Mandarins 2009 Brass, Percussion Caption Heads Announced

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The Sacramento Mandarins are pleased to announce the appointment of Chris McCoy as Brass Caption Head and Blair Williams as Percussion Caption Head for the 2009 season.

Chris McCoy began his drum corps career in 2000 as a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets, DCI Division II Champions. In 2002, Chris marched Euphonium with the Santa Clara Vanguard. Chris then helped bring drum corps to his home town of Modesto as a charter member of Fever in 2003 and marched with them until aging out in 2005.

In 2006 Chris served as Brass Caption Head for Fever. Chris began his affiliation with the Sacramento Mandarins as a brass instructor in 2007, leading to his appointment as Co-Caption Head for the 2008 season.

Chris McCoy currently resides in Modesto and is working towards a career in Law Enforcement. Chris is an active member of the instructional community of the Central Valley and has worked with Beyer High School, Ceres High School, Modesto High School, Johansen High School, Davis High School, Los Banos High School and Lynbrook High School. Chris has worked with these schools in various capacities as a Visual/Music instructor, and as Music/Drum Caption Head.

Blair Williams‘ first season on the Mandarins percussion staff was 2004. Blair was a member of the Mandarins snare line in the 2000 and 2001 seasons, and the Concord Blue Devils snare line in 2002 and 2003 seasons where he aged out. He also performed with the Sacramento Freelancers Winter percussion ensemble from 1998-2002, and 2004.

Blair graduated from California State University Stanislaus in 2007 with a BM degree in Music Education. He has worked with various percussion lines, including Hamilton Middle School, Stagg High School, Fairfield High School, Davis High School, East Union High School, Johansen High School, Ceres High School, Central Valley High School, and Modesto High School.

Blair is presently on the design teams for Enochs High School and Los Banos High School (Winter Percussion) as a battery arranger and consultant. Blair is currently the Director of Bands at Beyer High School in Modesto, California.

The Mandarins would also like to express appreciation to both Dan Fong for his work as brass caption head and Brian Aguilar as percussion caption head.

Dan Fong will remain as the corps’ brass arranger and will also continue in an advisory role. Dan will be devoting more time to his family and a very successful optometry practice in Sacramento.

Brian Aguilar will be devoting time to his duties as Band Director at McClatchy High School in Sacramento and will be pursing a Masters degree in Music. Brian will remain a resource for the Mandarins percussion staff.

Posted by on Saturday, September 20th, 2008. Filed under DCI World.