Director of Bands
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Erik Mason currently serves as the band director and Fine Arts Department Chair at Mill Creek High School where he directs the Concert, Marching, Jazz, and Pageantry Arts programs. In his time at Mill Creek the band has grown from 100 members to a high of 250 and has established a tradition of excellence in all aspects of the band program. Since 2006, the Mill Creek bands have been invited performers at Columbus State University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, the University of Georgia January Music Festival, and the 2017 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. The Pride of Mill Creek marching band is a seven time Bands of America Regional and Super-Regional Finalist and a three time BOA Class AAAA Regional Champion.
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Prior to his tenure at Mill Creek, Mr. Mason served as the Assistant Band Director for both Rockdale and Henry County High Schools. In 2002 Mr. Mason was named the band director at South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, GA. In his four years there, the band program grew from 80 members to over 200 and was consistently rated Superior in concert, marching, and jazz performances.
Mr. Mason holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia. At UGA Mr. Mason was a tuba student of Dr. David Randolph and studied conducting with Mark Cedel, John Culvahouse, Dwight Satterwhite, and Furman University’s Leslie Hicken. Mr. Mason has twice presented clinics at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference and is in demand around the state as an adjudicator and clinician. Mr. Mason is a two time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence.
Mr. Mason is a member of the National Band Association (NBA), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society, Music Educators National Conference (MENC), and Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA). Mr. Mason has served on both the GMEA Band Adjudication Committee and the GMEA Marching Band Committee, and is currently the GMEA District 13 Chair. He resides in Hoschton with his wife Kathy, a fellow band director, and their three children Aria, Alie, and Clay.
Mr. Mason holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia. At UGA Mr. Mason was a tuba student of Dr. David Randolph and studied conducting with Mark Cedel, John Culvahouse, Dwight Satterwhite, and Furman University’s Leslie Hicken. Mr. Mason has twice presented clinics at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference and is in demand around the state as an adjudicator and clinician. Mr. Mason is a two time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence.
Mr. Mason is a member of the National Band Association (NBA), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society, Music Educators National Conference (MENC), and Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA). Mr. Mason has served on both the GMEA Band Adjudication Committee and the GMEA Marching Band Committee, and is currently the GMEA District 13 Chair. He resides in Hoschton with his wife Kathy, a fellow band director, and their three children Aria, Alie, and Clay.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS
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Bridget Wildes is currently in her fifth year as the Assistant Director of Bands at Mill Creek High School. Mrs. Wildes is a native of Lawrenceville, Georgia and received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia State University in 2013. While at GSU, she was a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra. She also served as one of the inaugural drum majors of the GSU Panther Marching Band. Mrs. Wildes studied oboe with Dr. Lara Dahl and conducting with Dr. Robert Ambrose, Dr. Chester Phillips and Dr. David Vandewalker.
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During her time at Mill Creek High School, Mrs. Wildes has been the primary conductor of the Symphonic I and Symphonic II Bands, and assists with the Pride of Mill Creek Marching Band, Mill Creek Winds and Mill Creek Jazz Band. Her ensembles have been invited to perform at the Kennesaw State University Concert Band Invitational and the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival at Georgia State University. The Pride of Mill Creek Marching Band has been a Regional and Super Regional finalist, as well as Class AAAA Champion. The marching band also performed in the 2014 London New Year’s Day Parade, and was invited to open the Paris New Year’s Day Parade in 2018. In 2016, Mill Creek Winds were named Silver Medalists at the Winter Guard International Scholastic A World Championships. She is also the coordinator of the Mill Creek Music Institute, a private lesson program that serves all band students in the Mill Creek cluster.
Bridget Wildes was a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps Tour Operations team for the 2015-2016 season. She is an active clinician, adjudicator and freelance musician. Mrs. Wildes is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Band Association. She is also one of the organizers for the District 13 Honor Band and the current District 13 High School Band Chair. Bridget Wildes and her husband Jacob, a band director as well, reside in Sugar Hill with their son, Caleb.
Bridget Wildes was a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps Tour Operations team for the 2015-2016 season. She is an active clinician, adjudicator and freelance musician. Mrs. Wildes is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Band Association. She is also one of the organizers for the District 13 Honor Band and the current District 13 High School Band Chair. Bridget Wildes and her husband Jacob, a band director as well, reside in Sugar Hill with their son, Caleb.
