To continue to
work with new and progressive marching programs ~ programs that are up
to the challenge and are ready to work hard to gain from my 39 years of marching
ensemble teaching experience and 29 years of competitive show design experience; To develop new design and performance concepts while focusing on
and creating new and more efficient teaching styles and techniques; To
continue to learn
and expand my horizons in all marching performance aspects while assisting
ensembles to grow in this area as well.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelance - Regional
Marching
Arts Instruction & Visual Design
1985 - 2024
Visual Design & Conceptual Development -
1992 - 2024
Developed show concepts
for Winter Percussion Ensembles, Winter Guard Ensembles as well as Fall
Marching Ensembles.
Created successful and effective show designs for a wide variety of
ensemble sizes and skill levels. This has been achieved by -
Comprehensive Ensemble Analysis - Reviewing previous year’s
contest and, if available, rehearsal video and/or utilizing input
from Directors and Staff to determine the ensemble’s ability level.
Developing show concepts based on the ensemble’s given
abilities.
Designing staging and movement to enhance the ensemble’s
strengths while also introducing new or advanced skills to
continually push the ensemble’s ability threshold.
When requested - Producing rehearsal warm-up techniques based on
movement skills required in said production.
Continual Ensemble Analysis - Making adjustments as necessary to
fine-tune fundamental rehearsal techniques.
Skilled in making adjustments to on-field instrumentation and phrase
count structure as it pertains to the "Drill" itself, while maintaining
the integrity of the original design.
Designed and Created staging props, floor coverings, flag/silk
designs and patterns while also having to consider their implementation
throughout the given production
Creative Consultant -
1994 - 2024
Advised and recommended show conceptual themes,
stylistic approaches, and techniques as well as developed paths for
which ensembles to take to best achieve secondary and primary goals.
Suggested Prop and Uniform considerations as well as
color and pattern development to best portray the character or tone of
the given production.
Recommended competent and reliable primary and
secondary instructional staff.
Remained available throughout all stages of show
development and competition to give additional advice and suggestions as
it pertains to the improvement and effectiveness of each production.
Visual
Caption Head -
2001 - 2024
Created, refined and implemented
various styles of marching and movement techniques.
Developed several handbooks that not
only included basic and advanced marching styles but also incorporated
sequential techniques in stretching and body movement as well as
routines to apply said techniques and styles in patterns. This gives the
performer a better understanding of how said movement applies directly
to a specific moment in the show’s production.
Created fundamental "Basics"
routines not only based traditional approached but also based on the
particular needs of the ensemble then adjusting the content of the
instruction as deemed necessary by continual ensemble performance
analysis.
Introduced body movements and
characterizations conforming to the particular moment within the show’s
concept.
Applied said movements and
characterizations as prescribed within the production to give clarity
and understanding of the given mood or musical interpretation.
Accomplishments - Visual Caption Head and Visual Design
2001 - 2024
WGI
Regional Finalists
Mid-East, KY. Regional Champions, 2018 Winds, Ind "A" Class - Inertia Independent
Dayton, OH. Regional Champions, 2018 Winds, Ind "A" Class - Inertia Independent
Indianapolis, IN. Regional Champions, 2018 Winds, Ind "A" Class - Inertia Independent
St Louis,
MO.
Regional Finalist, 2018
Percussion, "A" Class - Murphysboro HS, IL
Richmond, VA.
Regional Finalist, 2013
Guard, Scholastic "A" Class - Ashley Ridge
HS, SC
Raleigh, NC.
Regional Finalist, 2012
Guard, Scholastic "A" Class - Ashley Ridge
HS, SC
Inertia Independent Winds, OH, 2018 1st Place Winds, Ind "Open" Class Champion
Troy High School Percussion, OH, 2001
8th Place Perc Scholastic "A" Class
BOA
Grand Nationals Semi-Finalist
Milton-Union
HS, OH, 2016
2nd Place "Class A" Prelims - On The Day
4th Place "Class A" Semi-Finals
2nd Place Visual Performance - Ensemble
3rd Place Visual General Effect
WGI World
Championships Semi-Finalist
Ashley Ridge
HS, SC, 2013
Guard, Scholastic "A" Class
CWEA Championships
- Ashley Ridge HS, SC
Class Regional A (Guard) First Placement, 2013 High Ensemble and Gen Effect score
Class PSA
(Percussion) First Placement, 2012 High Visual and Overall GE score
Class Scholastic A (Guard) First Placement, 2012 High Ensemble score
Class PSAA
(Percussion) First Placement, 2011 High Visual and Overall GE score.
