Colorguard, Percussion, Woodwinds, Brass, Drum Majors and Directors & Staff all have a place to to develop their technical skill and leadership potential at these 1, 2 and 4 day workshops featuring nationally recognized staff including Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser's Band Leadership Training programs.
For current or future Band Directors, Staffers, Administrators, Supporters and interested Parents.
Get information on workshops tailored especially to you and information you want to know about the workshops to which you are sending your students!
Each Fall 20 regional College Marching Bands perform for a crowd of thousands at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, PA at the Collegiate Marching Band Festival.
August 1st tickets go on sale for you to join us on October 1st 2017 for the 22nd Annual Festival!
Bruce Rickert is the thrilled to return to the Vivace Productions Marching Band Camps after a 28 year hiatus where he started his career working under Dr. James R. Wells as the Director of Music In the Parks. While at Music in the Parks, he assisted with the Summer Marching Band Camps, Band Leadership Training and Show Choir Camps.
Currently the Owner and President of Peak Performance Tours, he has been planning Middle School and High School Band, Choir and Orchestra performance Tours for over 22 years in the USA and abroad. He holds both a B.S. and M.M. in Music Education from West Chester University. His professional affiliations include the Student Youth Travel Association, Music Educators National and State organizations, as well as an alumni of both Phi Mu Alpha and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Dr. John Villella is the Vice President for University Affairs at West Chester University.
During his tenure at West Chester University Dr. Villella directed the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Marching Band and served as Associate Dean for the College of Visual and Performing Arts. His other duties have included working in the music education department as a supervisor of student teachers and instructor of instrumental methods and technique.
Dr. Villella is also the President of Vivace Productions, Inc. The national leader of summer camps including Band Leadership Training and the Marching Band Workshops.
He frequently serves as a guest conductor, adjudicator, guest lecturer, and director of music festivals in the United States, Canada, and Europe. In addition, he contributes a new band music review for each issue of the state music education magazine, PMEA News. His professional affiliations include membership in the National Band Association where he is the state chair, College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National and State organizations, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Tau Beta Sigma.
The Vivace office is managed by program coordinator Courtney Beard. She and Dr. Villella are assisted by a team summer interns and friends of Vivace as well as a dutiful office pup.
They all are dedicated to ensure workshop students have a superb experience thanks to planning, communication and implementation of safety procedures.
Jude was very excited to enjoy his second summer off in 14 years last after having served as visual coordinator for the Phantom Regiment in 2015. Previous drum corps experience includes Spirit of Atlanta (Color Guard Coordinator 10-13), The Colts (Program Coordinator 05-09), The Glassmen (Movement & Dance Instructor 05), The Phantom Regiment (Color Guard Instructor & Caption Head 03-04.)
Boughton has taught extensively around the country as a designer, choreographer, dance educator,program consultant and coordinator working with many organizations including WGI medalists Juxtaposition & Mechanicsburg High School, and most notably with 12-time WGI Independent World Class finalist The Black Watch Color Guard (03-12).
Attending Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a focus in Theater & Dance and additional studies in Movement for Non-Dancers & Dance in the Musical Theater Boughton has long been a student of dance and musical theater history in America and movement education to non-dancers.
Originally from Pittston, Pennsylvania Jude moved to Austin, Texas in 2010 where he is employed at Round Rock High School as Program Coordinator and Color Guard Director of the Dragon Band (2013, 15, & 17 Bands of America Grand National Finalist,) until 2015 served Vandegrift High School as Program Coordinator (2013 4A Texas State Champion & 2015 UIL Silver Medalist), & currently at Leander High School as Program Coordinator (2015 UIL Bronze Medalist & 2016 BOA Grand National Finalist)
After judging for WGI for 8 years Jude is proud to have served as a member of the WGI Advisory Board for 8 years & two terms on the WGI Board of Directors.
Jude resides his Austin Tx. with partner Will and 2 dogs Cindy and Laura Lee.
Justin McAdams is currently the high school band director and district music coordinator for the Phoenixville Area School District in southeastern PA. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Delaware and was one of the first to earn the master’s in wind band conducting degree from West Chester University.
He is a member of the National Band Association and is the president-elect of the southeastern district of PMEA. He has served as a mentor for numerous student teachers during his career and is a sought-after designer and consultant for marching programs up and down the east coast. He has designed for high schools in Georgia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania and is currently the visual designer for the Hawthorne Caballeros.
