Mr. John J. Miliauskas III has a lifetime of experiences in instrumental music and marching activities. His father was the band director at Lake-Lehman High School (Lehman, PA) for thirty-six years. After graduating from Lake-Lehman himself in 1981, John played mellophone in the Penn State Blue Band (University Park, PA) in 1981 and 1982, as well as in the Garfield Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (Garfield, NJ) in 1982 and 1983. John continued his marching experiences at West Chester University (West Chester, PA) as drum major for three years, from 1984-1987. He also was drum major for the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps (Reading, PA) in 1986.

Following his marching experiences, John moved on to gain many accomplishments as a drill designer. He started with his father at Lake-Lehman High School, where he was a member of the instructional staff from 1982-1988, performing various duties including marching and music instruction, programming, drill design, and assistant director. During these years, the band won the Cavalcade of Bands American Class State Championships in 1984 and 1987, as well as the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championships in 1984, 1986, 1987, and 1988.

After his father's retirement, John expanded his high school drill writing to numerous programs including the 1989-2000 Red Land High School Marching Bands (Lewisberry, PA). During this time, the program achieved three Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championships, six Chapter VI Championships, and a Macy's Parade appearance in 1998. John also for the 2001-2003 Quakertown High School Marching Bands (Quakertown, PA), as well as the Cypress Creek High School Marching Band (Orlando, FL), which won its division and made finals at the 1994 Bands of America Southeast Regional, placing fourth overall. In addition to these advanced level programs, John has written dozens of shows at the basic and intermediate levels for bands having anywhere from forty total members to over 250 total members.

In his twenty years of writing since his start at Lake-Lehman, some of the more notable programs he has designed drill for beyond the high school level include the 1992 and 1993 Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps (Philadelphia, PA). Crossmen were Drum Corps International World Finalists during both seasons. In 1992, the corps placed sixth in the DCI Finals Championship, earning their highest finish ever to that point. John has also written for the West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band from 1984-1987 and 2000-present, the 1991 Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps (Orlando, FL), the 1988 and 1989 Reading Buccaneers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps, and the 2001-2003 Govenaires Senior Drum and Bugle Corps (St. Peter, MN).

As a well-rounded drill designer, John has written for many indoor color guard and indoor drumline ensembles, including the 1987 and 1988 Threshold Indoor Color Guards (West Chester, PA), the 1996-2000 Red Land High School Indoor Color Guards (Lewisberry, PA), the 2002 Penn State Eclipse Indoor Color Guard (University Park, PA), the 2002-2003 Huntingdon High School Indoor Drumlines (Huntingdon, PA), which was the 2002 TIA All-Chapter Scholastic A Champion, and the 2002-present Bpex Winter Guards (Wilmington, DE). Several of these groups have achieved such accomplishments as Winter Guard International semi-finalists and finalists on both the regional and national levels, along with regional circuit champions.

Mr. John Miliauskas was the Director of Bands at Crossroads Middle School in the West Shore School District (Lewisberry, PA) from its opening in 1993 until 2002. During his tenure, the Crossroads Band Program commissioned Robert W. Smith to compose At The Crossroads, A Dedicatory Fanfare, which was published through Belwin Publications and is widely performed. From 1994-2000, the Crossroads Bands received consistent superior ratings at PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) Concert Band Adjudication Festivals. This culminated with a performance at the PMEA State Conference in April of 2001 by the Crossroads Wind Ensemble. In addition to this honor, the Crossroads Bands have performed with guest soloists including Dr. Brian Bowman on euphonium from the University of North Texas, Mr. Matt Niess on trombone from the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and Capitol Bones of Washington, DC, and Mr. Seneca Black on trumpet from the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra of New York, NY.

A brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Mr. John Miliauskas completed his Masters of Music in Music Education with a performance option in conducting at West Chester University in May 2004. He is a member of the following professional organizations: The National Association for Music Education (MENC), National Band Association (NBA), and College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA).

 Top

Steve Keiser resides in Newark, Delaware, where he is employed as an operations manager for a large financial institution. Steve attended the University of Delaware and received a Bachelor of the Arts Degree in English, with a minor in Women's Studies.

Steve's involvement in the marching activity began as a student at Newark High School in Newark, Delaware. His first three years in the marching band were spent on the field playing snare drum. His senior year, Steve took the front stand as Drum Major. Following the fall season, Steve joined Newark High's indoor guard, Newark Visual Ensemble.

Following High School graduation, Steve remained active in the marching activity. Steve marched with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps and the Reading Buccaneers Senior Drum & Bugle Corps. While still marching, Steve began instructing and designing color guards in the tri-state area. Over the past 16 years, Steve has served as a visual and color guard Caption Head, Instructor, and/ or Designer at many various programs including Ridley High School, Washington Township High School, Mt. Pleasant High School, Concord High School, Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps and Reading Buccaneers Senior Drum & Bugle Corps. Along with these positions, Steve has consulted for various scholastic marching band and color guard programs.

Steve Keiser is also the co-founder of Apex Youth Services, Inc., sponsors of Apex, Bpex, and Cpex Winter Guards. Steve has served as President of Apex Youth Services, Inc. and Director of Apex Winter Guard since 1999. In their 10 seasons, Apex has received numerous championship titles, awards, and recognition. In 2002, Apex was awarded the Winter Guard International Bronze Medal in Independent A Class. In 2004, Apex was a WGI Independent Open Class Finalist and the TIA All-Chapter Independent Open Class Champions. In 2005, Apex Winter Guard joined the ranks of the Independent World Class guards.