Class Scholastic A (Guard) Fourth Placement,
2011
SCBDA Winter Ensemble Championships
River
Bluff HS, SC, 2015
Percussion, "PSAA" Class - First Placement High
Overall GE score ('11) and High Visual ('11 & '15)
Ashley
Ridge HS, SC, 2014
Percussion, "PSA" Class - Second Placement High Visual
Ashley
Ridge HS, SC, 2012, 2013
Guard, "Scholastic A" Class First Placement
Ashley
Ridge HS, SC, 2013
Percussion,
"PSA"
Class - First Placement High Visual
Ashley
Ridge HS, SC, 2013
Guard,
"Regional A" Class - First Placement
Ashley
Ridge HS, SC, 2012
Percussion,
"PSA"
Class - Second Placement High Overall GE score
Ashley
Ridge HS, SC, 2012
Guard,
"Scholastic Reg A"
Class - Third Placement
Ashley
Ridge HS, SC, 2011
Percussion,
"PSAA"
Class - First Placement High Visual and Overall GE score.
Ashley
Ridge HS, SC, 2011
Guard,
"Scholastic A"
Class - Second Placement Unprecedented Promotion from Scholastic AAAA to
Scholastic A
8 SCBDA
State Marching Band Championships Finals Performances, 2003 -
2019, 2021-2022.
Class "1A"
5th
and 11th
Placements, 2015 13th
Placement,
2017
15th
Placement, 2018
Numerous State, Regional Circuit and Local Contest Div I and/or
top scoring placements in Marching/Visual, General Effect & Overall
Scores in Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Visual Technician -
1985 - 2003
Taken a Caption Head’s or Director’s particular style or technique;
defining and teaching that during fundamentals rehearsal in both group
and individual settings.
Applied all learned skills within the prescribed demands of the
designed show.
Evaluated individual ensemble members and given them help as needed.
Professional Tubist
1991 - 1995
Taught Low Brass Master Classes in
Westville, Danville, and Libertyville High Schools in Illinois.
Performed in several professional
band organizations in Macomb, Illinois. and Danville, Illinois
Western Illinois University - Macomb, IL
WIU Summer Music Camps
1989 - 1991
1991. Assistant Camp Director
Hired and Organized camp counselors.
Scheduled classrooms and rehearsal facilities
1990. Head Counselor
Assisted in hiring additional camp counselors
Organized housing for camp attendees as well as chaperoning
their stay
Assigned counselors to every day camp jobs based on individual
abilities
1989. Camp Counselor
Oversight of camper’s daily well being and activities
George Parks Drum
Major Academy Assistant
1989 -
1990
Academy Training Assistant
Assisted Linda Hannum
and Darrell Weyman as a Teaching Assistant and in day to day running of the
Academy
EDUCATION
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL
Music Education/Performance
1986 - 1987, 1989 - 1991
Principal Tubist in major performing
ensembles - University Symphonic Wind Ensemble - Dr. Jon R. Dugle, Conductor. Yearly
Regional Tours Seasonal
Concerts MENC National
Conference in Washington D.C. Guest
Conductors -
Alfred Reed Fisher Tull Dale F. Hopper Adam Brennan Symphonic Orchestra -
Roland Vamos,
Conductor (86-87)
Roger Collins, Conductor (89-91) Wind Ensemble Brass Quintet & Tuba Ensemble Musical "Chicago"
Co Section Leader -
Marching Leathernecks - Dale F. Hopper, Director of Bands
WIU Performing Arts Department
Recording Crew - Head Audio Technician
Danville
High School, Danville, IL
High School Diploma
1981 - 1985
1982 - 1985. Principal Tubist Symphonic Band -
Dr. Jon R. Dugle, Director of Bands IHSA,
Sweepstakes Winner - 1982, 1983 Class AA Illinois
Superstate, Top 3 Finalist 1984 Midwest
National Band & Orchestra Clinic Performance Guest
Conductors -
Dr. Harry Begian
James Curnow Roger Sampson (Asst Dir.) Symphonic Orchestra -
Frank Lestina, Director Brass Band -
Dr. Jon R. Dugle, Director
