Mike Bishop adds Front Ensemble Caption Head To Role At United
United Percussion is excited to announce that Mike Bishop will be expanding his role as a part of our 2020 Staff as not only our Sound Designer, but as the Front Ensemble Caption Head.
Mike Bishop is an experienced and active producer, musician, educator, designer, and international clinician. He arranges and produces for high school & university ensembles around the United States and Europe, including the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Ram Marching Band, United Percussion, and European X of The Netherlands. Previously, Mike served as the Front Ensemble Coordinator of the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps (2015-2017), the Front Ensemble Arranger of the George Mason University Indoor Drumline (2017), the Spirit of '52 Drum Corps from Rastede, Germany (2014-2018), and on the Front Ensemble Faculty for the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps (2010-2014), capturing a Drum Corps International World Championship in 2013. Additionally, Mike has served as a member of the Front Ensemble Faculty of Rhythm X & The X Academy and as a founding member on the Board of Directors for Invictus World; the first WGI Independent World color guard from Austin, Texas.
Originally hailing from Philadelphia, Mike spent more than five years living in Austin, TX before he and his wife, Kelsey, returned to their beloved hometown in 2016. While in Austin, Mike served as the Front Ensemble Coordinator of the decorated Cedar Park HS Timberwolf Band. Beginning his tenure in 2011, he and his colleagues went on to capture two UIL Texas Marching State Championships, a PASIC Marching Championship with Best Front Ensemble Caption, and a Lone Star Classic Drumline State Championship. Previously, Mike lived in the Dayton, OH area as the Percussion Director for Bellbrook HS from 2009-2011, after having graduated from the Walt Disney World College Program in 2008 in the Orlando, FL area.
As a performer, Mike has over 30 combined seasons of performance experience with scholastic and independent groups in the pageantry arts including Riptide Percussion (2002), the Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps (2002-2005), United Percussion (2003-2008), Carolina Crown (2006-2008), and a Winter Guard International World Championship with Rhythm X (2009). He has also performed with the NASCAR All*Star Drumline (2008), the Q-StixTM Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Drumline (2009), and Aerial Experience Productions (2010).
Immediately following his drum corps age out, Mike joined the staff of the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps (2009) before joining the Carolina Crown's Front Ensemble Faculty in 2010. During WGI seasons, Mike has served on the staff of Redline Percussion (2010-2011), European X (2014, 2017-2019), and Rhythm X (2015-2016).
As a producer, Mike is experienced in creating soundtracks for commercials, dance teams, color guards, and WGI winds groups including the 2019 WGI Scholastic World Finalist Burleson Centennial High School Winds (TX), 2018 WGI Scholastic World Finalist Miamisburg High School Color Guard (OH), Invictus (TX), The Black Watch (NJ), as well as samples and sound effects for the pageantry arts. He has composed and arranged hundreds of works for various scholastic, independent, and corporate programs.
Mike is a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, a Yamaha Artist, and a proud endorser of Vic Firth sticks & mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and Remo drum heads. He has presented clinics at Music For All's Bands of America Summer Symposium, the Texas Bandmasters Association Annual Convention, and throughout the United States, Western Europe, and Japan.
“I couldn’t be more excited to take on a larger role with United Percussion! The team we have going into the 2020 season is made up of some of the best folks in the Northeastern United States. As a charter member of the ensemble, I truly appreciate how much the organization has grown since it’s humble beginnings, and I truly look forward to continuing and improving on past successes with a fresh & exciting approach to the United Front Ensemble.”
Stay tuned for further front ensemble staff updates coming this week.
#UP2020