| STAFF 2009  | Robert Spradling, Director of Bands | Formerly Director of Bands at Syracuse University, he has taught at both the junior and senior high levels in Florida public schools. As a guest conductor and clinician, he has been active nationally and internationally at clinics and conferences as well as with amateur and professional ensembles. His articles have been published in the Instrumentalist, Journal of Band Research, Journal of Research in Music Education,and Band Director's Guide. He has received the American School Band Directors Stanbury Award and the Kappa Kappa Psi A. Frank Martin Award for leadership in the music profession. He is co-founder of the New York State Band Directors Association and has served as Florida State Chairman of the National Band Association. For the CBDNA he has been New York Chairman, National Coordinator for State Chairmen, and Eastern Division President.
|  | David Montgomery, Director | David W. Montgomery is Director of the Bronco Marching Band at Western Michigan University, where he also coordinates sports band operations, teaches music education methods courses, and conducts the University Concert Band. Mr. Montgomery earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and the Master of Music degree in music education and wind conducting from Kansas State University.
Prior to his appointment at WMU, Mr. Montgomery served as a graduate teaching assistant at Kansas State University, where his responsibilities included assisting with the KSU athletic bands and concert bands, conducting the Trumpet and Brass Ensembles, and teaching music education courses and private conducting lessons. From 1998 to 2002, he was Director of Bands at East Gaston High School in Mt. Holly, North Carolina. During his tenure the concert band program was built from Grade IV to Grade VI and received four consecutive superior ratings at the North Carolina Music Educators Association Contest Festival. Under his direction the marching band also won many first place awards and consistently earned superior ratings. As a performer, Mr. Montgomery has served as principal trumpet in the KSU Symphony Band, Trumpet and Brass Ensembles, student quintet and as a substitute in the KSU Faculty Brass Quintet. In June of 2004 he and the student quintet performed multiple concerts in Germany. In addition, Mr. Montgomery frequently serves as an adjudicator and clinician.
Mr. Montgomery is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda music honor fraternity and Phi Kappa Psi interdisciplinary honor society. His other professional affiliations include membership in Music Educators National Conference, the International Trumpet Guild, and the Kansas Music Educators Association. He holds honorary memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.
|  | Kyle Keiser, Visual Coordinator | Kyle Keiser is the visual coordinator for the Bronco Marching Band. Having worked with the band over 10 years, Kyle choreographs and instructs the colorguard and twirlers while providing color, special effects and choreography for the entire band show. As a graduate of WMU in marketing and advertising, Kyle chose upon graduation to pursue her established profession in specialized choreography for dance, colorguard and competitive baton twirling. Kyle has instructed competitive marching band and winterguard since high school. As a competitive twirling coach as certified by the United States Twirling Association, she has instructed throughout the US, Canada, France, Italy and Japan. Her students have been National champions and World medallists. She is a master judge and clinician as certified by the World Baton Twirling Federation. She has worked on such projects as the halftime of the Orange Bowl, the French BiCentennial Celebration in Paris and the opening festivities of the Barcelona Olympic Games. Her students have been members of WGI championship guard, Interplay, the Glassmen Drum Corps, the Blue Coats Drum Corps and featured soloists with Blast 2. She travels worldwide to train designers and performers as well as giving seminars and clinics for adjudicators and coaches.
|  | Landon Ewers, Percussion Coordinator | Landon Ewers is a freelance percussionist, instructor, and arranger. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Percussion Performance from Western Michigan University where he studied with Judy Moonert. Landon has arranged for and instructed numerous high school, college, independent, and drum corps percussion sections. Landon is currently the Director of Percussion Studies for the Legends Performing Arts Association where he heads the percussion section for the Legends Drum and Bugle Corps from Kalamazoo, MI. He is the percussion coordinator and arranger for Parchment schools where the winter drumline program won the MCGC Class Michigan A State Championships their first year in competition in 2007. He is an adjunct staff member for the North Coast Academy Percussion Ensemble. Landon was a snare drummer with the 1998 Santa Clara Vanguard percussion section that won the DCI Fred Sanford High Percussion Award as well as the Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps in 1995 and 1996. Landon played tenor drums and snare drum for the Bronco Marching Band from 1995 to 1997. Landon performs regularly with the Kalamazoo, West Shore, Southwest Michigan, and South Bend Symphony Orchestras. He consults for numerous marching percussion programs, maintains a private lesson studio, and studies non-Western percussion.
|  | Casey Spring, Percussion Assistant | Casey Spring moved to Portage, MI from East Lyme, Connecticut in 1987. He graduated from Portage Northern High School where he played tenor drums for four years. He was a member of the Bronco Marching Band from '92 to '94. After a few years in smaller Michigan drum corps, he marched with the Bluecoats of Canton, Ohio during the 1993 season. Casey graduated from WMU in 1997 with a BA in Art emphasizing in photography and computer design. Over the last ten years, he has taught several Michigan high school programs including Hartford, Portage Central, Jenison, and Roseville. He currently works in Kalamazoo as a free lance photographer, teaches private lessons for current and future BMB members, and dabbles in web design. Casey is also a member of the local indie rock band Posi.
