Blue Stars Announce 2008 Season Horn Sergeant and Section Leaders

The Blue Stars are pleased to announce our 2008 Season Horn Sergeant and Section Leaders!

GREG STOECKER – HORN SERGEANT/MELLOPHONE SECTION LEADER

Greg Stoecker, a native of Memphis Tennessee, will be serving as the horn sergeant for the Blue Stars in 2008.

He began his drum corps career six years ago while he was a sophomore at Cordova High School. For both the 2003 and 2004 seasons, Greg served as the mellophone section leader for Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. His senior year in high school, Greg went on to march in the Phantom Regiment, and finished the 2005 season as a side field conductor. Greg found his home the next year when Shane Fudge, a previous instructor, mentor, and good friend recruited Greg to the Blue Stars. During the 2007 season, Greg was appointed the high brass leader. Now, his age out year, Greg will finish his drum corps career as the mellophone section leader and the horn sergeant.

"Being a part of the Blue Stars has been such a great experience for me. I have been given outstanding instruction as well as the opportunity to develop musical and leadership skills. The Blue Stars legacy shines in the Drum Corps history, and it is an honor to play a part in this chapter of the corps’ ongoing story."

Greg is the son of Bob and Jeannie Stoecker. He is currently studying Music Business at the University of Memphis, and performing in many ensembles, including the Mighty Sound of the South Marching Band, the Symphonic Band, and the University Singers.

BRIANA ENGELBERT – EUPHONIUM SECTION LEADER

Briana Engelbert has performed on euphonium with the Blue Stars from 2006-present, earning the Rookie of the Year Award during the 2006 season and attends Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois. She is in her sophomore year, where she is currently the principal euphonium in the symphonic band, the baritone/euphonium section leader for her second year and also a member of the jazz band on trombone.

Briana has been playing euphonium for seven years, being fortunate enough to start lessons when she was nine years old. She has been competing in annual solo contests since then and has qualified for state level competitions. She has also been awarded positions in many honor bands

in Indiana and Illinois. Briana has also performed with the Northwest Indiana Youth Symphony Orchestra on trombone and tenor tuba.

"I am ecstatic for our 2008 season! With Le Tour, our experienced staff, and dedicated members, you’d have to be dead to not be pumped for this season."

KEVIN GUTH – BARITONE SECTION LEADER

Kevin Guth is currently a sophomore at Oklahoma City University pursuing a degree in business administration. He participates in the Wind Philharmonic as a trombone player, as well as the OCU Trombone Ensemble. Kevin began his drum corps career in 2004 at the age

of 15. This will be his fourth year as a baritone player for the Blue Stars and his first year as section leader.

“I could not be more excited about this year. We have an awesome design team, who have created a truly innovative show. With some of the best people in the activity on our staff, this year will truly be one of the best for the Blue Stars.”

TROY JONES – TUBA CO-SECTION LEADER

Troy Jones, originally from Greentown, Indiana, is a 2006 graduate of Eastern High School. He is currently a sophomore at Indiana University Bloomington pursuing a degree in Political Science/ Pre-Law with plans to attend law school upon graduation. This will be Troy’s fourth consecutive year with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps and second as section leader in the Tuba line. He is currently on staff at Owen Valley High School in Spencer, IN. When Troy is not working or schooling he enjoys recreational activities with friends, studying more of course, and chillin’ with his dog Kosmo.

" I am very excited to lead the Tuba line again this year, and be an example for new members showing them what is means to be a Blue Star. Finis Coronat Opus."

RICHIE SHOCKLEY – TRUMPET SECTION LEADER

This will be Richie’s 5th and final year with the Blue Stars. He played mellophone for the first two years and since then has been playing trumpet. In 2004 he played the mellophone duet. Richie was a four-year member of the Mesquite High school marching before graduating in 2005. He received the highest raking at the Texas UIL Solo and Ensemble all 4 years at Mesquite High School. In his senior year he was trumpet section leader and the trumpet soloist. He then attended the University of Texas – Arlington as a Music Theory

major. He marched with the University of Texas – Arlington marching band for one year. After one year at UTA he decided to become a Fire Science major and hopes to one day become a firefighter in Texas.

SAVAHNA SPERLE – TUBA CO-SECTION LEADER

Savahna Sperle is from Lindstrom, MN currently attending school to be a Music Education major in hopes to become a Junior High music teacher. She also has two jobs, which include being a manager for three Burger Kings in her area, as well as being a Personal Care Assistant; taking care of special needs kids and adults. Savahna’s original instruments are the flute and voice. Through out her Junior High and High School years, she has learned to play every instrument in band, while being the section leader of the flute, trumpet, baritone, and tuba sections. She was an All State tuba player in MN during her graduating year in 2004. Along with the wind instruments in her music career, Savahna was captain for two years in the Forest Lake Winter Drum Line playing 3rd bass and cymbals, which lead her to her drum corps career.

In April of 2003, Savahna was brought to her first drum corps camp with the Blue Stars, being the first person from her area in MN doing drum corps, starting as one of five baritones then winning the Division 3 championship that year. She came back in 2004 as a baritone player for the Blue Stars to return to Division 2, then in 2005 to fulfill her dream to march the contrabass. In 2006, Savahna was along for the ride while the corps climbed back up to Division 1, and has been in the Contra line since. 2008 will be Savahna’s sixth and age out year at the Blue Stars and cant wait to finish out with the best season yet.

Find out more about our 2008 show, merchandise, scores and more at www.bluestars.org