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Leadership & Faculty

MARCHING SYCAMORES FACULTY & LEADERSHIP

For more information on each individual position, including description, duties, and requirements, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Emmanuel Rodriguez

COLOR GUARD DIRECTOR
Rebecca Bercich

PERCUSSION DIRECTOR
Ben Blackketter

PROGRAM MANAGER
Emma Donahoe
Nikelle Carlson (assistant)

DRUM MAJORS
Avery Davis
Noah Guerra
Morgen Tillema

SECTION LEADERS

EQUIPMENT MANAGER
John Schaeffer

CREW MANAGER
Tyler Davros

UNIFORM MANAGER
Kenna Teague
Jadah Mullenix (assistant)

MEDIA MANAGER
Cassaundra Simmons

LIBRARY MANAGER
Evan Mack

PROPERTIES MANAGER
Caitlen Douglass

 

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

​Program Manager
The Program Manager position requires an individual of the highest caliber, someone who has demonstrated advanced organizational skills, poise, maturity, and trustworthiness. The Program Assistant oversees various facets of the Marching Sycamores, including (but not limited) to: collecting information from members, band camp registration and housing, ordering necessary materials, miscellaneous finances, guest ticket requests, various clerical functions, and planning the end-of-season band banquet. After marching season, the Program Assistant helps the Director with planning, recruiting, and the general well-being of the program. This position will require the individual to return to campus before the beginning of band camp in order to prepare for camp. This is not a position that one can apply for - it is chosen by the Director, after close observation of demonstrated leadership and responsibility.

Assistant Program Manager
The Assistant Program Manager serves as an "apprentice" to the Program Manager, assisting with all of the duties and responsibilities listed above. This position will require the individual to return to campus before the beginning of band camp in order to prepare for camp. While the Program Manager can suggest members who would serve well in the role of Assistant Program Manager, the position is ultimately chosen by the Director. It is expected that the Assistant Program Manager will eventually move on into the role of Program Manager, though this is not a guarantee, with many factors playing into any such succession.

Drum Major(s)
In addition to serving as the on-field conductors, the drum majors carry several responsibilities throughout the season, including keeping attendance records, running physical and musical warmups, running music rehearsals, helping the Library Manager with the issue and maintenance of music and flip folders, copying parts and drill charts, and aiding the Director with multiple tasks on an as-assigned basis. Individuals selected for drum major must have strong musical qualities, self-discipline, and maturity. This position is open to members who have participated in Marching Sycamores for at least one season, and the individual must have participated every year they were eligible to while at Indiana State. Additionally, special consideration will be given to members who have participated in Sycamore Basketball Band in the past. Finalists will be chosen from the applicants after applications and interviews are completed, with auditions in front of a live ensemble happening in March.

Section Leader(s)
This position is responsible for running each instrumental section from a disciplinary and administrative standpoint, as well as a marching and musical perspective. Section leaders are expected to be strong musicians with the ability to run individual instrumental sectionals, and help members with their music one-on-one as often as needed. Ideally this is an upperclassman who has demonstrated leadership skills in the past; however, sophomores who have demonstrated leadership, maturity, and responsibility are also be eligible. This position is open to members who have participated in the Marching Sycamores for at least one season, and the individual must have participated every year they were eligible to while at Indiana State. Section leaders will be appointed for each of the following sections: Piccolo, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone, Percussion, and Guard.

Library Managers
The Library Manager maintains the Marching Sycamores music library, assisting with the issue and maintenance of music and flip folders, making necessary music and drill copies, and addressing the needs of individual members as they "misplace" music and drill throughout the season. During the beginning of Basketball season, the Library Managers will also assist the Director in ensuring the SBB Flip Folders are completed correctly. The position is open to members who have participated in the Marching Sycamores for at least one season.

Equipment Manager
Drives the Equipment Truck to and from rehearsals and performances. Ensures that the truck is in good working order and coordinates any repairs with the Band’s Administrative Assistant. With the assistance of the Field Manager (as well as Sousaphones and Drum Line during game days), loads and unloads all equipment, including instruments, audio equipment, and podiums, maintains/recharges the audio equipment after every rehearsal, and helps keep all storage areas clean and uncluttered.The individual in this position must be at least twenty-one years of age and must take a driving test through the university to be certified. This position is open to members who have participated in Marching Sycamores for at least one season.This is a paid positionthrough the university.

Crew Manager
This position will coordinate the painting/lining of the band’s rehearsal field, ensuring that it is always in good working condition. Also ensures that the field is left clean and that any items left behind are placed in the Lost and Found. Works with the Equipment Manager to set up the Audio System for use at every rehearsal and on Saturday mornings prior to home games. This position also coordinates with the Sousaphone and Percussion section leaders to load and unload all equipment for game days. This position is open to members who have participated in Marching Sycamores for at least one season. If the individual selected is 21 years of age (or takes a special licensing exam through the University), they may also be asked to assist in driving the Equipment Truck.

Uniform Managers
This position is in charge of all Marching Sycamores uniforms and apparel, including distribution, uniform fitting, general upkeep and maintenance, and collection of all uniforms and uniform parts at the end of the season. The position requires the individual to return to campus before the start of band camp in order to prepare. It is open to members who have participated in Marching Sycamores for at least one season.

Media Manager
Serves as the band’s historian by keeping written records of band activities, takes pictures and videos of special events and performances, and will assist the director with the Band's social media sites (Facebook, YouTube, the website, etc.) The Media Manager will also be responsible for putting together a slide show for the end-of-year BANDquet. This position is open to members who have participated in Marching Sycamores for at least one season.

Properties Manager
The Properties Manager is in charge of all ISUMS-owned inventory. At the beginning of the season, the Properties Manager helps Kelly Fallon distribute instruments and collect rental agreements, as well as distribute and keep records on miscellaneous equipment such as lyres, flip folders, slide covers, sousaphone covers, and more. At the end of the season, the Properties Manager assists with the return of all items that need to be returned.

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