|  | Kris Dunlap, Graduate Assistant | Kris Dunlap is very excited to be returning to the Bronco Marching Band this fall as a graduate assistant as she pursues a Masters degree in Conducting. Kris is a 2002 graduate of Northwestern College in Orange City, IA where she received a BA in music education. While there, she performed with the NWC Symphonic Band, NWC Symphony Orchestra, and Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra. She has since taught elementary band and high school jazz band in Canton, SD, and for the past 3 years has taught elementary band and general music in Roswell, GA. Additionally, Kris taught private flute lessons, conducted an annual flute clinic for Fulton County Schools, and performed with the Alpharetta City Band with her husband, Josiah. They have only one "child", a very hairy and slobbery chocolate Labrador named Meisje. Kris is looking forward to another great season with the BMB! Go Broncos!
| Picture Coming Soon | Jason Fritz, Graduate Assistant | Jason Fritz is a 2001 graduate of Grand Valley State University where he received his Bachelors of Music Education. He has spent six years as a Band Director in the public schools of Michigan, where his bands consistently received high marks, including the first Division I rating in school history for his Marching Band and the invitation to march at Disney Magic Music Days. In 2004 he was honored with the Sam's Club Regional Teacher of the Year Award based on the recommendation of one of his students. His most recent experience includes a 6 month tenure as the Music Educator in Residence at the International Community School of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Following completion of his graduate requirements, Mr. Fritz plans to teach internationally and eventually pursue his PhD in instrumental conducting. Mr. Fritz appreciates the opportunity to work with such a fine ensemble as the Bronco Marching Band. Go Broncos!
|  | Jenna Thomas, Senior Assistant | Jenna Thomas is a fourth year, music therapy major from Vicksburg, MI. Jenna played flute in the concert and symphonic band and piccolo for BMB and Basket-Ball Pep Band for the past three years, as well as serving as Uniform Manager for the BMB. Jenna has also performed at churches, Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, and at the Barn Theatre. She is a member of WMU's Beta Eta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, and has served as Beta Eta's corresponding and recording secretary, music director and as the community outreach liaison. In her free time, Jenna loves spending time with her family and friends, camping, reading, and going to different Bronco sports events. During the summer, she spends most of her time working on campus in the Registrars Office, while also working as a flute/clarinet/saxophone instructor for band camps around the state of Michigan. Jenna is extremely happy and excited for this season, and hopefully watching the Broncos at her third bowl game with the BMB!
|  | Greg Johnson, Drum Major | Greg is a Music Education Major from Imlay City, Michigan, where he served as Drum Major for three years under the direction of Scott F. Pries. This will be Greg's senior year at WMU as well as fifth year with the Bronco Marching Band. Before becoming Drum Major, he marched in the BMB trumpet section as a Drill Instructor. Greg is a student in the Tuba/Euphonium Studio in Western's School of Music where he studies under Dr. Deanna Swoboda. Along with Drum Major, he is active in many WMU performing ensembles such as the Symphonic Band, Basketball Pep-Band, and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble. On campus, Greg has acted in the capacity of a Resident Assistant in Hoekje Hall(3yrs), NRHH Member(2yrs), Orientation Leader(summer 07) and is currently serving his second term as the President of WMU's Mu Delta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. Greg has performed with groups such as the Kalamazoo Concert and Community Bands under the direction of Dr. Thomas G. Evans. During the summer, Greg can be found making his annual "tour de band camps," where he will instruct students from Webberville, Kelloggsville, Imlay City, Rochester, Wayland, Port Huron, Onsted and Leaper. In his "free-time" Greg teaches music lessons and performs with his hometown music ministry, as the church's lead drummer. Greg is, again, very excited about supporting the Broncos in this upcoming season and is praying for another Bowl Game!
|  | Adam Noaeill, Drum Major | Adam Noaeill is an Instrumental Music Education major and is a member of the clarinet studio. Adam graduated from Jenison High School in Jenison, MI where he was drum major for three years in the marching band. After high school Adam attended Grand Valley State University for two years when he left to take a year off. Adam then auditioned and was accepted to the School of Music at Western Michigan University. He has attended Western since fall of 2006 and marched euphonium with the BMB in 2007. Adam has taught the Jenison High School marching band since 2005 as a flute/low brass marching and music instructor, as well as working with the drum majors on conducting and leadership. Adam has taught the Hastings High School marching band since 2006 as the flute/clarinet marching and music instructor as well. During the summers of 2004 and 2005 Adam had the distinct honor of conducting the world class drum and bugle corps, Capital Regiment. Adam is a brother of the Mu Delta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, national honorary band fraternity serving as the previous treasurer. Along with being in the BMB Adam enjoys participating in other University ensembles including the University Concert Band, Symphonic Band and the Basketball Pep-Band. He is really looking forward to a great year from both the BMB and the football team. GO BRONCOS!!!
