Troopers Announce Brass Caption Heads

The Troopers are pleased to announce that Carol Weirich and Matthew Parker have been elevated to Co-Brass Caption Heads for the 2025 season.

"We're incredibly excited for Matty and Carol to step into the Caption Head role for the 2025 season. Carol, an alumnus of the Troopers, has been working with the Brass team since 2021 and brings with her a fire and passion for making the team great. Matty was new to us last season but taught with the Troopers before. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the activity. I know they're going to continue the upward trajectory and positive energy in the Brass Caption." -Mary Duerkop, Troopers Corps Director

Carol Weirich - Co-Brass Caption Head

Carol Weirich is in her seventh year as the assistant band director at Discovery Middle School, part of the Penn-Harris-Madison school corporation in Mishawaka, Indiana. The Discovery band program consists of 277 students spanning grades 6-8. Carol’s responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Band, Intermediate Jazz Band, all beginning band classes, and assisting with Concert Band, Honors Band, and Pep Band. At Penn High School, Carol serves as an assistant marching band director and After School Jazz Orchestra director.

Carol’s groups consistently earn Gold with Distinction ratings at state contests. The Discovery Honors Band was selected to perform at the 2024 Indiana Music Educators Association Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Carol is an active adjudicator for ISSMA Solo & Ensemble and Organizational contests. She received a Quinlan & Fabish Michiana Outstanding Music Educator Award in the spring of 2023 through her active participation in her instrumental music education community.

Carol graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, where she studied piano with Dr. Kate Boyd and horn with Dr. Gail Lewis. While at Butler, Carol participated in the Butler University Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Orchestra, Jazz Combo, Marching Band, Basketball Band, student brass ensembles, and was an active accompanist. Carol also spent a semester abroad at the Piteå Musikhögskolan in northern Sweden studying piano and conducting, while actively performing in several ensembles, including the inaugural Arctic Brass Quintet.

Carol marched mellophone with the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2015-2017. As a mellophone tech, she has worked with Pioneer (2018), Mandarins (2019, 2020), and the Troopers (2021-2024). Carol is incredibly excited and honored to serve as one of the brass caption heads for the 2025 season at her home corps!

"Carol is one of the best educators I've ever had the pleasure of working with. She's an amazing person and will help elevate our brass program exponentially." -Tim Snyder, Program Coordinator

Matthew Parker - Co-Brass Caption Head

Matty has 18 years of DCI teaching experience with the Troopers, Boston Crusaders, Crossmen, Blue Stars, and Madison Scouts. He served as both a Brass Caption Head and Assistant Caption. Matty’s heart is with the low brass, where he served various tech positions for both Baritones and Tubas, including last year, when he was both Asst. Brass Caption and Lead Tuba Tech. For a couple of years he worked simultaneously as both brass and visual staff. Matty marched in the Sunset Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps from Tucson from ‘87-’90, where he was a Baritone Soloist. He holds a degree in English and American Literature with a minor in Philosophy. Currently, Matty works with several Marching Bands in Arizona, including The Sudler Trophy winning Pride of Arizona Marching Band of which he is a proud alumnus.

"Matty is one of the most intensely cool people I've had had the pleasure of working with. I'm so excited that Matty will be helping Carol lead our brass program into the future." -Tim Snyder, Program Coordinator

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