Judges

Capital City is very pleased to announce our line-up of judges for the 2008 Capital City Marching Festival.

Mr. Charles Brown,
Colorguard Judge

A recent transplant to Austin, Texas, Charles Brown hails from Los Angeles, California. Starting out as a saxophone player in his high school marching band, he was cut the second week of band camp. His band director told him that he would never make it in the marching band world; a quote that he later regrets in saying.

A trained dancer, he was quickly spotted by the color guard instructor and earned a spot in the rifle line.

After a brief tour with the Disney Entertainment Division in the early 80’s, he went on to march with the 1988 DCI World Champions, the Madison Scouts. Having also performed with the L.A. Motion Winter Guard and the Kingsmen Winter Guard, he gained a strong appreciation for the pageantry arts.

He serves as an adjudicator for Winter Guard International, Drum Corps International, Drum Corps America, Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, Texas Color Guard Circuit, Winter Guard Association of Southern California and serves as an invited guest in many other circuits across the country.

Charles also has found his way into the regional theatre scene having served in the staring role as “Smudge” in the holiday classic, Plaid Tidings at the Zachary Scott Theatre in Austin, Texas.

Tyler OrbisonMr. Tyler Orbison,
Percussion Judge

Tyler Orbison is the Percussion Coordinator and Caption Head of the Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has worked with this group since 2006 in many capacities, including snare tech, battery coordinator, and designer/arranger. Tyler works in Arlington, Texas, as a percussion specialist at Lamar High School, where he serves as percussion arranger for the marching band, as well as designer/arranger for the Lamar PASIC drumline. Tyler is also active with the Lamar Percussion Ensemble, which will be featured this spring in a showcase concert at BOA’s Music For All National Festival. Currently, Tyler is designing and arranging for several WGI groups, including Surround Sound Percussion, based in Arlington, Texas, where he also works as Assistant Director. Tyler is an active arranger, clinician, performer, and adjudicator.

Mr. Bill Watson,
Music Judge

Bill Watson is in his 27th year of music education. He is currently in his 10th year as Director of Bands at Richland High School in the Birdville Independent School District. Previous positions include Director of Bands at Spring High School, Associate Director of Bands at Westfield High School, and Director of Bands at Wells Middle School , all in the Spring Independent School District. During his tenure, the marching bands at his high schools have won numerous marching festivals, including 5 Texas UIL State Championships, 9 Bands of America Regional Championships, and the 1993 Bands of America Grand National Championship.

Concert bands under Mr. Watson’s direction have been named a TMEA Region Honor Band each time they were entered dating back to 1981, advancing to the TMEA state competition on 7 occasions. The 1984 Wells Middle School Band was the TMEA Class C Honor Band, and bands from Spring and Richland High Schools have earned 5 appearances.

Mr. Watson has 12 years of drum corps experience as a brass and music ensemble instructor. He worked for the Sky Ryders from 1991-1992, the Cavaliers’ from 1995-1997, Santa Clara Vanguard from 1998-2003, and is in his 2nd year with the Blue Devils. Mr. Watson has taught with 9 top five corps and 2 D.C.I. World Champions.

Mr. Watson has served on the Bands of America Advisory Board for the past 10 years. He has also served as the Texas Music Adjudicators Association Marching Band Vice-President. He serves as a judge and clinician throughout the United States. Professional affiliations include TMEA, TBA, TMAA and Phi Beta Mu.

Mr. Zol Waterhouse,
Visual Judge