Heidi I. Sarver, Director and Show Designer

E-mail: sarvermb@udel.edu

Heidi I. Sarver, director of the UDMB since 1995, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Music. Her other responsibilities include Director of the Symphonic Band and instructor of the Marching Band Techniques course. She attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she received a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and a Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance. Her former teachers include George Parks, Walter Chesnut, Malcolm Rowell, and Seymour Rosenfeld.

Ms. Sarver is active throughout the northeast as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor. She is best known for her work with the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy and the Band Leadership Training programs. She is an avid drill designer and has written for many high schools in the tri-state area, as well as the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Band, recipient of the Louis C. Sudler Trophy in 1998. Ms. Sarver is a member of the show design team for Marching Show Concepts. She is also an adjudicator and production assistant for the Orange and Sugar Bowls through Heritage Festivals and Bowl Games of America. In 2004 Ms. Sarver was an Associate Band Director for the Bands of America Honor Band's first performance in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

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, Ms. Sarver was a high school band director in New York, and the Assistant Director of Bands at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

James P. Ancona, Assistant Director and Percussion Arranger/Instructor

E-mail: jancona@udel.edu

James P. Ancona is an Assistant Professor of Music in the Department of Music. He is the Assistant Director of the Blue Hen Marching Band, Director of the Basketball Pep Band and Co-Director of the Symphonic Band.

James received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and his Master's Degree in Performance from Indiana University, where he was also awarded the prestigious Performer's Certificate. His former teachers include Gerald Carlyss, Thomas Hannum, Leigh Howard Stevens, William Roberts, and Peter Tanner.

James is currently the Percussion Caption Head for the 2006 DCI World Champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Front Ensemble Arranger for the WGI Silver Medalist Penn State Indoor Drumline. James has many years experience as an arranger and instructor for world class drum and bugle corps, including the the Star of Indiana, the Glassmen, Carolina Crown, the Crossmen, and the Santa Clara Vanguard. Other honors in the activity include having been a member of the 1990 DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and having been on the instructional staff of Star of Indiana's (1993), Santa Clara Vanguard's (2004) World Champion percussion sections.

His Vanguard Percussion Ensembles and Mixed Ensembles (with brass) have won at the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble Championships. Several of his percussion arrangements appear on Star of Indiana's Brass Theater and BLAST! (the Tony and Emmy Award winning Broadway show) compact discs and are published by Tap Space Publications. James is the co-author of Up Front: A Complete Resource for Today's Pit Ensemble. He is an endorser and clinician for the Avedis Zildjian Company, Remo, Inc., Pearl and Adams Percussion, and is a Signature Artist for Innovative Percussion, Incorporated.

James currently resides in New Castle, Delaware with his wife, Lauren.

Sarah McAdams, Colorguard Director

E-mail: mcadams@udel.edu

Sarah began her spinning career while attending Bowling Green State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education. During her time in Ohio, Sarah was a member of the DCI Finalist Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps out of Toledo, OH. Sarah has been teaching color guard for nearly 10 years now. After leaving Ohio, Sarah returned home to the state of Delaware where she began her teaching career, serving as an Assistant High School Band director, Middle School Band Director, Visual Coordinator and Color Guard director in central Delaware for several years.

After receiving her Master of Music in Performance from the University of Delaware, Sarah joined the staff at UDMB in addition to teaching middle school band in the Newark area. Over the years, Sarah has also served as the Assistant Director of VAPCO (UD's formerly named competitive indoor guard). Sarah currently serves as the middle school band director in the Daniel Boone School District whre she also assists with the high school colorguard.

In addition, Sarah has served as a visual consultant, drill writer, taught various summer music camps throughout the tri-state area and has worked with the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy and Band Leadership Training programs.

Phil Cavalcanto, Colorguard Consultant and Instructor

Phil Cavalcanto has been involved in every facet of color guard since 1982. He has instructed many regional high schools programs in the Greater Philadelphia Area. He is a former member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and the Brigadiers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps. He has done consulting work for the Unviersity of Delaware Marching Band and their indoor guard, Visual Arts Production Company, for several years and joined the instructional staff in 2007.

Trish O'Shea, Colorguard Consultant

Trish is a consultant for the outdoor program, assisting with colorguard auditions in the spring as well as band camp in the summer. Her primary role with the UDMB is being part of the creative team for our indoor guard program, Delazure. Trish joined the staff in 2006.

Trish is the colorguard instructor for Nothern Highlands High School in NJ (the 2007 USSBA Group 4A NJ and All-State "Best Color Guard") and the Northern Valley Regional High School in NJ. She previously worked with Alter Ego, Knightbeat, Pegasus and the Nighthawks winter guards.

As a performer she has marched with the Syracuse Brigadiers and Bushwackers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps and the NY Royal Guardsmen winter guard.

