Staff

2011-2012 Deptford Spartan Marching Band Staff

Director:
Mike Armstrong

Mr. Armstrong is no stranger to the Deptford Township Schools District. Mr. Armstrong, a Deptford graduate, is currently in his fourth year as the Director of the Spartan Marching Band. His professional experiences include teaching in the Deptford Township School District as a General Music Teacher at Lake Tract Elementary School and at Deptford Township High School. He teaches the following courses at DTHS: Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Music Theory I, and AP Theory. During his time as Director, Mr. Armstrong has lead the Spartans to three Atlantic Coast Championships appearances, the 2007 USSBA National Group I Championship and the 2007 USSBA Group I Open New Jersey State Championship. Mr. Armstrong is a very accomplished musician earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The College of New Jersey. Trombone being his primary instrument, Mr. Armstrong is a freelance musician and composer who performs in the Tri-State area. He is a member of the Atlantic Brass Band based out of Rowan University, where he traveled all over Europe performing in Budapest, Berlin, Prague, Ireland and Austria. For more on the Atlantic Brass Band go to www.atlanticbrassband.org Mr. Armstrong considers himself to be a "Maverick" but his true loves are running and music education!

______________________________________________________________

Assistant Director:
Lou Randazzo

Lou has been teaching music programs, drum corps, marching bands, and
indoor drumlines and color guards for 10 years. He has achieved
regional, national, and international success as a performer,
designer, and director. As a performer, he was a 3-time medalist and
trumpet soloist for the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001-2003
while traveling across North America. He was also "Cadet of the Year"
in 2003. As a designer, Lou has worked with bands all over the
Northeast, winning championships with Bensalem HS in Bensalem, PA;
Pennsbury HS in Fairless Hills, PA; Middle Township HS in Cape May
Courthouse, NJ; and Pennsauken HS in Pennsauken, NJ. Other teaching
credits include Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington, DE;
Haddonfield Memorial HS in Haddonfield, NJ; Highland Regional HS in
Blackwood, NJ; Timber Creek Regional HS in Sicklerville, NJ; and the
Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps from Mount Holly, NJ. He also helped
United Percussion to a WGI Gold Medal and promotion to the Independent
World class from 2006-2008. Lou has been a member of the National
Judges Association since 2003, judging marching band, jazz band, and
indoor programs across the Northeast. He is still active as a
performer, clinician, instructor, and designer.

_______________________________________________________

Color Guard Caption Head:
Kevin Schlear

Kevin C. Schlear is a graduate of West Chester University with a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance. Kevin has performed as an ensemble member and featured vocalist with several classical ensembles in the Greater Philadelphia area and is currently a member of The Delaware Valley Opera Company. Kevin has been involved with the color guard activity for over 15 years. His marching experience includes Daniel Boone HS Marching Band, the Reading Buccaneers, West Chester University Marching Band, Apex Winter Guard, The Black Watch World Class Color Guard and most recently the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps. Kevin has been on staff with the Deptford Spartan Marching Band since 2003. In 2010 he helped lead the Deptford Color Guard to their first Group 2 High Auxiliary award at Chapter 1 championships.

_____________________________________________

Percussion Caption Head/Pit Instructor:
Anthony "Mad Skillz" Graves

Mr. Graves performed in the Highland Regional "Royal Tartan" Marching Band, where he was the Section Leader of the Pit Percussion Ensemble and Captain of the Indoor Percussion ensemble. Mr. Graves was a "Master of All Trades" in High School also playing Drum Set, Aux. Percussion, Piano, Baritone and Tuba. Mr. Graves was also the handy man of the marching band. If you couldn't find it and or fix it, find Anthony and he could! During his time at Highland , Mr. Graves won two Chapter 1 Championships in marching band and one Atlantic Coast Championship in Indoor Percussion. Outside of the marching band realm, Mr. Graves has also marched with the Bushwackers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps. Bringing all of those "Mad Skillz" to the table Mr. Graves helped the Spartans win the 2007 USSBA Group I National Champions and the 2007 USSBA Group I Open New Jersey State Champions. Mr. Graves has studied privately with Jake Wiener and Dean Witten and is currently pursuing a Music Education Degree at Rowan University.

_______________________________________________________

Battery Percussion Instructor: Eric Carr

Hornline Tech: Jon Porco