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 the founder and owner of 4Front Music Designs, 4FrontMusic.org .
Hazlett is also a highly noted educator having served as Director of Bands at his alma mater, 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 Band 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, Class Piano, Music Theory, and AP Music Theory. Hazlett currently serves as the ACT/Finance course instructor at McGavock HS.
Hazlett earned the 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 productions 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 groundbreaking concert band selection titled Seance was performed in Pamplona, Spain.
Hazlett holds 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 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, 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 and their three young children.
Mr. Hazlett served as Director of Bands at Joelton Middle in 2003 and returned home to McGavock as Assistant Director of Bands in 2004. Hazlett served on the AP Music Theory Textbook Selection Committee and Curriculum Mapping Committee for Metro Nashville Schools.
As a composer, Mr. Hazlett’s original compositions and arrangements have been performed nationally and internationally 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 University of Memphis Faculty, Brass Quintet, The Belmont University Faculty 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 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. 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 and their three children.
4Front Music Designs 