Parade Judges

Steve Butterworth

Steve Butterworth is a musician and music educator as well as a senior executive as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Yamaha Canada Music for the past 30 years. Through his work at Yamaha Canada, he and his team initiated the creation of over 200 drumlines in schools across Canada. He has marched in well over 1,000 parades with the Burlington Teen Tour Band, Top Hat Marching Orchestra and the Royal Canadian Navy Bands HMCS Star, HMCS York, and The National Band of the Naval Reserve.

In those groups he has performed in Washington, Philadelphia and Baltimore 4th of July Parades, the Rose Bowl and Hula Bowl, as well as the 40th Anniversary of D-Day commemorations in England and France, in Japan for the Burlington Mundialization celebration and across every province in Canada.

In addition he has performed in The Santa Clause Parade more than 10 times.He has adjudicated at Musicfest Canada regionals and the Atlantic Band Festival. He remains active as a low brass player in the Southern Ontario Lyric Opera Orchestra and Sinfonia Anceaster, as well as Chicago Transit, Canada's original tribute to the band Chicago.

Michael A. Rehill

Major (ret) Mike Rehill has over 50 years’ experience as a conductor, teacher and player at every level of expertise and can tailor arrangements to suit your needs.

Mike Rehill holds degrees from McMaster University and the University of Toronto. He has written over 300 arrangements, particularly music for Military Band and Pipes. His arrangements have been played by many bands in North America and Europe and have been recorded by the Bands of the United States Air Force Reserve, the United States Military Academy at West Point, the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and the Central Band of the Canadian Forces. He was the Principal Director of Music for the Canadian International Military Tattoo for 25 years and currently oversees the Fort Henry Tattoo in Kingston. He is a member of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).

Mike Rehill holds the Canadian Forces Decoration with two clasps, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Canada 125 Medal and the Army Command Commendation. He is a member of the Order of St John, a member of the International Military Music Society and a founding member of the Ontario Principal’s Council.

Rob Bennett

A lifelong member of the Burlington Teen Tour Band organization, Rob Bennett rose from the Peanut Band in 1977 to the Teen Tour Band as a member of the percussion section and later an award-winning drum major, serving in that role until 1989. He later helped establish the Teen Tour Band Alumni Association and has contributed for decades as an instructor, drill designer, and program leader.

In 1998, Rob became the Managing Director of the Burlington Teen Tour Band, a role he held for 25 years. During this time, he utilized his expertise and passion for the marching arts, providing clinics and assisting other bands to help them reach their full potential. Under Rob’s leadership, the Burlington Teen Tour Band was twice accepted to participate in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade – the granddaddy of all parades for marching bands.

Rob has also served as Chair of the Lt. Governor's Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers selection committee, and his dedication to youth has been recognized with honours including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Platinum Jubilee Community Hero Award.

As an adjudicator, Rob has evaluated ensembles across Canada and internationally, including judging the World Championship of Marching Show Bands. He brings extensive experience in marching technique, leadership, and show design to every panel.

Sir William J. Hughes

Sir William (Bill) was born in Holywood, Northern Ireland, where he started playing flute in local bands. A student of Harry Eden and Geoffrey Gilbert, Bill was Principal Flute and Piccolo with the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, during which time he performed on the Royal Yacht, at many State banquets, and at official functions.

As a freelance flautist, Bill has performed with many of the world’s top orchestras, including the BBC and the London Symphony Orchestra, and has been a featured soloist on numerous television and radio recordings. He has performed with and backed many stars such as Henry Mancini, Anne Murray, Michael Burgess, Eartha Kitt, Diana Ross, and Liza Minnelli.

Since settling in Canada, Bill has shared his experience and expertise as a performer and adjudicator. A past member of the Board of Directors for the Ontario Arts Council, Bill also sits on the music advisory committee for Mohawk College. In addition to his extensive involvement in the arts and community, Sir William is also a past Director of Music for the Burlington Teen Tour Band.