SEMO BAND DIRECTOR TO DIRECT BOWL SHOWS

Barry Bernhardt, director of Activity Bands at Southeast Missouri State University, will direct the half-time shows during this year's Liberty and Gator Bowl games.

The Liberty Bowl, in which Michigan State University will take on the University of Louisville, will be held Dec. 28 in Memphis, Tenn. The Gator Bowl, in which Alabama will play North Carolina, is scheduled for Dec. 31 in Jacksonville, Fla.

At the Liberty Bowl, Bernhardt will direct a massed band comprised of more than 10 high school bands and the marching bands of Michigan State University and the University of Louisville. At the Gator Bowl, Bernhardt will direct a massed band of about 1,800 musicians from 16 high school bands.

Bernhardt, a Macon, Mo., native, said this will be the second time he has directed a half-time show for the Liberty Bowl but the first time he has directed two bowl-game, half-time shows during the same season.

"It will be a lot of fun," Bernhardt said. "It's a high pressure job for a short time."

Last year, Bernhardt directed the half-time show during the Sugar Bowl game in the Super Dome in New Orleans. He has been involved in half-time productions since 1988. He has acted 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; and the Hall of Fame Bowl. He also has acted as assistant director for the opening ceremonies of the U.S. Summer Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Bernhardt said he was selected to direct the Liberty Bowl and Gator Bowl half-time shows because of his association in recent years with Bowl Games of America, which coordinates such performances.

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 techniques, and conducting and instrumental techniques, and is a member of the Faculty Brass Quintet. Bernhardt also is the chairman of the music department's scholarship and recruiting committee, and directs the school's summer music camps.