Recent News


Another Hurricanes Alumni Passes

The Connecticut Hurricanes are sad to learn of the unexpected passing of John L. "Larry" Ashelford, Jr.  Larry was a 10 year member of the Hurricanes Honor Guard, and is the father of current Board of Directors Chairman John Ashelford.  Mr. Ashelford was a longtime member and supporter of the Corps, and always brightened the room when he was marching as a member of the Corps, or was helping the Corps with fundraising, events, and cooking for the members.

He was the beloved husband of 49 years to Nora (Hames) Ashelford. Mr. Ashelford was born in Derby on July 6, 1939 son of Dorothea (Borcherding) Johnson and the late John L. Ashelford and was a Shelton resident since 1968.

He started his career as a tool and dye maker for AC Cook Company and later with Anaconda American Brass until 1985. John was the owner and operator of Sunnyside Spirit Shop from 1985 until his retirement in 1998. During his retirement he worked part-time for Federal Express. John was a member of the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps for over 10 years.

Mr. Ashelford is the loving father of John L. Ashelford, III and his wife Katherine, brother of Jacqueline Conklin and the late Frederick Ashelford. John is the loving grandfather of Catherine “Caity” Ashelford and is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Thursday, May 2 from 5-7 p.m. at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd., Shelton. On Friday, May 3, his funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. His burial will follow at Lawn Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr., Wallingford CT 06492.

Introducing the 2013 Hurricanes Colorguard Design Team

The Connecticut Hurricanes are excited to announce their 2013 Guard Staff. The colorguard has been a major strength of the Hurricanes for many years now winning best colorguard in 2008 and 2009 and coming in 2nd from 2010-2012. In 2013, Connor Kovatch will be our Colorguard Caption Head/Designer. He will be joined by Mark Willis who will be serving as a Technician/Designer.

The Hurricanes are excited to welcome the back colorguard, as the Corps heads outside to put our 2013 production “Rage Against the Machine” on the field to the visual design of Jamey Thompson. See our website for more information on rehearsal locations for the weekend at www.cthurricanes.org!

Conor Kovatch began his colorguard career with Newtown High School where he was a member of both the winterguard and marching band. He later went on to march with Alter Ego Winterguard from 2008-2011. Conors drum corps experience includes Connecticut Hurricanes 2005-2006, Madison Scouts 2007-2008, and The Cavaliers 2009-2012. Most recently he helped choreograph for Blessed Sacrament Winterguard from Cambridge, MA for the 2013 season.

Currently a student at Housatonic Community College, Conor is pursuing a degree in Fine Arts

Originally from New York City, Mark Willis is currently a student at Montclair State University where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. While there he has performed the works of esteemed choreographers such as José Limón, Bill T. Jones, May O'Donnell and has worked with interactive filmmaker and collection artist, Grahame Weinbren, using movement in a collaboration film project.

In October of 2012, Mark performed with a professional contemporary dance company called ARCOS Dance, where he was a dancer and a featured saber soloist for a premiere piece titled "Bolero".

From 2007 to 2012, Mark performed with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. as a part of the colorguard and was a performing member of the Alter Ego Winterguard in 2009 and 2011.

Mark has been the colorguard designer/choreographer for Burlington City High School Marching Band since 2008, which won three consecutive championships (2008-10) in USSBA Group 3A and Best Colorguard in 2008. He choreographs for various high school colorguards in New Jersey, and has also choreographed high school musicals such as "Beauty and the Beast", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Guys and Dolls" and "My Fair Lady".

The Hurricanes lose a Corps Director, Drum Major, and Hall of Famer

The Connecticut Hurricanes Drum & Bugle Corps is sad to share news of the passing of Hurricanes Hall of Fame Member Bill Duquette.  Bill “Duke” Duquette was a former Drum Major, Corps Director, and recent Advisory Board member of the Hurricanes organization.  After a lengthy illness, Bill passed quietly at his Georgia home surrounded by his wife and family.

Bill Duquette came to the Hurricanes in 1970, and was a contra player in those stellar horn lines of the early ‘70’s, through 1973. Following his playing career, Bill returned to the Corps as its Director and Asst. Drum Major, 1980-1984. He immediately outfitted the Corps with new uniforms and made key additions to an already excellent staff, resulting in some very competitive years.  Bill played an integral part in the Hurricanes winning the DCA Championship in 1981.  Duquette became active in the corps again as the Administrative Head and staff coordinator in 1990 and 1992.  He used his experience and leadership skills to quickly guide the Corps back to prominence in the wake of some subpar seasons. He was named “Hurricane of the Year” for 1992.

