Rick Coggin grew up in Gardendale, Alabama where he was a member of the first marching band at Gardendale High School. He received his Bachelor's of Music degree from Jacksonville State University where he was a member of the nationally acclaimed "Marching Southerners". While at Jacksonville State he was also a member of the JSU Symphonic Band, Brass Choir, A Capella Choir and the Baptist Student Union Choir. He received his Masters of Music degree from Montevallo University and his School Administration degree from the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Mr. Coggin has served as Corner's band director for the past 34 years. Under his leadership the band program has grown from 50 members in 1976 to the present size of 140 members. The band consistently receives Superior ratings at marching festivals, District and State Band Festivals. The CHS Band has traveled to Washington, D.C, New York City, N.Y., Orlando, Florida, Gatlinburg, Tn, Atlanta, Ga. and Nashville, Tn. In November, 2009 the CHS Band traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in the Bands of America Grand Nationals Band Competition.

Mr.Coggin is a member of Alabama Bandmasters Association, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Mu Alpha and American Federation of Teachers. He has also served as Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Pinson for the past 20 years.

Mr. Coggin and his wife Rosemary reside in Fultondale, Alabama and are the proud parents of Kevin (Julie), Tyler (Heather) and Maleah.

Mr. Wills resides in Gardendale with his wife April and his daughter Claire. Mr. Wills grew up in Glencoe Alabama and marched with the Glencoe High school band where he received the John Phillip Sousa Award. Mr. Wills received an Associate in Science degree from Gadsden State Community College, his Bachelors of Music Education degree from Auburn University and Masters of Educational Technology degree from Touro University International.

While at Auburn University, Mr. Wills performed with the Auburn University Marching Band, Pep Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Steel Band. He has also performed with the Auburn Knights Jazz Orchestra which has been a strong Auburn tradition since the 1930's and has had some noteable musicians such as Tommy Dorsey and side men Don Lodice, Ziggy Elman, Buddy Rich and Frank Sinatra that have sat in with the Knights.

Mr. Wills has been in the 313th Army Band since 1993 where he is Percussion Section Leader, Supply Sergeant, Unit Prevention Leader, and Asst. Physical Training NCO. Mr. Wills has performed all over the United States, and has performed for dignitaries such as President George Bush Sr., President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Chaney, as well as other senators, congressmen and mayors.

Mr. Wills is a member of the following professional organizations: Percussive Arts Society, Music Educators National Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, National Education Association, and the Alabama Education Association.

Gina Standard - Dance Team Sponsor

Gina Standard is a native of Homewood, Alabama. While at Homewood she marched with the Patriot band as a member of the Star Spangled Girls dance team for three years. While on the line, the band performed in Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, and had the honor of leading the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.       

                                                                      

Ms. Standard attended Samford University for two years before receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from Berry College in Rome, Georgia. While at Samford, she was a member of the A Cappella Choir and performed for three years as a Miss Alabama dancer. At Berry she was a member of Exaltation singers and the Intercollegiate Equestrian team.

                                                                                                                     

Ms. Standard has been an Art teacher for 7 years and is beginning her second full year at Corner High School. She is a member of both the Alabama Art Education Association, and the National Art Education Association. This year she will be the acting Youth Art Month Chairman for the state of Alabama.

                                                                                                                        

Ms. Standard is also the yearbook advisor here at Corner. She resides in Homewood with her three children and is a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church.

                                                                                                                     

Justin Finch – Mallet Percussion Instructor

Justin Finch, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. He graduated from Lee High School in Huntsville in 2002. While there he served two years as drum major of the marching band and principal percussionist in concert band.

 

Mr. Finch attended the University of Montevallo where he studied percussion under Jay Burnham of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. While at UM he was an active member of the Wind Ensemble, Montevallo Community Band, and Collegiate Music Educators National Conference. In 2006, Mr. Finch received his Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education.

 

Mr. Finch has assisted several bands in the Birmingham area, including serving as percussion instructor for Thompson High School Band in Alabaster and Minor High School Band in Adamsville. Mr. Finch currently teaches elementary school music at Brookville and West Jefferson Elementary Schools in Jefferson County.

In addition to his teaching career, Mr. Finch is the Organist & Director of Music for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Montevallo and the Chapel Organist for the American Village.

 

He is a member of Music Educators National Conference, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Educators Association, and Alabama Bandmasters Association.

Darryl Jones, drill design, brass instructor

Darryl Jones has been involved in marching band consultation since 1982. He has provided music arrangements, visual design and technical instruction to school bands in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Mr. Jones has served Corner High band as drill designer every year since 1994 and has provided music arrangements for many of those years.

                                   

Mr. Jones is a graduate of Fairfield High school and was trumpet soloist and Sousa award winner. He attended college at UAB, and the University of Alabama and was a member of the Alabama Jazz Ensemble. He was a member of DCI finalist Spirit of Atlanta Drum and bugle corps in 1982 as lead soprano (trumpet) and was a founding member of Corpsvets Drum and Bugle corps, Atlanta, Ga. where he served as Brass arranger from 2000 to 2006, and brass instructor.

                                                                                                                    

As a performer on trumpet Mr. Jones has recorded with Lou Marini and has played throughout the southeast with the Dennis Edwards Temptations Review. He plays locally as trumpet soloist with The Horndogs, an R&B “horn-band” that features the music of Oakland California’s Tower of Power. He has played on the local big-band scene with Night-Flight Big-band, Superjazz Big-band and Joe Giattina Orchestra. Within the last year he has played on local Birmingham theatrical performances of Cabaret and Sophisticated Ladies.

                                                                                                                    

Darryl Jones is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a BS in Electrical Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer.