DIRECTOR LEADS SUGAR BOWL SHOW

Barry Bernhardt, director of activity bands at Southeast Missouri State University, will direct the half time show at this year's Sugar Bowl game on New Year's Day at the Super Dome in New Orleans.

Bernhardt will direct a massed band of more than 1,500 members, including the university bands of the schools competing in the Sugar Bowl and more than 10 high school bands.

"I am very pleased they have the confidence in me to have asked me to do this," Bernhardt said. "I am very excited about the opportunity."

Bernhardt has been involved in half time productions since 1988. He has served as assistant director of half time shows for Super Bowl XXII in San Diego; the John Hancock Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas; the second annual National Football League American Bowl at Wembly Stadium; the Hall of Fame Bowl; and the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. He also was assistant director for the opening ceremonies of the U.S. Summer Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City.

Bernhardt said he was selected to direct the Sugar Bowl half time show because of his association in recent years with Bowl Games of America and Heritage Festivals, which coordinate such performances.

"Apparently, they have liked my work," Bernhardt said.

At the Sugar Bowl, Bernhardt will be responsible for charting and directing the movement of the massed band, and an arranger will be hired to write original music for the performance.

Assisting Bernhardt with the show will be Norman Ruebling, marching band director at the University of Missouri, and Lee Carlson, a choreographer from Los Angeles.

At Southeast, Bernhardt directs the Golden Eagles Marching Band, the Southeast Show Band, the University Concert Band and the University Jazz Band. In addition, he teaches courses in marching band, conducting and instrumental techniques.

He is a member of the Faculty Brass Quintet. Bernhardt also is the chairman of the music department's scholarship and recruiting committee, and is the director of summer music camps.