 In 2011, Bill was once again served the corps as Webmaster, and beginning in 2012 Bill was appointed as an adviser to the Board of Directors.

By way of experience, Bill’s drum corps career began in 1957 with Bridgeport’s PAL Cadets. He played baritone and contra bass with the PAL through 1968. Bill had also served as a marching instructor for such corps as the Connecticut Classics, New London Surfers and Notre Dame’s ND-Etts as well as the Bunnell High School Marching Band.  Additionally, Bill has served as Director of The Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from Atlanta, Georgia and as Co-Director for the Park City Pride in its inaugural year of 2003.

Bill’s pride, spirit, and support of the Drum Corps activity will be sorely missed by all who knew him.  The Hurricanes organization would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Duquette family.

Information on immediate arrangements will be released when available.  The family will be planning a memorial service in Connecticut in the coming months.

Hurricanes Mourn the Loss of Several Member's Family

The Connecticut Hurricanes were served with several bits of devastating news.  Patti Rogan, Mother of Front Ensemble Member James and Wife of Truck Driver Eddie, passed away the morning of March 11.  Additionally, Visual Staff Member Bob "Yellowhat" Waterhouse lost his Father the morning of March 12.  The Hurricanes extend their condolences to both families in this time of grief.

Funeral Services for Patti Rogan:

Funeral Mass at 10:30am on Saturday, March16
Immaculate Conception Church
122 Canton St, Stoughton, Massachusetts

Family and Friends gathering to follow this service

The Obituary can be found at http://farleyfh.com/Obituaries.html


Arrangements for the Waterhouse Family will be posted once we receive word.




2013 Season Kicks off, Hugely Successful Open House, 2012 Banquet

The Connecticut Hurricanes wrapped up one season and opened another with a bang this past weekend during the 2012 Corps Banquet and Awards Night on Saturday, November 24 and the 2013 Open House on Sunday, November 25..

During the Banquet, over 100 members, staff, alumni, family and friends of the Hurricanes celebrated a fifth consecutive Top 4 Finish at the DCA World Championships. We honored individuals with section awards, highlighted by Snare Drummer Charles Book being named Hurricane of the Year. We also expressed our thanks and gratitude to several members for their years of service, including 10-year member Brian Maroldt, 20-year member Dondi Staffieri, and 30-year member Tom Brady. We saved the more prestigious awards for the end, inducting 4 new members into the Hurricanes Hall of Fame: Lawrence MacLennan, John Moynihan, Alexander Richmond, and Teddy Furman. Dancing and mingling followed the awards in continued late into the night as friends and family celebrated the accomplishments of the 2012 Hurricanes.

At 9:00 AM the following day, the 2013 Hurricanes began their quest towards the DCA World Championships at Open House. Members, staff, and management alike agreed we had the most successful Open House in recent memory. After a meeting to discuss logistics of the season and a preview of the 2013 Production “Rage Against the Machine” newly appointed Caption Heads Andrew Barlow (Percussion) and John Leonard (Brass) along with Color Guard Technician Janos Pergely led their respective sections through warm-ups, technique exercises, as well as a few parade tunes including the Corps’ signature song, Mag 7.

Come join us as we get into the 2013 show material at our upcoming December rehearsals. The brass will be meeting on December 9th from 9 AM – 4 PM and the percussion on December 16th from 9 AM – 4 PM.

Introducing the Hurricanes' 2013 Percussion Education Team

The Connecticut Hurricanes are proud to introduce our 2013 Percussion Education team.  Caption Head Andrew Barlow will be joined by Chris Bill, Battery Coordinator and Tenor Tech; Tom Wilson, Front Ensemble Coordinator; Rob Carlucci, Snare Tech; Brandon Isham, Snare Tech; Iris Heady, Bass Tech; and Robert Scott, Front Ensemble Tech. This masterful group of educators is poised to move the Hurricanes’ percussion program into the forefront of the activity.  The Corps has worked tirelessly to put together a fully qualified education staff in order to bring the best learning and performing experience possible to all members of the Hurricanes, while making the Corps a destination for all performers wanting to achieve success on an world-class level. 

