Student Leadership

Drum Majors

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The most visible 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

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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

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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

Em McCabe

Rochester, MN

Em McCabe is a sophomore majoring in Healthcare Administration with a minor in Gerontology. She is originally from Rochester, MN. She finished her first season as a manager for the Blugold Marching Band this past fall and will begin her first year as the Administrative Assistant this spring. Outside the BMB, they are part of the American College of Healthcare Administrators and Honors Student Council. She spends her free time volunteering for St. Croix Hospice, doing yoga, creative writing, and hiking. They are excited to make more connections with students in every section and contribute to the band's continued growth and success.  

Duties

  • Serve as liaison between various housing/hotel and charter bus companies

  • Design and execute the move-in and Registration Day experience

  • Manage Instrument, Uniform, & Merchandise inventories

  • Support the Head Manager on rehearsal and performance day logistics

  • Collaborate with the Directors and Head Manager on various tasks to ensure the operational success of the ensemble

Head Manager

Sam Wisse

Eau Claire, WI

Sam is a sophomore 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 Lead 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

  • Directs the team of Undergraduate managers to ensure logistical success

  • Develops rehearsal and performance logistical procedures

  • Support the Administrative Assistant with registration day, tour, and inventory management tasks

  • Collaborate with the Directors and Administrative Assistant on various tasks to ensure the operational success of the ensemble

 

Past BMB Drum Majors

2024: Ryland Cook, Haley Herem, and Carleen Hetrick
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