Home        Roster      Archive       Contact Star United    

Star United 2011 Players Roster   

Becky first served as a brass player with Star of Indiana in the corps' inaugural season. She has since served as Drum Major, Tour Director, and Den Mother for the Star family, continuing her tradition of performing with Star United. Becky's dedication to the organization is unquestionable. She was the recipient of Member of the Year accolades from her fellow cast members in 2008.

Ron performed with the Star of Indiana percussion section between 1988 and 1991, helping the corps earn their only DCI championship. He was lured to Star United in 2009 became an integral part of the corps' pulse. Although it's possible he had no idea what he was getting himself into, Ron couldn't be a better fit for the corps and is repeating the lapse in judgment again this year. Ron is a previous recipient of the Member of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards (click here).

No stranger to the senior drum corps activity, Scott McCoy offers his talents as a performer (along with his fiance Penny) to the Star United percussion section. Sure, they fight a lot, but Penny always wins and it bolsters the rest of us to see a Cavalier lose at something. Scott's impact on the corps was immediate and positive and having him in the corps as a performer has been a rare treat. Scott is also our token Schaumburg Guardsmen alum.

Penny originally attended winter camps for Star of Indiana in preparation of the 1991 season, but eventually participated with the 1993 Concord Blue Devils. In recent years, she's performed with Music City Legend Senior Corps. Penny was a co-recipient of the Member of the Year award for her work in 2009. More importantly, she's single-handedly introduced the word Y'all into the Star United verbal lexicon.

Morgan responded to our advertisement in Violent Drummer magazine and fulfilled an important role in the corps' June 2011 rehearsal camp and performance at Northern Kentucky University. A percussion student at NKU, Morgan was an instant fit with the corps, even though a background check revealed no prior convictions.

Star United is lucky enough to have Rachel aboard again this year. A veteran of Star of Indiana ('92), Brass Theater ('95, '96) and an inaugural member of Blast! She's also received acclaim as a performer Synergy Brass and as a soloist with the Fountain City Brass Band. Gee, I guess this makes her a ringer. She's also the Assistant Trumpet Instructor at Northern Kentucky University. Check out her great web site (click here).

Brian was a mellophonist at Star of Indiana from 1989 through 1991. He also performed with Brass Theater and was an original cast member for with Blast! Brian also served his country with distinction as a soprano bugler under the baton of Truman Crawford in the Commandants Own Drum and Bugle Corps (1991-1995). If Brian keeps working at it, he might play as clean and sharp as his jarhead haircut!

It's rare to encounter a quiet trumpeter. Dan has quietly fulfilled an important role for Star United since its inception. A veteran of Brass Theater ('96 & '97), Dan has been depended upon to switch between first and second trumpet parts at a moment's notice. Dan is a recipient of the Brad Stansberry Award (click here).

Dan is a veteran of the Bluecoats' mellophone section, and has been an enthusiastic presence in the trumpet section since 2007. His fellow corps mates don't have the heart to tell him that when Star United is announced, the crowd is saying "Boooo," not "Bluuuu."

Shane's contribution to the trumpet section has been immediate and dramatic. He's quiet and reserved (a rarity for a trumpet player) and has added power and musicality to the small bores. Of course, this doesn't imply that the trumpets are either small or boring. Shane marched with the Cadets and the Cavaliers, but his tenure with the Geneseo Knights (particularly the '85 show) cleans the slate for us as far as that whole "Cavalier" thing is concerned.

Brad is a Star of Indiana alum who has formerly served as a Human Capitalist Analyst with the U.S. Navy. We've asked what that means, but have been told disclosure would mean certain death for all of us. Currently, Brad is currently a freelance iPhone application developer and is also Jim Prime, Jr.'s music type setter (which has to be really cool).

Sean joined Star of Indiana in 1986 and has been involved with the corps ever since. A resident of the Star Wall of Fame, Sean undertook the task of creating Star United. It was a tough sell to the prospective members, many of which were unfamiliar with senior drum corps. Countless hours of planning, preparation, and extortion on Sean's part have made the dream of returning to competition a reality for the corps' members (until Mass Brass kicks our butts!)

Scooter is a veteran of Class A, Div I, Senior, and Alumni corps. He created middlehornleader.com and has published articles and chapters on the drum corps experience including the evolution of the competition bugle (click here).

Angie was a mellophone performer with the 1991 Star of Indiana, returning to the corps in 1994 to participate with the new Brass Theater concept. She's assisted drum corps midvoices throughout the country, most recently the LaCrosse Blue Stars. Unlike most of her fellow section mates, Angie can read music (very well) and has anchored the section for three successful seasons. She also speaks fluent Klingon.

Mike is  another one of the Star of Indiana inaugural performers, participating in the corps from 1985 through 1988. Active on nearly 250 forums and boards ranging from drum corps to East European Anime, Mike is the resident expert on all that is electronic. We suspect he may be a Borg, but his bodily functions would suggest otherwise. Mike is also the father of the sacred cheeseburger (click here).

This veteran of Capital Regiment and the Syracuse Brigadiers relocated to Bloomington, Indiana to study information technology. Angela is a rare find in the drum corps realm, and has contributed greatly to the Star United mid-voice section. Except for rare moments when she yearns to learn drill, she's a completely tolerable addition to the corps. This is a very sad commentary on her part indeed.

