Tom Sweeney
Director of Bands

Tom Sweeney began working in the Columbia Public School District in 2001 and has been the Director of Bands at Hickman High School since 2026. Previously he was the Associate Director of Bands at Hickman (2012-2026). Tom currently shares the responsibilities of four concert bands, marching band, and several jazz ensembles. He also conducts the pit orchestra. During his tenure at Hickman, he taught the "Jazz, Pop, and Rock" music appreciation class, directed the basketball pep band, as well as taught brass classes at various CPS Middle Schools. Previously Tom was Director of Bands at West Junior High in Columbia (2007-2013). In 2009 the West Junior High Viking Band performed at the MMEA conference, under his direction. The Hickman HS Wind Ensemble has also performed at MMEA while Tom has been at Hickman (2022 & 2026). Prior to his position at West JH, Tom was the Director of Bands at Oakland Junior High in Columbia (2001-2007).

Tom is a native of Iowa and earned his B.M.E. at Morningside College ('86), Sioux City, IA. He received his M.A. in Music Education from the University of Central Missouri ('01). Tom began his teaching career at Southwest Livingston County R-1 S.D., Ludlow MO, teaching K-12 Music (Vocal and Instrumental). During his career he also taught; grades 6-12 instrumental music in Higginsville, MO (Lafayette County C-1 S.D.), grades 5-12 vocal and instrumental music in Leeton, MO; and was an assistant band director at Bellevue West H.S. in Bellevue, NE. 

Tom is a member of MMEA, NAfME, MBA, MSTA, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  He is a Past-President for the Northeast Missouri Music Educators Association.  Tom is married to Beth Sweeney and has two children; Michael and Megan, and two grandsons; Calvin and Ben, and one granddaughter; Kaylee.




​Alex Weinzierl
Associate Director of Bands

Alex Weinzierl joined Columbia Public Schools in 2026 as the Associate Director of Bands at Hickman High School, where he co-directs four concert bands, the marching band, jazz ensembles, and teaches music theory. Prior to joining CPS, Alex spent three years as the Director of Bands in the Mt. Vernon School District. In that role, he oversaw the district’s band program in grades 6-12, directing the high school concert band, jazz band, and marching band, while also teaching middle school band classes.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Alex graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2023 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and certificates in Jazz Studies and Multicultural Studies. He is a proud alumnus of Marching Mizzou, where he spent two years as a trumpet section leader and two years as a drum major. Alex also marched with the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps in 2021 and returned to serve on the Colts brass staff during the summer of 2024. He then served as the Brass Caption Head for the Colt Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps in the summers of 2025 and 2026.

​Alex holds professional memberships in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA), and the Missouri Bandmasters Association (MBA). He resides in Columbia, Missouri, with his wife, Emily, and their dog, Remi.

Marching Band Staff

Julie Swope
Visual Design & Movement

Julie Swope is in her 14th year as Director of Bands at West Middle School in Columbia, Missouri. Prior to the Director of Bands position, Julie taught for the Columbia school district for 5 years as a Woodwind specialist. Previously, Julie was the Assistant Band Director for the Fulton Public School District teaching grades 6-12. In addition to her role at West Middle School, Julie assists with the Hickman High School marching band teaching choreography, body movement, and visual design. Throughout the fall marching season, Julie travels throughout Missouri judging marching band festivals, parades, and in-door color guard competitions.

Julie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, with an emphasis in piano, as well as her Master of Arts in Education from Truman State University. Julie is a member of NAfME, MMEA, MBA, MWBDA, Sigma Alpha Iota, NEA, and CMNEA. Julie resides in Columbia, Missouri with her husband Denis Swope, and their two children, Evan (who attends Wichita State University) and Mia (who attends University of Tennessee).

Jennifer Randolph
Color Guard Caption Head

Bio coming soon
Jeff Moorman
Drill & Program Design

Jeff Moorman is currently in his 21st year in education and his tenth year serving the Columbia Public Schools at Smithton Middle School. During his tenure, Smithton has received consistent Superior ratings at festivals and was selected for MMEA in 2019. Prior to his time in Columbia, Mr. Moorman spent the first decade of his career teaching at Francis Howell North High School earning recognition at numerous district, state and national level competitions.
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In addition to his work in the classroom, Mr. Moorman has been a drill writer since 2005, proudly designing drills for Hickman High School since 2018. He is also an active adjudicator, having completed adjudication training through Central States, Mid-Continent Color Guard Association (MCCGA), Winter Guard International (WGI), and the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). His deep roots in the marching arts include performing as an alumnus of both Santa Clara Vanguard and Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps.

Nathan Kammerich
Percussion Caption Head

Nathan Kammerich joined Columbia Public Schools in 2025, as a member of the Hickman High School Marching Band Staff. Nathan graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 2024 with a degree in Information Technology. He was on the Marching Mizzou Drumline for 5 years, one year as a section leader. He also played the snare drum for Freedom Percussion in 2024 and 2025.

Additional Marching Band Staff

Color Guard

Hannah Sinek
Emma Waller
Angie Richardson
Elia Martindale
​Christian Witte
Percussion

​Lex Henderson (Front Ensemble)
Winds

Fran Patrick
​Emily Weinzierl
Maddy Haugsven
Hailey Carrier
​Logan Allen