Colts Announce Bob Barfield To Lead Visual Program

September 16, 2016

The Colts are pleased to introduce Bob Barfield as visual caption head. Bob brings with him 30+ years of experience in the drum corps activity, having experience as a technician, caption head, and consultant with Carolina Crown, the Boston Crusaders, and the Blue Stars, among others. He also has experience teaching and designing with various high schools around the country, most recently with Tarpon Springs High School in Florida and Robert Vela High School in Texas. Currently, Bob is the head band director at White Knoll High School in Lexington, South Carolina. Bob has been recognized several times in the "Who's Who Among America's High School Teachers"

"I have worked with Bob on marching pageantry arts projects and programs for decades," said Program Coordinator Howard Weinstein. "There is no one finer I can think of to lead our marching program. Our members are in for a real treat, and I am proud to be working along side of Bob, and to share his expertise and skills with our entire Colts organization."

"Bob will bring sage experience to this caption for the Colts," said Colts Director Vicki MacFarlane. "His experience and abilities as a teacher will elevate the member's experience in so many ways and I think they will all benefit from his leadership this summer. His friendship and past teaching experiences with Howard are also a huge plus and I'm happy to see them working together again. Bob has the skills, experience and heart to put our visual program on a solid path for years to come."

"I am looking forward to working with the Colts this year, and especially being reunited with my life-long friend, Howard Weinstein!" said Bob. "It is an honor to be given an opportunity to share my knowledge with the members and work with such a talented and professional staff!"

Fill out an INFORMATION REQUEST to receive an audition packet for the instrument of your choice. If you have already submitted an Information Request for the 2017 season, an auction packet will be emailed to you very soon.

Visit the Colts website regularly to find out additional information regarding audition camps, travel details, 2017 general membership information, and more!

BIO
Bob Barfield is currently in his 24th year of teaching high school band. His first 19 years were spent teaching in the state of Florida public school system since 1992. He was the associate director of bands for the Tarpon Springs High School Leadership Conservatory for the Arts from 1999 - 2012. His responsibilities at Tarpon Springs High School included teaching the marching band, jazz ensembles and jazz combos, wind ensemble, instructor in brass pedagogy, music theory and technology, and overseeing the solo and ensemble process. In addition, Bob taught the Leadership Skills Development course, which is required of all freshman enrolled in the Leadership Conservatory for the Arts at Tarpon Springs High School.

During his tenure at Tarpon Springs High School, the marching band was a six-time Bands of America National Class Champion, and was an elite top 12 finalist every time they attended the Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. The wind ensemble performed around the United States at some of the most prestigious concert halls in the country, including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and Chicago Symphony Hall. The jazz ensemble performed at the University of North Texas Jazz Festival twice, and was selected to perform at the Savannah Swing Central Jazz Competition two times. In addition, they were the runner up band at the Essentially Ellington Regional Jazz Band Festival in Lafayette, Louisiana in the spring of 2012. In 2010, they were chosen as the National Winner for the Mark of Excellence National Jazz Ensemble Contest.

Bob was also a director of the community youth jazz ensemble at the Ruth Eckerd Hall Performing Arts Center in Clearwater, Florida. He was a teacher in their jazz preparatory course for nine years, which met weekly and included students from all over the Tampa Bay area, and annually performed at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday.

In 2012, Bob relocated to Edinburg, Texas to open up a brand new high school as the head band director and assistant fine arts supervisor of Robert Vela High School.

From 2013 - 2016, Bob was the head band director at White Knoll High School in Lexington, South Carolina. The band program was been a consistent state finalist at the SCBDA Class 5A Marching Band Championships, BOA Regionals, and the WCU Tournament of Champions. The wind ensemble was a consistent level VI Superior rated ensemble. In 2015, the wind ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Currently, Bob is the Head Band Director at Cypress Park High School in Cypress, Texas. This is a brand new high school in the Cypress Fairbanks ISD.

Bob has also been involved in the drum and bugle corps activity for over 30 years, having marched for four years in the Suncoast Sound Drum & Bugle Corps, and instructed several different drum corps over the years. Bob has served as the visual caption head for Carolina Crown and the Boston Crusaders, Blue Stars, and most recently for the Troopers.

Bob graduated Summa cum Laude from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in music education. While there he was a member of the prestigious Jazz Ensemble I. During his time there, he performed with such jazz greats as Louie Bellson, Pat Metheny, James Moody, Randy Brecker, Eddie Daniels, Marcus Roberts, Elaine Elias, Rich Matteson, Bunky Green, Bill Prince, the Airmen of Note, and the Count Basie Orchestra just to name a few. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), and the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA). Past memberships include the South Carolina Band Directors Association (SCBDA), the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE), the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), and the Pinellas County Music Educators Association. Bob also has a TI:ME level 2 certification in music technology. In addition to his duties as a band director, Bob enjoys an active schedule as an adjudicator, drill designer, and guest clinician throughout the country. Bob was the guest conductor of the Maine All-State Jazz Band in January of 2010. Bob has been recognized several times in the "Who's Who Among America's High School Teachers."

Return to Colts News.