BIO

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 marching band championships.  Hazlett is the founder and owner of 4Front Music  Designs, 4FrontMusic.org. Hazlett is an active marching band adjudicator having judged marching band championships throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and South Carolina.  Hazlett is a two-time recipient of the National Band Association’s prestigious Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence. In 2014, 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 Mt. Juliet, TN with his wife Sarah and three children.

Hazlett is an active composer and arranger, composing music for marching ensembles across the United States, including the 2019 Tennessee Governor’s Cup State Champion program for McGavock High School. His concert band and brass chamber works have been performed by high school, collegiate, and municipal ensembles across the U.S. and abroad. Notably, his Three Moods for Brass Quintet earned third place in the National Young Composer’s Competition, and his concert band work Séance was recently performed in Pamplona, Spain.

Hazlett is also a highly noted educator having served as Director of Bands at his alma mater, McGavock High School in Nashville, TN from 2013 to 2024. During his successful tenure, he led the band to the 2019 TN Governors Cup State Marching Band Championship, the MTSU Contest of Champions Grand Championship, the 2017 TnMEA State Music Conference Wind Ensemble performance, numerous superior ratings, TN Bandmaster Sweepstakes awards, ASBDA Award of Distinction, along with many regional and national appearances.  Prior to his role as Director, Hazlett served as the Assistant Director from 2004 to 2013, including teaching all facets of the esteemed band program, Class Piano, Music Theory, and AP Music Theory.   

Hazlett earned his Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) in Music Education from Austin Peay State University, Master of Arts in Instrumental Conducting from Middle Tennessee State University, and Educational Specialist Degree (EDS) in Educational Leadership – Principalship from Arkansas State University.

Hazlett has held memberships in Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Honor Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Tennessee Music Education Association, National Association for Music Education, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, and served on the Executive Board of the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association. 

CLICK HERE to see past marching band competition judging events.