Alan Emerson, born in Owensboro, KY, received his BME (1994) and MME (2004) degrees from Murray State University, and also completed National Boards for Teaching Music (2022).
Mr. Emerson began his teaching career in Owensboro at Audubon Elementary School and Apollo High School. In 1995 Mr. Emerson began teaching for the Hopkins County School system and works with Madisonville North Hopkins High School, James Madison Middle School and Browning Springs Middle School Bands. James Madison Middle School (160 students, grades 6-8) currently has 32% of the student body involved in the instrumental music program. The 7th and 8th grade bands continually receive distinguished ratings at KMEA large ensemble festival. James Madison bands have also competed in the "Music in the Parks" festivals and "Holiday World" music festival and have been rated superior on each occasion and winning all classifications, including high school, in 2004, 2011, 2014 and 2017. The 2016 James Madison 8th grade band was selected and performed in the Kentucky Chapter of the Phi Beta Mu concert festival; one of 2 Middle school bands selected.
Madisonville North Hopkins High School Band (100 Members) offers many outstanding ensembles for its students: Marching Band (23 state finals appearances, 10 state championships, 8 Murray State Festival of Champions Grand Champions), Symphonic Band, Concert Band, 2 Jazz Bands, Brass Choir, Chamber Winds, Percussion Ensemble, and two Winter Guards. Mr. Emerson proudly team-teaches these ensembles with Mr. Cory Mullins and Mr. A.G. Van Fleet.
Madisonville North Hopkins has performed at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, President Clinton's Second Inauguration, and the World War II monument dedication, Disney World's parades including New Year’s Eve Light Parade, and the New York Wind Band Festival at prestigious Carnegie Hall in February 2012.
Besides his teaching duties in Hopkins County, Mr. Emerson is also a composer/arranger for Fannin Musical Productions and an active arranger for high school marching bands with over 130 shows to his credit. Mr. Emerson is also serving on the executive board for the Kentucky Music Educators Association (2021-2027).
Mr. Emerson’s drum and bugle corps experience includes Star of Indiana (1988), The Crossmen (1994-1998) and Eklipse (2003). Mr. Emerson has been awarded the KMEA 2nd District Middle School "Music Educator of the Year" numerous times and is the 2004 recipient of the Hopkins County Middle School "Teacher of the Year" and 2015 Kentucky Music Educators Middle School “Teacher of the Year.”
Mr. Emerson is married to Sarah, an AP junior-senior English teacher at Madisonville-North Hopkins. Mrs. Emerson taught the MNHHS color/winter guards from 2002-2022. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson have one child, Jane, born in 2012.
email: [email protected]
Mr. Emerson began his teaching career in Owensboro at Audubon Elementary School and Apollo High School. In 1995 Mr. Emerson began teaching for the Hopkins County School system and works with Madisonville North Hopkins High School, James Madison Middle School and Browning Springs Middle School Bands. James Madison Middle School (160 students, grades 6-8) currently has 32% of the student body involved in the instrumental music program. The 7th and 8th grade bands continually receive distinguished ratings at KMEA large ensemble festival. James Madison bands have also competed in the "Music in the Parks" festivals and "Holiday World" music festival and have been rated superior on each occasion and winning all classifications, including high school, in 2004, 2011, 2014 and 2017. The 2016 James Madison 8th grade band was selected and performed in the Kentucky Chapter of the Phi Beta Mu concert festival; one of 2 Middle school bands selected.
Madisonville North Hopkins High School Band (100 Members) offers many outstanding ensembles for its students: Marching Band (23 state finals appearances, 10 state championships, 8 Murray State Festival of Champions Grand Champions), Symphonic Band, Concert Band, 2 Jazz Bands, Brass Choir, Chamber Winds, Percussion Ensemble, and two Winter Guards. Mr. Emerson proudly team-teaches these ensembles with Mr. Cory Mullins and Mr. A.G. Van Fleet.
Madisonville North Hopkins has performed at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, President Clinton's Second Inauguration, and the World War II monument dedication, Disney World's parades including New Year’s Eve Light Parade, and the New York Wind Band Festival at prestigious Carnegie Hall in February 2012.