The Hurricanes invite any and all brass and percussion members, novice to seasoned, to join our fantastic staff in the 2013 season, as we learn and perform our 2013 production “Rage Against the Machine”.  Check out www.cthurricanes.org for information on becoming a Hurricane.

 

The 2013 Hurricanes Percussion Education Team:

Andrew Barlow – Percussion Caption Head

Andrew Barlow is currently a Percussionist and the Percussion Manager for the Tony and Emmy Award winning Broadway show Blast!

Andrew pursued a double Masters degree in Percussion Performance and Music Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While at UMass, he instructed the UMass Minuteman Marching Band, Marimba Ensembles, the MASS Marimba Band, and the Percussion Ensemble. He also holds Bachelor degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina.

When at home in Allentown PA, Barlow regularly gigs and performs in the Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, and New York areas. Most recently, Andrew has done studio recording work with Madonna and Kevin Antunes in preparation for the half time show at Super Bowl XLVI.

Barlow has served as a percussion instructor for such groups as The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, The Cadets2 Drum and Bugle Corps, The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps, Spirit of America Percussion Ensemble, and United Percussion Indoor Percussion Ensemble.

During his career, Barlow has studied percussion with Thom Hannum, Dr. Brian Tinkel, Yousif Sheronick, Rolando Morales- Matos, Colin McNutt, Tom Aungst, Ian Hale, Ayano Kataoka, Wes Powers, Michael Moore, and Tony Del Rivero. He began his musical studies at the age of 8, studying piano under Jo Powell Boggs and Janice Millholden.

Andrew's drum corps marching career includes performing with The Cadets, Carolina Crown, and Magic of Orlando. He was also a member of the renowned percussion ensemble Music City Mystique. On the collegiate level, Barlow has performed with the UMass University Orchestra, the UMass Marimba band, the UMass Advanced Percussion Ensemble, The Mars Hill College Wind Ensemble, The Mars Hill College Percussion Ensemble, and the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra.

Andrew currently serves as a Percussionist and Percussion Manager for Blast! Former employment includes work with Youth Education in the Arts and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, where he served on the percussion staff for The Cadets from 2010-2012 and was the tour manager for The Cadets from 2008-2009. From 2010-2011, he was the Director of Development for Youth Education in the Arts and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.

Andrew is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and an educational artist for Innovative Percussion Inc. and Pearl/Adams Corporation. He currently resides in Allentown, PA with his wife Melissa.  Visit www.barlowpercussion.com to find out more about Andrew.

Chris Bill – Battery Coordinator and Tenor Tech

Chris is currently completing his Masters degree in Modern American Music at Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA. At Longy, Chris is studying with Jazz Professors: Bob Gullotti, Nando Michelin, John Lockwood, and Peter Cassino. He is an active educator/performer in the Northeast. Chris is the program coordinator for Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham, MA and serves as the percussion instructor at Northeastern University. He has taught and given clinics throughout New England and is on staff at Thom Hannum's Mobile Percussion Seminar in Amherst, MA.

Chris was a founding member of Spirit of America Indoor Percussion and performed with the corps throughout the summer and winter programs. At the collegiate level, Chris has performed with UMASS Orchestra, Five College Opera, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz One Ensemble, Chapel Jazz Ensemble, Marimba Band, and the Minuteman Marching Band.

Chris is currently playing orchestral percussion in the Longy Orchestra, MIT Wind Ensemble, Longy Community Orchestra, and Narragansett Community Band. He is also an active freelance performer in the Boston area.

Chris has performed in Master classes with Steffon Harris, Miguel Zenon, Billy Tayor, and Yusef Lateef. He attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he studied Music Education and Jazz Performance. While in Amherst, Chris studied percussion under the direction of Thom Hannum, Eduardo Leandro, Colin McNutt, Ian Hale, and Andrew Barlow. Also in Amherst, he was educated in jazz studies with Jeff Holmes, Dave Sporny, Arturo O’Farrill, and Bob Gullotti. Chris has been concentrating on jazz pedagogy/performance and currently maintains a private studio in the Boston area. Chris loves the ocean and currently resides aboard a boat in Cambridge, MA.

