Andy Poor

Brass Arranger

Andy Poor is excited to be joining the design and instructional team of Music City Drum and Bugle Corps as the Brass Arranger and Brass Caption Consultant.

Andy has been involved in the drum corps activity for 36 years as a member, judge, instructor, and consultant. In 1981, Andy began marching in the legendary Suncoast Sound hornlines under Hall of Fame members Robert W. Smith and Frank Williams. After aging out in 1987, he then served as an adjudicator for Drum Corps Midwest and Drum Corps International from 1991 to 2008, including six seasons on the Judge Administration Team from 2000 through 2005. In addition, Andy has served on the brass staff of the Blue Stars and Phantom Regiment. Most recently, he spent the past six seasons leading and supervising the brass program at the Spirit of Atlanta, working alongside Hall of Fame member Freddy Martin.

Active as a composer and arranger, his works for wind band and chamber ensembles appear in the catalogs of C. L. Barnhouse, Northeastern Music Publications, Eighth Note Music, as well as numerous self-published works through AFPMusic. Some notable performances of his compositions include the Midwest Clinic, Music for All National Festival, Tuba and Euphonium International Conference, Atlanta Trumpet Festival, and numerous state and regional music conferences. For over two decades, he has arranged for marching ensembles of all levels, including multiple high school bands, UT-Martin, Olivet-Nazarene University, and the University of Alabama.

With 30 years as a public school educator, he currently serves as the Director of Bands at South Forsyth Middle School in Cumming, Georgia. He received his Doctor of Music Education and Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He also holds the Bachelor of Music Education (High Honors) from the University of Florida. Professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, ASCAP, NAfME, National Band Association, and the Georgia Music Educators Association. Additionally, Dr. Poor is a frequent adjudicator in the concert band and marching arenas, including GMEA, TSBOA, SCBDA, BOA, and numerous other state and local circuits.