In Episode 3 of CSJA Presents: Inside the Judge’s Circle, we sit down with CSJA Education Director Stephen Alia to explore the creative process behind visual design, the importance of collaboration, and the relationships that make the marching arts so special.

We begin with Stephen's journey in the activity, from his early experiences as a performer to his work as a drill designer, educator, adjudicator, and leader in the indoor winds community. Along the way, we hear about the experiences and people that shaped his career, including the moment he first discovered the world of drum corps.

We dive into the world of visual design and explore how Stephen approaches writing for programs of all sizes and competitive levels. From Friday night halftime shows to nationally competitive ensembles, we discuss why understanding a program's goals, resources, and performers is essential to creating a successful production. We also explore the collaborative relationship between music and visual design, finding your own creative voice, and why the first idea isn't always the best one.

We also get Stephen's unique perspective on the relationship between designing and judging. We explore how his experience in the press box informs his creative decisions, the importance of evaluating a program on its own merits, and how judges can recognize and reward achievement without allowing their personal design preferences to influence their evaluations.

Our conversation then moves indoors as we discuss Stephen's involvement with WGI Winds, the evolution of the activity, and how increasingly theatrical productions are pushing the boundaries of what performers can accomplish on the floor.

We also take a closer look at Stephen's role as CSJA Education Director, including the organization's ongoing commitment to judge training, professional development, and continuing education through its seminars and Parlor Sessions.

Throughout our conversation, one idea continues to emerge. Whether Stephen is designing a production, mentoring an educator, training judges, or celebrating the success of a small school band program, the greatest rewards come from the people involved and the relationships built along the way.

And of course, we still make time for the really important questions, including just how many dots Stephen writes in a year and why almost anything sitting on his desk could become the inspiration for his next show.

Whether you're a judge, director, designer, educator, performer, or marching arts fan, join us Inside the Judge’s Circle.

In Episode 2 of CSJA Presents: Inside the Judge’s Circle, we sit down with CSJA Music Caption Head Dr. Nick Riley to explore how teaching, judging, designing, and performing all connect within the marching arts.

We begin with Nick’s own journey, from growing up in the Centerville High School band program to becoming a band director, percussion educator, arranger, adjudicator, and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Northern Kentucky University. Along the way, we hear how the people who shaped his early experiences in music continue to influence the way he approaches the activity today.

From there, we go behind the scenes of CSJA’s music caption and take a closer look at how judges are recruited, trained, assigned, and evaluated. We also explore what Nick listens for when a band takes the field, including uniformity, clarity, musicality, and the importance of recognizing the personal biases every judge brings into the box.

We then step back to look at Music General Effect and what Nick describes as “big picture music.” Our conversation moves through the relationship between marching band, DCI, and WGI, how those parts of the activity influence one another, and why staying connected to all corners of the marching arts matters for today’s adjudicator.

Nick also takes us inside Connexus, the indoor percussion ensemble he co-founded, and shares how working directly with performers continues to shape his approach as a judge, designer, and educator.

As the conversation unfolds, we arrive at a common thread running through nearly everything Nick does. Whether he is writing music, working with performers, training judges, or making commentary from the press box, it all comes back to teaching.

And of course, we still make time for the really important questions, including what Nick would judge if music were completely off the table and what a judging sheet for a cooking competition might actually look like.

Whether you're a judge, director, designer, educator, performer, or marching arts fan, join us Inside the Judge’s Circle.

In the inaugural episode of CSJA Presents: Inside the Judge’s Circle, our hosts Sean Sumwalt and Robert “Bob” Fischer sit down with Central States Judges Association Executive Director David Kaiser to explore what really goes into judging the marching arts.

David reflects on his 23 years with the Central States Judges Association, from his earliest experiences as a judge to the extensive training, feedback, and continuing education that help CSJA adjudicators stay current with an ever-evolving activity.

We dive into what judges are actually evaluating, the balance between what performers are being asked to do and how well they achieve it, the evolution of general effect, and how adjudication has shifted from simply identifying mistakes to recognizing and rewarding achievement.

David also shares where CSJA is headed next, including continued education, new initiatives, and the association’s growing efforts to support programs and help build better bands across the country.

And of course we also get into the really important questions like what concession-stand food will get you through a 30-band contest.

Whether you're a judge, director, educator, performer, or marching arts fan, welcome "Inside the Judge’s Circle."