Meet the WMB Council
The WMB Council is made up of all the student leaders in the marching band and several members-at-large. They represent the band and help make decisions, plan events, keep in touch with alumni, and help with general administrative tasks. WMB Council members are selected each Spring by the staff of the WMB following an application (all) and audition (Drum Majors, Captains, and Section Leaders only).
Who are the members of the 2012 WMB Council? Read on to find out!
Name: Stephanie Mailhot
Section: Saxophone
Position: Head Drum Major
Year in School: Senior
Year in WMB: 4
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Belchertown, MA
Favorite WMB Memory: "Not many people would claim this as a favorite memory, but I vividly recall the rehearsal near the beginning of the year when mother natured decided to soak the band. The precipitation seemed quite literally to be heavy fog the way it fell, misting everything. I could hardly see through my glasses, so I put them away in my pocket, the music coming from memory and my legs taking me through the drill. The wind make the water swirl in the air over the fields and I was exactly where I wanted to be, out there in the wet and chill, remaining devoted to rehearsal and one heck of a marching band."
Name: Vinny LaMonica
Section: Baritone
Position: Assistant Drum Major
Year in School: Sophomore
Year in WMB: 2
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Ashford, CT
Favorite WMB Memory: "I remember the day that marching started making sense. It was the Wednesday before our Gillette trip. All of a sudden, the technique became second nature, the music easy, and the horn angle bearable. I realized why we do all of the crazy things we do, and it made me love rehearsing and performing. That weekend, when we performed at Gillette, I felt great, because I knew I was involved in something I loved, doing a great job. I even have a picture of warm-ups, and it is nice to look at it and think, 'Dang… my horn angle was finally correct.'"
Name: Lindsay Moulton
Section: Baritone
Position: Assistant Drum Major
Year in School: Sophomore
Year in WMB: 2
Major: Undeclared: Liberal Arts
Hometown: Concord, NH
Favorite WMB Memory: "My favorite memory would probably be going to Gillette Stadium. It was such a fun trip both this year and last year. It was great to be somewhere like that and have the opportunity because not many people do. The Patriots are also my favorite team so it was really cool to say I'd not only been to Gillette but had performed on the field. Plus the tone of the trip was great. Everyone was so excited to be there and we all just had a really awesome time."
Name: Emily Boone
Section: Flute/Piccolo ("Fliccolo")
Position: Section Leader
Year in School: Senior
Year in WMB: 4
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Colchester, VT
Favorite WMB Memory: "My favorite memory of marching band is something very difficult to describe, but is probably best illustrated by the end of this past season. After having been section leader for a season, it was really nice to see how far my section had come. We had really bonded as a section and the close personal bonds that formed are far greater than any musical and marching progress we had made. I was very impressed to see that our section had won the 'best marching technique' in an event at band camp; we had a strong group of members who were truly doing everything they could do improve on what they were already doing well. Hearing recordings of our season, I could not help but notice improvements in the musical sense and was hoping that I had contributed to this effect. The simple growth of the band is truly what has made me the most proud to call myself a member."
Name: Cathy Tarushka
Section: Clarinet
Position: Section Leader
Year in School: Senior
Year in WMB: 4
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Bedford, NH
Favorite WMB Memory: "My favorite memory from being in the WMB is a tough moment to pick. I could choose from numerous games, scavenger hunts, away trips, and even Gillette. However, I would have to say one of the stories that I tell the most would be that year we had a rainy band camp (when I was a sophomore). It was raining that day, but we desperately had to learn drill. I had heard that even the football team cancelled practice, and yet, we went out on the field, in the pouring rain, and learned that drill. I remember that some people wore sunglasses even though it was dark, just so they could see through the rain. It was such a fun time, despite the drenching, and I think that I love it so much because not only does everyone love a story of overcoming hardship, but it demonstrated the dedication that we all take onto the field. The dedication of the WMB is one of my favorite elements of this band."
Name: Dani Eddows
Section: Saxophone ("Saxophi")
Position: Section Leader
Year in School: Senior
Year in WMB: 4
Major: Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Salem, MA
Favorite WMB Memory: "I have to say that my favorite memory is still from my sophomore year. That feeling I got while performing our show for the seniors during the final rehearsal of the season is still one I can never forget. Giving it all I had to show those I grew close to what they were leaving behind was absolutely amazing. While that feeling still existed this year as drum major, there was something about being 1 part of that picture on the field which made it feel all that more bittersweet. I think the feeling as though you are part of something so large that means so much to some is just one that can never be replaced. Something about so many people on your same level counting on you and knowing you could count on them is really quite special and is a unique experience I had never before experienced."
Name: Leslie Lamarche
Section: Trumpet
Position: Music Section Leader
Year in School: Senior
Year in WMB: 4
Major: Physics
Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA
Favorite WMB Memory: "My favorite memories from the WMB come from two sources. The first is the friends I have made as part of the band and just having fun with a really great group of people. The other comes from performing with the band, especially after a good show. It is a sense of pride I get for belonging to this group and working with the people around me whom I have gotten to know and hold in such high esteem."
Name: Josh Brown
Section: Trumpet
Position: Marching Section Leader
Year in School: Junior
Year in WMB: 3
Major: Biomedical Science: Medical Laboratory Science
Hometown: Salem, NH
Favorite WMB Memory: "Simply meeting all of the people that I would not have met otherwise."
