Student Leadership
Drum Majors
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
Simeon Doyen
Rice Lake, WI
Junior, Instrumental Music Education
Carly Hetrick
Hammond, WI
Senior, Instrumental Music Education
Danté Mulkey
Farmington, MN
Junior, Instrumental Music Education
Simeon Doyen is a Junior majoring in Instrumental Music Education. He is originally from Rice Lake, WI. Simeon is a member of the French Horn studio at UWEC and enjoys playing many other instruments. He has performed with the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. In his free time, he enjoys socializing with friends, running, road cycling, and being involved in the intramural volleyball teams here at UWEC. This will be Simeon's third year in the band after previously marching as a member of the mellophone section.
"I am beyond excited and thankful for this opportunity and can't wait to see the hype the BMB will bring to the field this year!"
Carleen (Carly) Hetrick is a Senior 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 Symphony Band, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and University Band, and is a member of the French Horn studio. She serves as a student instrument manager for the Music Department. She also has helped technician a few marching bands such as River Falls High School and Elk Mound Hogh School. Outside of her professional pursuits, Carly enjoys spending time with her two cats, watching movies with friends, and traveling around the world. This will be Carly’s fourth season in the band after previously serving as a rank lieutenant for the mellophone section and drum major the previous season.
"I am very excited to be back for a second season serving as drum major for the Blugold Marching Band! Last season was amazing, and I can't wait to make this one even better!"
Danté Mulkey is a Junior majoring in Instrumental Music Education. He grew up in Farmington, MN. Beginning his music career in middle school on baritone, then shifting to trombone in high school, then furthering his education on euphonium at UWEC. Danté shares a wide experience of teaching private lessons to family members and relative students, teaching and leading rehearsals in many other towns within some distance of Farmington, Co-Hosting Your Classical Minnesota Public Radio, as well as sharing his own experience conducting as a drum major, experience in musical theater, and conducting/directing rehearsals as a music director assistant his senior year of high school. Many awards and accommodations followed Danté as he continues his musical pursuit of happiness.
Focusing on the nonmusical aspect of Danté, he loves the outdoors/sports, animals and his pets, laughing and of course being loud, and finally people/community. This next season following will be Danté’s third season with BMB and his seventh marching season all time.
“I am truly grateful and poised to begin my work as a BMB Drum Major, in due time I hope to see you on the field or in the stands enjoying the music we plan to accomplish. Thank you kindly, and let’s get set!”
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
Section Leaders - 2026
PICCOLO:
CLARINET:
ALTO SAX:
TENOR SAX:
TRUMPET:
MELLOPHONE:
TROMBONE:
BARITONE:
SOUSAPHONE:
SNARE:
TENORS:
BASS:
CYMBALS:
COLORGUARD:
DANCE:
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
Rank Lieutenants - 2026
PICCOLO:
CLARINET:
ALTO SAX:
TENOR SAX:
TRUMPET:
MELLOPHONE:
TROMBONE:
BARITONE:
SOUSAPHONE:
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
Chief Manager
Sam Wisse
Eau Claire, WI
Sam is a sophomore majoring in Business Management, with a certificate in Arts Administration. This will be his third year in the Blugold Marching Band in the fall, and his second year as the Chief Manager. Being able to stay involved with music through the marching band has been a dream come true for Sam while he is pursuing a degree outside the music department. He loves the hands-on experience of leading a team and working with others to find operational success in the BMB. Sam is from Eau Claire and likes to enjoy the vast amount of scenery the city has to offer (when it’s warm out). In addition to his involvement with the BMB, he also holds a leadership position within the Blugold Esports Club, and travels with the group to various competitions. 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 2025 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
“The BMB has provided me with lifelong friendships and connections. I’m able to share the experiences that the BMB provides with the people around me which creates a strong group bond. I also have been provited with unique experiences, such as writing the drumline’s music, that has allowed me to grow and develop not only as a person but also as a writer.”