Thomas Wilson - Front Ensemble Coordinator

Thomas Wilson graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in May 2011 with concentrations in Music Performance and Composition. He has been active in the marching scene throughout high school, under the direction of Cindy Snow at Shepherd Hill Regional High School, as well as college, where he was a member of the front ensemble of the coveted Sudler Award-Winning UMass Minuteman Marching Band, directed by DCI Hall of Fame Artists George Parks and Thom Hannum. In his senior year at UMass, Thomas was awarded the 2012 Vic Firth Scholarship. He was also active during the summer; he marched with the Spartans in 2006-07 where he won a bronze and gold medal; worked with trend-setting percussionist Leigh Howard Stevens in 2008; and capped off his marching career with the Cadets in 2009 and 2010, winning a bronze medal. He was awarded the rookie of the year award at the Cadets in 2009, and a distinguished service award in 2010. Thomas has served as front ensemble section leader of every ensemble that he was a member of.

Currently, Thomas is the assistant director of bands at David Prouty High School in Spencer, MA, where he teaches the concert and marching bands, as well as other music classes including theory, guitar, and the history of rock and roll. While teaching, arranging, and composing for three ensembles at Shepherd Hill High School, he regularly performs as a percussionist with the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra. Thomas writes music for many schools, including the MASS Marimba Band which won a 2011 Downbeat Award his senior year under the direction of Thom Hannum. The Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps presents an exciting opportunity for him, and he is very excited to work with the staff and the students to create what is sure to be an energetic, musically enriching, and successful 2013 show.

Robert Scott - Front Ensemble Instructor

Robert Scott is a college senior currently attending UMass Amherst. While at Amherst, Robert is studying Music Performance with a concentration in percussion and piano. Taking private piano lessons since 1998, he now studies with Juilliard graduate pianist Gilles Vonsattel. In addition to taking piano lessons through middle and high school, he also studied rock and jazz drum set.  Currently, Robert is also taking classical percussion lessons with Yale graduate, Michael Compitello. Robert is the winner of the 2010 UMass Concerto Competition in which he performed Shostakovich's second piano concerto.

Outside of private music lessons, Robert is extremely active in the marching percussion world. He has enjoyed performing, writing, and working with the 10-time Drum Corps World Champion Holy Name Cadets from Allentown Pennsylvania. In 2011 he marched vibraphone and following in 2012 season he aged-out with the Cadets playing marimba. Robert also writes for various high school groups throughout the country.

Brandon Isham – Snare Tech

Brandon began his marching career in 2002 with the First Class Percussion Intermediate Drum Line. He continued playing snare drum with FCP until 2004 when he joined the East Pennsboro Area High School Marching band as a member of the front ensemble. In 2006 Brandon joined the Jersey Surf playing snare drum. He continued his marching career with the Surf through 2009. He was given the honor of being the section leader for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. In 2009 Brandon became a member United Percussion, playing snare drum. He has been the section leader for United Percussion from 2010 through 2013. Brandon spent 2 years playing snare drum for The Cadets in 2010 and 2011. Brandon has been involved teaching various high school programs such as Mechanicsburg High School, East Pennsboro High School, Coatesville High School, and West Chester East High School. He is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education from West Chester University, where he plans to graduate in the Spring of 2013.

Rob Carlucci – Snare Tech

Rob Carlucci began playing percussion at the age of 8. His drum corps career began in 2001 when Rob joined the Connecticut Hurricanes front ensemble. He was a member of the Hurricanes for six years from 2001-2005 and 2010 playing in the front ensemble, snare line and bass line. Rob was also a member of the Hawthorne Caballeros snare line in 2006 and 2007.

In 2006 Rob Carlucci stepped on the other side of the line and took his first teaching job as a percussion instructor at Danbury High School and has been teaching fall marching band and indoor percussion ever since. Rob has worked with several extremely successful high school percussion programs including Danbury HS, Trumbull HS, Westhill HS, and currently New Milford HS “Green Heat Percussion”, one of Connecticutʼs premier high school percussion ensembles, where Rob contributes to percussion arrangements and show design. Some of the circuits these groups have competed in include, MAC, USBands, WGI, ect.

