R. M. Bearden Jr.,

Current Director of Bands of the Stockbridge High School Band Program located in Stockbridge, GA.  Mr. Bearden received his Bachelors of Music of Education from Valdosta State University and completed course work towards a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. 

Mr. Bearden most recently has served as Director of Bands for Port St. Lucie High School in Port St. Lucie, Fl where he conducted The Marching Jaguar Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Color Guard.  While under his leadership, the PSLHS Band’s marching and concert band programs consistently received straight superior ratings at all Performance Evaluations, competitions, and festivals attended by the program.  Most notable appearance for the PSLHS Band was the 2007 Orange Bowl Parade, Marching Competition, and Bowl Game where the Marching Jaguars placed first in class AAA and performed in the 2007 Orange Bowl halftime.

Mr. Bearden has also served as Director of Bands for Yearling Middle School and Assistant Director of Bands for Okeechobee High School located in the Okeechobee, FL.  Under his direction, both successful received superior ratings at all Performance Evaluations, competitions, and festivals attended by the program.

As a composer, arranger, and drill designer, Mr. Bearden has compositions published with Emperior Music Press of Port St. Lucie, FL.  He currently has compositions on the Middle School Solo & Ensemble required performance list in Florida and New York.  Mr. Bearden is owner and head arranger/drill designer for SYNERGY Music and Drill where he designs marching band shows for bands across Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.

While in Florida, Mr. Bearden served as a District Chairman for the Florida Bandmasters Association overseeing all aspects of district business for Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Highlands, and Indian River counties.  While serving as a District for FBA, he served on the state executive board.

Mr. Bearden’s professional affiliations include memberships with Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Georgia Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, United States School Band Association, and Music Educators National Conference.

Mr. Bearden is very excited and honored to be apart of the Tiger Band family!

Let’s Go Tigers!!!!!!!

Mr. Mathew Price

Joins Stockbridge Middle for his first year as the Director of Bands. He is an honor graduate from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. While at CSU, he was a regular performer with the CSU Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Orchestra. He was also a performer with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Ballet Orchestra. He has performed with artists like Chris Martin, Principal trumpeter with the Chicago Symphony, Joseph Alessi, Principal trombonist with the New York Philharmonic, John-Bruce Yea, Associate Principal Clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony, and many other outstanding musicians. He can be heard as a percussion soloist and a section member on the Summit Recording Label with the CSU Wind Ensemble. He has been actively involved in music education for seven years as a private instructor and musical consultant. Students and ensembles under his tutelage have never received anything less than Superior Ratings at district and state evaluations. He has worked with students and Directors from the Columbus State University Music Conservatory, the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, Jackson, Dutchtown, East Coweta, Columbus, Harris County, and Northside High Schools as well as Henderson Middle School, and Veterans Memorial Middle School. In his younger years, he was a participant in the Governor's Honors Program on the campus of Valdosta State University, the GMEA All-State Band, and the UGA Janfest Honor Band. He is a member of MENC, PAS, Phi Kappa Phi, the Butts County Council for the Arts and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Price was born and raised in Jackson, GA, and he has shared a love for performing and teaching music his entire life. Being raised in a broken home by a single mother whom he loves and respects greatly--a woman that worked two jobs to put food on the table, Mr. Price has always been an advocate for providing students with a healthy arena that promotes each individual's artistic and intellectual growth. He realizes that circumstances are inherently different for all students, and he works tirelessly to bring out the innate potential in all who enter the music program. He emphasizes excellence by providing his students with the tools they will need to become outstanding musicians as well as outstanding members of society. While not in the classroom, Mr. Price is the Director of Music at Jackson Presbyterian Church in Jackson, GA. He enjoys golf, baseball, movies, and literature.

Breannia Stewart,

This is Ms. Stewart's first year as the Colorguard Coordinator and she is very excited to be working with a wonderful group of young ladies. Ms. Stewart is an alumni of the Morrow High School Marching Band, where she marched for three years. Ms. Stewart then went on to march at the collegiate level. Ms. Stewart's first year was at the University of Tennessee as a member of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band and her second was at the University of South Carolina as a member of the Mighty Sound of the Southeast. Ms. Stewart loves marching colorguard and is very thankful for the experience at the collegiate level. She also the excitement of performing. She hopes that she will be able to share that love with the 2009 Marching Tiger Colorguard.