Apex Youth Services, Inc. also runs Bpex and Cpex Winter Guards. Along with his work with Apex, Bpex and Cpex Winter Guards, Mr. Keiser has consulted for multiple indoor color guard programs in the Tri-State Area.

Steve now proudly counts 4 years as Towson University Color Guard Caption Head in his 16+ years of teaching, design, and marching experience. He is excited to return to the Towson University Marching Program this fall. This upcoming season already promises to be spectacular!

 Top

Matt Lusky is very excited to continue working with such an up and coming program. He also runs a real estate investment business in Wilmington, Delaware and acts as the percussion arranger and caption head for Downingtown East and Downingtown West high schools in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

Matt comes to Towson University after working several years as the founder and percussion caption head for the Penn State Indoor Percussion Ensemble (1997-1999). He also spent 5 years in the Penn State Blue Band drumline and 2 years as the percussion section leader (1998-1999). Matt's drum corps teaching experience includes one year on the percussion staff of the Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps (1999), four years on the percussion staff of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (2000-2004), and he was a percussion technician for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2005).

 Top

We are very excited to have Jeff Beck as a returning member of the Towson University Marching Percussion Staff in 2011. Jeff's drum corps experience includes 4 years of playing snare drum for 4 top DCA and DCI corps including the Reading Buccaneers (2003), Capital Regiment (2005), The Magic (2006), and Carolina Crown (2007), where he aged out. His experiences during his drum corps tenure have truly helped to mold his musicality, professionalism, and showmanship, which he has been able to pass on to his students.

As a Baltimore native, Jeff has taught various high school percussion programs in the Maryland and Pennsylvania area from 2004 to 2009, including Calvert Hall College, Littlestown High School, Walkersville High School, South Western High School, Westminster High School, and Arundel High School. Responsibilities with these groups included developing technique programs for beginner drummers, running weekly rehearsals, writing percussion exercises and arranging percussion music. Jeff joined the Towson Marching Percussion Staff in 2010 where his main focus was teaching the snare drum section.

Jeff currently resides in Joppatowne, MD. He has an associates degree in criminal justice and works for the Baltimore County Police Department. Jeff brings a wealth of experience to the percussion staff at Towson and we are looking forward working with him once again.

 Top

Mark Lortz is band and orchestra director at Westminster high school (Westminster, Maryland), where he directs the Orchestra, Concert and Marching Bands, Percussion Ensemble, Colorguard and Electronic & Computer Music Program. Under his leadership, the school's music department has received awards from the Music Educators National Conference and the Maryland Music Educators Association for exemplary music programs. The marching band has also won titles at numerous regional band competitions and the Westminster high school music department was selected as a national semi finalist Grammy Signature School.

Mr. Lortz earned degrees from The Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University, majoring in percussion performance, music education and composition. He has performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Chamber Symphony, the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, the Baltimore Opera Orchestra, the Gettysburg Symphony, The Dallas Brass, the New York Pops Orchestra, and in orchestras with various concert and theatrical productions.
Mr. Lortz's original music, arrangements and transcriptions have been premiered at the prestigious Mid West Band and Orchestra Clinic, Bands of America National Percussion Festival, universities, music schools, conservatories and high schools throughout the nation. He is the Front Ensemble coordinator and arranger for the world champion Drum Corps Associates (DCA) Drum & Bugle Corps The Reading Buccaneers and has arranged marching band music for high schools and colleges throughout the country. He is constantly in demand as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor and is a Marching Percussion Specialist and Scholastic Educator for the Vic Firth Percussion Education Program. In 2006, Mr. Lortz was recognized as one of the "50 Directors Who Make a Difference" by School Band & Orchestra magazine.

 Top

Gary Williams returns to the TIGER Marching Band for a sixth year as a member of the instructional staff. A member of the band from 2000-2004, Gary marched in the trumpet line as a freshman before serving as the TIGER's Head Drum Major for next three years. Gary was the recipient of the 2003 Director's Award for outstanding dedication and service to the Tiger Band. He is also an alumnus of the National Honorary Band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi.

In addition to the TIGER Marching band, Gary is the assistant marching band director at his high school alma mater, Franklin High School. Gary was member of the Franklin Marching Band from 1996-1999 and served as Drum Major from 1997-1999. A member of the FHS staff since 2000, his current responsibilities at Franklin include show and drill design along with marching, music, and brass instruction.

For the past 11 years Gary has worked for Williams Scotsman, Inc. in the Information Technology and Marketing departments. Over the past 3 years he has served as the company's Online Services Manager with strategic and tactical responsibility of the companies Internet/Intranet/Extranet properties as well as online marketing programs.

 Top

Raul brings a wealth of experience in the marching arts to Towson University. Since 1999, Raul has been the program coordinator and the principal equipment designer for Apex World Guard from Newark, Delaware. He also guides and coordinates the design process for the entire family of Apex color guards: Apex, Bpex, and Cpex Winter Guards.

Along with many seasons as a performer, Raul has amassed an extensive teaching and design resume. Raul has served as the Color Guard Caption Head for multiple programs including Reading Buccaneers and Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to the Tiger Marching Band, Raul designs and consults for numerous high school programs, which have included Brandywine High School (Wilmington, DE), Broadneck High School (Annapolis, Maryland), Washington Township High School (Sewell, NJ), Archbishop Ryan Indoor Color Guard (Philadelphia, PA), Patuxent High School (Lusby, MD), Coatesville Indoor Percussion (Coatesville, PA) and Concord High School (Wilmington, DE).

Raul currently resides in Newark, Delaware. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware where he holds a BA in Economics and an MPA in Health Policy. During the day, Raul works as a Pharmaceutical Industry consultant based out of Media, Pa.

 Top