LOOK, SEE, THINK

Inertia Independent Winds from Dayton, Ohio Is proud to announce their 2019 show entitled “Blue Poles.”

Blue Poles is an abstract expressionist show that is inspired by Jackson Pollock’s painting “Number 11” later titled Blue Poles.  The show used inspiration from the painting to create three-dimensional imagery similar to the paintings of Jackson Pollock.  The tarp and use of 16 blue poles lay a foundation for the imagery, as we explore the behavior of dynamic systems that are highly sensitive to environmental conditions.

Blue Poles is a transitional work where color, dimension, space, time, and frantic dance along with unconscious expression are used to represent nature.   Abstract movement and improvisation along with the placement of poles may differ from performance.  Along with multiple focus points this may, like Jackson Pollock’s paintings, make the show different every time you see it.

The is based on Jeff Beal’s the movie soundtrack from the movie Pollock and original composition and arrangements by Andrew Markworth.  Show staging was done by Mike Lentz.

2019 CAST

Movement

• Maddie Blommel
• Melinda Combs
• Chloe Graham    
• Abby Nickels
• Kylie Robinson
• Celest Roe

Flute

• Shelbie Albin

Clarinet

• Kris Brown
• Connor Elliot   
• Dillon Willams

Saxophone

• Leonardo
• Lillian Matthews

Trumpet

• Emma Avery
• Sarah Huff
• Alex Moore
• Rion Tipton

Flugelhorn

• Brandon Davis
• Steven Davis 
• Jacob Fisher

Euphonium

• Kamran Khorshidi
• Chris Lynch 
• Nathan Mullins 

Tuba

• Tyler Duerr
• Thomas Pappas

Percussion

• Daemon Gordon
• Elliot Hetzer
• Robbie Rayner

2019 STAFF

Director of Inertia Independent- Kriss Davis

Founder and Director Kriss Davis, from Columbus Ohio, has been an adjudicator with CSJA ince 2007 and with OMEA since 1981. He has judged for Chapter 8 Pennsylvania marching band contests and is an All-American parade adjudicator. Kriss is the Director of Inertia Independent Winds/Guard and they were the 2015 and 2017 WGI World A Class Champions! Inertia is also the 2016 WGI World A Class Bronze Medalist! Kriss is the Director of ART 101, Kismet, SWI winter guards, a perennial WGI finalist and semi-finalist.

During his career, Kriss has been the instructor for many successful national and local winter guards and percussion lines. Kriss is a highly sought after clinician in Ohio and a writer for both auxiliary and drill and staging design. His programs have had numerous superior ratings, 94 in total for auxiliary in OMEA, with 22 undefeated seasons.

Kriss has instructed guard and visual programs and percussion lines that have won MSBA,OIPA,MEPA titles, been BOA regional finalists and won several National University Bowl titles. Kriss marched with the Blue Coats Drum Corps, Brass Factory, Steel City Ambassadors all ages Drum Corps and Musical Knights Jr. Drum and Band Corps as a percussionist and Field Conductor. Kriss has won numerous titles in Percussion, Guard and Field Conducting over the years.

Christopher Foster – Music Caption Head

Mr. Christopher R. Foster is the Director of Bands at Bellbrook High School. Mr. Foster is the director of the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, directs 9th and 10 grade percussion, assists with the Symphony Band, teaches High School Music Appreciation, 7th grade percussion, and co-teaches the 8th grade Wind Ensemble. Mr. Foster received his undergraduate in 1998 at Youngstown State University Dana School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Education and a major in Trumpet. In 2012, he received his Masters in Music Education from Kent State University. Mr. Foster has held positions at Warren Local High School, Crestview High School and a community youth band in Youngstown, Ohio called the Warren Junior Military Band. He was a guest conductor of the 2000 Columbiana All-Star Band, YSU Concert Band, River City Brass Ensemble, and the Lancomb County, PA Honors Band. Mr. Foster was also a member of the Smoot House Jazz Band from Parkersburg, WV. He has performed with world famous artists such as Eddie Daniels, Bobby Shew, Chuck Mangione, and the Air Force Band of Flight. On May 10, 2000, he received the honorary flag of the United States flown over the United States Capitol Building in his honor for “Inspiring Excellence in the Performing Arts”. Mr. Foster is a member of Ohio Music Educators Association and the National Bandmasters Association.