Name: Zac Desmarais
Section: Trombone
Position: Music Section Leader (Low Brass)
Year in School: Sophomore
Year in WMB: 2
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Manchester, NH
Favorite WMB Memory: "It is impossible to pick just one memory. This entire experience has been amazing; from the parades in Massachusetts to playing at Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park, and everyone I have met and bonded with over the course of the year. I have had more fun in the Wildcat Marching Band than I ever had with my high school's band, and this year has made me eager for more and spending three or more years with the band."
Name: Andreas Wigger
Section: Trombone
Position: Marching Section Leader (Low Brass)
Year in School: Junior
Year in WMB: 3
Major: Computer Engineering
Hometown: Dover, NH
Favorite WMB Memory: "My favorite memory from being in the WMB are the WMB on Ice events we have done at the hockey games. There is something very exciting about filling the entire Whittemore Center with sound from over 100 musicians. Marching on ice is also something very different and interesting, roll stepping becomes a lot more difficult on a slippery surface. Every time we started a new song in the stands everyone's attention seemed to point right at us, and entertaining 6,501 people is definitely a great experience. Even though we play in front of more people at football games there's something about being in the closed in Whitt with the hockey atmosphere that makes the whole experience special."
Name: Sean Gribbin
Section: Drumline
Position: Section Leader
Year in School: Junior
Year in WMB: 3
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Favorite WMB Memory: "By far my proudest moment would be playing at Gillette Stadium for the first time my Freshman year. Playing in front of such a large crowd and representing the university's music program was incredible to be a part of.
If I had to pick a moment from this past year, I would definitely say the Everett Parade was my favorite. I have never heard the drumline and winds play so well together, and there were so many people there to see how talented we are. The one image that
sticks out in my head would be the random lady dancing up the streets along next to us. In my opinion, that is what the WMB
is all about."
Name: Heather Ware
Section: Colorguard
Position: Captain
Year in School: Senior
Year in WMB: 4
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Kearny, NJ
Favorite WMB Memory: "I loved being able to lead the colorguard onto the field this season. One of my proudest moments and one of my favorite memories of my time with the WMB thus far is walking onto the field at Gillette and hearing my name announced as the colorguard captain. Being able to say that I was the leader of those beautiful women was an amazing feeling. All of them are so talented and special and I was honored to just be able to spin with them, let alone be their captain."
Name: Danie Blevens
Section: Clarinet
Position: Member-at-Large
Year in School: Sophomore
Year in WMB: 2
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Bedford, NH
Favorite WMB Memory: "My favorite memory from being in the WMB was definitely the Dover Band show this past season. When I was a freshman in high school, I watched the WMB perform the 'Lion King on Broadway' show. I remember watching the band in awe, thinking how amazing it would be to be part of such a talented group of people. I never thought that one day I would ever be able to make it into a college marching band like the WMB, but I was certainly inspired to try. At the Dover band show this year, there I was, in the WMB, doing a show in front of my high school peers. To think that there were high school freshman watching me in the WMB, thinking the same thoughts as I did when I was in their position, was an extremely proud moment for me. I realized in that moment that I had finally become a part of what inspired me to lead in my high school marching band and grow as a team instead of individual musicians. I have to say that this is certainly my favorite memory in the WMB, so far. "
Name: Leah Desrochers
Section: Trumpet
Position: Member-at-Large
Year in School: Junior
Year in WMB: 3
Major: Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology
Hometown: Derry, NH
Favorite WMB Memory: "I wish I could pick a single favorite memory. Walking into Gillette last year for the first time was incredibly spectacular. I also thoroughly enjoyed performing the combined show with UMASS this year. It was awesome being able to play a song with my brother for the last time. I love the adrenaline rush each halftime show gives you. And I love the first moments when you complete a song in band camp or a rehearsal and you realize how amazing the band actually is. And I really love the family the band becomes."
Name: Aiden Durocher
Section: Drumline
Position: Member-at-Large
Year in School: Senior
Year in WMB: 5
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Manchester, NH
Favorite WMB Memory: "I really enjoyed the double band show day this year, I was so tired by the end of the day but I was so proud of what we were able to do. Every year, my favorite parts are playing at band shows and Gillette stadium because the crowd always loves us! "
Name: Olivia Fiore
Section: Saxophone ("Saxophi")
Position: Member-at-Large
Year in School: Sophomore
Year in WMB: 2
Major: Theatre
Hometown: Brightwaters, NY
Favorite WMB Memory: " My favorite memory with WMB besides band camp was my first game. I was the little freshman in the stands and I could tell my face looked surprised everytime we did a cheer that I had no idea was and the upper classmen said "You'll catch on." And I did. . . ."
Name: Louie Mariano
Section: Flute/Piccolo ("Fliccolo")
Position: Member-at-Large
Year in School: Sophomore
Year in WMB: 2
Major: Linguistics
Hometown: Hooksett, NH
Favorite WMB Memory: " My favourite memory from being in the WMB this season was when the fireworks went off during rehearsal. While this disrupted rehearsal, it showed a few things about the group. The vast majority of us began to play 1812 Overture almost in unison. . . . "
