Band Directors

Mr. David Wiebers

Director of Bands

David Wiebers is the Director of Bands at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, GA, bringing over two decades of experience as a Head Band Director in Texas and Georgia schools.

Mr. Wiebers focuses on building strong music programs where students can excel. Ensembles under his direction have earned recognition at state and regional levels, including UIL Area Marching Contest advancements, multiple marching band grand championships, and consistent superior ratings for concert bands.

He enjoys supporting students in their musical pursuits. Many have achieved placement in prestigious groups such as the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, Texas and Georgia All-State ensembles, and the Governor’s Honors Program. Mr. Wiebers is proud that numerous former students have gone on to successful careers in music performance and education.

He earned his Master’s in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music and his Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Georgia, where his teachers included Fred Mills (Canadian Brass) and Steve Dancz. His conducting background includes studies with Dr. John Culvahouse, Mark Cedel, and Allen Crowell.

David is married to Tina, and they have two daughters, Rileigh and Abby. They actively serve in the Student and Music Ministries at First Baptist Church of Woodstock.

Mr. Scott Pannell

Assistant Director of Bands

Mr. Pannell has served as the Associate Director of Bands at North Cobb High School since 2007. During his tenure, the band program has been featured at the Music for All Southeastern Concert Band Festival (two appearances), the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference (two appearances), and the University of Georgia JanFest (two appearances). Additionally, the North Cobb High School Marching Band has earned multiple class championships and grand championships throughout Georgia and neighboring states.

Prior to North Cobb, Mr. Pannell served as Director of Bands at Sewell Middle School and as well as Assistant Director of Bands at Bremen High School. He also served as the Director of Bands at Lithia Springs High School. Ensembles under his direction have earned numerous superior ratings, class championships, and Grand Championships.

Mr. Pannell is an active adjudicator and clinician, having judged band and percussion ensembles at competitions and exhibitions throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area and across the southeastern United States. Since 2008, he has adjudicated visual and visual effect captions for indoor percussion and winds circuits around the southeast, also including service with the Winter Guard Arizona circuit. He has also served as a band and percussion instructor and clinician for several Georgia high schools.

A native of Columbus, Georgia, Mr. Pannell earned the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Georgia Southern University, where he studied under the direction of Dr. Daniel Pittman and Dr. Matthew Fallin. He is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Instructional Technology at the University of West Georgia. Mr. Pannell resides in Douglasville, Georgia, with his wife, Dawn, and their children, Brantley, Render, and MercyElise.

Ms. Jennifer Leslie

Director of Color Guard

Jennifer began her color guard career in 2003 as a member of the Fayette county High school color guard and winter guard. After graduating high school, she continued her performance experience with many organizations including: Atlanta CV, JSU Marching Southerners, Northgate Independent, Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps, Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, Aureus Winter Guard, and Paramount Winter Guard.

Since ending her performance career in 2012, she has gone on to continue teaching various organizations around the metro Atlanta area. She currently is a staff member at Paramount Winter Guard.

Outside of color guard, Jennifer has a certification in Patisserie and Baking from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary arts. She also spends time designing color guard costumes for North Cobb and various other organizations. In her spare time she enjoys painting, and spending time with her dogs; Tinker, Coco, & Lucy!

Mr. Marcus Hawkins

Director of Percussion

Marcus Hawkins Is a native of Milledgeville Ga where he went to Baldwin High School. Upon graduation he attended Jacksonville State University on a music scholarship. He participated in many music groups and marched in extracurricular activities such as Spirit
(2004), PASIC (2004), Music City Mystique (2005 & 2006).

Marcus has a long time passion for education which he discovered while teaching at a neighboring high school when he was in the 12th grade. Marcus is in high demand as a performer and teacher, with many people sighting his upbeat, positive, yet demanding style. He has worked with over 50 programs as a writer, consultant, teacher, and visual instructor. Marcus has taught and written for all levels and ages from pre school to senior centers, from general music classes to DCA, WGI and DCI.

As a performer he has done corporate shows internationally for many fortune 500 companies including BMW, Cracker Barrel, Coke-a- Cola, AARP, Kaiser Permanente, Atlanta Falcons, USAA, Mary Kay, Avon and many more. He has performed many times along side members of STOMP and Cirque Du Soleil. He has toured internationally with legendary blues singer Sandra Hall, spreading the love of blues and jazz to many universities and festivals. As a writer and music producer he has written for NASCAR, BMW, Picture This podcast, Toyota , and many local commercials.

Marcus currently lives in the Greater Atlanta area with his wife and 4 kids. Since 2023 he has served as the Percussion Caption for the Georgia Tech Drumline.