Heidi I. Sarver is a Professor of Music at the University of Delaware where she is Director of the Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band, co-conductor of the Symphonic Band and instructor of the Marching Band Techniques course She is also the supervisor for student teachers pursuing an undergraduate degree in music education.
Active throughput the northeast as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor, Ms. Sarver is best known for her work with the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy. Her contributions to DMA have spanned over 25 years. She is also an adjudicator and production assistant for the Sugar and Orange Bowls through Heritage Festivals and Bowl Games of America. In 2005 Ms. Sarver was the Assistant Director for the Bands of America Honor Band’s inaugural performance in the Tournament of Roses Parade and again in their second appearance in 2009.
In the past Ms. Sarver has performed with the Reading Buccaneers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps as a soprano soloist, music instructor and drum major. Prior to her appointment at the University of Delaware, she was a high school band director in New York, and the Assistant Director of Bands at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Heidi is a member of DMEA, MENC, CBDNA, and is currently serving as the Delaware State Chair for the National Band Association.
The Clinic Leadership Internship Program Staff is the life blood of the Vivace Workshops. This team of dedicated college students are on call 24 hours a day for the Vivace Camp participants.
Staff members are former Vivace / Drum Major Academy students who are now studying Music Education at a variety of Universities. They provide the logistical support for workshops and supplement the instructional staff.
Contact Vivace if you would like to learn more about joining the CLIP Staff!
The CLIP staff is coordinated and supervised by Micheal Shoremount. A graduate of West Chester University and a former participant in the Marching Band Workshops Mike is currently the Band Director at Bayard Rustin High School in West Chester Pennsylvania.
Rebe has been Vivace’s lead twirling coach since the beginning. She is a twirling performer, teacher, adjudicator, and a member of the National Baton Twirling Association.
Todd Marcocci is the President of Under the Sun Productions Inc., a production company serving the special events, marching band, and color guard industries. Over the years, Todd has served as producer, designer, choreographer, coordinator, and director for a seemingly endless number of events and groups, including: Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show; In Philadelphia – World Series Celebration Parade; 6 ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade, and July 4th Parade; In Washington D.C. – National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, National Memorial Day Parade, and National Independence Day Parade; Chicago Festival of Lights; the parade scene in the film, Lord of War, starring Nicholas Cage; Halftime shows for the Champs Sports Bowl, Tangerine Bowl, and Citrus Bowl; NBA All-Star Team-up Friday, and a commercial for the Snapple Corporation directed by Spike Lee.
Todd’s marching band and color guard talents have also been on display around the world in over 630 choreographed performances, including: the Field of View Color Guard; Bluecoats, Crossmen, Troopers, and Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps; and several marching bands including Kutztown University andWest Chester University.
Todd is also a choreographer for Marching Show Concepts, which markets his choreography and technique instructional videos around the world.
Adam J. Gumble is the newly appointed Director of Athletic Bands at West Chester University. Mr. Gumble’s primary responsibilities include directing the “Incomparable” Golden Rams Marching Band and WCU Basketball Band, conducting the Concert Band, teaching undergraduate conducting classes, and supervising student teachers. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Gumble taught for 13 years in the public schools as the Director of Bands at Hempfield High School in Landisville, Pennsylvania and Associate Director of Bands at Quakertown Community High School.
Throughout his career in the public schools, ensembles under Mr. Gumble’s direction have earned top ratings, awards, and critical acclaim at festivals, assessments, and honor performances across the region. Mr. Gumble is an active guest conductor, clinician, and presenter at professional development conferences across the Northeastern United States. He has served as the Band Content Representative on the PMEA State Professional Development Council and has contributed original articles for PMEA Magazine. Mr. Gumble has been a quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Foundation’s Music Educator Award and has been nominated for “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” as well as multiple “Teacher Impact Awards” through Central Pennsylvania’s NBC affiliate, WGAL. Mr. Gumble currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra.
Greg Martin is an Assistant Professor of Music Education / Associate Director of Bands at West Chester University. Dr. Martin has been the the Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Director of Bands at Florida International University in Miami as well as being the Assistant Director for the Longhorn Band and Lecturer in the School of Music at the University of Texas. He spent 14 years as a music teacher in public schools in Florida and Virginia.
