John David Hazlett
Composer/Arranger
Biographical Info
John David Hazlett is an acclaimed music composer, arranger, marching show designer, and adjudicator based in Mt. Juliet, TN. Hazlett’s compositions and arrangements have been showcased both nationally and internationally while his custom and original marching band music designs have earned numerous state and regional high school marching band championships.
Hazlett is a highly noted music educator serving as Director of Bands at McGavock High School in Nashville, Tennessee from 2013 to 2024. During his successful tenure, he led the band to the 2019 TN Governors Cup State Marching Championship and the 2017 TnMEA State Music Conference Wind Ensemble performance, numerous superior ratings, TN Bandmaster Sweepstakes awards, and regional and national performances and appearances. Prior to his role as Director, Hazlett served as the Assistant Director from 2004 to 2013, including teaching all facets of the band program as well as class piano, Music Theory, and AP Music Theory. Hazlett currently teaches ACT and Finance courses at 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 and marching band productions for numerous ensembles 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 by both concert and marching ensembles. 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.
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.
Hazlett’s Brass Ensemble compositions have been performed by the University of Memphis Faculty Brass Quintet and the Belmont University Faculty Brass Quintet.
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.
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 and is a 3-time recipient of the CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence Award in 2017, 2019, and 2022. Hazlett resides in Mount Juliet, TN with his wife Sarah and their three young children.