2026 Judge Bios

Chad Turner - Chief Judge

A 1997 graduate of the School of Music at UNCG with a BM in Instrumental Education, Chad has been a clinician, taught classes K-12, judged marching contests all over, and held a variety of other music positions in both North and South Carolina. Mr Turner is currently the Director of Bands at Union Prepratory Academy in Indian Trail, NC, where he teaches Band and Music Theory and Appreciation. During his career his ensembles have achieved Superior and Excellent ratings at Marching, Concert, and Solo and Ensemble competitions all over the Carolinas. The students in his ensembles, as well as his numerous private students, have been chosen for District and Honor bands along with many individual awards and honors during his almost 25 years in education.

Mr Turner has been on staff with a number of highly successful marching bands all over central North and South Carolina and has written competition shows for numerous bands over the last 20 plus years. Those bands have achieved Superior and Excellent ratings for their show designs and execution during that same time, He is a current member of NCMEA and a past collegiate member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity at UNCG. Chad is a freelance bass trombonist, playing in and around the CHarlotte area and is in constant demand for community musicals, local churches and other shows. He lives in Matthews, NC with his AMAZING wife, Amanda Turner, and their 2 FANTASTIC kiddos, Addison and Asher.

Vince Clayton - Music Effect

D. Vincent Clayton is retired after 34 years of teaching, the last 21 years at Ridge View High School in Columbia, South Carolina.  He received both the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of South Carolina.

Under his direction, the Ridge View band program received numerous Superior Ratings and awards in marching and concert events.  The Blazer Marching Band was a consistent finalist at the South Carolina State Championships and at several Bands of America Regional competitions.  The Ridge View Symphonic Band received numerous Superior Ratings at state and national events. They performed at the Bands of America National Concert Festival, four times at the South Carolina Music Educators State Convention, twice at the University of South Carolina Band Clinic, the University of Southern Mississippi Band Clinic, and the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational.

His professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Phi Beta Mu, Pi Kappa Lambda, and he is a Past Chapter President of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  He is also a charter member and Past President of the Palmetto Concert Band, which has performed three times at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.  Mr. Clayton received the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence” on five different occasions, the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s “Legion of Honor”, Phi Beta Mu’s “Outstanding Bandmaster Award”, and in 2016, Mr. Clayton was inducted into the South Carolina Band Directors Association’s “Hall of Fame” as well as the South Carolina Chapter of Phi Beta Mu’s “Hall of Fame”.

Chris Satterfield - Music Performance (Individual)

Hometown: Forest, Virginia

Chris Satterfield has served as a music educator for over 34 years. He has directed band programs in Tennessee, Florida, and Virginia. Mr. Satterfield’s concert, jazz and marching ensembles consistently earn Superior ratings at District and State assessments. He is active as a guest clinician and honors band conductor throughout the Southeast. Mr. Satterfield has designed and arranged marching arts programs since 1993. He has been actively adjudicating for 31 years throughout the Southeastern United States. He is an active member of the ASBDA, NBA, Phi Beta Mu, VBODA, and VMEA.

Mr. Satterfield holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Industrial Engineering and Music Education from the University of Tennessee. He currently serves as Director of Bands at Forest Middle School in Forest Virginia.

Dr. Jerry Gatch - Music Performance (Ensemble)

Dr. Jerry Gatch was recently named Professor of Music Emeritus by Newberry College where he was Director of Bands for the last 11 years.  Previously, he was Director of Bands at Lexington High School (SC) for twenty years, and conducted the South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestra from 2002 to 2013.  Dr. Gatch continues an active schedule as an adjudicator, clinician, conductor, arranger, and performer.  He has been a guest conductor for numerous honor band and orchestra clinics throughout the Southeast and at the Furman, USC, and Northern Arizona University summer music camps.  He has judged concert and marching band events nationwide.  Dr. Gatch has been awarded the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence seven times, was elected to the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s BandWorld Legion of Honor, and in 2013 was inducted into the South Carolina Band Directors Hall of Fame. The University of South Carolina School of Music honored Dr. Gatch with their Community Impact Alumni Award for 2024-25.  

Damon Underwood - Visual Effect

Damon Underwood is a distinguished music educator and accomplished musician with a vast array of experiences and accolades in his field. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Western Carolina University and subsequently achieved his Master of Music Education from East Carolina University. In recognition of his professional excellence, Mr. Underwood obtained his National Board Certification in 2008, a testament to his commitment to educational advancement and excellence.

Presently, Mr. Underwood serves as the band director for Cleveland Middle School in Garner, NC, where he continues to inspire and nurture young musicians. His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in the success of several band programs across North Carolina, where he has previously held significant roles. His dedication to music education is evident in the thriving programs he has developed and led throughout his career.

In addition to his role as a band director, Mr. Underwood is a sought-after visual drill designer for marching bands across the country. His innovative designs and insightful instruction have greatly contributed to the visual and musical excellence of numerous marching band ensembles. His experience in the world of drum and bugle corps is extensive; he was a member of the Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps and served as drum major for both the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and the Western Carolina University "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band.