Dr. Martin has also served as a Color Guard Instructor and Marching Caption head / Visual Coordinator for the Suncoast Sound Drum and Bugle Corps (’82 -’88) and Marching Caption head / Visual Coordinator for the Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps (’92 -’94). He also serves extensively as an adjudicator and clinician around the Southern and Midwestern United States and writes drill for several High School and college bands around the country including The University of Michigan.
The Front Ensemble Track is lead by Mike Bishop.
Mike Bishop is an experienced and active producer, musician, educator, designer, and international clinician. He arranges and produces for high school & university ensembles around the United States and Europe, including the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Ram Marching Band and European X of The Netherlands. Previously, Mike served as the Front Ensemble Coordinator of the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps (2015-2017), the Front Ensemble Arranger of the George Mason University Indoor Drumline (2017) & the Spirit of ’52 Drum Corps from Rastede, Germany (2014-2018), and on the Front Ensemble Faculty & Social Media Team for the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps (2010-2014), capturing a Drum Corps International World Championship in 2013. Additionally, Mike has served as a member of the Front Ensemble Faculty of Rhythm X & The X Academy and on the Board of Directors for Invictus World, Inc. – the first WGI Independent World color guard from Austin, Texas.
Immediately following his drum corps age out, Mike joined the staff of the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps (2009) before joining the Carolina Crown’s Front Ensemble Faculty in 2010. In the WGI scene, Mike was on the staff of Redline Percussion (2010), European X (2014, 2017-2019) in The Netherlands, and Rhythm X (2015-2016).
Darren Hazlett teaches and arranges for the drumline of the WCU Golden Rams Marching Band. He also teaches the marching percussion techniques class which runs every spring semester. Darren served as the Percussion Caption Head for the Crossmen prior to their move to Texas. He was a cast member of the Broadway production of Blast. Darren currently teaches music in the Penn-Delco School District.
The Drum Major Academy brings together educators from all over the country to uniformly teach their curriculum to students at their 12 locations, including the Kutztown and West Chester workshops. Exactly which staff members vary year to year based on the number of students and schedules but to see a full list of the DMA staff head over to their website here.
Educator, conductor, clinician, and lecturer Alfred L. Watkins, retired band director at Lassiter High School, in Marietta, Georgia, enjoyed a storied 37-year career that surpassed even his “wildest dreams.” Hailing from the small time of Jackson, Georgia and an alumnus of Florida A & M University (FAMU), Watkins built an outstanding and multi-faceted high school band program of international stature. The program was anchored by outstanding concert bands, which provided strong backgrounds for a lifetime of excellence and artistic appreciation to his over 10,000 former students.
Ensembles under his baton are recognized for their sonorous sound, excellent intonation, impeccable precision and meaningful musical interpretations. His bands have performed four times at the Midwest Clinic, National Band Association Convention, National Concert Band Festival and GMEA. The Trojan Marching Band performed four times in the Tournament of Roses, three times in the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parades and has been viewed on television by over 1.5 billion people. The Trojan Band was named Sweepstakes Winners in 103 of 110 competitions entered included being named the Bands of America Grand National Champions on two occasions.
Watkins is a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, the FAMU Gallery of Distinguished Alumni, the Bands of America Hall of Fame and the Phi Beta Mu Georgia Bandmasters Hall of Fame. He has received 16 Certificates of Excellence from the National Band Association and is the recipient of the Edwin Franko Goldman Award, Sudler Order of Merit, Legion of Honor Award, and the Turnett LeadershipCharacter Award. He holds the unique distinction of having led bands that received the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Flag of Honor, Sudler Shield, and Sudler Silver Scroll Awards.
Watkins is Co-founder, Musical Director and Conductor of the Cobb Wind Symphony, an award-winning all-adult community band based in Marietta. He is also Co-founder and President of the Minority Band Directors National Association. The $1.5 million Alfred L. Watkins Band Building at Lassiter bears his name. He and his wife, Rita live in Atlanta. They have two adult sons, Christopher and Jonathan.
A veteran of 36 years in public school music education, Marcia Neel has directed successful secondary music programs in Connecticut, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Nevada.
Well-known for her commitment to program expansion and innovation, Marcia is recognized as a leader among her peers for her creative approaches to curriculum design and implementation. Marcia is tireless in her endeavor to bring more students to music-making through hands-on, high quality experiences provided by a sequential curriculum that focuses on achievement.
