Pete Friedmann
The Voice of "Wildcat" Marching Band

Pete Friedmann's record-breaking tenure as Voice of the “Wildcat” Marching Band – longer than any other announcer in NUMB’s history – began in 1981.  An independent consultant in public relations, marketing, and communications, Friedmann is also a recognized announcer and voice-over artist. Previously,  he held positions in public relations,  government affairs, community relations, and public policy advocacy communications with the American Medical Association, Baxter International Inc., the Illinois State Medical Society and the Alliance of American Insurers.  Pete began his career as a broadcast journalist at WJOL-AM/WLLI-FM in Joliet, Illinois.  He has long been active as a volunteer and leader in Northwestern alumni activities, and was recognized with the prestigious Alumni Service Award by the Northwestern Alumni Association in April 2005.  He has also been the announcer for the Wheaton (Illinois) Municipal Band since 1982.

Benjamin A. Chamberlain, MMus

Roderick L. Cox, BMusEd

Roderick L. Cox is a first-year graduate conducting student at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music, where he studies with Dr. Mallory Thompson. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music in Columbus, GA, where he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education with a concentration in wind, keyboard, and percussion instruments.

Thomas Gamboa, BMus

Thomas Gamboa is a graduate of UCLA where he majored in Music Education and Bassoon Performance. He built the instrumental music program at West Adams Preparatory High School in South Central, Los Angeles in addition to teaching privately in the general Los Angeles area.  Thomas is now working on his Masters Degree in Conducting with Mallory Thompson.

Chris Riggs, MMus

Chris Riggs  recently received his Masters degree in percussion performance from Northwestern University, where he studied with She-e Wu, Michael Burritt and James Ross.  He received degrees in both music and philosophy from Oklahoma University under Dr. Lance Drege where he received several awards including Percussionist of the Year. In the summers of 2001-2004, Chris toured the US and Canada with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, serving as drum captain the last two seasons. In addition to instructing and arranging for the NU Drumline, Chris has arranged numerous percussion scores for marching bands and winter drumlines in the Oklahoma area.

Bill Staub, MMus

Bill Staub is in his second year of doctoral study of wind conducting at Northwestern University.  Bill grew up in Allen, Texas before attending Arizona State University for his undergraduate degree.  He then taught middle school band in Austin, Texas for two years where his groups played at festivals, local, and state conferences.  Bill received his Masters in Wind Conducting at Michigan State University.

Owen Tucker, BMus

Owen Tucker is pursuing his Master's Degree in clarinet performance at Northwestern University, studying with Steve Cohen and Leslie Grimm. He is graduate assistant to the NU Marching Band and director of the NU basketball band. Owen holds a Bachelor's Degree in clarinet performance from the University of Minnesota, where he studied under John Anderson and Burt Hara. While at Minnesota, he was also a leader in the marching band and basketball band, as well as other various ensembles.

Andrew J. Toth, BS
Color Guard Instructor

Tom McGrath, BA
NUMB Photographer

Tom McGrath is a photographer, actor, and NUMBALUM. Graduating from Northwestern's Theatre department, Tom currently operates TCMcG Photography, which specializes in headshot, theatrical, and event photography. Tom has photographed events for the Goodman Theatre and The Second City, and is an active professional actor, performing with several companies in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Tom is a NUMBAlum, bonehead, and former Spirit Leader of the 'Wildcat' Marching Band, and has been the staff photographer since 2008. Additional work can be found at www.tcmcgphotography.com.

Daniel M. Reck, MSEd
NUMB WebCat

Daniel M. Reck is a music composer, graphic artist, and photographer published by forzandoArts.  He completed his Master of Science in Education degree at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy and is currently Assistant Director of Greek Life, Leadership, and Involvement at Monmouth College in Illinois, where he has assisted with the Fighting Scots Marching and Pep Bands.

Serving the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band as its WebCat (web designer), he is also a NUMBALUM, having played clarinet and alto saxophone in the ensemble.  Prior to his tenure at Northwestern, Daniel was Assistant Conductor for the University Schools Band at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.  He also has served as an instructor for the band programs at Hinsdale Central High School in Illinois.

Daniel is director of the Tiger Alumni Bands and Stumblebums at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he was graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in computer science and music.