Student Leadership
Drum Majors
The most visible and iconic student leaders on the field are the Drum Majors. The BMB has a proud tradition of excellent drum majors who assist in running rehearsals and who guide the ensemble in performance
Over the past several years an astonishing number of BMB members have held prestigious drum major positions in major drum & bugle corps including, Madison Scouts, Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Bluecoats, Colts, Carolina Crown, and River City Rhythm.
Responsibilities
The Drum Majors have many responsibilities that make the BMB function effectively.
Coordinate Section Leaders
Unify marching and music style issues
Consult with directors about rehearsal needs
Conduct the band in performance
Perform duties as assigned by directors
Execute rehearsal protocol
Drum Majors
Ryland Cook
Farmington, MN
Senior, Applied Mathematics & Computer Science
Haley Herem
Ellsworth, WI
Senior, Music Liberal Arts w/Minor in Business Administration
Carly Hetrick
Hammond, WI
Junior, Instrumental Music Education
Ryland Cook is a senior who is dually enrolled at UWEC & UWS, and majoring in Applied Mathematics & Computer Science with a concentration in Software Development. He is originally from Farmington, MN. As a trombone player, he is an alumnus of several groups around the state of Minnesota, including Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands, MMEA All State ensembles, the MBDA Honors Jazz Band, and more. Ryland performed on baritone with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (‘20-’23), serving as a soloist for his final season. He also spent two years as a marching band technician at Waseca High School in Waseca, Minnesota. Outside of his professional pursuits, Ryland enjoys playing rugby, rock climbing, and spending time with his girlfriend. This will be Ryland’s second season in the band after previously marching in the trombone section.
“I’m excited to serve as a drum major this season, and am looking forward to contributing my experience and passion towards the Blugold Marching Band to make a positive impact.”
Haley Herem is a senior majoring in music liberal arts, minoring in business administration, and a certificate candidate in women, gender, and sexuality studies. She is originally from Ellsworth, WI. She plays the clarinet and saxophone, and is involved with the concert and jazz bands at UWEC. Haley also serves as the Student Director of Blugold Athletic Band, the University pep band. Haley is a first year member of River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps where she will serve as a drum major on the group’s upcoming summer tour. This will be Haley’s fourth season in the band after previously serving as a rank lieutenant and section leader for the alto saxophone section.
“I’m super excited to serve at drum major for the Blugold Marching Band, and I can't wait to see what's in store for this season!”
Carleen (Carly) Hetrick is a junior majoring in Instrumental Music Education with an American Sign Language Certificate and an Adaptive Music Certificate. She is originally from Hammond, WI. Carly has performed with UWEC’s Symphony Band, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and University Band, and is a member of the French Horn studio. She also serves as a student instrument manager for the Music Department. This will be Carly’s third season in the band after previously serving as a rank lieutenant for the mellophone section.
“I’m ecstatic to get to work with an amazing team and to create a wonderful show this season!”
Section Leaders
Section Leaders are perhaps the most important link in the student leadership chain. They are responsible for most of the individual teaching as well as camaraderie within their section.
Duties
Verify participation of every member during the summer and prepare each member for camp
Coordinate Rank Lieutenants and assign duties
Assign parts and drill numbers
Teach marching fundamentals
Conduct music sectionals
Distribute information, announcements, music, and drill to section members
2024 Section Leaders
PICCOLO: Emma Friesth & Hannah Renslow
CLARINET: Rory Anderson & Alexis Rustin
ALTO SAX: Matt Palazzo, Olivia Crippen, & Nick White
TENOR SAX: Annie Manzi & Braden Capelle
TRUMPET: Dillon Schweitzer, Jack Petrizzo, & Holly Mastrangelo
MELLOPHONE: Terrance Nicklaus & Ethan Olden
TROMBONE: Chris Boelke, Jade Polanski, & Matt Fitzgerald
BARITONE: Cate Blair & Andrew Mattson
SOUSAPHONE: Matt Wood & Emily Brehm
SNARE: Cody Kostelecky
TOMS: Felicia Hermann
TENORS: Nick McCarthy
BASS: Nina Gruys
CYMBALS: Aidan Kwiatkowski & Alaina Hammond
COLORGUARD: Natylee Winter, Grace Scott, Ella Olson, & Belle Warren
DANCE: Alessia Dunning & Elle Snesrud
Rank Lieutenants
Rank Lieutenants are teaching assistants for both marching and music rehearsals. They help incoming members with their transition from high school to college marching band.
Duties
Assist Section Leaders with forms, alignment, and marching fundamentals
Teach fundamentals in sub-sections
Assist Section Leaders in music rehearsals.
