Wildcat Marching Band Faculty
Carl Collins
Director of Athletic Bands
Director, Wildcat Marching Band
Carl Collins is Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Kentucky, a position he has held since the fall of 2008. An Assistant Professor in the School of Music, Mr. Collins directs the 215-member Wildcat Marching Band, conducts the Concert Band, oversees all aspects of the basketball pep bands and teaches Marching Band Techniques. Prior to his appointment at the University of Kentucky, Mr. Collins was the Assistant Director of Bands and director of the Rocket Marching Band at the University of Toledo (OH) from 2005-2008.
After receiving the Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance and music education from the University of Iowa in 1995, Mr. Collins taught for eight years at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels in the public schools of eastern Iowa. He returned to the University of Iowa in 2003, and completed the Master of Arts degree in band conducting in the spring of 2005. He has studied conducting with Dr. Myron Welch and James Dixon, and clarinet with Dr. Maurita Murphy Mead and Himie Voxman.
Wildcat Marching Band Program Coordinators
Mark Clodfelter
Brass Program Coordinator
Mark Clodfelter's bio coming soon.
Mark Casey
Percussion Program Coordinator
Mark Casey has received international recognition as a performer, teacher, composer, and adjudicator within the percussion activity. He has worked with the likes of the World Champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, the World Champion Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, the Yamato Drum and Bugle Corps, the University of Kentucky, the University of Miami (FL), the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the Miami of Ohio University, the McGavock High School Marching Band, and the Lafayette High School Marching Band. Mark has judged for Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Indiana state-sanctioned shows and has also been a judge for SCGC, WGI, and PAS.
Wildcat Marching Band Graduate Staff
Brad Meyer
Percussion Instructor
Bradley Edward Meyer is a percussion artist and composer with an extensive and diverse teaching background. Meyer often tours to universities and high schools throughout the Southern and Midwestern states presenting recitals and workshops on topics such as electro-acoustic percussion, contemporary marimba, marching percussion, and world music. Meyer was recently appointed front ensemble caption head of the acclaimed Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, where he has worked for the past two years as a technician. Currently, he is pursuing his Doctorate of Music in Percussion Performance under James Campbell at the University of Kentucky, where he also graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance in 2006. Along with his studies at UK, Meyer is the Wildcat Marching Band’s percussion director and the UK Steel Band/Blue Steel coordinator. He received his Master of Music Performance Degree under the direction of Dr. Scott Herring at the University of South Carolina, where he ran Palmetto Pans, the USC drumline, and debuted his percussion ensemble composition, Your Three Favorite Colors. His extensive training in world music, particularly on the Caribbean steel pan, Korean changgo, mbira (Zimbabwe finger piano), and both Javanese and Balinese gamelan has provided a global perspective for his performances and research areas. From 2002-2005, Meyer was a part of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps’ front ensemble, where he accumulated one world championship, three “high-drum” trophies, and three “outstanding service” awards.
Joe D. Moore
UK Bands Graduate Assistant
Joe D. Moore is a doctoral candidate and graduate teaching assistant in the band department at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. His duties include assisting with the Wildcat Marching Band, UK Pep Bands and serving as a rehearsal assistant and guest conductor with the UK Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band and Concert Band. Prior to his appointment with the University of Kentucky Bands, Mr. Moore served as Director of Bands at Rome High School in Rome, Georgia. Before his service at Rome High School, he served as Marching Band Director at East Tennessee State University in 2002. Mr. Moore also served as Director of Bands at Tennessee High School in Bristol, Tennessee, Pulaski County High School in Dublin, Virginia, and Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, Tennessee. During his tenure as band director, Mr. Moore’s bands have earned numerous awards and honors in marching, concert and jazz venues throughout the Southeast region as well as in Ireland.
Mr. Moore is presently pursing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting where he is studying with Dr. John Cody Birdwell, Director of Bands at the University of Kentucky. He received the Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Miami (FL) and the Bachelor of Music Education from East Tennessee State University. He has served as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician for high school bands throughout the Southeast as well as serving as an adjudicator for Drum Corps Midwest. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Tau Beta Sigma, music service fraternities.
Joe Tornello
UK Bands Graduate Assistant
Joe Tornello is entering his second year of course work on a DMA in Wind Band
Conducting at the University of Kentucky. From 2003-2008 he was the Director of Bands at North Stafford High School in Stafford, Virginia. During his tenure there, he led each of North Stafford’s ensembles to Superior ratings at every VBODA event in which they participated. In addition, Joe spent numerous summers, from 2000-2007, on the staff of Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps, both teaching and arranging for their percussion section. As a performer, he has played in many groups, including the Fairfax Wind Symphony that performed at the Mid-West International Clinic in 2006, as well as the UK Percussion Ensemble and the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. Joe graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Music Education, and also received a Master's Degree in Music Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Wildcat Marching Band Instructional Staff
Kristen McQuerry
Sweetheart Majorettes Instructor
Kristen McQuerry has held the position of University of Kentucky Majorette Instructor since the fall of 2005. Under her direction, the UK Majorettes have won D.M.A’s National College Twirling Line in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Kristen is a former UK Majorette and won D.M.A’s Miss College Majorette 2002. She has over 13 years of competitive baton twirling experience. After teaching high school math for four years, Kristen is now pursuing her doctorate in Statistics at the University of Kentucky.
Wildcat Marching Band Support Staff
Vicki Pendleton
UK Band Staff Support Associate
Vicki Pendleton's bio coming soon.
Michael Friedman
Voice of the Wildcat Marching Band
The voice of the WMB since 2008, Michael Friedman is a professional actor and writer who now makes his career in television and industrial films. He’s written documentaries for A&E’s Biography and for PBS, and has appeared nationally in commercials, television, and film. With wife Margo Buchanan, he wrote the historical dramas Daniel Boone, the Man and the Legend and Freedom Trail. He was Artistic Director of Paragon Music Theatre, Kentucky’s premiere musical theatre company, and with composer Ryan Shirar created the musical version of Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor. Before coming to Lexington, where he and Margo live with children Nathan, Noah, and Emma, he served on the faculties of Elmhurst College and the University of Wisconsin.
Chuck Perry
WMB Photographer
UK Band & Alumni first started seeing Chuck show up around old Stoll Field in the Fall of 1980. By 1983 he traveled with the band to the Hall of Fame bowl in Birmingham to capture the event. He’s been around ever since doing a “a blood, sweat & tears” slide show of early week and an end of the year capsule for closing awards and banquet. In between you’ll spot him at the football and basketball events, preserving memories.
Quoting Chuck, “Being free lance, I’m too much of an historian to be a profitable photographer. I take photos knowing I am preserving some of the best experiences of their college life. I see special accomplishments, events and memories, rather than profitability. Nevertheless I’ve been blessed. Band stories abound; there have been some great road trips. There is no bigger rush than to hear Pre-Game on Football Saturday.”