The Crossmen are excited to introduce a few more of our brass staff for 2026! We are thrilled to have Van and Stephen back on the team. Read up more on all our 2026 staff and sign up for an upcoming camp now at crossmen.org

Stephen Mason

Consultant

​

​

Stephen Mason is an accomplished educator, performer, and adjudicator whose

career has taken him to stages and stadiums across the globe. He earned his

bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill College in North Carolina and his master’s

degree in euphonium performance from the University of California, Los Angeles,

studying under Pat Sheridan and Gordon Henderson.

Stephen’s teaching career began in 2010 with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps.

The following year, he joined the Carolina Crown brass staff, contributing to three

Jim Ott Awards for brass excellence and a DCI World Championship. His

international work includes leading the Aimachi Marching Band of Nagoya, Japan,

to first place at the 2012 All-Japan Marching Band Competition.

In 2015, Stephen helped launch the WGI Winds division with Rhythm X, later

guiding the ensemble to multiple World Championships from 2016–2019. That

same year, he became Brass Caption Head for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle

Corps, where he played a pivotal role in the organization’s return to DCI Finals

from 2016–2019.

Known for his musical expertise and leadership, Stephen is a highly sought-after

clinician and judge, having worked with programs throughout the United States,

Japan, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Thailand. He currently resides in Cincinnati,

Ohio, with his wife, Melissa Mason.

Van Mathews

Consultant

​

​

Van Mathews has been an active educator, consultant and program designer for more than

three decades, instructing music and pageantry arts at the highest levels of achievement.

Formerly the Director of Bands at L.D. Bell High School, his ensembles earned multiple Bands

of America Regional and Super Regional Championship titles, three Texas UIL State

Championship medals and were Bands of America Grand National Finalists every year they

attended. Prior to his time at L.D. Bell, he was the Associate Director of Bands at Haltom High

School, Lewisville High School and Lake Highlands High School.

He spent his early years performing with Suncoast Sound and Madison Scouts Drum and

Bugle Corps. After aging out, he went on to work with Carolina Crown, the Madison Scouts,

the Blue Devils, the Crossmen and the Boston Crusaders.

Van is also an active adjudicator with Bands of America, Winter Guard International, the North

Texas Color Guard Association, Indonesia Drum Corps Association and numerous state circuits

and organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of

South Carolina and earned his masters and post masters degrees in music education from the

University of Illinois and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda and Gamma

Beta Phi. He presently resides in North Richland Hills, TX with his family.