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Sid McNeil
Director of Bands
sidmcneil@yahoo.com
662-892-6135
Sid McNeil is currently in his ninth year as Band Director at Olive Branch High School. Under his direction, the Olive Branch
High School Band as received consistent superior ratings at all MHSAA festivals and over 35 “Best in Class” and “Grand
Championship” awards in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. He is also the Director of Music at
Boulevard Baptist Church in Southaven. Prior to coming to Olive Branch High School, Mr. McNeil taught five years at
Cleveland High School where, under his direction, the band received all superior ratings in both marching and concert bands
and doubled in size. He was also the music director for Immanuel Baptist Church in Cleveland for five years. Mr. McNeil grew
up in Decatur, MS and attended high school at Decatur High School. He received his Associates degree from East Central
Community College under the direction of Mr. Tom Carson. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Delta
State University under the direction on Mr. Gary Cook. He received his Master of Music Education degree from Delta State
University under the direction of Mr. Ken Lewis. Mr. McNeil was awarded Mississippi Band Director of the Year presented by Phi
Beta Mu in 2010. He was also the recipient of the A.E. McClain Outstanding Young Band Director’s Award presented by the
Mississippi Bandmasters Association in 1999. Mr. McNeil is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Theta Kappa,
Music Educators National Conference, Pi Kappa Lambda, Mississippi Bandmasters Association, past president of the I-55 Band
Association and the Hernando-Desoto Band Association. Mr. McNeil has served as a clinician and adjudicator for various
events throughout the Southern United States. In 2008 he served as assistant concert director for the Mississippi Lion’s All-
State Band. He is married to a lovely wife, Andrea, who is an attorney at Baskin, McCarroll, McCaskill & Campbell in
Southaven, and a father to a wonderful son, Lee, born January 28, 2008.
Aaron Bailey
Assitant Director of Bands
albailey05@gmail.com
662-895-4610
Aaron Bailey is currently in his sixth year a member of the Olive Branch staff, and third year as the director of Olive Branch
Middle School Band. After graduation from Senatobia High School in 2001, he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree
from The University of Mississippi under the direction of Mr. David Wilson where he was a member of the Pride of the South
Marching Band, University Wind Ensemble, and The Mississippians Jazz Band. Mr. Bailey studied saxophone for six years with
Dr. Wade Irvin, as well as clarinet and bassoon.
Jim Mayo
Assitant Director of Bands
drumguyjim@gmail.com
662-892-6135
Jim Mayo is in his twelth year with the Olive Branch Bands. A 1995 graduate of Olive Branch High School, Mr. Mayo is proud of
the recent accomplishments of the program. After graduating, he attended Northwest Community College and later transferred to
Delta State University. His student teaching experience was with the Southaven Bands of Southaven, MS. Other programs Mr.
Mayo has worked with during summer band camps include McNairy Central (TN), Hernando(MS) and Cleveland(MS). He also
attended the 1999 KOSA International Percussion Workshop at the Crane School of Music at SUNY in Potsdam, NY. Mr. Mayo
has judged solo/ensemble and marching festivals in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee. As a 2000 graduate of Delta State
Univesity, he was active in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity. To his credit, he has served as Vice-President and President for the
Hernando Desoto Band Directors' Association and is currently serving as President of the I-55 Band Directors' Association. Mr.
Mayo's percussion section has received consistent superior ratings at state festival in Tupelo, MS. The Mayos are active
members of New Prosect Baptist Church in Lewisburg, MS. Mr. Mayo resides in Olive Branch with his wife of 8 years, Kathryn;
their five year old son Drew and baby JC.
Jason Gunn
Assitant Director of Bands
jdgunn22@yahoo.com
662-895-4610
Jason Gunn is currently in his second year as a member of the Olive Branch Staff. After graduating from Kossuth High School in
2005, he attended Itawamba Community College where he was drum major for the ICC All American Marching Band as well as
first chair French horn in the top concert band. After finishing course work at ICC, he transferred to the University of Mississippi
where he was a member of the Pride of the South Marching Band and a member of the University Wind Ensemble. At the
University of Mississippi, Mr. Gunn received a Bachelor of Music degree under the direction of Mr. David Willson. Mr. Gunn
completed his student teaching assignment at Lewisburg High School and also worked as an adjunct staff member there in the
Spring of 2010. Since graduating high school Mr. Gunn as been privileged to work with many bands and colorguards in North
Mississippi. He was the colorguard instructor at Ripley High School for 4 years where the colorguard received superior ratings
under his direction. He has also been fortunate to work along side three championship organizations.
Adjunct Staff
TJ Johnson - Percussion Tech
Martha Strong - Mellophone Tech
Sheri Mealer - Flute Tech
Band Camp Staff
Hugh Melton - Low Brass
Kevin Diehl - Tubas
Katherine Farabee - Drum Majors
Laura Mooneyham - Mellophones
Evan Mealer - Trumpets
Michael Swann - Percussion
Amy Bostick - Color Guard