The Citation of Excellence is a competition for Texas non-varsity high school & middle school bands
Brian Merrill
Brian Merrill currently serves as Conductor of the Mansfield Wind Symphony, an all-volunteer organization of adult musicians who have the passion and ability to perform advanced wind literature. In 2021, the Mansfield Wind Symphony performed at both the Texas Bandmasters Convention and at the Midwest Clinic. Merrill also serves as a consultant and clinician for DFW area middle school and high school bands.
Merrill taught band for seven years in the Irving ISD and 23 years at Duncanville High School. After retiring from public school teaching, Merrill served for eleven years as Adjunct Associate Professor of Music Education at Southern Methodist University.
Merrill is a Past President of the Texas Bandmasters Association and served TBA as the Coordinator of the Academy for New Band, Choir and Orchestra Directors for 8 years. In 2013, the Texas Bandmasters Association recognized Merrill with the Meritorious Achievement Award. In 2021, Merrill was inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
Anthony Maiello
Anthony J. Maiello received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Ithaca College in l965 and l967, respectively. He also studied at the National Conducting Institute in Washington, D.C., under the direction of Mr. Leonard Slatkin, Musical Director of the National?Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as a Cover Conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Maiello’s many professional credits include clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor of All-State, All-State Sectional, Regional, District, All-County and All-City ensembles, with appearances throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, Europe, The Netherlands and The Bahamas. He conducted musical activities for the Gold Medal Ceremonies at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, the New York State Music Camp & Institute; has served as New York State Music Association adjudicator; clinician with Yamaha, and clinician for Warner Bros. Publications, President of the International Association of Jazz Educators – New York State Chapter and as Musical Director for Music Festivals International. He is an elected member of The American Bandmasters Association and ASCAP, and holds membership in the National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, New York State School Music Association, Virginia Music Educators Association, Virginia Jazz Service Organization, The College Music Society and The American Symphony Orchestra League.
Mr. Maiello’s academic experience includes extensive teaching in the public schools. He served as Professor of Music and Chairman of Performance at the Crane School of Music, Potsdam College of SUNY, Potsdam, New York, where his duties included advanced instrumental conducting, applied clarinet, woodwind and percussion techniques; and conductor of the Crane Wind Ensemble. Under his direction, the ensembles at Crane and George Mason University have commissioned many new works, made numerous recordings and appearances statewide and at regional and national conferences in the United States and Canada. He is the author of CONDUCTING: A HANDS-ON-APPROACH, CONDUCTING NUANCES: LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT, and co-author of the 21st CENTURY BAND METHOD.
Anthony Maiello travels widely presenting clinics, lectures and workshops, and guest conducting and adjudicating numerous music festivals. He was Phi Beta Mu Band Director of the Year for the year 2015, and served as adjudicator / clinician for the ASTA National Orchestra Competition.
