Mike
Back has been at
Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia since 1985, where he serves
as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair. Prior to
his appointment as Director of Bands, Mr. Back served as the
assistant director at Walton for thirteen years. Before coming to
Walton, Mike was the percussion coordinator and arranger for the
Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. As a native of Alexandria,
Kentucky, Mike attended Morehead State University in Morehead,
Kentucky where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music
Education in 1981.Under Mr. Back’s leadership, the band program at Walton has 285 students performing in four concert bands, marching band, two jazz bands, full orchestra and winter guard. The band has received national recognition through performances at Bands of America Regional and Grand National competitions. The band has also marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and is a two-time participant in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. In 2010, the John Philip Sousa Foundation presented the Walton Band with the prestigious Sudler Shield, an international award recognizing marching bands of world class excellence.
Mr. Back is a member of the National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, the Percussive Arts Society, Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Beta Mu and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He also served on the staff of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Marching Band that performed in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Mr. Back has served as a clinician, judge and consultant throughout the United States and is an educational artist for Innovative Percussion. He lives in Marietta, Georgia with his wife Andrea, and their two children, Katie and Connor.
Jeffrey
Pollock was born and raised in Albany, Georgia. Upon graduation
from Albany High School in 1988, Mr. Pollock attended the University
of Georgia. While at UGA, Mr. Pollock pursued a degree in Music
Education, and was a member of the Redcoat Marching Band, Symphonic
Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band. His trumpet studies include
applied lessons and masterclasses with Albert F. Ligotti, formerly
of the New York Philharmonic, Edward P. Sandor, and Phil Clark of
the Kansas City Symphony. Mr. Pollock’s conducting studies were
under Dr. John N. Culvahouse, Jr., Dr. Thomas Joiner, and Dr. H.
Dwight Satterwhite. He also served as student conductor of the
University’s Trumpet Ensemble and Concert Band. Mr. Pollock holds
the degrees Bachelor of Music in Music Education (UGA, 1993), Master
of Music in Music Education (Georgia State University, 2001), and
Education Specialist (UGA, 2009).