Claire Czekaj, Golden Girls Instructor (Twirlers)

E-mail:

Robert Hammerton, Music Arranger

E-mail: rhammerton@earthlink.com

"Dr. Rob" Hammerton is the primary music arranger for the UDMB. His degrees include Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

"Dr. Rob" is Music Program Director for the Uxbridge, MA Public Schools. He is also the chief musical arranger for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Minuteman Hoop Band, as well as a staff arranger for the Minuteman Marching Band. He has written for numerous high schools, community groups and collegiate ensembles throughout the states of Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Washington. In addition to this he co-directs the Sudbury (MA) United Methodist Church Youth Choir and is a staff member for the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy. "Dr. Rob" is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

Michael Klesch, Music Arranger

E-mail: mklesch@music.umass.edu

Michael Klesch is one of the most prolific drum corps and marching band arrangers in the country. His degrees come from West Chester University, a B.S. in Music Education, and from the University of Massachusetts, a Masters in Music.

Mr. Klesch has a long and successful career in the Drum Corps activity as a performer, music arranger, and program consultant. Mr. Klesch was a performer with the Garfield Cadets and finished out his career there as drum major of the 1983 DCI World Champions. After aging-out of drum corps in 1983, Mr. Klesch then served on the Cadets brass staff in 1984 and as the brass arranger for the Cadets from 1985 - 1992 (World Champions in 1985, '87, and '90). He has served as brass arranger for the Phantom Regiment and Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps and currently serves as the brass arranger for the Carolina Crown and the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Klesch also arranges for numerous high school and college marching bands. He is currently the "official" arranger for the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band, and also arranges for the University of Delaware and the University of New Mexico.

Mr. Klesch is active as a clinician and consultant in the drum corps, and college and high school marching band activities. His professional memberships include: M.E.N.C., MMEA (Massachusetts Music Educators Association), Phi Delta Kappa, and the College Music Society. He is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma as well as Kappa Kappa Psi (of which he was a founding brother of the chapter at West Chester University). Mr. Klesch resides in Hadley, Massachusetts with his wife, Heather and his son, Robert.

Christopher Vitale, Graduate Assistant

E-mail: chrisv@udel.edu

Erin Cooper, Graduate Assistant

E-mail:cooperec@udel.edu

Erin Cooper received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree in 2005 from James Madison University. While at JMU Erin was a section leader for the Marching Royal Dukes and performed with them in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2001) and the New Year’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland (2004). She served twice as guest conductor for the JMU Flute Choir.

Prior to pursuing her Masters of Music in Performance (Conducting) degree at the University of delaware, Erin was the Band and Orchestra Director at Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, Maryland. Under her direction, the Marching Panthers won numerous accolades in TOB competitions including Best Drum Major, Best Colorguard, and Best Marching and Maneuvering. Erins was also the conductor for the musicals at Paint Branch High School and Seneca Valley High School. She is also the Handbell Choir Director at Grace United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Erin is an alumni member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Pi Kappa Lambda.

Valerie Vassar, Graduate Assistant

E-mail:vvassar@udel.edu

Valerie Vassar received a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance from Ithaca College. She is pursuing a Master of Music Degree here at the University of Delaware in Percussion Performance. She is a member of the Empire Statesmen Senior Drum and Bugle Corps from Rochester, NY. Valerie is very excited to have this opportunity to work with the UDMB.

Administrative Staff

Amanda Berg - Uniform Manager
Danielle Becker - Associate Uniform Manager
Zachary Boyles - Assistant Uniform Manager

Lindsey Kling- Attendance Manager

Field Staff

Drum Majors	Coordinators
Ali Carraher Joshua Cushing Pat McCloskey Trevor Sindorf	Drill Coordinator James Wysoczanski Music Coordinators Kevin Arena - Woodwinds Gregory Dalakian - Brass
Flutes Erica Mayes - Drill Section Leader Erin Villammizer - Music Section Leader Nicole Berzins - Rank Leader Katie Brown - Rank Leader Kelly Humes - Rank Leader Katie Sullivan - Rank Leader Samantha Fisher - Rank Leader	Alto Saxophones Matt Kurilla - Drill Section Leader Amy Thornsen - Music Section Leader Anthony Brandofino - Rank Leader Matt Pazoles - Rank Leader Kevin Hooper - Rank Leader
Clarinets Leah Geier - Drill Section Leader Matt Wattenmaker - Music Section Leader Samantha Bisaro - Rank Leader Tamara Skiis - Rank Leader Brianne Mulrooney - Rank Leader	Tenor Saxophones Kevin Arena - Music Section Leader Christie Iacovella - Drill Section Leader Christopher Wilson - Rank Leader
Mellophones Marissa Brown - Drill Section Leader Jessica Santiago - Music Section Leader Alex Hamilton - Rank Leader Jen Griffith - Rank Leader	Baritones Matthew Warner - Drill Section Leader Robert Diton - Music Section Leader
Trumpets Ali Gordon - Drill Section Leader George Nimmo - Music Section Leader James Wysoczanski - Rank Leader Brooke Humfeld - Rank Leader Doug Schwarz - Rank Leader Margaret Loughman - Rank Leader	Trombones Cheryl Conklin - Drill Section Leader Tim Plimpton - Music Section Leader Lindsey Kling - Rank Leader
Tubas Michael Molaski - Drill Section Leader Greg Dalakian - Music Section Leader Eric Daino - Rank Leader	Colorguard Laura Choquette Melissa Coulter Jessica Adams Victoria Lebron
Percussion TBA later this summer after mini-camps