The Bushwackers Drum Corps is excited to announce the 2017 percussion staff!
Returning to lead the team as percussion caption supervisor is Travis Peterman. Joining Travis will be many returning staff members from the 2016 season, with new team members we are excited to welcome into the Bushwackers family.
The corps will have the opportunity to meet the staff at our Open House in Skillman, New Jersey this coming weekend, November 19 and 20. Registration is still open for Open House, and information is available by completing the form at joinbush.org.
Also, join the Facebook percussion interest group and get to know the percussion section before you arrive.
Here’s what you need to know about the instructional staff for the 2017 Bushwackers percussion.
Travis Peterman is returning to the Bushwackers for the 2017 season as battery arranger and percussion caption supervisor. Travis began teaching drum corps in 2012 with Cadets2, where he was snare technician and battery choreographer for three years. With Imperial Dynasty indoor percussion, Travis was the show coordinator in 2013 and caption supervisor in 2014 and 2015. In 2016, Travis was the program coordinator for Cadets Winter Percussion. In 2015 and 2016, Travis instructed the snare line at Carolina Crown. He is currently the program coordinator and battery arranger for George Mason University Indoor Drumline.
Billy Zarychta is looking forward to increasing his role with the Bushwackers in 2017 as percussion caption manager. In 2016, Billy was the snare technician for the Bushwackers. He currently teaches at Northern Highlands Regional High School in New Jersey. Prior to 2016, Billy marched with the Crossmen, Cadets2, and Fusion Core. He is currently a member of George Mason University Indoor Drumline.
Jordan Hastings will be joining the Bushwackers staff in 2017 in the roles of battery coordinator and quads technician. Jordan is returning to the corps, an alumnus of the 2012 season. He has also performed on quads with the University of Delaware and the Reading Buccaneers. He’s exciting to join the Bush team this season.
Jason O’Brien will be the front ensemble coordinator for the 2017 Bushwackers. He is currently working with the Northern Highlands High School front ensemble, and was previously the percussion caption head and arranger for Bridgewater-Raritan High School. He has marching experience with the Crossmen and holds a master’s degree in percussion performance.
Matt Fitzgerald will be the snare technician for the 2017 Bushwackers. He has marching experience with West Chester University, Reading Buccaneers, and Field of View Percussion.
Seth Hastings is joining the percussion staff as bass technician for the 2017 season. He has marching experience with the University of Delaware, Cadets Winter Percussion, Cadets2, and Carolina Crown.
Sean McReady will return for his 20th year with the Bushwackers in the role of cymbals technician. 13 of those years were teaching plates. He has also been the cymbals tech for several award-winning high school programs in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Sean was inducted in the the Bushwackers Hall of Fame in 2013, and besides teaching cymbals, Sean is the web designer and graphic designer for the corps, and he has been a member of the design team, the administration, the visual team, the bass line, the tuba section, and the front ensemble.
Jason Surkin is joining the 2017 Bushwackers staff as visual/cymbals technician. He has previously taught the Abington Senior High School Indoor Drumline and the Loyalsock Township High School Marching Band, both in Pennsylvania. Jason has marched with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps and the Crossmen.
Eric Ficarra returns to the Bushwackers percussion staff in 2017 as battery technician. Eric is currently the assistant band director at Jackson Memorial High School in New Jersey and has extensive teaching experience. He was previously the bass technician for the Bushwackers in 2015 and 2016. Prior to the Bushwackers, Eric was a member of the 2014 championship Reading Buccaneers bass line and a four-year member of the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band bass line.
It’s not too late to sign up or the 2017 Bushwackers Open House on November 19-20, 2016! Visit joinbush.org to receive more information about being a member of the upcoming Bushwackers season.