MARY LAND

Mary Land is Director of Bands at Pickens County Middle School in Jasper, Georgia, which opened in the fall of 1988. Mrs. Land, a native of North Augusta, South Carolina, received her Bachelors of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia and her Masters of Music Education degree from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. She has been teaching band in the Pickens County school system in Jasper, Georgia for 25 years. She has served the Georgia Music Educators Association in various state and local offices. Mrs. Land is currently serving GMEA as immediate past state Band Division chair. She continues to make numerous appearances as adjudicator, conductor, and clinician throughout the United States. Her professional affiliations include: GMEA, MENC, IAJE, PAGE, and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Professional Teacher Association. Mrs. Land is a member of the Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. Mrs. Land is a member of the National Band Association and is currently serving as a Middle School representative on the NBA executive board of directors. Mary Land is also on the faculty of the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp.

Many professional awards and recognitions have been awarded Mrs. Land during her career. She has been presented the National Band Association Citation of Excellence on six separate occasions and has been presented the Women Band Directors International Scroll of Excellence twice. Mrs. Land was awarded the GMEA Music Educator of the Year Award for 2002. Mrs. Land was presented with the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of honor Award at the 2002 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic for her contributions to music education. Mary Land was selected by the national publication School Band and Orchestra in their December 2003 issue as one of "50 Directors Who make a Difference". Mary Land's band program was the recipient of the Georgia Senate Resolution 212 commending the success of the Pickens County Middle School Band Program. Mrs. Land and the Pickens County Middle School Band were the 2003 recipient of the Magna Cum Laude Award, a prestigious International Award for Middle School Bands.

Bands under Mary Land's direction have received invitations to perform at many music conferences and clinics, including the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference, the Southern Division MENC Convention, the CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference, the University of Southern Mississippi Conductors' Conference, and the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival.

CLARA PANTAZOPOULOS

Clara Pantazopoulos is the Choral Director and Associate Director of Bands at Pickens County Middle School. Ms Pantazopoulos, a native of Cumming, Georgia, graduated from Milton High School in 1999.

In 2003, Ms Pantazopoulos graduated from the University of Georgia, Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Music Education. She is currently pursuing her masters degree at the University of Georgia. This is her fourth year teaching in the Pickens County school system.

Ms Pantazopoulos' professional affiliations include the National Association of Muisc Educators (MENC), the Georgia Music Educators Association, and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. She is also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, Professional Music Fraternity for women.

For more information contact
Mary Land, Director
Kevin Boyle, Assistant Director