Rob graduated from the University of New Haven in 2006 with a B.A. in Music & Sound Recording. He has worked on several television productions as a production assistant including The Rachael Ray Show, Kitchen Nightmares, Next Food Network Star, Nickelodeon Teen Halo Awards, ect. in the New York and Los Angeles area.

When Rob is not teaching his high school ensemble, he works full time at The Kennedy Center, a non-profit agency that provides services for adults with developmental disabilities. He currently resides in Fairfield, CT.

 

Iris Heady – Bass Tech

Iris Heady graduated from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst in May 2011 with a BA in Communication and a Music Minor in Percussion Performance. During her time

at the university, Iris participated in numerous performing ensembles such as the UMass Percussion Ensemble, Marimba Ensemble, Mass Marimba Band, Concert Band, and the award-winning University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band. During her four years in the UMass Drum Line, she was a member of the bass line and ended her UMass career as the section leader.

Iris is a recent age-out of The Cadets, having been a member and section leader of the front ensemble. She spent the summers of 2010, 2011, and 2012 touring the country and competing with The Cadets, earning both a Distinguished Service Award and world championship title in 2011.

Iris has had the pleasure to have studied music under many talented teachers and directors over the years, such as John Leonard, BethAyn Curtis, Thom Hannum, Colin McNutt, Ian Hale, Ayano Kataoka, Andrew

Barlow, George Parks, Michael Klesch, Iain Moyer, George Hopkins, Sarah and Ryan Stack, and Jeremy Wardwell. Iris began her music career at age 6, taking piano lessons from Francis Shames.

The performing arts have always been a big part of Iris' life, also having spent many years on stage performing with various theater groups. Iris has held many lead roles in productions such as Schoolhouse Rock - Live!, California Suite, Hello, Dolly!, Working, Urinetown, Grease, and several other smaller theater performances over the years.

Iris has been a front ensemble instructor and battery tech for 5 seasons at South Hadley High School, and is looking forward to expanding her horizons by joining the percussion staff at the Connecticut Hurricanes. Iris would like to acknowledge that her music career was inspired by her older sister, Sheila Heady, who is still an active musician and performer in the New England area.

 

Introducing the Hurricanes' 2013 Brass Education Team

The Connecticut Hurricanes are excited to introduce our 2013 Brass Education Staff.  John Leonard, Assistant Director of Bands at Northeastern University in Boston, MA, will lead the brass program as the 2013 Caption Head.  Aaron Goldberg, Band Director at Boston University, former Caption Head with the Crossmen, and current brass educator for the Boston Crusaders, will be consulting with the brass program in 2013.  Along with John and Aaron, this team of talented educators has extensive experience in the music education field, and brings a wealth of drum corps and brass performance knowledge to the Hurricanes.  “The Hurricanes are setting new standards in 2013, and after an

exhaustive search, we have a great group of teachers that are extremely excited to start building upon a brass program that has an already strong foundation.” said Corps Director Bob Glover.  “As we expand the size of our brass program, this extremely qualified staff will instantly make this Corps a performing destination for brass players in New England and beyond.” 

 Come meet the Brass Staff at the Hurricanes’ Open House and Membership Day on Sunday, November 25 from 9am-5pm at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.  For more information and registration, visit www.cthurricanes.org.

2013 Connecticut Hurricanes Brass Staff:

John Leonard – Brass Caption Head

John Leonard is the Assistant Director of Bands at Northeastern University in Boston, MA.  He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he studied Music Education (BM ’02) with a concentration in Trumpet, having studied with Professors Walter Chesnut and Eric Berlin, as well asworking indepth with Professors of Jazz Jeff Holmes and David Sporny.  While in college, John also performed with the Top 12 DCI Finalist Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, which hailed from Newark, DE at the time.

After completing his degree, John spent several years working as a freelance musician, composer, arranger, and music copyist. In 2002 he transcribed and notated the Guitar 1 & 2, Bass, and Drum Set books for the musical “Movin’ Out” on Broadway featuring the music of Billy Joel and the choreography of Twyla Tharp. John has also worked extensively as music copyist for Grammy Award Winner Jeffrey Holmes, Chair of the Jazz and African-American Music Studies program at UMass Amherst.

