2026 Adjudicators 

John Wilson

[Bio Coming Soon]

Dr. Jay Jones

Dr. Jay Jones is an Associate Adjunct Professor of Music Education at the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory, where teaches both undergraduate and graduate level music education courses and supervises the field experience components of the music education degree program. Jones

is also an adjudicator and adjudicator trainer for the Missouri State High School Activities Association and a private saxophone instructor in the Kansas City area. He is currently in his thirty-seventh year of teaching in the state of Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Methodist

University, a Master of Science in Teaching Instrumental Music from Northwest Missouri State University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Prior to his appointment at UMKC, Dr. Jones taught middle and high school instrumental music for thirty one years in the state of Missouri, teaching in both the rural and suburban settings. During his public school tenure, Dr. Jones developed a reputation for building outstanding band programs at all levels. At

the small school level, Jones spent six years teaching in the Stewartsville School district. During that time, the Stewartsville program earned local, regional, and national recognition. In 1995, the Stewartsville concert band earned the Sweepstakes Award at the Gateway Music Festival in St. Louis, earning the top

prize from bands across the country. The following year, the concert band was invited to perform for the Missouri Music Educators Association; both accomplishments were firsts in the school’s history. In 1998, Jones left Stewartsville to become Director of Bands for the Platte County R-3 School District, a position he held for twenty-three years. During his tenure, the enrollment and stature of the instrumental music program increased significantly.

Under his leadership, the Pride of Platte County Marching Band, the district’s competitive outdoor performance ensemble, won thirteen Grand Championships in Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. Concert ensembles under Dr. Jones’ direction have performed at state and national festivals and have performed at the annual in-service of the Missouri Music Educators Association three times. The Platte County Wind Ensemble has performed at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts twice and in 2020, Dr. Jones and the Wind Ensemble collaborated with composer Alex Shapiro and Grammy Award nominated organist Dr. Jan Kraybil on the premiere of a new edition of her work Liquid Compass to feature the wind ensemble and pipe organ.

Dr. Jones has received the National Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers Award seven times, is listed in the National Honor Roll of Outstanding American Teachers and has his biography listed in Who’s Who in American Education twice. Jones’ professional biography has been included in Who’s Who in America thirteen times and has been listed in Who’s Who in the World seven times. In 2011 Jones was honored with the Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars and in 2016, he was presented an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society by the students of the Platte County music department. In 2019, Dr. Jones received the Legacy in Education Award from the Smithville School District for his lasting impact on former students. Dr. Jones received the Phi Beta Mu Charles Emmons Outstanding Band Director Award in 2023 and was inducted into the Platte County Pirate Hall of Fame that same year.

Jeff Hinton

Mr. Hinton retired as Director of Bands and Coordinator of Instrument Music Studies from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. He worked there with many wonderful colleagues, student musicians and future teachers from 1995 to 2021. During his 26-year tenure, his ensemble responsibilities included conducting the Missouri Western Symphonic Winds and the University Concert Band. He was also the director of the MWSU Golden Griffon Marching Band from 1995 to 2013. Under his direction, the Symphonic Winds toured the Midwest and presented performances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference and the Golden Griffon Marching Band performed in exhibition at numerous festivals in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. He also presented courses in conducting and instrumental music education. Mr. Hinton held previous band directing positions at Fort Hays State University, Truman State University, and public schools in Missouri including Union, Marshall, Wentzville, and Fulton. Mr. Hinton earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Arts in Instrumental Conducting degree from Truman State University. He is a very active guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for marching band, concert band and jazz ensemble festivals.

Mr. Hinton recently retired again as the Associate Director of Bands at St. Joseph Christian School, a 1A, small classification school. The SJCS Concert band has been selected to perform at multiple Missouri Music Educators Conventions, Carnegie Hall (April, 2023 and Orchestra Hall in Chicago (April, 2025). Hinton also founded and still directs the SJCS Jazz Ensemble. He lives in Wathena, Kansas with his wife, Kayla who teaches Art and is the Fine Arts Coordinator at Savannah High School, Savannah, Missouri. They have three grown sons.

Travis Houston

Travis A. Houston is a Drumline Instructor and Percussion Clinician at Lee's Summit R-7 School District, bringing expertise in percussion performance and music education. Their background includes contributions to music education programs within K-12 school districts. At Lee's Summit R-7 School District, Travis provides instruction and clinical guidance to drumline students. Previously, Travis served as a Percussion Specialist at RAYMORE-PECULIAR SCHOOL DISTRICT and as an Instructor within the Blue Springs School District, further demonstrating their commitment to music training in educational settings.

Their experience also includes a Studio Percussion Position at Allegro, contributing to performance experiences. Travis is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, The National Association for Music Education, Percussive Arts Society, National Endowment for the Arts, and American Bandmasters Association, reflecting their engagement in music education and performance communities.

Travis holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, demonstrating applied knowledge of musical arts.

Tanya Keck

Tanya Keck (Altamont, MO) is a sought-after adjudicator throughout Northwest Missouri with over 40 years of experience performing and teaching color guard. In addition to her educational responsibilities, Tanya served as the visual designer and drill writer at North Harrison, South Harrison, and Braymer High Schools. While working at these schools with her husband, Ted, the bands won numerous awards and captions.

Tanya is a graduate of Gallatin High School and the University of Central Missouri where she was a member of the color guard at each and the college winter guard. While at UCM, she earned dual degrees in Interior Design and Graphic Design Technology. Tanya has received continuing education through the Music for All Summer Symposium Color Guard and Director Academies. She is currently retired and lives on the family farm with her husband, Ted. Tanya and Ted have two daughters, Kaitlyn (Bellevue, NE) and Sarah (Salina, KS).

Kim Privat

Mid-Buchanan Color Guard 1991-1995 (Captain 1994-1995)

Northwest Missouri State University Color Guard Captain 1995-1996

Benton High School Coach 1996-1998

Mid-Buchanan High School Color Guard and Winterguard Coach 2008-2026.

Choreography and show design for many teams throughout Northwest Missouri

At Mid-Buchanan we competed with MCCGA for 15 years, WGI 5 years.