Contribute to the overall esprit de corps of the section
2024 Rank Lieutenants
PICCOLO: Sam Austin, Alyssa Greenwood, Laura Kelley, Matthew Miller
CLARINET: Serenity Brand, Hugh Gaston, Morgan Messer, Genna Mullen, Emily Swantz
ALTO SAX: Caroline Gates, Josie Krueger, Cash Kujak, Joshua Teeter
TENOR SAX: Owen Kennedy, Rachel O’Malley, Maxwell Rogers, Harrison Thompson
TRUMPET: Quinten Anger, Ian Blackburn, McKenna Friske, Ana Gorg, Hayden Kinstler, Phoebe Pilon, Mckayla Reuter, Connor Schmidt, Tucker Segraves
MELLOPHONE: Lana Hovan, Sierra Link, Jermaine Running Bear, Greta Volberding
TROMBONE: Sam Benson, Lauren Droberg, Ben Loper, Addie Monk, Dante Mulkey, Matthew Nelson, Oliver Otterbacher, Trey Wisner
BARITONE: Donovan Brown & Lance Westenbroek
SOUSAPHONE: Alex Czech, Garrison Hehl
Administrative Assistant
Jermaine Running Bear
Green Bay, WI
Jermaine is entering his fourth season with the BMB. He is currently in his 5th semester at UWEC. He is majoring in Music Education - Instrumental Emphasis and is in the French Horn Studio under Professor Charles Hodgson. He plays in the Symphony Band under the direction of Dr. Philip Ostrander. He will also be playing Mellophone for the BMB in the 2023 season. He is a part of many organizations on Campus including; BAB, RHA, Delta Sigma Phi, etc. He has been on the last 2 international tours with the BMB to Australia, New Zealand, and South/Central America. He is thankful for his friends, family, and high school music educator for supporting and encouraging him as he makes his way through college and life. He has made many memories with the band and is ready for the 2023 Season and all it will entail!
Duties
Compiles housing records and communicates with university housing
Manages merchandise inventory
Manages uniform staff
Assists in band travel coordination
Collaborates with Assistant Director and Chief Manager
Chief Manager
Sam Wisse
Eau Claire, WI
Sam is a sophomore at UWEC, majoring in Business Management, with a minor in Information Systems. This is his second year in the Blugold Marching Band, and his first year as the Chief Manager. Sam is from Eau Claire and likes to enjoy the vast amount of scenery the city has to offer (when it’s warm out). His first season as a manager in the BMB helped him find a sense of community at UWEC and make many connections with many different people and sections. Sam loves the hands-on experience of being a manager and strives to help others have the fun experience that the manager team helped him have last season. He’s thankful for all the wonderful people he’s met in the BMB so far and looks forward to creating more connections in the 2024 season!
Duties
Handles sound equipment
Assigns tasks to the Undergrad Staff
Ensures set up equipment for rehearsals and performances with the Staff
Collaborates with Assistant Director and Admin Assitant
Past BMB Drum Majors
2023: Leyira Gininwa, Lilia Hazlett, Dylan Lehmann, Syd Martin
2022: Daniel Modl, Noah Vander Loop, Leyira Gininwa
2021: Daniel Modl, Noah Vander Loop, Matt Talley
2020: Nathan Czech, Daniel Modl, Noah Vander Loop
2019: Nathan Czech, Megan Hutera, Michael St. Ores
2018: Nathan Czech, Matt Hicks, Megan Hutera
2017: Nathan Czech, Catherine Edgington, Devon Lawrence
2016: Catherine Edgington, Devon Lawrence, David Lofy, Andrew Nicholson
2015: Devon Lawrence, David Lofy, Kara Metzger
2014: Nick Hansberry, David Lofy, Kara Metzger
2013: Ross Christianson, Sean Conway, Nick Hansberry
2012: Nick Hansberry, Bryan Kujawa, Bret Van Nuland
2011: Gabe Stejskal, Bret Van Nuland, Matt Winarski
2010: Stefanie Berkopec, Bret Van Nuland, Matt Winarski
2009: Stefanie Berkopec, Mike Renneke, Bret Van Nuland
2008: Michelle Kochan, Brad March, Mike Renneke
2007: Jacob Boyle, Michelle Kochan, Mike Renneke
2006: Jacob Boyle, Phil Salwasser, Phil Snyder
2005: Tim Baumann, Theresa Soules
2004: Tim Baumann, Theresa Soules
2003: Branden Atherton
2002: Branden Atherton
2001: Lindsey Andress, David Snyder
2000: Jill Johnson, Jennie Jacobson