In 2004 Mr. Leonard returned to UMass Amherst to pursue a Masters in Music in Jazz Composition and Arranging. Over the past several years, John worked alongside DCI Hall of Fame recipients George N. Parks, Michael Klesch and Thomas P. Hannum while writing music for and instructing the Power and Class of New England: The UMass Minuteman Marching Band. Mr. Leonard was the Director of the UMass Hoop Band until 2008 when he took the position of Assistant Director of Bands at Northeastern University.

As the Assistant Director of Bands at NU, John directs the University Pep Band and Concert Band, and manages several administrative tasks within the department, including the scholarship program comprised of nearly 100 students.  John currently resides in Chelsmford, MA.

 

Aaron Goldberg – Brass Program Consultant

Aaron Goldberg currently serves as the Director of Athletic Bands at Boston University.  A native of Boston, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Master’s degree in Euphonium Performance from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.  

Aaron was a member of the 2nd U.S. touring cast of the Tony and Emmy Award-winning Broadway show “Blast” in 2005-2006, and has been involved in the drum & bugle corps activity for over fourteen years. He was a performing member of the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps in 1998, and was the featured baritone soloist in 2000 and 2001. He served on the Crossmen Brass Staff from 2002-2010, through the corps' move from Philadelphia to San Antonio, where he was the baritone instructor for six years and the Brass Caption Head for three years. He served on the brass staff of the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps in 2011 and 2012, and is now on the brass staff of the Boston Crusaders. 

Aaron has composed original music for a variety of commercial sources and documentaries, and has arranged music for drum & bugle corps, many high school marching bands across the Northeast, and college marching and pep bands. He has been a music judge for the United States Scholastic Bands Association, and the New England Scholastic Bands Association. He served as the Pep Band Director at Boston College from 2007 to 2009, and was the Director of Bands at North Andover (MA) High School from 2009 to 2011.

In his free time, Aaron enjoys teaching private lessons across the North Shore of Boston, performing on trombone in the Boston area, and rooting for the Red Sox.

Michael J. Coogan – Brass Instructor

Michael J. Coogan is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he was a trumpet soloist and three year drum major of the Minuteman Marching band under the direction of George N. Parks and Thom Hannum. Michael marched with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, where he was a soprano soloist, and has been on the instructional staff of the Boston Crusaders and Crossmen. In addition Michael has worked with Westfield H.S from Houston, TX, under the direction of Philip Gieger and Frank Troyka. He has also worked with the Marching Illini at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign under Gary Smith, and was the associate marching band director at Boston University, with Chris Parks. Michael was also a graduate assistant for the marching band at Towson University, under the direction of John Miliauskas.

In addition to writing drill for various bands in MA, NY, MD, IL, TX and CA, Michael is an active clinician, judge and founder of the Imaginasium Leadership Seminars. He also proud to be a two-decade staff member for the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy.

Kevin Webb – Brass Instructor

A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Kevin Webb is an active member of both the performance and the music education communities of New England. Kevin received his undergraduate degree in Music Studies/Education from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in 2012, and is currently in pursuit of a Masters Degree in the same field. At Umass Lowell, Kevin acted as both Assistant and Head Field Conductor of the marching band. He has studied trombone performance with Neil Flewelling and Hans Böhn.

Kevin was a member of both the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps ('06 and '07) and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps ('09 and '10), where he served as a section leader and soloist. He currently teaches the Oakmont Regional High School marching band as a brass and visual instructor, and is a full time member of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra.

Mike Hanrahan – Brass Instructor

Prior to joining  the Hurricanes instructional team, Mike spent two seasons as a visual instructor for the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps. Mike's drum corps performance experience began as a member of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps in 2006 and 2007. During his time with the Jersey Surf, the corps received the silver medal and a championship title in brass performance at the 2007 Drum Corps International Division II/III Finals in Pasadena, California. From 2008 until 2010, Mike was a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, where he aged out as a bronze medalist at the  2010 Drum Corps International World Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Currently, Mike is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Euphonium Performance at The Hartt School, where he studies with James E. Jackson III. Prior to his graduate studies, Mike graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied Euphonium and additional studies in Tuba under the tutelage of Dr. Zach Collins and Dr. Gary Bird. During his undergraduate career, Mike was a member of several ensembles including the Tubaphonium Ensemble, Symphony Band, and the I.U.P. Marching Band, where he was the Baritone section leader and student drill instructor during the 2009 season. Mike has performed, studied, and participated in master classes with artists including Demondrae Thurman, Oystein Baadsvik, Jim Self, James E. Jackson III, and Daniel Burdick.  Mike's professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, The International Tuba and Euphonium Association, and The Pennsylvania Scholastic Educators Association.

