Brian Giddens has a rich set of experiences in the world of the marching arts. He has been actively involved in directing, designing, consulting, choreographing, and instructing for 26 years, working with numerous programs such as Chimeras Winterguard (2004 WGI Independent Open Class World Champion and 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 WGI World Class Finalist); Kennesaw Mountain High School (2004 WGI Scholastic A Class World Champion, 2005 WGI Scholastic Open World Champion, 2006 Scholastic World Finalist); Pope High School (2008 WGI Scholastic A Bronze Medalist, 2009 WGI Scholastic Open Bronze Medalist) and Georgia State University Winterguard (2014 WGI Independent A Class World Champion).
Today, Brian is a program, staging, choreographer, visual designer, as well as an adjudicator and consultant for winterguard and marching band programs. He is also involved in circuit administration, currently serving his second term as President of the Board of Directors for the Southern Association for Performance Arts.
In addition to past and current work in winterguard and marching band, Brian also has a history in the drum corps activity. After marching in the inaugural season of the Magic of Orlando, having the opportunity to work under the direction of Karl Lowe, Brian went on to teach such programs as Magic of Orlando, Crossmen, Carolina Crown, Spirit of Atlanta, Phantom Regiment, and most recently Madison Scouts, serving in a variety of teaching and/or consulting roles. Those experiences provided him with the opportunity to collaborate with, and interact with some of the most respected people in the activity. Brian maintains relationships with many of his past collaborators and colleagues today, and considers many of his mentors to also be good friends.
His work has not been limited to the world of pageantry, however. Brian also brings 16 years of experience in the field of education, beginning his career in the classroom and transitioning to school-based administration. His most recent work has been in educational consulting where he partnered with school districts in providing training and support in best practices for teachers and local/district leadership. It is through this experience, combined with the years of teaching in the marching arts, that Brian is led in a new direction with his work that he hopes to combine with his design services or as a stand-alone offering. Experiences can be designed to offer training in teaching and leadership for directors and instructors, in order to provide the support needed to shape educational best practices and meet the needs of diverse learners in the marching activities. Brian feels strongly that this educational opportunity can be a tool for instructional teams across the disciplines and provide a positive benefit to programs and students alike.
Brian continues to maintain his life outside of pageantry, which consists of his home in Montclair, New Jersey, and the thing about which he is most passionate: being husband to his wife Jennifer, and father to his 9 year old daughter McKinley, 6 year old son Maddox and new baby son Mays.