps International, WGI, Bands of America, and countless other marching arts events. Brad takes us behind the scenes to share the preparation, research, and attention to detail required to bring these performances to audiences across the country.We also get a more personal look at the person behind that unmistakable voice. Brad opens up about experiencing stage fright, the unique way he manages those nerves, and why a simple deck of playing cards has become an essential part of his announcing routine.As our conversation unfolds, we reflect on the moments that remind us why we love this activity. From unforgettable performances that bring entire arenas to their feet to the deeply personal connections we form through music, Brad shares why the marching arts continue to inspire him after decades of involvement.And of course, we still make time for the really important questions, including whether a marimba belongs in a lake, what really happens to percussionists' shoes after tour, and just how much trouble Brad could get into with ten seconds of microphone immunity at DCI Finals.Whether you're a judge, director, educator, performer, percussionist, or marching arts fan, join us Inside the Judge’s Circle.

In Episode 4 of CSJA Presents: Inside the Judge’s Circle, we sit down with CSJA Visual Caption Head Jeremy Tate to explore the connection between teaching and judging, the evolution of visual performance, and the experiences that make the marching arts so meaningful.We begin with Jeremy's journey from small-town Humboldt, Tennessee, where his early experiences in band and the influence of a dedicated music educator helped shape his future in the activity. From performing on the field to becoming a band director, drum corps educator, and adjudicator, Jeremy reflects on the people and opportunities that helped guide his career.We then look back at Jeremy's 15 years as Director of Bands at Gibson County High School, including four state championships and the unforgettable experience of leading a combined ensemble of five high school bands to the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. Along the way, we discuss how his definition of success evolved and why the experiences students take with them often mean far more than the awards they receive.Our conversation then turns to Jeremy's unique perspective on education and adjudication. Having spent years on both sides of the judging process, Jeremy shares how being a band director made him a better judge and how judging, in turn, made him a better educator. We also explore his current role supporting middle and high school band directors and why mentorship remains such an important part of his work.We dive into Jeremy's responsibilities as CSJA Visual Caption Head, from recruiting and training new judges to reviewing recorded commentary and providing meaningful feedback to experienced adjudicators. We discuss the importance of balancing the "what" and the "how" in an evaluation, recognizing achievement, and delivering commentary that directors can actually use to improve their programs.We also explore the evolution of visual design and general effect, including the increasingly theatrical nature of marching band productions, the relationship between music and movement, and how designers continue to push the boundaries of what can happen on the field. Jeremy shares what captures his attention as a visual judge and why the emotional impact of a performance can be just as important as its technical execution.Throughout our conversation, one idea continues to emerge. Whether Jeremy is working with students, mentoring directors, or helping judges refine their craft, education is at the center of everything he does. For him, the marching arts are about much more than scores and championships. They're about creating opportunities, building relationships, and making a lasting impact on the people involved.And of course, we still make time for the really important questions, including what happens when you ask a visual caption head to explain his job using a lawn chair, a rubber chicken, and a slice of pizza.Whether you're a judge, director, designer, educator, performer, or marching arts fan, join us Inside the Judge’s Circle.

In Episode 3 of CSJA Presents: Inside the Judge’s Circle, we sit down with CSJA Education Director Stephen Alia to explore the creative process behind visual design, the importance of collaboration, and the relationships that make the marching arts so special.We begin with Stephen's journey in the activity, from his early experiences as a performer to his work as a drill designer, educator, adjudicator, and leader in the indoor winds community. Along the way, we hear about the experiences and people that shaped his career, including the moment he first discovered the world of drum corps.We dive into the world of visual design and explore how Stephen approaches writing for programs of all sizes and competitive levels. From Friday night halftime shows to nationally competitive ensembles, we discuss why understanding a program's goals, resources, and performers is essential to creating a successful production. We also explore the collaborative relationship between music and visual design, finding your own creative voice, and why the first idea isn't always the best one.We also get Stephen's unique perspective on the relationship between designing and judging. We explore how his experience in the press box informs his creative decisions, the importance of evaluating a program on its own merits, and how judges can recognize and reward achievement without allowing their personal design preferences to influence their evaluations.Our conversation then moves indoors as we discuss Stephen's involvement with WGI Winds, the evolution of the activity, and how increasingly theatrical productions are pushing the boundaries of what performers can accomplish on the floor.We also take a closer look at Stephen's role as CSJA Education Director, including the organization's ongoing commitment to judge training, professional development, and continuing education through its seminars and Parlor Sessions.Throughout our conversation, one idea continues to emerge. Whether Stephen is designing a production, mentoring an educator, training judges, or celebrating the success of a small school band program, the greatest rewards come from the people involved and the relationships built along the way.And of course, we still make time for the really important questions, including just how many dots Stephen writes in a year and why almost anything sitting on his desk could become the inspiration for his next show.Whether you're a judge, director, designer, educator, performer, or marching arts fan, join us Inside the Judge’s Circle.

In Episode 2 of CSJA Presents: Inside the Judge’s Circle, we sit down with CSJA Music Caption Head Dr. Nick Riley to explore how teaching, judging, designing, and performing all connect within the marching arts.We begin with Nick’s own journey, from growing up in the Centerville High School band program to becoming a band director, percussion educator, arranger, adjudicator, and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Northern Kentucky University. Along the way, we hear how the people who shaped his early experiences in music continue to influence the way he approaches the activity today.From there, we go behind the scenes of CSJA’s music caption and take a closer look at how judges are recruited, trained, assigned, and evaluated. We also explore what Nick listens for when a band takes the field, including uniformity, clarity, musicality, and the importance of recognizing the personal biases every judge brings into the box.We then step back to look at Music General Effect and what Nick describes as “big picture music.” Our conversation moves through the relationship between marching band, DCI, and WGI, how those parts of the activity influence one another, and why staying connected to all corners of the marching arts matters for today’s adjudicator.Nick also takes us inside Connexus, the indoor percussion ensemble he co-founded, and shares how working directly with performers continues to shape his approach as a judge, designer, and educator.As the conversation unfolds, we arrive at a common thread running through nearly everything Nick does. Whether he is writing music, working with performers, training judges, or making commentary from the press box, it all comes back to teaching.And of course, we still make time for the really important questions, including what Nick would judge if music were completely off the table and what a judging sheet for a cooking competition might actually look like.Whether you're a judge, director, designer, educator, performer, or marching arts fan, join us Inside the Judge’s Circle.

In the inaugural episode of CSJA Presents: Inside the Judge’s Circle, our hosts Sean Sumwalt and Robert “Bob” Fischer sit down with Central States Judges Association Executive Director David Kaiser to explore what really goes into judging the marching arts.David reflects on his 23 years with the Central States Judges Association, from his earliest experiences as a judge to the extensive training, feedback, and continuing education that help CSJA adjudicators stay current with an ever-evolving activity.We dive into what judges are actually evaluating, the balance between what performers are being asked to do and how well they achieve it, the evolution of general effect, and how adjudication has shifted from simply identifying mistakes to recognizing and rewarding achievement.David also shares where CSJA is headed next, including continued education, new initiatives, and the association’s growing efforts to support programs and help build better bands across the country.And of course we also get into the really important questions like what concession-stand food will get you through a 30-band contest.Whether you're a judge, director, educator, performer, or marching arts fan, welcome "Inside the Judge’s Circle."