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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.