During his free time, Mike likes to play golf, ride roller coasters, spend time at home in New York, visit with family and friends, and arrange music and drill. Mike is looking forward to teaching the 2013 Connecticut Hurricanes.

2013 Percussion Arrangers Introduced

The Connecticut Hurricanes are very excited to introduce their 2013 Percussion Arrangers, Andrew Barlow and Colby Kuzontkoski. Both of these talented writers have extensive musical backgrounds which are highlighted in their biographies (see below). The Hurricanes' percussion section has consistently been a strong force in DCA, placing 4th in 2010 and 2012 and 3rd in 2009 and 2011. The Corps looks forward to building upon this success in 2013 with Andrew and Colby writing the charts.

Make sure to check out the 2013 Hurricanes Open House on Sunday, November 25th at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Visit www.cthurricanes.org for more information and stay tuned for more exciting announcements as the 2013 season rolls on!

Andrew Barlow, Battery Percussion Arranger

Andrew Barlow is currently a Percussionist and the Percussion Manager for the Tony and Emmy Award winning Broadway show Blast!

Andrew pursued a double Masters degree in Percussion Performance and Music Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While at UMass, he instructed the UMass Minuteman Marching Band, Marimba Ensembles, the MASS Marimba Band, and the Percussion Ensemble. He also holds Bachelor degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina.

When at home in Allentown PA, Barlow regularly gigs and performs in the Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, and New York areas. Most recently, Andrew has done studio recording work with Madonna and Kevin Antunes in preparation for the half time show at Super Bowl XLVI.

Barlow has served as a percussion instructor for such groups as The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, The Cadets2 Drum and Bugle Corps, The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps, Spirit of America Percussion Ensemble, and United Percussion Indoor Percussion Ensemble.

During his career, Barlow has studied percussion with Thom Hannum, Dr. Brian Tinkel, Yousif Sheronick, Rolando Morales- Matos, Colin McNutt, Tom Aungst, Ian Hale, Ayano Kataoka, Wes Powers, Michael Moore, and Tony Del Rivero. He began his musical studies at the age of 8, studying piano under Jo Powell Boggs and Janice Millholden.

Andrew's drum corps marching career includes performing with The Cadets, Carolina Crown, and Magic of Orlando. He was also a member of the renowned percussion ensemble Music City Mystique. On the collegiate level, Barlow has performed with the UMass University Orchestra, the UMass Marimba band, the UMass Advanced Percussion Ensemble, The Mars Hill College Wind Ensemble, The Mars Hill College Percussion Ensemble, and the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra.

Andrew currently serves as a Percussionist and Percussion Manager for Blast! Former employment includes work with Youth Education in the Arts and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, where he served on the percussion staff for The Cadets from 2010-2012 and was the tour manager for The Cadets from 2008-2009. From 2010-2011, he was the Director of Development for Youth Education in the Arts and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.

Andrew is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and an educational artist for Innovative Percussion Inc. and Pearl/Adams Corporation. He currently resides in Allentown, PA with his wife Melissa.  Visit www.barlowpercussion.com to find out more about Andrew.

Colby Kuzontkoski, Front Ensemble Percussion Arranger

Colby Kuzontkoski is a graduate from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance. At UMass he studied under professors Peter Tanner, Eduardo Leandro, Ayano Kataoka and Thomas Hannum.

During his time at UMass he studied performance practice in all forms including contemporary chamber music, solo repertoire, new music and traditional percussion ensemble. He also extensively studied the art of arranging for percussion in the form of marimba ensembles, percussion ensembles, marching ensembles and marimba bands. He has published an article on the application of articulations in percussion called: “Connecting the Arranger Coach and Performer.”, Published in the Percussive Arts Society journal: Percussive Notes.

For the last six years Colby has had the great opportunity to write for and teach competitive percussion ensembles around the country. He has also taught and given clinics at numerous high schools throughout New England. He has recently taught at Thom Hannum’s Mobile Percussion Seminar in Amherst MA, directing and teaching the Front Ensemble track of the program.