Besides his teaching duties in Hopkins County, Mr. Emerson is also a composer/arranger for Fannin Musical Productions and an active arranger for high school marching bands with over 130 shows to his credit. Mr. Emerson is also serving on the executive board for the Kentucky Music Educators Association (2021-2027).
Mr. Emerson’s drum and bugle corps experience includes Star of Indiana (1988), The Crossmen (1994-1998) and Eklipse (2003). Mr. Emerson has been awarded the KMEA 2nd District Middle School "Music Educator of the Year" numerous times and is the 2004 recipient of the Hopkins County Middle School "Teacher of the Year" and 2015 Kentucky Music Educators Middle School “Teacher of the Year.”
Mr. Emerson is married to Sarah, an AP junior-senior English teacher at Madisonville-North Hopkins. Mrs. Emerson taught the MNHHS color/winter guards from 2002-2022. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson have one child, Jane, born in 2012.
email: [email protected]
Cory Mullins, from Murray, KY, graduated from Calloway County High School (2007) and received his Bachelor of Music Education degree (2011) from Murray State University. In 2018 he received his Masters Degree in Advanced Study of Education: Curriculum, Instruction & Teacher Leadership.
Mr. Mullins was a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (2009-10).
In 2012, Mr. Mullins began teaching for the Metropolitan School District of Mt. Vernon (IN) and was Director of the instrumental programs at both Mt. Vernon Senior High School and Mt. Vernon Jr. High School. During his tenure at Mt. Vernon, Mr. Mullins directed the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Winds and Winter Guard.
In 2013, Mr. Mullins began his teaching career with the Hopkins County Schools, where he served as the Director of Bands at Browning Springs Middle School for 11 years. The Browning Springs Bands grew and maintained 20% of the student enrollment. The Browning Springs Band program and has received numerous Distinguished ratings at KMEA 2nd District Concert Festival Assessment.
Mr. Mullins has been an assistant director of bands for the Madisonville North Hopkins High School Marching Maroons since 2013. During this time he has been a co-teacher for the Marching Band, Concert Bands, Pep Bands, and Jazz Ensembles.
Mr. Mullins is a Visual Concept Designer and has designed for the Marching Maroons (2017-21 & 2024) and worked as a drill designer for the MNH Winter Guards (2017-2019). Mr. Mullins has been an active participant and conductor for the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts Summer Musicals: (2013-14), Pit Orchestra Conductor, 2016 & 2024 Pit Orchestra Performer.
Besides his teaching duties in Hopkins County, he is an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, Kentucky Education Association, Kentucky Music Educators Association and actively plays in community events. Mr. Mullins is married to Mrs. Amy Mullins, the Visual & Performing Arts teacher at Hanson Elementary School. They have two sons: Henry and Andy Mullins.
email: [email protected]
Mr. Mullins was a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (2009-10).
In 2012, Mr. Mullins began teaching for the Metropolitan School District of Mt. Vernon (IN) and was Director of the instrumental programs at both Mt. Vernon Senior High School and Mt. Vernon Jr. High School. During his tenure at Mt. Vernon, Mr. Mullins directed the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Winds and Winter Guard.
In 2013, Mr. Mullins began his teaching career with the Hopkins County Schools, where he served as the Director of Bands at Browning Springs Middle School for 11 years. The Browning Springs Bands grew and maintained 20% of the student enrollment. The Browning Springs Band program and has received numerous Distinguished ratings at KMEA 2nd District Concert Festival Assessment.
Mr. Mullins has been an assistant director of bands for the Madisonville North Hopkins High School Marching Maroons since 2013. During this time he has been a co-teacher for the Marching Band, Concert Bands, Pep Bands, and Jazz Ensembles.
Mr. Mullins is a Visual Concept Designer and has designed for the Marching Maroons (2017-21 & 2024) and worked as a drill designer for the MNH Winter Guards (2017-2019). Mr. Mullins has been an active participant and conductor for the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts Summer Musicals: (2013-14), Pit Orchestra Conductor, 2016 & 2024 Pit Orchestra Performer.
