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Band Directors
Mr. William Stultz
Director of Bands
William Stultz has been directing and teaching young musicians for 40 years. He has been the Director of Bands at Columbus North High School for 30 years, active with the Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and multiple Jazz Bands, as well as the music theory program.
Prior to his move to Columbus, Indiana, Bill was the Director of Bands for ten years at Prairie Heights High School in LaGrange, Indiana. He was responsible for taking the Prairie Heights Marching Band to the State Finals for the first time in the school’s history. He went on to lead that band to the State Finals four times. Bill has maintained that tradition of excellence at North, also leading the North Marching Band, “Sound of North,” to its first ever State Finals appearance. “Sound of North” has since been a State Finalist band a total of nine times.
Bill takes great pride in the well rounded and well recognized instrumental programs that he has developed at North. Not only has the Marching band seen great success, but so have the many other ensembles under his watch. He has lead Concert Bands and Orchestras to the State Finals on 20 and 2 occasions, respectively, and the Jazz Bands have received many honors and awards, including having been selected as the honor bands at numerous Jazz Festivals throughout the region.
Bill is quick to point out that, every year, numbers instrumental music students from the North program receive gold ratings in the annual ISSMA Solo and Ensemble contests and Columbus North is regularly well represented by multiple students selected to participate in the All-State Jazz, Concert Band, and Orchestra programs. Many of his students have continued their musical education beyond high school, with several teaching and playing professionally throughout the country.
On a personal level, Bill has been actively involved with the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) for many years, serving on its board for twelve years. At North, he has hosted many ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contests as well as ISSMA Organizational contests. He has also served as an ISSMA judge and marching band judge throughout the country.
Bill was selected for Phi Beta Mu, and Honorary Fraternity of Outstanding Band Directors and has subsequently served as both Vice President and President of that organization. He was selected as the Phi Beta Mu outstanding Bandmaster in 2010. Only 32 Directors have received this award in the over 50 year history of the fraternity. He has also served as this Vice President and President of the Indiana Association of Jazz Educators and the Vice President and President of the Indiana Bandmasters.
He and his wife Kelly have two daughters, Kylie and Bailey.
Mr Keith Burton
Assistant Director of Bands, Director and Composer
Arranger of Sound of North
Keith grew up and graduated from high school in Carmel, Indiana. He began playing the piano in 1st grade and added the trumpet in 6th grade. In high school, Keith played in many of the school’s outstanding ensembles and earned positions in the Indiana All State Bands and Orchestra.
Keith attended Indiana University and Ball State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. He has studied trumpet with William Adam, Dominic Spera, Bernard Adelstein, Ed Cord, Paul Everett, Larry McWilliams and Charles Conrad.
Keith is currently in his twelfth year as Assistant Director of Bands and Director and composer/arranger at the Sound of North marching band at Columbus North High School. In addition to directing Sound of North, he conducts the Symphonic Concert Band, the North Blues Jazz ensemble, the Basketball Pep Band and assists with the Wind Ensemble and the competitive Winter Guard.
Prior to joining the staff at Columbus North, Keith was the director of Bands for three years at North Decatur High School in Greensburg, Indiana. Before his stint at North Decatur, Keith spent more than ten years as a marching band instructor and consultant with many Indiana high school bands.
In addition to his work as an educator, Keith is an active professional musician. He is a member of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and has worked as a trumpet player with many performers and groups including: The Temptations, Bobby Vinton, Ernie Watts, Bobby She, Tom “Bones” Malone, Allen Vizzuti, Michael Card, Richie Cole, Radio Days, Classical History Tour and the Jimmy Dorsey Band. He has also performed with several Indiana Orchestras, including the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, Indiana Wind Symphony, Muncie Symphony and South Bend Symphony.
He and his wife Melissa have a daughter, Mackenzie.