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Announcing Our 2026 Design Team
- Troopers Drum Corps
- Oct 7
- 8 min read
The Troopers are pleased to announce our 2026 Design Team under the continued artistic direction of Tim Snyder. "The name of the game is consistency! We are beyond excited to continue forward with this incredibly talented team." - Michael Gough, Troopers Executive Director
Tim Snyder
Artistic Director/Brass Arranger
Tim Snyder is a freelance arranger, composer, educator, and adjudicator whose music has been performed on concert stages and football fields across the United States. Specializing in brass pedagogy, he serves as an adjudicator and clinician nationwide.
Tim’s involvement in the drum corps activity dates back to 1997, when he taught with Division III’s Delta Brigade, gaining experience across every level of the activity. He went on to serve as a tuba tech with Carolina Crown (2007–2008) and as the Assistant Brass Caption at the Madison Scouts (2010–2012), where he helped develop the tuba lines as well as the brass program.
The Troopers announced Tim’s return as Program Coordinator in 2020, beginning a new era of stability and creativity. His 2022 production vorAcious ended a 13-year Finals drought. In 2023, To Lasso the Sun propelled the corps back into the Top 10, and Dance with the Devil in 2024 secured a third consecutive Finals appearance—a milestone not achieved in half a century. In 2025, his program The Final Sunset pushed the Troopers to new heights, earning a 90.05 at the DCI World Championships—the highest score in the corps’ DCI history—and cementing their status as one of DCI’s most consistent and innovative finalists.
Previously, Tim led the Mandarins brass program beginning in 2018, guiding them to their first-ever Top 12 finish and establishing a historic run of back-to-back finals appearances in 2018 and 2019. Under his leadership, the Mandarins earned their highest scores in corps history, including the highest 10th-place score ever recorded at DCI Finals until the 2025 Troopers.
Tim also served as Brass Caption Manager for the Oregon Crusaders (2017) and earlier with the Troopers (2013–2016), helping guide both organizations to new levels of competitive and educational excellence. Beyond DCI, he was Program Coordinator for Cincinnati Tradition (2014–2021), where the corps became two-time DCA Class A Champion and advanced to Open Class Finals.
Over the years, Tim has studied with and been mentored by some of the world’s finest educators, including Arnold Jacobs, Donnie VanDoren, Marc Whitlock, Brad Kerr Green, Dennis Johnson, Earle Louder, Ray Conklin, Richard Miles, and Nick Williams.
In 1998, Tim founded BOX5 Media, a company focused on producing high-quality audio and video for the pageantry arts. Under his leadership, BOX5 has grown into a trusted media partner for Bands of America / Music for All and numerous state music associations, documenting and preserving performances by many of the nation’s finest ensembles.
Andrew Ebert
Drill Designer
Andrew is a designer and educator based out of Greenville, SC where he lives with his
wife (Kelly), son (Anderson), daughter (Mia), and their two dogs (Layla and Ezell
Brown).
Andrew writes for programs across the country including National/World finalists in
BOA, DCI, and WGI. He is an alumnus of the Glassmen and the Blue Devils and holds a secondary education degree from Western Michigan University.
Andrew is still excited to be a part of the Troopers and is looking forward to honoring the legacy and the future of the organization.
Chris McCarthy
Visual Coordinator / Choreography
Chris McCarthy brings almost two decades of experience as a professional Color Guard and Visual Designer, Educator, and Consultant. Originally from Binghamton, NY, he started his performing career in middle school singing, then discovered his love for Color Guard, as well as performing as a percussionist. Chris’s marching experience beyond school includes The Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as Spectrum Winterguard. Before moving to Texas in 2013, Chris taught and choreographed for multiple programs across upstate New York.
From 2013 to 2025, Chris served as Color Guard Director at McNeil High School in Austin, TX, where he led the program to two Top Five WGI Scholastic Open Finals placements, multiple top-three state finishes, numerous WGI Regional Finals appearances, and a State Championship title. He is also an Executive Director and Founder of Origins Performing Arts, based in Austin, TX, which fields multiple ensembles, including a perennial Independent Open and World WGI Finalist. His extensive leadership experience includes serving as Caption Head for the Phantom Regiment Color Guard, as well as teaching The Crossmen and Genesis Drum Corps. Chris is a freelance designer who offers multiple services to clients, including but not limited to: Drill, Winter Guard Staging, Program Coordination, Winds and Guard choreography, Soundtrack Design, and general consulting. Several of his past and present clients include Cedar Park HS, Ronald Reagan HS, Dripping Springs HS, Round Rock HS, Cedar Ridge HS, and Cypress Woods HS. Chris has served on The Texas Color Guard Circuit Task Force, the WGI Colorguard Advisory Board, and was also named 2019 Texas Color Guard Circuit Director of the Year.
Chris currently resides in Cedar Park, TX, and serves as Color Guard Director for The University of Texas Longhorn Band. 2026 will be Chris's third season with The Troopers organization. Outside of Color Guard, Chris has an affection for nature, art, coffee, friends, family, and music. He has two dogs, Charlie and Marzipan, whom he adores. He believes that laughter truly IS the best medicine, and enjoys making human connections both in the realm of pageantry and out.
Paul Rennick
Percussion Designer / Arranger
Paul Rennick is Professor of Percussion at the University of North Texas where he has served on the faculty since 1991. A leading figure in the world of marching percussion and percussion education, Paul has a long history of successful students and renowned performing ensembles, and has been a featured clinician and guest artist worldwide. In 2017, he was elected to the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame, the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2021, and the Santa Clara Vanguard Hall of Fame in 2024.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities at the University, Paul has been the percussion coordinator and arranger for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps since 2103. Paul also is currently the music coordinator, percussion director and arranger for the 2018 World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps, recently winning the DCI Fred Sanford Award for Percussion Performance for the ninth time, six times in the last ten years (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024), achieving the rare feat of winning the DCI drum trophy multiple times with two different organizations.
