John David Hazlett is Director of Bands at McGavock High School in Nashville, Tennessee.  A proud graduate of McGavock HS, Hazlett earned his Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) in Music Education from Austin Peay State University, Masters of Arts in Instrumental Conducting from Middle Tennessee State University, and Educational Specialist degree (EDS) in Educational Leadership – Principalship from Arkansas State University.

Hazlett is an active composer and arranger; designing, arranging, and composing music for numerous marching bands across the United States, including the 2019 Tennessee Governor’s Cup State Champion program for McGavock HS. His original compositions and custom music designs have been performed both regionally, nationally, and internationally.  His Three Moods for Brass Quintet was widely acclaimed and received third place in the National Young Composer’s Competition and his Seance was performed in Pamplona, Spain. During his tenure at McGavock, he has continued the long-standing tradition of superior performances in both marching and concert venues.  The McGavock Wind Ensemble was a featured ensemble at the 2017 Tennessee Music Educators Association State Convention for the first time in over 30 years.

Hazlett holds memberships in Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Tennessee Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, the Professional Educators of Tennessee and has served on the Executive Board of the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association. Mr. Hazlett is a two-time recipient of the National Band Association’s Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence. In 2014, Mr. Hazlett was named Educator of the Week by ABC WKRN Nashville. Hazlett was named a CMA Music Teacher of Excellence in 2017, 2019, and 2022.

As a composer, Mr. Hazlett’s original compositions and arrangements have been performed in concerts including: The Dimensions New Music Series at Austin Peay State University, The Recitals in the Rotunda Concert Series at the Dickson Renaissance Center and by the Pamplonesa Concert Band, Pamplona, Spain, the Belmont University Concert Band, the Belmont University Wind Ensemble Brass Choir, the Austin Peay Brass Quintet, the Austin Peay State University Wind Ensemble, the Middle Tennessee State University Brass Quintet, the Cookeville Community Concert Band, the Tennessee Valley Winds, the McGavock High School Brass Choir, the McGavock High School Wind Ensemble, the MLK Magnet High School Symphonic Band, and the McGavock High School Symphonic Band. Hazlett’s Three Moods for Brass Quintet received third place in the National Young Composer’s Competition. DREAMS for Brass Quintet and Three Moods were recorded and released on compact disc by the Austin Peay Faculty Brass Quintet. In 2017, Seance was featured in concert performed by the Pamplonesa Concert Band in Pamplona, Spain.

John David Hazlett is also in demand as a composer and arranger, designing custom marching band arrangements and compositions for high school and university marching bands. Current and past clients include the McGavock HS Band, the John Overton HS Marching Band, the Winston Churchill (TX) HS Marching Band, the Mt. Juliet HS Marching Band, the Columbia Central HS Marching Band, the Gibson County HS Marching Band, the McLean (VA) HS Marching Band, the South Fort Myers (FL) HS Marching Band, the Crystal River (FL) HS Marching Band the Middle Township (NJ) HS Marching Band, the Green Hope (NC) HS Marching Band, the Deptford (NJ) HS Marching Band, the Harpeth HS Marching Band, the Gallatin HS Marching Band, the Lebanon HS Marching Band and the Austin Peay State University Marching Band.

As a trumpeter, Mr. Hazlett was section leader, principal trumpet, marching band captain, 1998 TN Trumpet Competition winner, and All State Band member. At Austin Peay, Mr. Hazlett was principal trumpet in the Wind Ensemble, soloist in the Governor’s Marching Band and member of the faculty Brass Quintet. Mr. Hazlett was also guest conductor with the APSU Wind Ensemble. In 2001, Hazlett received the National Sinfonian Foundation Scholarship and was named Sinfonian of the Year by the Theta Tau Chapter. Mr. Hazlett completed his student teaching with JoAnn Hood and Rick Murphy at John Overton High School in 2002.  Mr. Hazlett was also Graduate Teaching Assistant with the University Bands at Middle TN State University. While pursuing his MA in Instrumental Conducting, Hazlett conducted both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band in concert and was principal trumpet in the Wind Ensemble. Mr. Hazlett served as conductor of the MTSU Concert Band in Spring 2006. Mr. Hazlett studied conducting from Gary Schallert, Reed Thomas, Rapahael Bundage, Bob Lee, and Carol Nies.

Mr. Hazlett holds memberships in Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Tennessee Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, Phi Meta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity, the Professional Educators of Tennessee and has served on the Executive Board of the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association. Mr. Hazlett is a 2 time recipient of the National Band Association’s Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence. Hazlett served on the AP Music Theory Textbook Selection Committee and Curriculum Mapping Committee for Metro Nashville Schools.  Hazlett resides in Mount Juliet, TN with his wife and their three children.