SSG Ronald W. Duncan – Music Consultant

Ronald Duncan is currently a Staff Sergeant and trumpet section leader of the 38th Infantry Division Army National Guard Band in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a member of the 38th Infantry Division Band SSG Duncan has performed solo “Taps” for the 2011-2017 running of the Indianapolis 500, the 2011 Brickyard 400, and the Indiana Ice Hockey Organization. For the last three seasons, Duncan had the honor and privilege of performing our National Anthem as the trumpet soloist at the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts games.

Duncan has served 15 years as a clinician and public school music educator. As a music educator, his ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings in marching, concert band, and choirs at OMEA State Finals, and has consistently been a finalist at Mid-States Band Association and appeared at Bands of America Grand Nationals for several years. Currently, Duncan is the music caption head for WinterGuard International’s winds division, 2017 Gold Medalist, Inertia Independent Winds.

Before becoming a music educator, Duncan studied trumpet performance and earned a Bachelor of Arts in music business from Anderson University. He received his Master’s Degree from Middle Tennessee State University. During this period at MTSU, he was the graduate teaching and conducting assistant. Prior to his placement at MTSU, he served for five years as a member of “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps in Washington, D.C. While a member of this elite musical organization, Duncan performed for the President of the United States, foreign dignitaries, and various heads of state.

In 2012 SSG Duncan was featured on WHIO News Channel 7 segment titled “Making a Difference” by news anchor, James Brown highlighting teaching methods used in bringing the military band traditions into the classroom. He was also featured in the full length documentary titled “Veterans Day 11.11.11” produced by nationally acclaimed producer John Goheen of Terranova Pictures in 2012. Cameras documented Duncan and his students and what it means to be a veteran teaching our youth of today.

Duncan has received many honors to include Panera Breads “Top Teacher Award” video contest in 2012. The video produced by students described why they were inspired to do great achievements through teachings in and outside the classroom. This year Duncan attended the United States Army Senior Leadership Course and in 2013 the Advanced Leadership Course where he earned the Honor Graduate Award at the US Army School of Music. Duncan received advanced training in producing, arranging, and performing musical productions for various audiences.

Duncan currently resides in Pleasant Hill, Ohio in a log cabin back in the woods with his wonderful wife Jodi, their three kids, Josiah, Jesse, Jailee, their dog Dunkin, and two kittens named Tiny and Wishes.

Brett P. Owens- Audio Electronics Technician

Brett Owens has over 40 years of experience in marching music activities. He has served as Program Coordinator, Brass Arranger, Music and Brass Consultant, Visual Caption Head, Guard Technician and in management for both marching bands winter guards and drum & bugle corps. In addition Mr. Owens has served as an adjudicator at Marching Band and Winter Guard contests throughout the United States since 1987.  In addition Brett is the former owner of Best Productions Inc. and often freelances in Marketing, Promotional Management and Video production.

Andrew Markworth- Music Designer

Andrew Markworth is a composer, arranger, and consultant writing for marching bands, indoor percussion and winds groups and drum corps all over the world.

He is currently the music director for Rhythm X; both the 3 time gold medalist percussion group (2008, 2009, 2013) and the 3 time gold medalist winds group (2015, 2017, 2018). He is also the music arranger and coordinator for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps from San Antonio, TX and The Company Performance Ensemble from the United Kingdom. Andrew was the Front Ensemble Arranger/Coordinator for Carolina Crown from 2007-2014.
Andrew currently resides in Centerville, Ohio with his wife Kara, daughter Natalie, and son Brady.

Mike Lentz – Visual Designer

Michael is the Director and Designer for the 2010 WGI Independent Open Class Champions “O2” and the 2010 WGI Independent World Class Champions “Onyx” from Dayton, OH. An alumnus of the Blue Coats Drum & Bugle Corps, Michael is currently a member of the WGI Color Guard Advisory Board. He also serves as the Director of Education and Adjudication for the Ohio Indoor Performance Association. Michael is a designer/consultant for many fall bands. An adjudicator since 1988, he recently joined the DCI judging ranks in 2005 as a Visual and Color Guard Judge.

