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Designers and Instructors
A few of our best and brightest:
Craig Fitzpatrick
Designer
Craig Fitzpatrick holds a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
In 2003 he earned his Masters in Music Composition from the University of Illinois in Champaign. Since then
Craig has had the opportunity to work closely with Jack Stamp, David Maslanka, and David Holsinger.and has band works published
with Alfred Music Publishers, as well as,TRN Music.
Since 2001, Craig has arranged music and written drill for competitive
high school marching bands in the Midwest. Schools Craig arranges and write drill for have
been Illinois State Class Champions for the last three years as well as BOA Super Regional Finalists and have placed in their
class at BOA regional and super regional competitions. Craig marched with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps baritone line
in 1998 and has been involved with the Cavaliers brass staff. Since 2001, he has taught brass, movement, and designed for
the Morton High School Marching Band, the 2005, 2006, and 2007 class 2A State Champions. Craig adjudicates marching band contests
throughout the Midwest and also teaches music theory, sight singing, and composition at Bradley
University in Peoria, IL.
Ben Harloff
Music Arranger
Ben holds
two Bachelors Degrees from Indiana University: Music Education and Trumpet
Performance. He is currently in his third year teaching at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Ben marched with the Phantom Regiment Cadets (1988-1989) and Star of Indiana (1990-1993). Ben then performed with the Star
of Indiana Brass Theater for four years which eventually turned into the worldwide stage sensation Blast!
During his time with Blast! he was one of the trumpet soloists in both the London
and New York City casts. Ben and his wife Cindy live in downtown
Minneapolis.
David Skogen
Field Percussion Specialist
David Henzie-Skogen founded and is the primary writer/musical director
of the world-renowned YoungBlood Brass Band, having performed to sold-out crowds and educated in over 20 countries. David
also tours with the experimental rock ensemble Cougar, and is the director of Layered Arts Collective, which houses a national
record label, art studio, publishing house, and facilitates free arts-based workshops for local youth. David has taught, composed,
consulted and judged for Universities and High Schools throughout the Midwest, and is currently the Battery Coordinator for
the MACBDA Champion Oregon High School Drumline.
Becky Blom
Colorguard
and Dance Specialist
Becky is in demand across the Midwest as a dancer, choreographer,
dance teacher, and colorguard instructor. She is currently the colorguard coordinator for the MACBDA Champion Oregon
Marching Band in Oregon, WI, and she is also the founding artistic director of Oregon High School's Armada
Winterguard. In addition to her committments at Oregon, Becky continues to be an active consultant and choreographer
for several successful marching bands and drum corps.
 Mike Thursby
Percussion
Specialist
Mike
Thursby is currently completing a master's degree in Music Performance from the University of Northern Iowa. Mike
has been a percussion instructor, arranger, and clinician in the state Iowa primarily working with bands from Iowa City, Williamsburg,
and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated with degrees in music performance and education from the University of Iowa, where
he instructed and arranged for the "Hawkeye Drumline" in the fall of 2007. While at Iowa he had the opportunity
to study with Dr. Dan Moore, Michael Spiro, Jim Drier, and several other notable percussionists. His experience also
includes marching with the Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle corps, and the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps from 2002-2006, where
he studied marching percussion under such instructors as Brent Montgomery and Colin McNutt.
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