|  | Mark DeDeckere, Drum Major | Mark is a senior, from Gibraltar, Michigan, double majoring in Secondary Education English and Social Studies. He is a graduate of Oscar A. Carlson High School where he served two years as drum major of the Marauder Marching Band. This marks his fourth year in the Bronco Marching Band, and second as drum major. As a member of Bronco athletic bands, Mark plays saxophone, having previously served as drill instructor for the tenor section in the 2007 marching season. In addition to saxophone, Mark is also a concert bassoonist. He is an active member of the Delta Iota chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, national music fraternity for men, where he is serving a concurrent term as the Fraternal Education Officer. Mark is actively involved on campus in other organizations such as the Student Education Association and Colleges Against Cancer. During the summer months, he works with many high school band programs teaching woodwinds, brass, and marching technique, as well as teaching leadership philosophy at drum major clinics throughout Michigan and the Midwest. Mark is honored to be on staff with the following high school band programs: Trenton, Hartford, Kelloggsville and Forest Hills Eastern. In his free time, Mark takes pleasure in hanging out with friends and family, reading, working out, and catching up on homework. Mark takes great pride in being associated with "The Sound of Western," and looks forward to another amazing season! Let's go Bronco Band!
|  | Suzanne DeMarois, Drum Major | Suzie is a communication major, specializing in film and media studies. This is her fifth year of Bronco band, spending three years in the cymbal line and two years as Drum Major. She is a 2005 graduate of Novi High School where she played flute her first two years and was Drum Major her junior and senior year. Every winter since 2002, Suzie has competed in the indoor activity starting with the Novi High School Winter Guard (2002), then switched over to drumline marching cymbals with NHS (2003 and 2004), Motor City Percussion (2005-2007) and NorthCoast Academy (2008 and 2009). Suzie is proud to be a brother of the Mu Delta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, national honorary band fraternity. She is currently a member of the drumline staff at Gull Lake High School and will be working with Number 6 Percussion this winter. The years she has spent in BMB have brought so many great memories and she is looking forward to many more with the BMB family. "Here we come, just a walkin down the street singing 'Go Broncos, Go Broncos, Go!'"
|  | Emily Verdonk, Drum Major | Emily is a Vocal Music Education major in her fourth year of study at Western Michigan University. She hails from the warm beaches of South Haven, Michigan, where she graduated from L.C. Mohr High School in 2006. There, she served as flute section leader for two years. In past years with the BMB, Emily was privileged to serve as both a drill instructor and a section leader for the piccolo section. This is now her fourth year in the band, and first as drum major. While not on the field, one can find Emily haunting the halls of the Dalton Center, where she is active in various other musical ensembles and organizations such as University Chorale, Grand Chorus, WMU Campus Band, Dalton Fusion Bible Study, Bronco Pep Band, and the American Choral Director's Association. In her spare time, Emily enjoys reading, writing, arts and crafts, playing guitar and piano, working out, going to the beach, spending time with her family, and hanging out with friends. Emily counts herself highly blessed to be part of the BMB, and is so pumped for the 2009 season! LET'S GO BRONCO BAND!
|  | Chris Momcilovich, Student Staff | Chris Momcilovich is a music education major from Carleton, MI. He is an active member in the WMU Trombone Studio as a bass trombone player. Before being appointed to the senior staff, Chris marched with the trombone section for 3 seasons. During those three seasons he was a member of the equipment staff, office staff, and was the BMB's librarian for two years as well as being a Drill Instructor last year. Chris is a recipient of the Semper Fidelis music award from the United States Marine Corps as well as the Louis Armstrong award for leadership, dedication, and musicianship. During the school year, Chris is very active with the bands in such roles as librarian or manager in the concert band or playing trombone in the pep bands at WMU. Chris is an active member of the Mu Delta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi as the Parliamentarian for the 2008-2009 school year. He looks forward to an amazing 2008 Bronco Marching Band season!!
|  | Kevin Brooks, Student Staff | Kevin is a senior, from Vicksburg, Michigan, Majoring In Criminal Justice. This is Kevin's fifth year in the BMB, and his first as Student Staff. Before Student Staff, Kevin served as section leader of the Tenor Saxophone section in 2008, and Drill instructor of the Alto Saxophone section in 2006. He is an active member of the Delta Iota chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, and is looking forward to a great marching season in 2009.
