2002

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2003

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HHS Drumline staff

Nick Knize

Ben Maughmer

Ben Maughmer is currently in his 9th year of teaching in the Birdville Independent School District where he holds the position of Associate Director of Bands at Haltom High School. His responsibilities include directing the Symphonic II Band, assisting with the Symphonic Winds and Symphonic Band, design and instruction for the Haltom Marching Band, composing and arranging for marching percussion, Musical Director for all Fine Arts department theatrical productions, instruction of beginner percussion classes at Haltom, North Oaks, and Watauga Middle Schools, as well as the coordination of all facets of the percussion program for the Haltom cluster. Ben has accumulated 15 years of drum corps experience as a performer and instructor. He began marching in 1984 with the Spartans from Vancouver, Washington, then continued with the Concord Blue Devils in 1990, and aged out of the Denver Blue Knights as section leader in 1991. Prior to joining the Cavaliers instructional staff in 2001, Ben served on the instructional staff of the Blue Knights from 1992-1998. His Bachelor of Music Degree was earned from the University of North Texas where he performed with the world champion U.N.T. drum line for three years and served on the instructional staff for three years. Performance ensembles while at North Texas include the Steel Band, the African Ensemble, and Dr. Scheitromas’ Graduate Percussion Ensemble. Ben has studied with Greg Hull, Van Mathews, David Bertman, Brett Khun, Mike MacIntosh, Tom Float, Ralph Hardimon, Paul Rennick, Ron Fink, Jeff Prosperie, and Dr. Robert Scheitroma. Ben is an Innovative Percussion Artist and has published several articles in various journals. His professional affiliations include, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Band Masters, and the Percussive Arts Society. He is an active clinician, judge and arranger throughout the country.

Nicholas "Ruphos" Knize is a 2002 graduate of Parks College of Engineering at St. Louis University having earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science and a minor in Engineering Mathematics. He is currently attending The University of Texas at Arlington in pursuit of a Masters Degree in Computer Graphics and Animation. Ruphos' began his Drum Corps carreer in 1998 having marched 3 years as the section leader of the Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps' Bass Drum Line under such instructors as Keith Stephens, Jeff Spanos, and Mickey Hartzog. In 2001 Ruphos earned his first DCI world Championship title with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Rosemont, Illinois and successfully helped defend the title in 2002 with the Undefeated 3-Time World Champion Drum Corps having served as the Bass Drum Section Leader in 2002. During his time with the Cavaliers he marched under such great instructors as: Bret Kuhn, Mike McIntosh, Ben Maughmer, John Brennan and Ben Pyatt and is proud to be working with such a wonderful team for the 2002-2003 inagural season of Metro Alliance. Ruphos' teaching experience includes: Farmington High School (St. Louis, MO), Williams High School (Plano, TX), Haltom High School (Haltom City, TX), Private Lesson Instructor at North Oaks, Haltom, Watauga Middle Schools as well as Haltom High School (Haltom City, TX) and consulting for Plano East Senior High School (Plano, TX).