Staff

Summer 2009

Gary Zwack - Head Director
Gary has been the Head Director of the St. Cloud All-City Marching Band since 1998. He was previously on the staff of the marching band in the late 80’s and continues the tradition of excellence today. Since 1990 Gary has been the Director of Bands at Tech High School in St. Cloud where he oversees a program of 170 students in 3 concert bands, 2 jazz ensembles, Dixieland Band, Pep Band and lessons. In addition to the school bands and marching band Gary performs in The Half Steps, an acapella quartet; is on The Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest Board of Directors (which his school teams have won the state championship 6 times); has worked as a coordinator for the Local Education Activities Foundation (L.E.A.F.) fundraiser “Night of the Stars” which features district students and staff;
is parade chair for the St. Cloud Granite City Days Parade; plays clarinet with the Meire Grove Community Band (the oldest continuously performing community band in Minnesota); is often found emceeing local events and playing Texas Holdem'; has a hobby of artistically carving watermelons and pumpkins for special events; and weekly plays goalie with the Old Timers ice hockey league.

Sean Rebischke – Assistant Director
Sean Rebischke is a St. Cloud All-City Alumni from 2001-2005 and has currently worked with the Marching Band for the past 2 years. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies at St. Cloud State University and will be graduating May of 2012. Currently he works with the Honor Guard and the Brass section of the St. Cloud All-City High School Marching Band. He has also instructed the Marching Blue Jackets during the summer.

 

 

 

Winter Color Guard Staff

Wil Furnstahl – Director
Wil Furnstahl is both educator and adjudicator bringing a wealth or knowledge and experience to the St. Cloud All-City program. His teaching credentials include Park Center High School, Rosemount High School, Eastview High School, Elk River High School, MBI Winter Guard and Minnesota Brass Drum & Bugle Corp. He is a judge for the Tri-State Judges Association out of Iowa and serves as Vice-President for the North Star Circuit. Wil has been teaching color guard for SCAC since 2001.

In addition to his colorguard career, Wil works as a Creative Buyer in Marketing for Target Corporation. He has extensive experience in the Advertising Agency world and graphic design experience.

 

Winter Drumline Staff

Percussion Staff

Eric Palmer – Co-Director

Eric has been involved in the marching percussion activity as a performer and educator for thirteen years. Joining the St. Cloud All City Drumline in 1998 provided Eric the opportunity to learn from some of the premier educators in the state of Minnesota, including:
Jay Coopersmith (Minnesota Brass, Inc. )
Kris Bolster (Madison Scouts )
Nick Moreno (Santa Clara Vanguard , Director of Minnesota Brass Indoor Drumline)
Tom Reimer (Blue Stars , The Cavaliers , Minnesota Brass, Inc.-Battery Instructor)

In the spring of 2005 Eric was offered an Assistant Drumline Instructor position with the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Marching Band , later that year he took over as the Battery Caption Head and Arranger for the High School’s Indoor Drumline , a position he held until August 2010.

Eric was also a member of the 2011 DCA World Champion Minnesota Brass snareline under the instruction of Joel Matuzak, and Nick Moreno. He is currently a member of the percussion studio at St. Cloud State University completing a Bachelors degree in Music Education under the instruction of Dr. Terry Vermillion & Erik Barsness.

Michael Brown – Co-Director

Mike started working with the St Cloud All-City drumline for the 2010-2011 Winter season. Previous to SCAC, Mike spent three years teaching with Eric Palmer at Sauk Rapids-Rice HS developing their program. He has also taught other drumlines such as Champlin Park HS, Twin Cities Area Independent Percussion Ensemble (TCAI), and Henry Sibley HS.

Before teaching, Mike Marched with MN Brass, Inc. Drum and Bugle corps 2000 and 2001 playing snare and marched with Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2002 as center snare.

After graduating from Carthage College with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science Mike moved back to Minnesota. Currently he works for eDocumentResources implementing document management systems and training customers on the system in the greater metro area. In between work and drumline he spends time with his wife, works on his house, and studies Jeet Kune Do and Pekiti Tirsia.

Norma Jeanne – Pit Director

Norma Jeanne started working with the St Cloud All-City drumline for the 2010-2011 Winter season. Previous to SCAC, she spent a year teaching with Eric Palmer and Michael Brown at Sauk Rapids-Rice HS developing their program. She has also taught other drumlines with both high school aged and adult aged groups including: Champlin Park HS, Henry-Sibley HS, River Falls HS, Chops Inc Drum & Bugle Corps, and Twin Cities Area Independent Percussion Ensemble (TCAI).

Since 2004 Norma Jeanne has also marched with various drum corps during the summer which include: Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps (2004), MN Brass, Inc Drum & Bugle Corps (2005, 2006, and 2011), and Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps (2007) playing in the front ensemble on both marimba and vibraphone. She has also received two championship titles during that time, one in 2007 with the Blue Devils and the other most recently in 2011 with Minnesota Brass.

After taking some time off from school Norma Jeanne attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College and earned an Associates in Arts Degree. She then transferred to Metropolitan State University in St. Paul as a part time student to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Finances and Legal Studies and will be graduating next year.

Currently Norma Jeanne works full time for Central Bank as a teller and loan processing assistant but has also worked a few 2nd part time jobs in the last three years including Bath & Body Works as the head cashier and at Massage Envy as the head sales associate and assistant manager. She will be starting a new part time job this month with Star Liquors. In between work, school, drumline, and more work she spends time with her family and friends, cleans (a lot), plays video games, and shops!