Marcia is an ardent advocate for music education at the local, state, and national levels and serves on the Supportmusic.com Steering Committee. She has authored and edited an array of articles and publications for NAfME, the National Association for Music Education, School Band and Orchestra (SBO) Magazine, Strings Magazine, Parent Magazine and Leadership Magazine.
Marcia serves as Educational Advisor to The Music Achievement Council, a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation whose main focus is professional development for educators to reach and serve more music students.
Marcia has served as Western Division President of MENC; President of the Nevada Music Educators Association; and President of the Nevada Choral Directors Association. In 1993, The Disney Channel selected Marcia as their National Performing Arts Teacher of the Year and in 2013, she was inducted into the Conn-Selmer Institute’s Hall of Fame.
Marcia is president of Music Education Consultants, Inc., a consortium of music education professionals working with a variety of educational organizations, arts associations, and school districts to foster the growth and breadth of school-based music education programs for all children. In April, 2016, Marcia was named Senior Director of Education for the Band and Orchestral division of Yamaha Corporation of America and will serve in this capacity as an independent consultant while continuing her efforts to ensure equity and social justice for music education programs nationwide.
Tim Lautzenheiser began his teaching career at Northern Michigan University. He then moved to the University of Missouri, and from there to New Mexico State University. During that time, Tim developed highly acclaimed groups in both instrumental and vocal music.Following his tenure in the college band directing world, he spent three years with McCormick’s Enterprises working as Executive Director of Bands of America. In 1981, Tim created Attitude Concepts for Today, Inc., an organization designed to manage the many requests for teacher inservice workshops, student leadership seminars, and convention speaking engagements focusing on the area of effective leadership training. After thirty-plus years of clinic presentations, some three million students have experienced one of his popular sessions.
Tim presently serves as Vice President of Education for Conn-Selmer, Inc. He is a nationally recognized voice touting the importance of arts education for every child.
His books, produced by G.I.A. Publications, Inc., continue to be bestsellers in the educational community. He is also co-author of popular band method, Essential Elements, as well as the Senior Educational Consultant for Hal Leonard, Inc. Tim is also the Senior Educational Advisor for Music for All, and NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants).
He holds degrees from Ball State University and the University of Alabama; in 1995 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the VanderCook College of Music. He continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member at: Ball State University, Indiana-Purdue/Ft. Wayne University, and Butler University. In addition, he is a member of the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors and the Western International Band Clinic/American Band College Board of Directors. He is presently the Chair of the National Association for Music Education Music Honor Society (Tri-M).
Dr. Andrew Yozviak is the Director of Bands at West Chester University. Dr. Yozviak’s primary responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds, and teaching graduate and undergraduate conducting classes. Prior to this appointment, Yozviak served as Visiting Director of Bands at Susquehanna University and taught thirteen years in the Pennsylvania public schools.
Dr. Yozviak maintains a busy schedule as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician, regularly presenting at conferences and workshops. His research in the area of eighteenth century Harmoniemusik has produced two modern editions of wind partitas by the Bohemian composer, Antonio Rosetti (1750-1792). His scholarly edition of Antonio Rosetti’s Partita in E-flat is published by Amadeus Verlag, Winterthur, Switzerland.
As a composer, Dr. Yozviak has accepted commissions to compose and arrange music in a variety of genres. He has composed commissioned works for winds, chorus, jazz ensemble, and a variety of chamber ensembles. Dr. Yozviak’s work as an arranger has yielded more than one hundred fifty marching band shows for some forty high schools, eight universities, and five drum and bugle corps. His original compositions for marching band, which include Africa, Artificial Intelligence, Koto, Four Suits, Water, Winter Sketches and Night Visions are published by Marching Show Concepts’ Center X Productions.
Dr. Yozviak is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the Conductors Guild, the National Band Association, the Music Educators National Conference, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, the Pennsylvania Bandmasters Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Will Rapp has a thirty-seven year career as a published author with over 450 publications to his credit through Charter Publications, Jenson Publications, Educational Programs Publications, Meredith Music Publications, and the Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation. Additionally, his articles and reviews have appeared in some of the leading music journals. With one exception, he was the youngest student to have studied timpani and orchestral repertoire with Fred D. Hinger, legendary timpanist for the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He also performed as Principal Timpanist of the Allentown, PA Symphony Orchestra for fifteen years, when William Smith, former Associate Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, served as Music Director and Conductor of the ASO.
