Elegance Winterguard

Staff:

There are many members of this organization that perform tasks that you will never see so that you can perform and enjoy this activity. Here is the hierarchy of those who will be working with the J. J. Kelly Band.

Mr. Donnie Sorah is the Director of Bands at J. J. Kelly High School. Mr. Sorah holds a Bachelor of Music and Masters Degree in Performance from Morehead State University. He has been teaching at J. J. Kelly since 1996. Mr. Sorah will be the authority on all band and color guard matters. All aspects of the program require his attention and approval. All discipline and code of conduct issues are subject to Mr. Sorah's discression. You may contact Mr. Sorah concerning any issue by calling 328-9144.

Mr. Michael Cox is the visual designer for J. J. Kelly High School. Mr. Cox holds a Bachelor of Music from Cumberland College and a Masters Degree in Music Education from East Tennessee State University. Mr. Cox has been on staff with the J. J. Kelly Band since 1994. As the visual designer, Mr. Cox creates the marching show concept along with drill and design of the show. He coordinates all visual production including: marching, drill design, colorguard, drum major, costumes, fabrics, props, and equipment. Mr. Cox functions as an Associate to Mr. Sorah, helping in the organization and direction of the J. J. Kelly Band Program.

Mr. Daniel Whitaker is the Color Guard Instructor at J. J. Kelly High School. Mr. Whitaker recieved his musical training at East Tennessee State University and has taught color guard and drum majors throughout the southeast since 1994. Mr. Whitaker is in his second year of teaching the J. J. Kelly Color Guard. Mr Whitaker works in conjunction with Mr. Cox in creating the color guard visual program, as well as aiding Mr. Cox with the thematic and visual contents of the marching and winter guard programs. Mr. Whitaker is an active adjudicator and pageantry arts consultant in the region and brings a wealth of experience to our color guard programs.

Mr William Harper is the Percussion Instructor at J. J. Kelly High School. Mr. Harper holds a Bachelors in Political Science from James Madison University were he marched in the percussion section of the Royal Dukes and a Doctor of Juris Prudence from William and Mary University. Mr. Harper has been instructing the percussion unit, rehearsing the percussion unit in weekly sectionals, and directing the percussion ensemble in the Spring. Mr. Harper is a regional adjudicator for percussion units.