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Location: Webster, NY
Ted Mascari has been involved in all aspects of percussion since 1980 as a performer, educator and arranger and is considered one of the top marching percussion minds in Upstate New York.
He graduated from Cicero-North Syracuse High School in 1988. Ted holds an AAS from Onondaga Community College and a Bachelor of Science and Music from Syracuse University. Over the past 25+ years, he has directed and arranged for several marching band and indoor percussion programs in NY, he served most recently as the Director and Music Designer for Victor High School Percussion, a NYSPC/WGI Scholastic A percussion ensemble finalist, from 2006-2014, winning 8 State Championships between indoor and marching band. He has and still is involved with quality programs like ESM, Jordan Elbridge, Oswego, Webster, Mohonasen and Central Square. He is very proud of the many students from these high schools who have gone on to march in top Drum Corps (DCI/DCA), WGI drum lines and go on to teach. He is often sought out for private instruction and consultation.
Ted's drum corps instructional career began in 1993 with the Syracuse Brigadiers, then Rochester Crusaders from 1994-1996. In addition, Ted has served as Percussion Coordinator, Percussion Arranger and Consultant for the Empire Statesmen All Age Drum and Bugle Corps from Rochester, NY, where he served from 1997-2012. He also works with the Kidsgrove Scouts since 2010, DC United Kingdom and 2015 DC Europe Champions as percussion advisor and currently holds the title of Percussion Arranger for the NY Skyliners since 2016. Ted has been strongly influenced through past experiences with Chris Calhoun, Chris Thompson, Joeseph Guadagnino, Thom Hannum, and Colin McNutt.
Ted has a newly appointed position serving as the Judging Coordinator and Education Director for the New York State Percussion Circuit. He is an adjudicator for marching band, indoor percussion and color guard in circuits throughout Pennsylvania, Michigan, Utah, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina and NY. He is also an endorser for, and on the educational team of Innovative Percussion, Ludwig-Musser Percussion and Sabian Cymbals. Ted Currently lives in Webster, NY with his wife Sara and their twin boys Christian and Mason.
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Location: Dayton, OH
Marlyn Strickland is the Visual Coordinator and co-founder of the Beavercreek High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble, where he also served as drill writer for five years. Under his guidance, Beavercreek's IPE has been a consistent WGI Regional Medalist and World Championship Finalist, including receiving a silver medal in the 2023 season. Marlyn also continues to work with regional marching bands as a visual staff member and drill writer. Currently, he works on the visual staff of the award-winning Centerville Jazz Band. During his time with the CJB, the ensemble has been a consistent BOA Regional medalist, Super Regional finalist, and Grand Nationals semifinalist.
As a former band director at Beavercreek High School, Marlyn led the marching band to significant growth and competitive success, including regular appearances as a BOA Regional Finalist. He remains active as a visual staff member and drill writer for other area marching bands and holds judging affiliations with CSJA, OMEA, MEPA, and OIPA.
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Location: Thompson’s Station, TN
Mike Leitzke began his music career at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, IL, and went on to become a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and Rhythm X Indoor percussion ensemble. During his tenure at Rhythm X, the group earned their first WGI World Class Championship. Mike has taught, arranged, and consulted for many high schools and indoor programs across the United States. Mike served as the front ensemble caption head and arranger for Palmetto Percussion, winning the WGI Open Class Championship in 2010 and making World Class Finals for the first time. On the drum corps side, Mike has served on the faculty of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps as well as worked as a clinician and consultant for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Additionally, Mike served as a designer and educator for the WGI PSW finalist Mt. Juliet Band of Gold and Indoor Drumline. Presently, Mike is the percussion director at Franklin High School (TN), a Sudler Shield band program. Mike is an active adjudicator for Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and Drum Corps International. Mike presently serves on the DCI Judge Leadership Team and on the WGI Steering Committee. Mike is the percussion/winds coordinator of the CWEA, MEPA, and WGASC/ADLA indoor circuits. Mike is proud to be an artist and clinician for Yamaha, Remo, Innovative Percussion, and Zildjian.
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Location: Westminster, CO
Charles started his marching percussion career when he marched as a performer with the Anaheim Kingsmen and the Santa Clara Vanguard. He was one of the founders of the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association (as well as serving as President and Chief Judge) and is a member of their Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was the founding director of the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble (both World and Open class units). During his time as the visual designer for the Arvada Reds Percussion Ensemble they were WGI finalist 7 of the 9 times they attended finals including Open Class Champions (in 1998) Charles works as a visual judge for indoor percussion associations throughout the country. He has judged for the RMPA, SCPA, IPA, WGAZ and the MPA. He also works as visual judge during the marching band season for the Colorado Band Masters Association as well as several independent shows in Indiana and the Friendship Cup competitions sponsored by the Blue Knights. Charles is happily married to his wife Jennifer, and has three wonderful daughters Ziporah, Hava and Shira.
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Participating Ensembles
Percussion Scholastic Regional A
Edison HS
John F. Kennedy HS (Sacramento)
John Swett HS
Sheldon HS
Percussion Scholastic A
American Canyon HS
Antelope HS
Branham HS
Oak Ridge HS
Percussion Independent A
Sacramento State Indoor
Percussion Scholastic Junior
Carquinez MS
Percussion Scholastic Open
Granite Bay HS
Laguna Creek HS
West Park HS
Percussion Independent Open
Sparta Indoor Percussion
Winds Independent Open
Sparta Winds
Percussion Scholastic World
James Logan HS