Faculty & Staff

Dr. Stephen Kerr, Director of Bands

Dr. Stephen P. Kerr, former principal trumpet player at Liberty University, has been a band director for 30 years and is in his 23rd year at Liberty University. He received his B.S. degree in music education from Liberty University in 1982, and holds an M.E. degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Kerr holds the PhD in Music Education with a minor in research from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He serves as Director of the "Spirit of the Mountain" Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and teaches Instrumental Conducting courses. He has studied with principal trumpet for the Roanoke Symphony, Alan Bachelder, and Dr. Edward Bach, trumpet instructor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Kerr studied conducting with Dr. James Glazebrook at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and Dr. John Locke at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He performs periodically in the Lynchburg area, and periodically serves as a band clinician and adjudicator in the mid-Atlantic region.  The Liberty University Wind Ensemble has demonstrated acclaimed performance levels, including performing at the 2008 College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference, peer-reviewed invitation.  This group is honored to perform again at the CBDNA Southern Conference in February, 2012, an outstanding accomplishment for our students and a high honor for Liberty University.  The Wind Ensemble enjoys an extended tour during the spring semester every year, performing at schools, churches and community events, including fun venues such as Miami’s Bayside and Disney World.  The Liberty University Marching Band performs regularly in the new Williams Stadium, travels to exciting venues, and serves as a host for their own USSBA Central Virginia Regional Marching Band Competition each fall semester.
  

  Dr. Kevin Super, Percussion Instructor

Dr. Kevin Super joined the Instrumental Faculty of the Liberty University Department of Music and Humanities in the fall semester of 2003.

Dr. Super studied with Vic Firth, Charles Dowd, and Paul Salvatore. He has wide experience as an orchestral percussionist, having played with professional orchestras in the Boston area (Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and many others) and in Oregon (notably with the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra). Dr. Super trains the percussion battery of the Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band, instructs percussionists in the Bachelor of Music program offered by the Department of Music and Humanities, and teaches drum set for the Bachelor of Science in Worship and Music Ministry program offered by the Department of Worship and Music Studies. Dr. Super is a member of the National Association of Rudimental Drummers (membership by performance examination only), the American Federation of Musicians, MENC, CMS, and the Percussive Arts Society.

Rachael Chastain, Staff Assistant

Rachael Chastain has served as the Band Staff Assistant for the Liberty University Marching Band since November 2012.  She has participated as a member of the Spirit of the Mountain from 2008-2011 playing clarinet and mellophone, has performed with the Wind Ensemble for four years, playing clarinet, and the jazz ensemble for two years, playing Bari and Tenor Sax.  Rachael moved to Lynchburg from Pennsville, New Jersey to finish up her undergrad in Psychology: Crisis Counseling, and plans to continue on towards graduate work in Clinical Mental Health in hopes of being a military counselor.

Bryanna Tester, Colorguard Instructor

Bryanna Tester is the Color Guard Instructor for the “Spirit of the Mountain” Marching band for the 2013 season. Bryanna has been involved in competitive Color Guard and Winter Guard since 2004. She was a member of Wallace Middle School Winter Guard in Bristol, Virginia from 2004-2005, John S. Battle High School Color Guard in Bristol, Virginia from 2005-2009 (served as a squad leader in 2007 and as captain in 2008 and 2009) and the “Spirit of the Mountain” Color Guard from 2010-2011. She has been the Color Guard Instructor of Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Virginia from 2010-2013 and Patrick Henry High School Color Guard in Glade Spring, Virginia from 2011-2013. As an oboist, she was a member of Wallace Middle School Symphonic Band from 2003-2006, John S. Battle High School Wind Ensemble from 2006-2010 and the Liberty University Wind Ensemble 2011-2012. She also served as the Secretary/ Treasurer of the “Spirit of the Mountain” Marching Band and Wind Ensemble from 2011-2012. Bryanna plans to graduate from Liberty University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in English with a teacher licensure.