He has taught conducting at the Catholic University of America (during his doctoral residency) as well as at Kutztown University. He also worked under Maestro Pitor Gajewski, Conductor of the National Chamber Orchestra in Washington, DC. Currently serving as conductor of the Reading Pennsylvania Pops Orchestra, Will Rapp continues to be in demand as a guest conductor of honor bands and orchestras. His scholarly text, The Wind Band Masterwords of Holst, Vaughan Williams and Grainger, was released in March 2005. In 2007, he was selected as a recipient of a Kutztown University Faculty Research Award in recognition of his leadership in the field of percussion teaching, publications, and continued activity in the field. In Fall 2009, he was honored with the Arthur and Isabel Wiesenberger Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, making him the first faculty member in the history of the university to be honored with both awards.
Ed Otto will be returning to Vivace for his unique role as expert Pyware consultant offering sessions on the program and one on one meetings to sit with directors to review and optimize their drill.
He has been a High school Band director for 24 years at Downingtown West, Coatesville and Oxford high schools in PA and Pennsauken High School in NJ. Mr. Otto has been involved in the marching arts as a Designer, Instructor and Clinician since 1981 in the DCI, DCA, ICA, DCUK, WGI, BOA, USBands, TOB, TIA, CIA and COB Circuits.
Ed has served as the Assistant Band Director at the University of Delaware 1989 – 1992, and West Chester University 1999-2005. He was the Band Director at Millersville University from 2008-2011. As well as being a guest conductor for Regional and Local band festivals and has been a Clinician for Symphonic and Marching bands both here and abroad since 1989 – most recently in England and Ireland.
As of 2014, Ed has Written 350 marching band shows, 125 indoor guard and percussion shows and has been involved in 6 middle states evaluations as well as being a part of the evaluation team for the design of the current praxis test for music certification.
With an extensive history as a performer, instructor and designer, Marcos Martinez has dedicated his life to student performers.
His performance and design work includes Blue Devils, The National Band of Guayanilla and programs across the southeast United States.
Marcos spends much of his fall working as a consultant and adjudicator with the Florida Marching Band Championships and other regional circuits.
Tim Lautzenheiser began his teaching career at Northern Michigan University. He then moved to the University of Missouri, and from there to New Mexico State University. During that time, Tim developed highly acclaimed groups in both instrumental and vocal music.Following his tenure in the college band directing world, he spent three years with McCormick’s Enterprises working as Executive Director of Bands of America. In 1981, Tim created Attitude Concepts for Today, Inc., an organization designed to manage the many requests for teacher inservice workshops, student leadership seminars, and convention speaking engagements focusing on the area of effective leadership training. After thirty-plus years of clinic presentations, some three million students have experienced one of his popular sessions.
Tim presently serves as Vice President of Education for Conn-Selmer, Inc. He is a nationally recognized voice touting the importance of arts education for every child.
His books, produced by G.I.A. Publications, Inc., continue to be bestsellers in the educational community. He is also co-author of popular band method, Essential Elements, as well as the Senior Educational Consultant for Hal Leonard, Inc. Tim is also the Senior Educational Advisor for Music for All, and NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants).
He holds degrees from Ball State University and the University of Alabama; in 1995 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the VanderCook College of Music. He continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member at: Ball State University, Indiana-Purdue/Ft. Wayne University, and Butler University. In addition, he is a member of the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors and the Western International Band Clinic/American Band College Board of Directors. He is presently the Chair of the National Association for Music Education Music Honor Society (Tri-M).
Thom Hannum has been teaching at the University of Massachusetts Amherst since 1984; he serves as the coordinator of the Marimba Band/Marimba Ensemble Program as well as Associate Director of the Minuteman Marching Band. His contributions were acknowledged when he received the Distinguished Service to the University Award.
Mr. Hannum has long been regarded as one of the nation’s foremost percussion arrangers, instructors, and clinicians having presented numerous seminars and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. He is known internationally for his work with the DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and Star of Indiana. Thom is also a charter member of the design team for the Tony Award-winning show Blast!
