Neil Landini

About Mr. Landini:

Neil Landini serves as the Percussion Director for DeSoto Central High School and Middle School in Southaven, MS. He teaches Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, General Music, and the Winter Percussion Ensembles (Curricular Concert Percussion and Marching Indoor Drumline). The DeSoto Central Marching Band is the 5-Time MSHAA State Champion, and was a Bronze medalist in 6A in 2022, and a Bronze Medalist in 7A in 2023.  DeSoto Central Winter Percussion (PSCO) was the 2023 MIA Concert Open Champion, and a Finalist at WGI World Championships. During the 2023 DCI season Mr. Landini served as the Percussion Caption Head and Arranger for the Memphis Blues Drum Corps, an DCI Sound Sport corps based in Memphis, TN.

From 2006 to 2022 Mr. Landini served at Powhatan Middle and High School in Powhatan, Virginia as the county's Percussion Director. He had previously served as the drumline instructor for Powhatan since 1997. Under his tenure, the Varsity Winter Percussion was the 11 time Atlantic Indoor Association Open Class Champion, a multi-year WGI Regional Champion and Finalist, and multi-year WGI World Championship Semi-Finalist.. The JV Winter Percussion Ensemble was a multi-year AIA Regional A Medalist and WGI Regional Finalist, and the Curricular Concert Percussion Ensemble was a multi-year WGI Regional Finalist and World Championship Finalist. 

Certification(s), Awards, and Sponsorships:

Mr. Landini has a B.M. in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University and studied with Mr. T. Howard Curtis, Mr. Mike Boyd, the late Mr. Donald A. Bick, Mr. Jim Jacobson and Mr. Barry Dove among others. Neil was a member of the 1995 and 1996 Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He has served as a percussion instructor with the Virginia Helmsmen, Tarheel Sun, as well as various other programs.

In 2019, Mr. Landini spoke at the inaugural WGICON event on the topic; "Growing a Scholastic Program: Vertically and Laterally". Mr. Landini is an active member of PAS, NAFME, and MBA. In 2012 he was inducted to the Atlantic Indoor Association "Hall of Honor" for his years of service to the Winter Percussion and Guard activities in Virginia and North Carolina. Mr. Landini is also and Educational Artist and endorses Dynasty USA Marching Percussion, Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, Evans Drumheads, and Sabian Cymbals. 

Personal Info:

Mr. Landini is married to his wife Melissa; they have two sons and three daughters. He is an avid cyclist and remains an active performer, arranger, and clinician.