Colby is also an experienced drum set player having studied with Boston favorite Bob Gullotti for three years, attended two Berklee 5 Week Summer Performance Programs in Boston, and has performed extensively in jazz and GB bands throughout the Northeast. He has also recorded several albums with touring bands from the area.

Staying current in the world of percussion is vital for the modern percussionist. Colby has participated in and performed in seminars such as the Cloid Duff Timpani Master Class in Kansas City and the International Festival of Contemporary Performance at Mannes College in Manhattan. Colby has made it his mission to further this art form and is excited to bring his unique style to the Connecticut Hurricanes' Front Ensemble program. Colby resides in the Atlanta, GA metro area where he maintains an active role in the area's marching arts community.

The Hurricanes would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mike Schmitt, Mike Wyatt, and Tom Aungst for their service to the Hurricanes in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

2013 Administrative Team Announced!

The Connecticut Hurricanes are excited to announce their new Administrative Team for the 2013 season. Bob Glover will be assuming the role of Corps Director after serving on the Hurricanes' brass staff in 2010 and 2011 and as Assistant Corps Director in 2012. Doug Oravez, Hall of Fame member and last season's Corps Director, will move up into the role of President of the Hurricanes. In his 25th year with the Corps, longtime soloist, board member, and former Corps Director Pete Propfe will once again bring his experience to the team as Assistant Corps Director. Joining Bob and Pete on the 2013 Administrative Team will be:

John Ashelford - Business Manager
Danny Staffieri - Membership Coordinator
Vinny Cataudella - Public Relations Manager
Jay Reed - Equipment Manager
Tasha Limoncelli - Finance Manager
Rebecca Freel - Recruitment Coordinator
Janet Carangelo - Uniform and Inventory Manager
Dondi Staffieri - Support Staff Manager
Amorette Languell - Collaborative Program Director

"The Hurricanes are coming off a very successful 2012 season, in which we saw many positive changes within our Corps," said Glover. "We are going to continue our commitment to making the Hurricanes the most rewarding and exciting drum corps experience possible for our current and future members. 2013 is going to be a great year for the Hurcs, as we expand our recruitment base deeper into New England and have an amazing production in the works. Stay tuned.....we have many more exciting things coming down the pipe!"

The Corps 2013 Open House is on Sunday, November 25 at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Please stay tuned to www.cthurricanes.org for registration information, as well as the announcement of our 2013 program.

The Corps would also like to thank Rich Warga for his service to the Hurricanes as a member of the Board of Directors and as Interim Director.

Hurricanes finish successful 2012 season with another top 4 finish at DCA World Championships.

September 2, 2012  - The 2012 Hurricanes put another successful season in the history books as the Corps solidified its position as one of the top drum corps in our activity by earning another top 4 position.  This Corps took "Blokes and Birds" to audiences throughout the summer, and this show became an instant fan favorite night after night.  The Corps pushed through the heat and long weekends to become a hard working, goal oriented group of members that personify what being a Hurricane is all about.  The Hurricanes would like to thank all of their fans, families, and most of all: our supporters and donors.  The positive changes and steps taken this year are a direct result of the generosity and dedication of so many magnificent people. 

Make sure to come join the Hurricanes in 2013, as we kick off the season with our 2013 open house on Sunday, November 25, 2012.  Click here for more information on joining in the 2013 season.




Fanfare 2012 DCA Show presented by the Hurricanes and Bridgeport P.A.L. on August 25th.

July 15, 2012  - The Hurricanes are excited to host several drum corps and marching bands as we celebrate our annual Fanfare Drum & Bugle Corps competition.  TIckets are available for purchase at the gate.  Please join the Hurcs as we host several mini-corps, alumni corps, local highs school bands, and DCA competing corps inside Bridgeport's Kennedy Stadium in what promises to be a spectacular night of music in motion.  Show begins at 6:30pm, so get there early to get great seats!

The following groups
are scheduled to appear:

In Exhibition: Mass Brass Mini-Corps Centurions Mini-Corps Connecticut Alumni Trumbull HS Marching Band NY Skyliners Alumni Park City Pride Alumni In DCA Competition: Excelsior Windsor Regiment Sunrisers Bushwackers Kidsgrove Scouts Hurricanes For Questions on Ticketing, please contact: Mr. Bob Bradley fanfaretickets@yorklab.com (203) 735-5659