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Jonathan Gifford
Staff Coordinator
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Jonathan Gifford returns to Carolina Gold as Staff Coordinator.
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Jon, affectionately known as Big Country, is no stranger to the drum corps activity. He has been a member in both DCI and DCA. He began his marching career as a soprano with Tarheel Sun from 1999–2000. In 2002, he began his tenure with Carolina Gold. Marching in the first two competitive seasons, 2002 and 2003, Jon went on to age out with East Coast Jazz in 2004. He then returned to Carolina Gold for the 2005–2006 seasons, where he was a premier soloist and part of the corps’ Open Class Finals appearances. When the corps took a brief hiatus in 2007, Jon participated with the Rochester Crusaders for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He also performed with the 2008 and 2013 DCA Mini Corps World Champion Ghost Riders.
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From 2009 to 2011, Jon was the Brass Caption Head with the corps until taking his talents to Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps. While at Pioneer, Jon served as a brass tech for 2012 and then moved into the Brass Caption Head position for 2013 and part of 2014. In 2020, Big Country was elected into the Bugler’s Hall of Fame. Some of Jon’s achievements include being a soloist in both DCI and DCA, earning the DCA I&E solo champion title in 2008, DCA I&E Small Ensemble Champion in 2011, and performing with a Mini Corps Champion.
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Jon holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from East Carolina University and a Master’s in Music Education from Kansas State University. From 2010–2014, Jon taught high school band in North Carolina before enlisting in the United States Army as a musician, where he has served since 2015.
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Now returning as Staff Coordinator, Jon will oversee the instructional staff, manage rehearsal schedules, and serve as the key link between the creative team and administration. His role ensures that the staff has the structure, communication, and support needed to help members reach their fullest potential both on and off the field.
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Jon is happily married to Amber Gifford. He has three wonderful children, two dogs, and a cat.
Jon brings a wealth of knowledge back to the organization and is excited to be home where his drum corps career took flight.