Besides his teaching duties in Hopkins County, he is an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, Kentucky Education Association, Kentucky Music Educators Association and actively plays in community events. Mr. Mullins is married to Mrs. Amy Mullins, the Visual & Performing Arts teacher at Hanson Elementary School. They have two sons: Henry and Andy Mullins.
email: [email protected]
Mr. A.G. Van Van Fleet
email: [email protected]
Allen (Al) Courington is a native of Madisonville, Kentucky, and resides in Hanson, Kentucky. He is a graduate of Madisonville-North Hopkins High School (1991), Campbellsville University, with a bachelor's degree in music education and is currently pursuing his Rank II. Allen currently serves as the visual and performing arts (music/art) teacher, at Southside Elementary School, where he leads the Sound of Southside chorus. Mr. Courington had worked with the Madisonville band program since 2017 and has also worked with bands across the state of Kentucky. He has recorded voice over/narration for marching band programs and writes drill for the award winning MNHHS Maroon Winter Guard programs. Mr. Courington is a member of the Tradewater Brass Quintet. He attends First Christian Church, where he is in the choir and church orchestra. He is a member of the Kentucky Educators Music Association (KMEA) and the International Tuba and Euphonium Association (ITEA). In his spare time, he enjoys travel, reading, and fishing. He is married to Stephanie, a Registered Nurse, and is stepfather to Madeline Stanley.
Born and raised in Madisonville Kentucky, Kirsten Mendoza graduated from MNHHS in 2018 and attended Murray State University, graduating in 2022 with a bachelors in Art and a certificate in teaching.
A former member of the MNHHS band and color-guard, Mrs. Mendoza never lost contact with the program and her love for the art form. In the fall of 2022, she began her first year of teaching at JMMS as an art instructor as well as her first year of coaching color guard at MNHHS. In the following winter, she began her first season of coaching the MNHHS Winter Guard.Outside of school, you can find Mrs. Mendoza volunteering at her local church, painting at home, or taking care of her cat, dog, and loving husband. She is beyond excited to be a part of the MNHHS band program once again to help continue to build its legacy.
Hi! My name is Cayce Spence and I am the Rifle Coach for the MNH Maroon Color Guard. I attended MNHHS from 2007-2011 graduating from a band program that changed my life. Marching Band instilled skills that I am forever grateful for and provided friendships that will last a lifetime. I am a mother to a wonderful 3-year-old, Theo, and wife to Jacob for 9-1/2 years.
In my free time I enjoy playing outside with Theo and being around our families. In addition to my home life, I am an Office Manager for Charbon Contracting here in Madisonville, KY.
Being welcomed back into the Maroon Band family has been a wonderful, and craved, experience. I am so excited to see what this band will accomplish this season and for many years to come!
Brent Burris is presently entering his 17th year of education in Muhlenberg County, serving as curriculum specialist/middle school MOVE coordinator for The Renaissance Center. He has served as band director for Muhlenberg County HS, Muhlenberg South HS, Muhlenberg South MS, Glasgow HS, and Cumberland County HS/MS (all in KY). He previously served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Western Kentucky University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Arts in Education degrees. He also holds a Rank I in Educational Leadership from Eastern Kentucky University.
Bands under his direction have made multiple invited appearances at the KMEA In-Service Conference, performed at the Dixie Classic Grand National Adjudicators Festival (Festival Honor Band), and have received the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence. High school and middle school concert bands under his direction have been identified with KMEA’s Exemplary Performance Status. His marching bands have been named Bands of America Grand National Semi-finalists, KMEA finalists, and have also earned numerous distinguished and grand champion awards. The 2007 Muhlenberg South Marching Suns were named the KMEA Class AA State Champion, and were the Class AA Runner-Up in 2008. Students under his direction have been named to the KMEA All-State Symphonic, Concert, and Jazz Bands, All-State Orchestra, University of Kentucky Honors Wind Ensemble, Western Kentucky University Honors Band, Murray State University Quad State, and the Kentucky All-State Baptist Youth Orchestra. From 2015-2022, he served as staff coordinator for the Castle High School band in Newburgh, IN. The Castle band was a multiple BOA Grand National finalist, as well as the BOA Class AAA National champion, Clarksville Regional champion, Indianapolis Super Regional class champion, and Louisville Regional class champion during his tenure.
