Robert W. Smith Joins Colts Design Team

September 19, 2018

The Colts are proud to announce their design team for the 2019 season. Led by Program Coordinator Don Click, the design team will include many of last year's designers, with the addition of Robert W. Smith as brass arranger. Returning to the Colts will be Bryan Harmsen, front ensemble arranger and electronics designer. Bryan will work closely with Ben Pyles, battery arranger and percussion caption head. Also returning to the Colts will be Richard Hinshaw, visual designer, and Daniel Wiles, visual consultant, as well as Jade Bouza, color guard caption head and designer, Carlos Escobar-Dyer, color guard designer, and Matt Winans, choreographer and movement specialist.

 

Robert W. Smith is one of the most popular composers in the world today, with over 700 published works. Currently, he is a professor of music and coordinator of the music industry program in Troy University’s John M. Long School of Music. Robert has been active in the drum corps activity for 40 years as a designer, arranger, and instructor, having worked in various roles with scores of corps. Read Robert's full bio here.

"I have admired the Colts organization for years and am honored to join the 2019 design team," said Robert. "I look forward to working with the talented designers, educators, and members, as well as the corps administration, as they continue their educational mission and journey. I am particularly thrilled to work again with Program Coordinator Don Click. Don and I shared a very special drum corps experience 30 years ago through the 1988 Suncoast Sound Drum & Bugle Corps. Our reconnection after three decades illustrates the lasting impact of the activity on our lives both educationally and artistically."

 

Bryan Harmsen is entering his third year with the Colts as front ensemble arranger and electronics designer. He is currently the owner of Visaudio Designs, a company specializing in design for the pagentry arts. His arrangements and compositions have helped many ensembles earn numerous gold medals on their local circuits, as well as many WGI perennial finalists. Bryan is also the voice and instructor behind Virtual Drumline Demystified, a tutorial series for the Virtual Drumline sound library from Tapspace Publications. Read Bryan's full bio here.

"This organization has felt like home from day one, and I feel fortunate to be back for yet another season," said Bryan. "It’s difficult to truly express how excited I am to work with this outstanding design team. Having collaborated with Don, Richard, and Ben for the last few years at Monarch Independent, I look forward to bringing that synergy we’ve developed to the Colts."

 

Ben Pyles is also entering his third year with the Colts as battery arranger and percussion caption head. He is currently the director of athletic percussion at the University of Texas at San Antonio. In addition to his writing and teaching with the Colts, Ben spends much of the winter season on staff with Monarch Independent Percussion. Along with teaching, Ben is an active arranger and composer for multiple indoor and outdoor ensembles across the country. Read Ben's full bio here.

“Starting with a blank canvas is always one of the most exciting parts of the year for me," said Ben. "Getting a chance to work along side a roster of designers like this doesn’t happen very often. Thrilled to be a part of this creative team!"

 

Richard Hinshaw is entering his second year as visual designer with the Colts. He is currently the drill designer and lead visual instructor for Avon High School in Avon, Indiana, and the drill designer for The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. During his tenure with the Avon High School Marching Black & Gold, The Cavaliers, and Avon Indoor Winter Percussion, all three groups have enjoyed high levels of competitive success in their respective circuits. Richard is also a freelance designer, working with multiple high school marching bands and indoor groups across the country. Read Richard's full bio here.

"I’m honored to be back with the Colts and their wonderful organization!" said Richard. "There are a lot of strong designers on this team and I'm very excited to be working with them all."

 

Daniel Wiles is also entering his second year as visual consultant with the Colts. He also works closely with the Avon High School band program, having been the visual coordinator, program coordinator, and color guard director for the past 20 years. He has worked with several drum corps as a visual consultant and drill designer, mostly recently with the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps, and is entering his fourth season as the artistic director for The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. Read Daniel's full bio here.

"I am very excited to play a role in continuing to move the Colts organization forward in 2019," said Daniel. "Looking forward to another great season!"

 

Jade Bouza is also entering her second year as color guard designer and caption head with the Colts. She is currently the director of the Newsome High School guard program in Lithia, Florida. Prior to Newsome, Jade was on staff with several programs around Florida, including USF Winterguard, Flanagan High School Colorguard, and the Disney Performing Arts program at Walt Disney World. Read Jade's full bio here.

"I’m really looking forward to working with this team," said Jade. "There's incredible synergy between everyone and I know we’re going to create something really special for the 2019 Colts!”

 

Carlos Escobar-Dyer is also entering his second year with the Colts. Carlos has been on staff with the Newsome High School color guard program since 2014 and has worked with all three guard programs at University of South Florida, most recently the Independent World team. With Newsome, Carlos has choreographed and designed many of the group's most memorable performances, including their performance at the 2016 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Read Carlos's full bio here.

"I'm very excited to be a member of the design team this year," said Carlos. "Last year was an incredible experience for me, and I'm looking forward to helping the color guard leap to new levels this year, and being there to see all of it happen."

 

Matt Winans is entering his third year with the Colts as a choreographer and movement specialist. Matt is a teacher and colorguard designer and instructor with Flanagan High School Color Guard, Park Vista High School, and Stryke Winterguard, all based out of Southern Florida. Matt has been an active designer and instructor for winter guards, color guards, drum corps, and high school groups across the country, including Onyx Color Guard, Braddock Winterguard, Empire Statesman Senior Drum & Bugle Corps, and Ventures Winter Guard, based out of Kitchener, Ontario. Read Matt's full bio here.

"I couldn't be more excited to continue to be a part of the Colts design team," said Matt. "This design team is full of incredibly talented and creative people who have so much to offer the corps."

 

"I have always dreamt of the opportunity to work with Robert W. Smith," said Colts Director Vicki MacFarlane. "2019 is already starting as a dream come true. This team has great synergy, but most importantly their skill set as educators is what makes me elated for the opportunities we can present to our members."

 

2019 Audition Information
Audition information for the 2019 season will be released soon! Make plans to audition and become a member of the 2019 Colts. To learn about audition dates, locations, and materials as soon as they are available, please submit an Information Request to be added to the Colts mailing list.

 

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