Mr. Sills has taught in the Mississippi public school system for 19 years. Many of his bands have rated superior in both concert and marching, and have received “Best in Class” honors in many marching competitions. He is presently serving as director of Bands in the Clinton Public School District. In addition to his teaching and conducting responsibilities, he also maintains a very busy schedule teaching private lessons. He has served as guest clinican and adjudicator in Mississippi and South Carolina.

His past and present professional affiliations include Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, Mississippi Bandmasters Association, Association of Concert Bands, National Federation of High School Activities Association and Phi Beta Mu. He has also served on the board of the Jackson Wind Symphony and has performed as principal saxophone with the Mississippi Symphonic Winds. Mr. Sills served as conductor of the Capital City Concert Band for 1993-1995. In the summer of 1999, he served as Head Marching Director for 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. In 2002, he was named to the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.”

He and his wife, Jennifer, are proud to be on the staff of the Clinton Public Schools Band program and are the parents of twins, James Peyton and Kaitlyn Olivia.

Mrs. Sills is current in her third year as Assistant Band Director at CHS. Her duties include coordinating the Beginner Band at CJHS, assisting with the 8th Grade Band, Jazz Band and Marching Band. She also conducts the Concert Band second semester. Under her baton, the CHS Concert Band has consistently rated Superior in both Concert and Sight Reading at the Mississippi High School Activities Association State Band Festival.

A graduate of Yazoo City High School, Mrs. Sills attended Hinds Community College and Delta State University. 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 and the Texas Music Educators' Association, 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 and the mother of two-year-old twins, Kaitlyn and Peyton.

In his second year at Clinton, Martin Buckhalter has six 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, Symphonic Band, 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.”

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 one child, James McClellan, and reside in Brandon. When not at work, Mr. Buckhalter and his family enjoy traveling to the mountains of Northeast Georgia.