The Iowa Central Community College Triton Marching Band is proud to announce drum majors for the 2018 season: Andrew Schertz and Kylee Shannon.

Andy Schertz joined the Triton Marching Band in the fall of 2017 in the alto saxophone section. From Fort Dodge, IA, Andy marched in the Fort Dodge Senior High All-American Dodger Marching Band where he was voted the Most Stereotypical Band Geek by the band. Following Iowa Central, Andy plans to continue towards a degree in Music Education.

"Being a member of the Triton Marching Band means that I can represent Iowa Central through music. The Triton Marching Band attends a variety of community activities, sporting events, and parades around the state of Iowa. For me, being a member of the leadership team means setting a positive example for others and representing the band on and off the field."

Kylee Shannon is also entering her second season with the Triton Marching Band, playing baritone saxophone during the 2017-18 school year. Having performed with the Storm Lake High School Tornado Marching Band, Kylee also intends to pursue a degree in Music Education, and continuing to write poetry.

"To be a member of the Triton Marching Band, to me, means to uphold the honor and excellence that helped build up the program from the start. As a member of the leadership team, I hope to spread the values of the marching band but still be a friend to anyone who needs one."

In addition to announcing drum majors, the Triton Marching Band announced a new leadership structure for 2018. "For a few years now I've wanted to have the students take a greater role in the operations of our band, " reported Director of Athletic Bands Jeremy J. Smith. "The large number of students interested in the leadership of the band this year showed so much pride and accountability for what we do in recruitment, practice and performance."

John Owens and Brian Sleeth were introduced as Brass Captains for fall. Sleeth, a trombone player from Hartford, Iowa, marched with the Carlisle Marching Wildcats prior to Iowa Central, and is self-described as "a morning person. I think that's a pretty rare thing in college." Brian is a Music Education major, and as a member of the leadership team, he hopes to "help others have fun too". A Computer Networking Technology major, John Owens marched with the Lynx Imperials in his hometown of Webster City, IA prior to attending Iowa Central. A fixture in our trumpet section, John has built (and rebuilt) computers for himself and members of his family.

Destiny Heath and Mackenzie Schwenke were introduced as Woodwind Captains. With a highlight of her life being on the news in 2014, Destiny marched with her hometown Pocahontas Area High School Marching Band before attending Iowa Central and playing clarinet with us. Heath is pursuing an Associate Degree in Psychology, and plans to continue on for a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy. "To me, being a member of the Triton Marching Band means family, and having a brand new group of friends and people to talk to. Also, having people who have a similar passion as you for music."

From CAM High School, in Anita, Iowa, Mackenzie has been a familiar face in our flute section. Having graduated from our Culinary Arts program, she is now additionally taking business and accounting classes.

Introduced as Spirit Captains were Brian Dean and Zeke Ledbetter. These two have been charged with instilling the Triton Nation spirit into our members through our traditions, cheers, music and more while in the stands, on the field, or going down the street. Dean, a member of our mellophone section, is from Clarion, IA where he marched in the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Marching Band. A Piano major and hopeful choir teacher, Dean is looking forward to showing "other members of the band that what we do makes more of an impact on others than we really think." Also a Vocal Education major, Zeke is very passionate about jazz music and is a double major in saxophone performance. When asked about being on our leadership team, Ledbetter stated, "It means being a part of something bigger than you, and being a part of a team. It means being one the people who leads and helps the members of the team succeed and make it a better experience for everyone."

Rehearsals for the 2018 Triton Marching Band begin in August, with a first performance date of August 25 as the Tritons open their fall football season. This fall, the Triton Marching Band will be playing familiar tunes heard in the movie Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as recent hits Believer, Feel It Still, Havana, and much more.