​2023 LMI ​ADJUDICATORS

Dr. Michael Vaughn, Niles-West High School & The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps

Dr. Michael Vaughn has been a respected member of the higher education community in the Chicago area for over 20 years.  A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Vaughn earned his Bachelor’s degree at Birmingham-Southern College, where he studied piano and organ, and holds a Master’s and Ph.D in music history and literature from Northwestern University.  He is well known as a lecturer and teacher, speaking regularly for scholarly, community, and civic organizations across the country. He holds memberships in numerous professional societies.  He is the program director of the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra, and chairman of the Bonnie and Lee Malmed Young Artist Competition.  A published author, his work has appeared in several scholarly journals, and he was recently a major contributor to A Reader’s Guide to Music History, Theory and Criticism. Dr. Vaughn has served on the faculties of Trinity College, Northwestern University, and is currently Professor of Music at National -Louis University in Chicago, where he teaches courses in music history, music theory, and applied music.  He has twice been recognized with the Outstanding Faculty Member award.
In addition to his academic career, Dr. Vaughn has long been involved in the marching arts, as a performer, teacher, and judge.  Most recently he was the director of the guard program at Niles-West High School in suburban Chicago, where his guards consistently earned finalist rankings in the Midwest Color Guard Circuit.  He continues to serve as a clinician and adjudicator in the color guard, general effect, and visual captions.  He is also actively involved, in various capacities, with Winter Guard International and Drum Corps International.  Dr. Vaughn joined the staff of The Cavaliers in 2009.  He served as the manager of Cavaliers Promotions, Tour Director, and Personnel Director before being appointed Corps Director in 2019. 

Barry Trobaugh, Retired Munford High School Band Director

Barry Trobaugh is a retired music educator and was Director of Bands at Munford High School in Munford Tennessee.  His bands have been recognized for their outstanding performances through marching band, concert ensembles, and jazz ensembles.  Among the awards, Munford is the USBands 2011 National Champions, three-time Southern States Champions, and three-time TN State Champions.  Most recently, the Munford Band has performed “coast to coast” with their 2015 “This is Elvis” presentation in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC and the 2019 “The Music of Memphis” presentation in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena CA.  Barry has served as President of both the Regional and State Band Associations and continues to lead as the All State Chair for West TN School Band and Orchestra Association. Barry is a member of TnMEA, ASBDA, WTSBOA, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, and the Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu.
​Trobaugh’s work has been chronicled in the 2011 School Band and Orchestra Magazine as one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” in the 2015 Tennessee Magazine, in Sharlene Habermeyer’s book:  Good Music, Brighter Children as well as the feature article in April 2018 issue of The Instrumentalist.
​Barry has been chosen twice as Teacher of the Year at Munford High School and was selected as a finalist for Tennessee Teacher of the Year in 2016.  He has also been recognized twice by the CMA Foundation for his role as a leader in music education.

Clayton Harris, Marching 365

Clayton Harris has been a professional marching show designer and drill writer for the last 15 years and has written over 300 shows in this timespan.  He is the owner and head drill writer for Marching365 and has had numerous shows performed at the UIL Texas State Marching Championships in the 3A and 4A classifications.  In 2017, the 1st and 2nd place finalists in the 3A category were products of his design.  In 2019, 5 of the top 10 finalists, including the gold and bronze medalists, were associated with Clayton and Marching365. Most recently in 2020, the Melissa HS Band was awarded 2nd place at the 4A UIL State Marching Championships with Clayton’s show design and drill. Overall, Marching365 has had 17 marching productions make appearances at the state level in the last 4 years.
In 2018 Clayton completed three years as Director of Bands at the University of Texas – Permian Basin before moving back to DFW to pursue show production full time. Prior to moving to West Texas, Clayton served as Director of Bands for the award winning Redwater Dragon Band.  Under Mr. Harris’ leadership, the Redwater Dragon Band earned six UIL Sweepstakes Awards, was an OPS State Finalist in 2013 and 2014, 2nd Place UIL Texas State Marching Finalist in 2011, and 6th Place UIL Texas State Marching Finalist in 2013. 
Prior to directing, Harris maintained a private lesson studio in Plano and Southlake-Carrol ISD, both in the Dallas area, while working towards his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Trumpet Performance at the University of North Texas.  Harris has also served as Visiting Music Instructor at Ouachita Baptist University as trumpet instructor, jazz band director, and assistant marching band director; the University of North Texas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music as a graduate teaching fellow; and adjunct music instructor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.  
Clayton Harris earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Henderson State University and a Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.  
Clayton now lives in Princeton, TX, with his wife Misty, and their three children, Madison, Mason, and Maebry.

Arthur Grossman, Marching 365

Show Designer + Drill Designer + Guard Choreographer + Body Choreographer

​Arthur Grossman is native of Western Michigan, but resides in Forth Worth, TX. Arthur currently serves as program coordinator/visual designer for Saginaw High School a 5A school in the State of Texas. Over the last several years Saginaw HS has won numerous caption awards, and earned several first division ratings. In addition to SHS, Arthur has worked Chisholm Trail HS, Boswell HS, Keller Central HS, Birdville HS, Springtown HS, and many more. During the winter season Arthur is co-director of Eagle Mountain Independent, 2 time WGI Regional Champion, and 3 time WGI World Championship Semifinalist. In addition to EMI Arthur has been the co-director of CGT Fort Worth, 2 time WGI World Championship IA Finalist, and a member of the design team for Brenham Independent, 2014 WGI IA Silver Medalist.

Levi Chavis, Program Coordinator & Band Clinician

Levi Chavis is currently a Band Clinician / Consultant and Marching Band Program Coordinator working with programs throughout the United States. He also currently serves as the Ensemble Coordinator for the Madison Scouts. Levi previously taught in the Richardson, Frisco, and North East ISD’s for 15 years where both his Marching and Concert Bands received statewide and national acclaim. He was also named the Outstanding Young Bandmaster by Phi Beta Mu’s Texas chapter in 2015 and has previously served on the instructional staffs of The Cavaliers and Santa Clara Vanguard. Mr. Chavis is an active adjudicator nationally through his work with BOA/WGI and proudly serves on the staff of the SASi Leadership company. More information can be found at www.levichavis.com.