Chad Pence
From DrumCorpsWiki
Chad Pence is a former member of the Star of Indiana and Cadets of Bergen County drum corps, and has worked as a brass instructor for several corps and highly successful competitive marching bands. He is currently the associate director of bands for BOA semifinalist Fort Mill High School, from Fort Mill, SC, and has also worked as assistant band director at nearby James F. Byrnes High School, and Lost Mountain Middle School in Kennesaw Georgia.
[edit] Biography
Chad Pence grew up on a Kentucky horse farm. In 1993, at the age of 16, he marched contra in the hornline of Star of Indiana. Following the corps leaving field of competition, Chad continued to play contra with Brass Theater in 1993 and 1994.
He attended the University of Kentucky, earning a music education degree and studying tuba with Dr. Skip Gray. While in school, he played tuba in wind ensemble, small brass ensembles, the Lexington Brass Band and the UK Marching Band. His nickname within the UK Marching Band was "Bad Chad."
Chad returned to the drum corps activity in for his age-out season in 1998, ironically earning a DCI championship with the Cadets of Bergen County, the same corps that had narrowly beaten Star in 1993.
[edit] Career as an Instructor
Following the 1998 season, Chad worked with the brass section of Carolina Crown, who were part of YEA! at the time. The corps placed 11th overall in 1999.
In 2000 and 2001, Chad served as tuba tech and right-hand man to Gino Cipriani in The Cadets brass program. Both years are noted for the high quality of their hornlines, with the 2000 corps winning the Jim Ott Trophy for high brass as well as tying The Cavaliers for the DCI World Championship.
For 2002 and 2003, Chad followed Gino to Magic of Orlando, helping the corps make finals in both years. The corps won the DCI Division II World Championship in 2002.
In 2004, Chad served as brass caption head for Capital Regiment, having been offered the position by program coordinator Wayne Dillon. He helped the brass program improve from 18th to 14th, as the corps improved from 19th to 14th overall.
For the 2005 Chad returned to The Cadets, helping them achieve another World Championship and high brass title in 2005.
As of March 2008, he is currently listed on the brass staff of the Boston Crusaders and The Cadets.
[edit] Teaching Style
Chad's teaching style is characterized by high expectations, no excuses, and working his hornlines hard. He believes that developing "mental toughness" is essential for drum corps members.
Due to his background as a tuba player, his pedagogy emphasizes breathing and relaxation, working toward the ability to move massive amounts of warm air. Due to his experience with Star, he is a major proponent of the "Breathe Dah" concept of articulation.