As a freelance trombonist, Mr. Underwood has performed with an array of musical acts on the East Coast Entertainment roster, showcasing his versatility and talent. His performances are well-regarded, both locally and regionally. Beyond his individual performances, he manages a successful cover band known for producing high-quality shows that captivate diverse audiences.

Mr. Underwood’s multifaceted career reflects his passion for music and education, as well as his commitment to fostering musical excellence in various forms. His professional journey is marked by a profound impact on his students and colleagues alike.

Residing in Clayton, NC, Damon Underwood cherishes his role as a devoted husband and father, balancing his professional commitments with a fulfilling family life. His contributions to the field of music education and performance continue to resonate, making him a respected and influential figure in his community and beyond.

Vince Clayton - Music Effect

D. Vincent Clayton is retired after 34 years of teaching, the last 21 years at Ridge View High School in Columbia, South Carolina.  He received both the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of South Carolina.

Under his direction, the Ridge View band program received numerous Superior Ratings and awards in marching and concert events.  The Blazer Marching Band was a consistent finalist at the South Carolina State Championships and at several Bands of America Regional competitions.  The Ridge View Symphonic Band received numerous Superior Ratings at state and national events. They performed at the Bands of America National Concert Festival, four times at the South Carolina Music Educators State Convention, twice at the University of South Carolina Band Clinic, the University of Southern Mississippi Band Clinic, and the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational.

His professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Phi Beta Mu, Pi Kappa Lambda, and he is a Past Chapter President of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  He is also a charter member and Past President of the Palmetto Concert Band, which has performed three times at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.  Mr. Clayton received the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence” on five different occasions, the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s “Legion of Honor”, Phi Beta Mu’s “Outstanding Bandmaster Award”, and in 2016, Mr. Clayton was inducted into the South Carolina Band Directors Association’s “Hall of Fame” as well as the South Carolina Chapter of Phi Beta Mu’s “Hall of Fame”.

Colleen Mounts - Visual Performance

Colleen Mounts is a certified PK–12 music educator who teaches in Martinsburg, West Virginia. A nine-season veteran of Drum Corps International, she marched mellophone with Southwind and the Glassmen and served as a conductor of The Cadets in 2012 and the Bluecoats in 2013, later teaching trumpet and drum majors at Pioneer and Southwind. She has served on ten high school marching band staffs across seven states and previously held a Director of Bands position in Jacksonville, North Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from The University of Akron and PK–12 certification from Edinboro University of

Pennsylvania.

2026 will mark Billy Saccomanno's 28th year as an adjudicator within the marching arts! Residing in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, Billy recently served as the Judge Coordinator for the West Coast Winter Guard circuit in Southern California from 2023-2026, and as the Chief Judge for the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association from 2011-2022. Billy served as a Movement Adjudicator for Winter Guard International from 2009-2018 and has been serving as a guest judge for local marching band and winter guard circuits in 32 different states across the United States.

Drew O’Keefe - Timing

Drew O’Keefe grew up in Mooresville, NC and graduated from Mooresville High School in 2004. He attended Appalachian State University where he received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Music Composition/Theory, and Sacred Music. He then attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN where he received his Master of Music in Music Education and Music Composition. He taught at Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, NC in 2012 then moved back to the Nashville area where he taught band, orchestra, percussion ensemble, AP music theory, guitar, and commercial music at Brentwood High School in Brentwood, TN until 2022. In 2024 he became the Director of Instrumental Music at Ballantyne Ridge High School where he started and continues to lead the band and orchestra programs.

William Saccomanno - Color Guard

Billy's passion for the marching arts has been evidenced by almost 35 years of teaching marching band and winter guard including Black Watch, Apex and Bpex, Innuendo, CoMotion and Extraordinaire Winter Guards as well as several high schools in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Kansas and Missouri areas. His drum corps teaching resume includes the Phantom Regiment, Crossmen, Jersey Surf, Teal Sound, Reading Buccaneers, and Hawthorne Caballeros. Billy’s profound love for animals, and in particular Pit Bull dogs, has led him to become a long-term volunteer in the dog rescue world.  Serving as an Animal Rescue Volunteer for The Humane Society of the United States, Billy has participated in several deployments including 2 years assisting with the 2nd largest dog fighting bust in United States history. This case allowed for the seizure and rescue of  367 dogs from a multi-state dog fighting ring in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia

Jeremy Lee - Percussion

Hometown: Gainesville, Florida

Jeremy Lee is a music educator, performer, and creative professional with 27 years of experience. Based in Gainesville, Florida, he has served as a director for music at Santa Fe High School for over two decades and is currently a director with Infinity Percussion. Jeremy has arranged shows for marching band, indoor percussion, indoor winds, and color guard throughout the Southeast, while also performing with multiple rock, jazz, and Christian bands.

In addition to music, Jeremy is a graphic designer and marketing coordinator, creating impactful visual designs for DCI, WGI, BOA, and many other organizations across the performing arts. His combined passion for music and design continues to inspire and support the next generation of performers and creators.