| | | Alex Shafer, Webmaster | Alex is a junior majoring in computer science. He was born in Pentwater, Michigan and has spent the majority of his life living in Kalamazoo. Alex graduated from Mattawan High School in 2007 where he spent four years in marching band. He then attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College for one year before coming to Western. This is Alex's second year marching in the clarinet section in the BMB and tenth year playing clarinet. Alex traveled to Europe in the summer of 2007 with the Southern Michigan Ambassadors of Music. Alex is the primary developer for the 2009 update of the BMB website. In his free time, Alex watches movies and TV, plays video games, and writes programs and web applications for practice and fun. He hopes to one day become a programmer for Google or a similar company.
|  | Mai Lan Vo, Webmaster | Mai Lan is a senior majoring in Music Education from Muskegon, Michigan. She is super excited to be in her fourth year in the Bronco Marching Band, and her third as webmaster and part of the office staff. This will be her second year as one of the trombone Drill Instructors. Mai Lan is a bass trombonist of the Trombone Studio in the School of Music and is active in other ensembles including the WMU Concert Band, WMU Trombone Choir, Campus Band, and Pep Band. She works as one of the WMU Concert Band librarians and is a part of CMENC. During January, Mai Lan enjoys being involved with the MSBOA District VII Middle School Honors Band and Orchestra, assisting in teaching sectionals and taking care of office work, as well as attending the Michigan Music Conference. She has worked with the Hartford HS Marching Band as a brass instructor and a hornline visual tech, and with the Allegan HS Marching Band as the trombone instructor. In her free time, she loves visiting her family and friends, going to marching band competitions and concerts, photography, and playing tennis. Her dream is to become a high school and/or middle school band director.
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Piccolos
Alexis Disterheft - SL
Heather Osterhouse - SL
Julie Molitoris - DI
Rebekah Achtenberg - DI
Paul Hendrixson - DI
Franny Kornacki - DI
Melissa Kellogg - DI | Clarinets
Casey Quick - SL
Samantha Alumbaugh - SL
Emily Cobbs - DI
Nicolette Harvey - DI
Stephanie Archer - DI
Jolene Perry - DI
| Altos
Brian Ritzer - SL
Dillon Jepkema - SL
Kevin Blasko - DI
Lucas Chapa - DI | Horns
Scott Miller - SL
Teri Christ - SL
Alex Armstead - DI
Kyle Karum - DI
Katie Giesbrecht - DI
Christina Snyder - DI | Trumpets
Kevin O'Neil - SL
Aaron Hotovy - SL
Jack Bertrand - SL
Kyle Liechty - DI
Mike Tartalia - DI
Alex Stacy - DI
Amanda Andersen - DI | Trombones
David Hepinstall - SL
Lauren Figura - SL
Lauren Westerby - DI
Matt Aven - DI
Kirsten Schaffert - DI
Mai Lan Vo - DI | Tenors
Ahmid Alexander - SL
Chris Ashbay - SL
Jessica Duhaime - DI
Joey Williams - DI | Euphoniums
Mike Warzynski - SL
Emilie Rio - SL
Josh Mansfield - DI
Joe Norton - DI | Tubas
Amanda Banker - SL
Camie Coffey - SL
Adam Arocho - DI
Danielle Zaczek - DI | Colorguard
Catherine O'Neill - Cpt.
Kerri Shuler - Cpt.
Marie Ulrich - DI
Miranda Henson - DI
Samanth LoBlue - DI
Ann Hathaway - DI
Traci Allen - Head Eqpt. Mgr.
Rebecca Cosgrove - Asst. Eqpt. Mgr. | Drumline
Ryan Jonker - SL
Kellen King - Tenor SL
Jeff McOmber - Tri Tom SL
Taylor Butts - Bass Drum SL
Rebecca Dziadzio - Cymbal SL
Pat Camburn - DI | | | Office Staff
Mai Lan Vo
Sarah Cook
Rachel Gasper
Lauren Figura | Attendance Staff
Amanda Meiser
Rebekah Achtenberg
Nicolette Harvey | Uniform Staff
Franny Kornacki - Mgr.
Amanda Andersen
Ashleigh Allen
Jessica Duhaime
Deanna Romanosky | Community Service
Emily Apple
Teri Christ
Jolene Perry
| Equiptment Staff
Amanda Banker - Mgr.
Joey Williams
Rachel Gasper
Danielle Zaczeck
Derrick Zaczek | Game Day Staff
Mike Tartaglia - Mgr.
Joe Norton
Alex Armstead | | Librarian: | Rachel Gasper | | Historian: | Rachel Gasper | | Publicity: | Kyle Liechty | | Photographer: | David Roush | | | Band Camp Manager: | Kyle Liechty | | Special Projects: | Teri Christ | | Special Projects: | Maile Fooy | | | | *SL = Section Leader; DI = Drill Instructor | | |