Paul served as the director of percussion for the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps from 2003-2010, winning the Drum Corps International Fred Sanford Award three times (2006, 2008, 2010), and the DCI Championship in 2008.
Paul was a design team member, music composer/arranger, instructor, and percussion manager for the Tony & Emmy Award-winning Broadway production “Blast!” He is also an active performer, appearing as a featured soloist across the United States Europe, and Asia, most recently as a concerto soloist with several UNT Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble. Notable recordings include “Contact” (2018), the University of North Texas Percussion Ensemble recording “Vespertine Formations” (2009), and the UNT Wind Symphony DVD recording “Percussive Palooza,” with a related showcase concert at PASIC 2006. He is also an active composer with many popular works for percussion published by Innovative Percussion, Musicon Publications, and Drop6 Music.
Paul is an artist and product consultant with Dynasty/Titan USA, and designed the “Custom Elite” series of drums and keyboards. He is also a signature artist with Innovative Percussion, Inc., with four stick designs, FS-PR, FS-PR2, TS-PR, and CMS- 1, as well as an artist/clinician and product consultant for Remo Inc. and SABIAN/Gon Bops Percussion where he designed the “Overture” series of cymbals.
Paul is an artist, educator, and Signature Creator with Ensemble Block, with several online instructional courses available through their Online Education Platform -
See more at:
Sandi Rennick
Percussion Designer / Arranger
Sandi Rennick is a percussionist and marimba soloist with extensive performing and teaching experience in the DFW area and throughout the United States. An original cast member of the Tony and Emmy Award-winning production “Blast!”, Sandi performed in London, England, as well as a featured marimba soloist on tour throughout the United States. Sandi is currently a percussion arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps (2011-present), and the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps (2013-present).
She has teaching and arranging experience with a variety of groups at all levels, including the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band, Drum Corps Japan Champions Yokohama Scouts, and Drum Corps International champions Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps (2003-2010) and Carolina Crown (1998-2004). Her composition “Cascading Reflection” was premiered by the East Texas A&M University Percussion Ensemble at PASIC 2023.
Sandi joined the faculty at the University of North Texas in 2019 as an Adjunct Professor of Percussion, and served in the same role at East Texas A&M University from 2018-2024. In addition to her drum corps responsibilities in the summer, she also serves on the faculty of the American Percussion Seminar, and is a clinician for the Girls March music and leadership camps. A member of the Percussive Arts Society since 1995, Sandi served on the PAS Marching Committee for 13 years, and was elected to the PAS Board of Advisors in 2019. In 2024 Sandi was inducted into the Santa Clara Vanguard Hall of Fame.
Sandi is a Signature Artist for Innovative Percussion, Inc., and a clinician/artist for Dynasty/Titan, Remo Drumheads, and SABIAN / Gon Bops Percussion.
Justin Shelton
Music Coordinator / Sound Design
Justin received a bachelor’s degree in Music Production Technology from the University of Texas at Arlington where he also worked as a recording engineer for the Aspen Music Festival and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He has been on the audio and design staff for the Madison Scouts, Cavaliers and the Oregon Crusaders. Currently, he creates the sound designs for many successful high school bands across the nation, including notable programs such as Cedar Ridge High School, Rouse High School, and Wakeland High School.
In addition to his work in the marching arts, Justin’s music can be heard on major broadcasting networks such as the Discovery Channel, TLC, and the Syfy Channel. Justin resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Megan and their sons Everett and Bennett.
Jason Robb
Production Coordinator
Jason Robb is a freelance program coordinator, visual designer, and educational consultant living in Austin, Texas. He is regularly commissioned to create award-winning programs and visual designs for pageantry ensembles across the country.
Jason is an active clinician, consulting with programs and presenting educational sessions at conferences across the country. He is also an active adjudicator, serving for premier pageantry and concert band circuits around the country.
Before transitioning to pageantry design full-time in 2020, he had a successful career as a band director in Texas. He began his career teaching middle school band in The Woodlands for 5 years. In 2013, Jason relocated to Cedar Park, Texas to join the band staff at Cedar Park HighSchool, capturing a UIL Texas State Marching Championship in 2015. In 2016, Jason accepted the position of Director of Bands for Rouse High School in Leander, Texas. Under his direction,the Rouse program was a Bands of America Regional Finalist, Regional and Super Regional Class Champion, 5A UIL State Marching Championship Finalist, and TMEA 5A Honor Band finalist. He is proud of the Rouse programs continued trajectory of excellence after his retirement from teaching and still serves as their Marching Band Program Coordinator. Jason was named the Phi Beta Mu Texas Young Bandmaster of the Year in 2018. He was inducted into the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu in the spring of 2020.
Jason has had an active career in Drum Corps International. From 2008-2015 he served on the brass faculty for the Madison Scouts from Madison, Wisconsin and returned from 2020-2023 to lead the design team as the corps Program Coordinator. Jason joined the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps serving as a Design Consultant starting in 2024.
Jason received his Bachelor of Music in Education and Trumpet Performance from Sam Houston State University in Houston, Texas. He currently resides in the Suburbs of Austin, Texas with his wife Jackie, son Joseph, and their dogs Walter and Dasher