In the summer of 2001, Mr. Hannum was selected for induction into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Hall of Fame for the Cadets of Bergen County, and the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Thom is a product consultant and clinician for the Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Company, Evans Drum Heads, the Pearl Corporation, and Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets where he has developed several Signature Series drumsticks and keyboard mallets. He is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society where he has served on the Marching Percussion Committee for 12 years.
Through the Hal Leonard Corporation, Mr. Hannum has published a Textbook and corresponding Student Workbook, Championship Concepts For Marching Percussion, which provide many band programs with a comprehensive foundation for percussion education. His instructional video, produced by Alfred’s Publishing, Fundamental Techniques For Marching Percussion, demonstrates many of the concepts outlined in the books. Thom has published percussion arrangements and solos with Warner Brothers, Rowloff Productions, and Drop6 Media, Inc. He is currently working on two new book projects with Alfred’s Publishing.
For more than two decades, Randy Gilmore has devoted his professional life to helping thousands of America’s high school and college bands design and perform the highest quality field show productions. He exemplifies an expertise and standard of excellence that is well known and respected throughout the music industry.
Sought after field shows have thrust his company, Marching Show Concepts (MSC) into the forefront of the marching band arena. MSC uses the best arrangers and designers from across the nation — and Gilmore has created more than a few himself — to make MSC every band director’s one-stop resource.
In addition to his business acumen, Gilmore has served as assistant marching band director at West Chester University, as well as ten years as a nationally recognized high school band director, taking his groups to state championships over and over again. He obtained a masters degree in Conducting and Music Education from Michigan State University and has acquired years of experience in the trenches of the music industry. Gilmore has built up a wealth of wisdom and effective resources, which he continues to regularly present in magazine articles and band clinics across the nation.
A long time guard designer and instructor, April is one of the industry’s foremost visual designers and colorguard instructors.
Currently serving as the the guard coordinator for the Stoneman Douglas HS Eagle Regiment marching band and WGI Guard ensemble April also provides consulting services for ensembles across the United States, including Puerto Rico.
April has also worked as a caption head for DCI groups including 20 years with the Cadets during the 90s and 2000s and also works as an adjudicator for USBands and local events.
Bob has served as an adjudicator, drill designer, guest conductor, and clinician throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He has served on the staff of the “Spirit of Atlanta” Drum and Bugle Corps and in 1993 was the drill designer for the DCI Division II National Champion “Carolina Crown.” In addition Bob wrote field shows for over twenty years for the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also served as a special consultant to the Walt Disney Company, where he started their popular “Future Corps” program and served on the Board of Advisors for “Magic Music Days.” He continues to consult with Pygrapics, Inc., the world’s leading drill design software producer. Bob was honored by Western Carolina University in 2003 by being chosen for the prestigious Paul A. Reid Distinguished Service Award for faculty. On March 10, 2005, Bob was honored by the Music Educators National Conference as a Lowell Mason Fellow. Bob’s professional affiliations include the NCMENC, NAfME, CBDNA, the North Carolina Bandmaster’s Association, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Bob Buckner is currently in his fourteenth year as the Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. A graduate of WCU, Bob began his teaching career at Sylva-Webster High School in Sylva, NC where he produced nationally recognized marching, concert, and jazz bands.
After leaving Sylva-Webster, Bob founded a band design and consulting firm, United Music Enterprises which to creates championship marching shows for bands throughout the United States.
In addition to maintaining his business, Bob returned to teaching in 1987 at East Tennessee State University where he served as Director of Bands until 1991. He returned to Western Carolina University in 1991 to take over the athletic band program. The “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band has grown from less than ninety members to its current membership of over three hundred.
Bob’s professional service includes serving as chairman of the Western North Carolina Bandmasters, serving as secretary of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association, as well as his service to Bands of America as both a Board of Advisors and Adjudication Committee member.
Jay Bocook is internationally recognized as a composer, arranger, conductor, and educator. His works have been performed at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. In 2003, Bocook was a contributing arranger to the musical CyberJam, which opened to rave reviews at London’s Queen’s Theatre. Currently he is working as the arranger for Blast! The Music of Disney, which will open in Tokyo, Japan in the summer of 2017.
In 2003, the U.S. Marine Band premiered Jay’s transcriptions of the film music of John Williams at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. An encore performance with Williams and “The President’s Own” took place in 2008. Jay’s transcription of Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Suite from “On the Waterfront” can be heard on the 2015 Marine Band CD Elements.
