Student Leadership

Drum Majors

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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

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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 (TBA)

PICCOLO:

CLARINET:

ALTO SAX:

TENOR SAX:

TRUMPET:

MELLOPHONE:

TROMBONE:

BARITONE:

SOUSAPHONE:

SNARE:

TOMS:

TENORS:

BASS:

CYMBAL:

COLORGUARD:

DANCE:

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 (TBA)

PICCOLO:

CLARINET:

ALTO SAX:

TENOR SAX:

TRUMPET:

MELLOPHONE:

TROMBONE:

BARITONE:

SOUSAPHONE:

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

Ivy Lariviere

Stillwater, MN

Ivy is junior at UWEC, double majoring in Theatre and Journalism and minoring in Spanish. This is her second year in the Blugold Marching Band, and her first year as the Chief Manager. Outside of the band, Ivy is a part of Stage Crew in the Haas Fine Arts Building and she works in the scene shop at The Pablo Center. Ivy loves the hands-on experience that she gets through being a manager in the BMB, and she is very excited to meet new people!

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: Brandon Atherton
2002: Brandon Atherton
2001:  Lindsey Andress, David Snyder
2000: Jill Johnson, Jennie Jacobson