Alan is a veteran of Brass Theatre, performing with the group in 1998. His appetite to march again was whetted when he participated with the Star of Indiana Alumni Corps in 2004. As one of Star United's most enthusiastic participants, Alan brings a large amount of passion, and occasionally great intonation to the baritone section. Alan is a recipient of the Brad Stansberry Award (click here).

Lesa brings tremendous experience from her time with the Star of Indiana baritone section to Star United. More importantly, she's achieved acclaim as the off-duty firefighter who, during the Indy Mini Marathon, stopped to render CPR to a participant who had a heart attack. After saving the patient's life, Lesa completed the rest of the marathon. Considering her fellow members current health status, she may get a chance to repeat this feat in the near future.

Melissa was an extraordinary part of Star United's preparation for the 2011 season, fulfilling a critical lead baritone role at rehearsals and preseason performances of the corps. Sadly for us, Blast! asked Melissa to audition for their 2011 tour. While her outstanding musicianship and spirit will be missed if she leaves us, it's really bad assed to know that a Tony Award winning touring show is poaching members of Star United!

Andrew joined Star United late in the preseason to fulfill a lead baritone role. He's a former member of Phantom Regiment's Buick line. J.D. Shaw required Andrew be part of our corps when the request was made for Star to perform Elsa's Procession at recent memorial events. Having a Regiment alum is a fair trade off, although it has eliminated half of the songs Star United can sing on its bus trips.

Aaron is a true renaissance man. He's a digital imaging specialist and photographer for the Indianapolis Museum of Art, a fine arts library bibliographic researcher, and, oh yeah, and a three year member of Brass Theater. Despite this, he has meshed flawlessly into the Star United family. Aaron is also a rabid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Judging from the jersey number, he is also an Adam Wainrwight fan.

Brian's drum corps reference emanates from the Madison Scouts. He's also served as a visual caption head for the Blue Stars and has assisted the Bluecoats. After many years being behind the scenes in the drum corps activity, Brian is genuinely appreciative of having an opportunity to perform before audiences again--especially if they don't throw empty beer bottles at his head!

Rob has performed with Star United on and off since the corps' inception in 2006. He shows up when he's needed most and has offered tremendous support behind the scenes. He was instrumental in the first ever live internet broadcast of a Star United rehearsal back in 2008. This event aptly demonstrated to the world just how tedious our rehearsals are.

Kim is an inaugural member of Star of Indiana, aging out in the corps' first season. Despite being the oldest veteran of the corps, Kim is reluctant to back down to a challenge and rarely demonstrates the inherent fear response that has helped to perpetuate our species (unless he's out of margarita mix). Kim is also Star United's resident oceanographer, discovering the presence of Star United-friendly sharks in Lake Ontario (click here).

Randy joined Star of Indiana in 1986 as a sax player and immediately (and foolishly) became a 3rd Euphonium who also played Contra in the Close Encounters production. Two giant horns, no neck straps. Since re-discovering brass with Star United, the challenges continue and the 3rd valve is still a mystery to him. Wave a $100 and sheet music to "Mary Had a Little Lamb" at him and he'll walk away sobbing. Give him six months of rehearsal camps and a fingering chart and he's a monster with the baritone.

To be honest, Aaron is one of the more secretive members of Star United. Very few of us have actually met him, but the staff seems to always be shouting out his name during brass rehearsals: "Okay everyone, Aaron Valve this time." He must be a real inspiration to the staff. This makes us feel warm and fuzzy all over.

Jeff started his career marching with the 1988 Santa Clara Vanguard, and Limited Edition, '89-'90. After school, stints as a trombonist on cruise ships, and a two year tour with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, he came to Chicago in 1999. He marched with the Kilties, and now three years with Star United. Jeff is a freelance Bass Trombonist, and is also an eight year member, and past president, of the Illinois Brass Band. He can also recite from memory the entire movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

Spike is a veteran of Star of Indiana and performed as a contra player for Star United in 2006 & 2007. In an error in judgment, Spike took over "bus mom" duties in 2009 and set about directing the corps down the road and making endless, rambling announcement on the bus intercom. Fittingly, he was returned to the contrabass section for 2010.

Director's Award

Brad Stansberry Award Recipient

Jon Miller Award Recipient

Star United had the privilege of being invited to perform at two important memorial events this year that recognized irreplaceable icons of the Star of Indiana family. The positive impact Bob Lendman and Bill Cook have had on all Star Alumni can never be adequately verbalized. Star United opened it ranks to additional members of the Star family for these important performances. Special thanks to all who traveled great distances to suit up with their friends and perform one more time for Bob and Bill:

Star United, 2011

Distinguished Star United Alumnae 

Jeff Appel, '07, '08, '09	Matt Basey, '06	Nancy Brown, '06, '07, '08, '09
Seth Brown, '08, '09, '10	Dr. Chicken Bone Bob, '07	Frank Cardenas, '08, '09
Ed Cooning IV, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10	Medea, '93-??	Matt Evans, '06
Julie Gerhardt, '06, '07	Kyle Gross, '06	Mike Morrow, '06, '07, '08, '09
Mark Schleihs, '06, '07, '08, '09	Dan Solero, '06, '07, '08