Pete Friedmann

The Voice of "Wildcat" Marching Band

Pete Friedmann is marking his twenty-seventh season as Voice of the “Wildcat” Marching Band – longer than any other announcer in NUMB’s history.  Full time, Friedmann is communications campaign manager for the Chicago-based American Medical Association.  A former independent consultant in public relations, marketing and communications, he previously held positions in public relations, government affairs, community relations and public policy advocacy communications with 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 Municipal Band of Wheaton, Illinois, since 1982.
 

Steven Barbas, BMusEd

Steven Barbas is currently in the second year of the Master of Music in Conducting program at Northwestern University.  Prior to pursuing a master's degree, Steve was a high school band and orchestra director in the public schools of Bedford and Waltham, Massachusetts.  While in Bedford, his concert ensembles consistently received Excellent and Superior ratings at festivals. 

He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Lowell with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and Clarinet Performance.  Steve is also an avid singer, actor, and church musician.

Travis J. Cross, MMus

Travis J. Cross is a doctoral student at Northwestern University, where he studies with Mallory Thompson. He previously earned the Bachelor of Music degree cum laude in vocal and instrumental music education from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and the Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern. His composition teachers have included Peter Hamlin and Timothy Mahr.

Cross taught for four years at Edina High School in Minnesota, where he conducted two concert bands and oversaw the marching band program. He has participated in workshops and master classes with many of the leading teachers of wind band conducting and is frequently in demand as a guest conductor and adjudicator.

In 2004, he was selected to participate in the inaugural Young Conductor/Mentor Project sponsored by the National Band Association, and the same year he received the Distinguished Young Band Director Award from the American School Band Directors Association of Minnesota. In 2006, Cross was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the United Stated Department of Education. His original works and arrangements for band, choir, and orchestra are published by Boosey & Hawkes, Daehn Publications, and Theodore Music.

Elizabeth McCann, BMus 

Elizabeth McCann earned her Bachelor of Music degree in music education and flute performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where her principal flute teachers were Keith Underwood and Immanuel Davis, and she played under the baton of Craig Kirchhoff.  While remaining active as a flute performer and recording artist in the Minneapolis area, Elizabeth taught at Burnsville Senior High School in Burnsville, Minnesota, where she directed four concert bands and oversaw all aspects of the band program. 

She has also worked as an outreach teacher in a music lesson program for Minneapolis public schools, taught private flute lessons, and was Treasurer of the Minnesota Band Directors Association from 2005-2007.  Elizabeth is currently in the second year of the Master of Music in Conducting at Northwestern University, where she studies with Dr. Mallory Thompson.

Gerard M. Morris, MMusEd 

A native of Michigan, Gerard M. Morris earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Gerard’s conducting credits include appearances at the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder and The Steamboat Strings Music in the Mountains Summer Music Festival, in Colorado. 

Gerard has performed as principal euphonium with the Boulder Brass, Inc., and the Marine Forces Pacific Band, Kaneohe, Hawaii.  He has taught junior and senior high school in Michigan and Colorado, as well as appeared as a guest conductor and clinician for numerous public schools.

Currently, Gerard is a Doctoral Assistant at Northwestern University, where he studies conducting with Director of Bands Dr. Mallory Thompson.

Kelli Pence, MMus

Kelli Pence is a doctoral student in saxophone performance at Northwestern University, where she studies saxophone with Frederick L. Hemke and conducting with Drs. Mallory Thompson and Ryan Nelson. She previously earned a master's degree in saxophone performance from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in saxophone performance and music education from Bowling Green State University.

In 2000, Kelli participated in a consortium that commissioned composer Bernard Rands and presented a world premiere performance of the resulting work for solo saxophone.  She has received numerous awards, including the Charlotte M. MacDonald scholarship, Grieg fellowship, Mark S. Kelly award, John P. Paynter endowed fellowship, and grants from ProMusica and the Mid-American Center for Contemporary Music.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Kelli has toured throughout the United States and Europe and has performed with the Grant Park, Miami Valley, and Elmhurst symphony orchestras. She has held teaching appointments at Marshall University, Wright State University, and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.  She is currently an associate lecturer in saxophone at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Andrew J. Toth, BS

Color Guard Instructor

Andrew Toth has been a member of the design team for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps since 1998, and was a member of the color guard for two years prior.

He was an original member of London's West End production of BLAST! where he performed on stage as well as in many televised events. He choreographed for the 1st National Tour of BLAST! while performing in the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway production.  Other performance experience includes the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps, Emerald Marquis, Adagio, and the Pride of Cincinnati.

As an internationally recognized choreographer, Andy has had the privilege of choreographing for numerous color guards in England as well as Aimachi from Nagoya, Japan.

Andy is currently a designer for the Pride of Cincinnati winter guard, as well as Carmel and Kiski Area High School marching bands. He resides in Chicago, Illinois, where he was recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in movement science and kinesiology.

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 pursuing a career in student affairs administration, with special interest in developing fraternity and sorority communities.

Serving the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band as its WebCat (webmaster), 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.

Daniel is a marching coach for Hinsdale Central High School Marching Band in Illinois and 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.