Mr. Burris has served two terms on the KMEA Board of Directors, while also serving as President of the Third District Music Educators Association. He has also served on the KMEA Conference Planning Committee, as Band-Chair and Marching Band Committee Representative for District 3, and is a member of Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He was named Outstanding Young Band Director by Phi Beta Mu for the state of Kentucky in 2003, has been twice included in Who’s Who among America’s Teachers, and has received citations from the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives. His articles, The Grass Isn’t Always Greener, and Be Committed, were published in editions of the Bluegrass Music News, and he has also been a clinic presenter at the KMEA In-Service Conference. He has served as an adjudicator, clinician, and consultant in Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and recently received the KMEA 25-year award.
He currently owns Brent Burris Designs, specializing in marching band drill and consultation for bands throughout the region. He is honored to serve on staff for the Madisonville North Hopkins band program.
Chase Brummer, from Madisonville, KY, is a 2024 graduate of MNHHS, where he was a member of the marching band, concert band, jazz band, and percussion ensemble. In the fall of 2024, he will be attending Centre College, where he intends on playing with the college’s symphony orchestra and fusion ensemble. Chase has performed with the community theater pit orchestra for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 summer productions at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. Chase enjoys serving his community through music, and is excited to begin working with the MNHHS band.
Liam Coursey, of Madisonville, Ky, Graduated from MNHHS in 2017 before getting a BME (in vocal music) from Murray State University in 2022.
Mr. Coursey began assisting with the MNHHS Marching Band immediately following his graduation and has continued on staff ever since. He has also assisted the choirs of MNHHS and James Madison Middle School with performances since early 2017, before his graduation.
Mr. Coursey has been part of several pit orchestras for performances at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, in Madisonville, and in 2021 he became the Director of Music for summer camps and Community Theater performances.
While at Murray State Mr. Coursey was part of the Concert Choir, Treble Bass Chorus, Town and Gown Chorale, and the Jazz Orchestra (as pianist). He accompanied many University ensembles, and soloists, in his time at MSU, and was fortunate enough to be world premieres of pieces, both as a pianist and a singer. It was also during this time that he started as an Organist for local churches.
In April of 2022 Mr. Coursey was hired as Itinerant Choral Director for Hopkins County Schools, serving at MNHHS and JMMS, where he also leads the Drama Club, and continues to assist with the Marching Maroon band program. He is absolutely thrilled to be part of the Maroon family and continue to support the programs which have shaped his life to this point.
Mr. Coursey began assisting with the MNHHS Marching Band immediately following his graduation and has continued on staff ever since. He has also assisted the choirs of MNHHS and James Madison Middle School with performances since early 2017, before his graduation.
Mr. Coursey has been part of several pit orchestras for performances at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, in Madisonville, and in 2021 he became the Director of Music for summer camps and Community Theater performances.
While at Murray State Mr. Coursey was part of the Concert Choir, Treble Bass Chorus, Town and Gown Chorale, and the Jazz Orchestra (as pianist). He accompanied many University ensembles, and soloists, in his time at MSU, and was fortunate enough to be world premieres of pieces, both as a pianist and a singer. It was also during this time that he started as an Organist for local churches.
In April of 2022 Mr. Coursey was hired as Itinerant Choral Director for Hopkins County Schools, serving at MNHHS and JMMS, where he also leads the Drama Club, and continues to assist with the Marching Maroon band program. He is absolutely thrilled to be part of the Maroon family and continue to support the programs which have shaped his life to this point.
My name is Greg Deahl and I’m from Madisonville. I graduated from North Hopkins High School in 2008 where I marched for the Marching Maroons all four years. During that time, I played top bass, pit, and tenors, and the band won three state titles. After graduation, I earned a Bachelors degree in Agriculture Systems Technology from Murray State University where I also marched for Racer band and played top bass and tenors. I’m currently a Solutions Manager for Hibbs ElectroMechanical. Inc. I spend my free time with my wife and eleven-month-old daughter. I enjoy St.Louis Cardinals baseball and UK sports.