John Bird marched with the World Champion Syracuse Brigadiers in 1997 and 1999, and was a percussion staff member in 1999 under caption head Dr. Robert Bridge. He has taught and arranged for various marching bands and winter drumlines since 1997 and is currently the high school band director at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central Schools.



John Bird was also awarded the Educator of the Week by Channel 3 news in 2004. He is currently the Vice President of the Oswego County Music Educators Association and is an active member in NYSBDA, NYSSMA, and MENC.



John Bird attended Onondaga Community College for two years and studied with John Barker and Rick Compton. After attending OCC, he transferred to SUNY Potsdam and studied with James Pertercsak, Dr. Robert Bridge, Ernie Musquiz, as well as Makoto Nakura, and Keiko Abe briefly.



John Bird graduated with a B.M. in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and was also awarded the Performance Certificate by the Crane School of Music Faculty.



John Bird is currently Percussion Co-Caption Head for the The Brigadiers Drum & Bugle Corps.