In 1982, Bocook was appointed director of bands at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. In 1989, he left to pursue other opportunities as an arranger for Jenson Publications, but returned to Furman in 2000 as Director of Athletic Bands. He remains a principal composer and arranger for Hal Leonard, where he has published over 600 arrangements and original compositions.
Bocook served as arranger for the ten-time world champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 1993-2016, and currently serves in the same capacity for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps of Denver, CO. In 2009, he was inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame, and in 2011 he was elected into the American Bandmasters Association.
| Band Director: | Dr. Frank Stetar | Email For More Info: | stetar@calu.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.calu.edu | School Website: | www.calubands.edu/ | |
| Location: | 250 University Ave California, PA 15419 |
Mascot: | Vulcan | |
| Social Media: |   |
Through 100 years of performance, today’s Bullets Marching Band, under the direction of Dr. Steven Marx, remains one of Division III’s premiere marching bands. With over 100 members, the Bullets Marching Band is one of the most visible musical ensembles at Gettysburg College. Composed of students from all majors and disciplines, it combines the best in music performance with outstanding marching in a fun college atmosphere.
| Band Director: | Dr. Steven Marx | Email For More Info: | bands@gettysburg.edu | |
| Band Website: | Gettysburg Bullet Band | School Website: | www.gettysburg.edu | |
| Location: |
Sunderman Conservatory of Music
CB: 403
300 N. Washington St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
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Mascot: | Bullett | |
| Social Media: | |
Lebanon Valley College’s Pride of the Valley is a 130+ member marching band under the direction of Dr. Christopher Heffner. The members of the marching band represent students from majors across campus.
| Band Director: | Dr. Christopher Heffner | Email For More Info: | music@lvc.edu | |
| Band Website: | prideofthevalleylvc.wixsite.com/marchingband | School Website: | www.lvc.edu | |
| Location: | 101 North College Ave Annville, PA 17003 |
Mascot: | Flying Dutchman | |
| Social Media: |  |
The Liberty University Marching Band is an exciting company of brass, woodwind, and percussion instrumentalists, accented and accompanied by a full color guard. In true drum corps style, The Spirit of the Mountain maintains the highest level of excellence, discipline, and musicianship. Sporting uniforms of red, white and blue, the Band is a favorite at home football games, as guests at football games in other stadiums, and as featured performers in community events.
| Band Director: | Dr. Stephen Kerr / Ms. Alyssa Hurley | Email For More Info: | amhurley3@liberty.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.liberty.edu/band | School Website: | www.liberty.edu | |
| Location: | 1971 University Blvd Lynchburg, VA 24515 |
Mascot: | Sparky Flames | |
| Social Media: | |
The RAM Band is one of the highlights of Shepherd University. Known for their strong commitment to musical excellence and exciting shows, the RAM Band is in great demand throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The band is NOT limited to Music Majors and is open to ALL university students.
| Band Director: | Prof. Scott Hippensteel | Email For More Info: | shippens@shepherd.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.shepherd.edu/music/marching-band/ | School Website: | www.shepherd.edu | |
| Location: | 160 W University Dr Shepherdstown, WV 25443 |
Mascot: | Rams | |
| Social Media: | |
The Shippensburg University “Red Raider” Marching Band is the largest student organization on campus and is home to over 170 non-music majors. The band performs almost every weekend at games and exhibitions for their love of music
| Band Director: | Prof. Trever Famulare | Email For More Info: | trfamu@ship.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.studentservices.orgsync.com/org/sumb/home | School Website: | www.ship.edu | |
| Location: | 1871 Old Main Dr Shippensburg, PA 17257 |
Mascot: | Big Red | |
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Snap @ShipUBand | Youtube Channel |
With membership open to all students regardless of major, The Slippery Rock University Marching Pride is the largest and most visible student organization on the campus of Slippery Rock University. A rich history of excellence in the marching arts, the Marching Pride has performed at venues including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and will perform at both the 2019 Limerick International Band Championship Parade in Limerick and the St. Patrick’s Festival Parade in Dublin, Ireland. Be a part of the tradition, be a part of the Pride!
