James P. Barnes is the director of bands at Germantown High School. He directs the Wall of Sound marching band, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Music Theory/Computer Composition Class. Mr. Barnes has directed the musical Pit Orchestra in 2001, 2003, 2005 & 2007 and founded the Germantown Chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Mr. Barnes has been teaching since 1983 and has been at Germantown High School for 25 years. Mr. Barnes has a BFA and MM from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is listed eight times in the Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Mr. Barnes is the founding director of the Germantown Community Band, has been a member of the Freedom Horn Ensemble & Horn Quartet, has taught private French horn lessons and has been a Freshman Girls Soccer coach at GHS. Mr. Barnes has recently served as a adjudicator for the London (England) New Year's Day Parade. As a performer, Mr. Barnes has played principal French horn in the Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Moraine Symphony Orchestras and has been a keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist in various area bands and ensembles. Mr. Barnes has recently taken up banjo and is in the process of forming a Dixieland Band in conjunction to the Germantown Community Band.
Jon Bell is in his 10th year as a band director at Germantown High School. Mr. Bell teaches the Freshman Concert Winds, is the Assistant Director for the Wall of Sound Marching Band and instructs the Jazz Ensemble and the Pep Band. Mr. Bell is an active performer. He has played with the Moraine Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Civic Band, and The Knightwind Ensemble. He currently plays with the Washington Brass Quintet. Mr. Bell received his Bachelor of Music Degree from The University of Northern Iowa and has received his Masters Degree at UW-Milwaukee.