Marion Newman – Visual Team Caption Head

Marion has been involved in Colorguard since the year 2000. She marched with her high school guard all 4 years and then went on to match with Art 101 and Onyx independent color guards. Marion has taught several local colorguards in the past and has been the seamstress for Onyx since 2007.

Johnathan Lischak- Visual Consultant

Jonathan has served for many years as director of bands for Ada Exempted Village School District where he has developed competitive marching, jazz and concern band programs as well as a winterguard programs that have made regional finals.  His indoor percussion program has achieved many awards including state champion.  He has served as a clinician, adjudicator and show designer form many programs around the country including national finalist programs and state level programs.

Jacob Walker- Visual Technician / Choreographer

Jacob Walker is a arranger, educator, and performer from Dayton, Ohio. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Miami University in 2015. At Miami, he performed with the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, as well as 2 trumpet ensembles. Outside of Miami, he played with a local ska band, and is currently a solo cornetist with the Ohio Valley British Brass Band. He also has marched 6 seasons between DCI and WGI Winds, with Capital Regiment, The Glassmen, Carolina Crown, and Rhythm X Winds. As an educator, he just completed a tour with the Seattle Cascades as their trumpet technician. He is also the 2018 Brass Caption Head at Miamisburg High School, working with their marching band and their WGI Winds group. He teaches privately at Star City Music Studios in Miamisburg, Ohio, teaching brass lessons at all levels. As an arranger, he has written for marching bands and winds ensembles from Ohio and Michigan. Finally, in the fall of 2018, he is starting his Master’s degree in Trumpet Performance at Wright State University, studying with Dr. Daniel Zehringer.

Finance and Buisness Manager -Caren Schultz Davis

2019 TEAM CAPTAINS

Rion Tipton Hi! I’m Daemon, and I’ll be the Inertia Captains this season. I attend Capital University where I’m studying music composition. I’ve been an avid percussionist since I started high school, with four seasons of marching band, two seasons of indoor drumline, and two seasons right here at Inertia! That’s not to mention the time I spent in concert band, jazz band, and several musicals. I use my experience as a pit tech for the Westerville South Marching Band. On the off chance I have a break from music, I enjoy video games and hanging out with my friends. I’m excited to start the season off right with the great musicians here at Inertia!

Melinda CombsMeet Melinda! She has been an active member of the color guard community since 2010, she has participated in groups such as Allegoria winter guard, cascades drum and bugle Corp, inertia independent winds, and most recently the colts drum and bugle Corp. when she is not spinning in her own groups she takes an active role as a tech at Troy high school or studies to complete a business management major

Daemon Gordon Hi! I’m Daemon, and I’ll be the Inertia Captains this season. I attend Capital University where I’m studying music composition. I’ve been an avid percussionist since I started high school, with four seasons of marching band, two seasons of indoor drumline, and two seasons right here at Inertia! That’s not to mention the time I spent in concert band, jazz band, and several musicals. I use my experience as a pit tech for the Westerville South Marching Band. On the off chance I have a break from music, I enjoy video games and hanging out with my friends. I’m excited to start the season off right with the great musicians here at Inertia!

2019 Student Advisory Board

Elliot Hetzer- Student Advisory Board President

Elliot Hetzer, from Tipp City is entering his second year with Inertia Winds. During his career, Elliot has marched with a few drum and bugle corps including the Connecticut Hurricanes and Cincinnati Tradition. He also served as a percussionist with the 338th Army Band. As an instructor, Elliot has taught several marching programs throughout the United States including San Diego H.S. Marching Band, Robert E. Fitch H.S. Marching Band, East Lyme H.S. Marching Band, the Coast Guard Drum and Bugle Corps. He also started guard programs at Springfield North H.S and Springfield Northwestern H.S. Currently Elliot is active as a keyboardist and percussionist for the Beavercreek Church of the Nazarene and subs whenever is needed in other local churches. He also has served as a percussionist and music director for Playhouse South Community Theater and other local community theaters. Elliot is also a percussionist and vocalist for the band Younger Than Us. Elliot is looking forward to continuing with the Winds activity and growing with Inertia Winds.

Vice Presidents: Rion Tipton, Melinda Combs and Daemon Gordon

Student Advisory Board Members at Large:

Thomas Pappas

Conner Ellioit

Kamran Khorshidi