| Band Director: | Dr. Jonathan Helmick | Email For More Info: | Jonathan.helmick@sru.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.srumarchingpride.com | School Website: | www.sru.edu | |
| Location: | Swope Music Building 1 Morrow Way Slippery Rock, PA 16057 |
Mascot: | Rocky | |
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The UMaine Marching Black Bears are comprised of students who have the pride, spirit, and drive to be a part of a grand tradition on campus. The Black Bear Marching Band is open to all students on campus that have an interest in participating on an instrument. In addition to providing halftime entertainment, the band travels a few times each semester to away games and exhibitions.
| Band Director: | Prof. Christopher White | Email For More Info: | cgwhite@maine.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.umaine.edu/marchingband | School Website: | www.umaine.edu | |
| Location: | Class of 1944 Hall Orono, ME 04469 |
Mascot: | Black Bear | |
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The Minuteman Marching Band has long been a source of great pride for the University of Massachusetts and the surrounding region. The band’s award winning drumline, large and powerful horn section, and modernized color guard are known for their enthusiasm, excitement and excellence. At home football games, the “Power and Class” performs its traditional Post Game show for hundreds of enthusiastic, dedicated fans who don’t leave the stadium until the last note.
| Band Director: | Dr. Timothy Anderson | Email For More Info: | manager.ummb@gmail.com | |
| Band Website: | www.umass.edu/band | School Website: | www.umass.edu/ | |
| Location: | GNP Band Building 110 Grinnell Way Amherst, MA 01003 |
Mascot: | Sam the Minuteman | |
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The University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band is known throughout the northeast as a performance ensemble with an innovative approach to entertainment and an emphasis on musicality. Considered to be on the cutting edge of the marching band activity, the band achieves its goals through the incorporation of a variety of musical styles appealing to its wide variety of audiences.
| Band Director: | Prof. Heidi Sarver | Email For More Info: | sarvermb@ud.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.bluehenband.net | School Website: | www.UDel.edu | |
| Location: | 209 AED Music Building Newark, DE 19716 |
Mascot: | Blue Hens | |
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The Boston University Bands program is dedicated to providing high-quality, educational, and meaningful music-making opportunities to all students of Boston University, regardless of major. Our ensembles provide a great musical outlet, and the venues and places in which we we perform add to the excitement of college life. Be part of a great college band and create music and memories, with school spirit and pride.
| Band Director: | Prof. Aaron Goldberg | Email For More Info: | bands@bu.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.bu.edu/bands | School Website: | www.bu.edu/ | |
| Location: | 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Room B08 Boston, MA 02215 |
Mascot: | Terrier | |
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Founded in 1911, the University of Pittsburgh Marching Band is one of the great traditions that the university has to offer. With over 300 members, the Pitt Band is the largest and most visible student organization on campus. It is dedicated to excellence in marching and musical performance, promoting spirit on and off campus, and providing a memorable experience for all of its members.
| Band Director: | Dr. Brad Townsend & Matt Alosi | Email For More Info: | pittband@pitt.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.pittband.com | School Website: | www.pitt.edu | |
| Location: | Trees Hall, 140 Darragh Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 |
Mascot: | Panthers | |
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The U.S. Naval Academy Drum & Bugle Corps is the oldest active drum corps in the country, and serves as the “college marching band” for the Naval Academy. Since the Naval Academy is a four year university, it has the full array of sports and activities that most colleges offer. The USNA Drum & Bugle Corps performs at dozens of events, such as Navy football and basketball games, military formations and parades, as well as a number of public relations events across the country
| Band Director: | Jeff Weir | Email For More Info: | Weir@usna.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.usna.edu/usnadb | School Website: | www.usna.edu | |
| Location: | USNA Drum & Bugle Corps, Alumni Hall, 675 Decatur Rd Annapolis, MD 21402-5086 |
Mascot: | Bill the Goat | |
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The West Chester University Marching Band has a proud tradition of excellence with over 300 students on the field every fall. Over the past few years, West Chester University bands have been invited to perform at numerous conferences, parades, athletic events and exhibitions. The bands embrace their role as musical ambassadors in the university and are a vital part of the university and civic artistic communities.
| Band Director: | Prof. Adam Gumble | Email For More Info: | agumble@wcupa.edu | |
| Band Website: | www.wcubands.org | School Website: | www.wcupa.edu/ | |
| Location: | Swope Music Building 817 South High St West Chester, PA 19382 |
Mascot: | Rams | |
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