John Birge-Director of Bands
Mr. Birge is from Jacksonville, Florida and received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 1998. He began his career in Middleburg, Florida where he was the director of bands at Middleburg High School. During his tenure he founded the Middleburg All-Star Band which culminated in a performance in the Waikiki St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2001 Mr. Birge accepted the position as director of bands at South Effingham High School. During his tenure the band improved on many fronts and earned multiple Grand Champion awards both on the stage and on the field.
In 2004, he returned to Florida State on assistantship to pursue his Master’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education. During this time he taught multiple courses as well as assisted with the Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Seminole Sound Pep-Band, and the Marching Chiefs.
Following graduation in 2006 Mr. Birge accepted the position as the band director at Brunswick High School. Over the past 18 years the Marching Band has grown from 38 musicians to over 150! Mr. Birge attributes much the program’s success to the middle school programs that prepare students for the opportunities at Brunswick High.
Mr. Birge is an avid tennis player and enjoys fishing and being outside. He lives in Brunswick with his wife Rachel Fitzpatrick and youngest son, John-Michael.
Caleb Guilbeau - Assistant (To The) Director of Bands
Mr. Guilbeau is originally from Ellisville, Mississippi and joined the Brunswick community in the summer of 2023 with his wife Lindsay. He received bachelor’s degrees in music education and performance at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2019 followed by his master’s degree in trumpet performance in 2022. Since his time as a student, Mr. Guilbeau has spent a large amount of time with a wide variety of band programs for consulting, sectional leadership, and private lessons. Upon completion of his graduate degree, he served two years as an Applied Trumpet Professor at the University of West Florida. Aside from his teaching experience, he was a member of three symphony orchestras and performed in many more freelance performance opportunities. Mr. Guilbeau enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with family, and cooking with his wife.
Jessica Zettler-Dance Instructor
Mrs. Zettler is a native of Glynn County and an alumni of Brunswick High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Georgia Southern University. Mrs. Zettler taught English at Southeast Bulloch High School for four years where she coached the Stingers Dance Line. She returned to Brunswick last year and is happy to be home. She lives in Brunswick with her Husband, Ellis, and her son, Atlas.
Alexandria Tipton-Guard Instructor
Mrs. Tipton is a native of Brunswick, Georgia. She earned her Organizational Communication degree from Middle Tennessee State University and is currently the youth minister at First United Methodist Church. Mrs. Tipton, her amazing firefighter husband Andrew, reside in Brunswick with their two beautiful children, Avalyn and Anderson.
Noah Madison-Director of Bands, Needwood Middle School
A native of Livingston Manor, NY, Noah Madison is in his 7th year as band director of Needwood Middle School. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the State University of New York at Fredonia and his Master's of Music in Saxophone Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi. Mr. Madison is in his 10th year of teaching having taught previously at Wayne County High School, Deerfield-Windsor (Albany, GA), and at Southern Miss.
