Staff

Drum Major Instructors

 
Glen Brough has served as the Visual Coordinator for the Spartan Marching Band since 1988. He was the Drum Major of the MSU Band for four years and has taught drum majors nationwide for over 30 years. He has also instructed marching with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and writes marching drill for numerous bands in the region. Glen is assistant director of admissions for Michigan State University.

Galen Karriker will begin his ninth year as the Assistant Director of Bands and Marching Band Director at the University of Akron in Ohio. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Marching Band Director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for five years. Galen is completing his Doctorate in Wind Conducting at MSU, where he also completed his Masters degree. He has a BA in Music from Louisiana State University. Galen has served as an instructor the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as the corps' conductor in 1991.

Chris Owen Chris Owen served as the Drum Major for the Spartan Marching Band from 1998-2001, a position that only six others in the history of the ensemble have held as long. Chris assists with the instruction of several Michigan high school marching bands, and is an accomplished performer with the signal baton. He is a graduate of the College of Engineering at MSU and currently works as a civil engineer.

Marc Compton was the drum major of the Spartan Band from 2005-2006. A former trumpet player in the SMB, Marc is originally from South Haven. He is a 2007 graduate from MSU where he majored in Secondary Education. He is currently a history teacher and swimming coach at Rochester High School in Rochester, Michigan.

Ian McNabb served as the drum major for the Spartan Marching Band from 2006-2008. His experience as a former Drum Corps International marching member enabled him to be a valuable instructor with the SMB's visual staff during his three years of leading the ensemble. Prior to his role as the drum major, Ian played mellophone in the SMB and Spartan Brass. A native of Grand Rapids, Ian is completing a degree in Packaging from MSU.

Rachel Linsmeier has the distinction of serving as the second female drum major in the history of the Spartan Marching Band. Majoring in Music Education, she is an accomplished trumpet player from Okemos who plays in some of MSU's finest wind ensembles. Rachel's expertise with the signal baton and movement choreography have been extremely beneficial to both the Performing Arts Camp and the Spartan Marching Band during her tenure as the drum major.

Color Guard Instructors

 
Orlando Suttles has been the Color Guard Instructor with the Spartan Marching Band since 2002. He has extensive instructional experience in a variety of environments that includes the Michigan Competing Bands Association and Winter Guard International (WGI). He is a highly sought-after adjudicator and is the only WGI judge from the state of Michigan. Orlando is a marketing/customer relations specialist in the banking industry.

Peter Eichler has an extensive color guard resume which includes performing with two drum and bugle corps, Carolina Crown and the Glassmen. His winter guard experience includes membership in Third Edition and Pride of Cincinnati. Peter has instructed numerous color guards including Carolina Crown, Plymouth Canton Marching Band, State of Art Winterguard, and the MSU Performing Arts Camp. He is a former member of both the national and international touring companies of BLAST! Peter is a Music Education graduate of MSU where he played French horn and mellophone in several ensembles, including the Spartan Marching Band.

Joshua Benningfield is from Indianapolis, IN where he designs and choreographs for leading color guards around the country. He was a member of the 2005 world champion Pride of Cincinnati Color Guard, as well as Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He has instructed the guards from Spirit of JSU and Carolina Crown drum and bugle corps. Joshua also served as the designer for the 2007 world champion Carmel High School Winter Guard and the 2008 state champion State of Art Winterguard.