Raiders Announce 2007 Drum Majors
On Saturday, February 25, 2007, the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps of Wayne, New Jersey announced that Ryan Mallen and Tom Dougherty will serve as the Raiders Drum Majors for the 2007 Drum Corps International competitive season.
Ryan Mallen is currently a freshman at Purchase College Conservatory of Music in Purchase, NY studying Music Composition. Ryan was a member of the Raiders from 2002 through 2005 as a member of the Brass section playing trumpet and mellophone. In 2006, Ryan marched as a baritone player with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Tom Maiello, director of the corps added, “Ryan returns to the Raiders as a well seasoned and extremely educated musician. His leadership on and off the field as a member of the Raiders was always noted and respected by the staff and administration. We are very happy that Ryan wanted to come back home to the Raiders and accept this role with the organization”. When asked how he felt about being picked to be one of the Drum Majors Mallen added “I’m honored that after leaving for a season, I am not only welcomed back by the Raiders’ family, but chosen to be a leader there. I hope to give back to the organization all that they have given me since my first camp in November of 2001. I’m looking forward to doing all within my power to make the 2007 Raiders succeed and to set up the organization for future success."
Tom Dougherty is currently a Freshman at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. Tom is currently focusing on furthering his musical education by obtaining a Degree in Music. He has been a percussionist for over 10 years and has been a featured timpanist while participating in Marching Band and Concert appearances during his High School Musical Career. This is Tom’s first year as a member of the Raiders. Steve Rodrigues, Raiders Percussion Arranger & Caption Head and part of the Audition Panel, was quick to add this about Tom’s audition. “We were really impressed with Tom’s intensity and overall performance during his audition. As a new member of the corps, his desire to accept such a huge responsibility and challenge made a great impression on the audition panel.” Tom originally auditioned for a spot in the corps bass drum section but when the announcement came for the Drum Major position he saw another opportunity. “Although I am new to DCI and the Raiders, I am looking forward to turning some heads with my co-drum major, Ryan. I’m looking forward to showing the activity not just what talent we have, but what the corps will achieve through hard work, commitment, and dedication." added Dougherty.
Tom Maiello, Raiders corps director added, “We were very pleased to see the amount of people that showed interest in the Drum Major positions. Everyone came prepared with challenging music and positive and pro active answers to their oral presentation questions. It’s very refreshing seeing this many people interested in the position. We were also impressed with the level of talent, maturity and musicality in all the students that auditioned.”
For more information on the Raiders, please feel free to visit www.raidersdbc.org
