Staff

Color Guard Instructor - Katherine Gallagher 

Katherine began her color guard career at the ripe old age of 5, where she was a member of St. Patrick’s color guard of Stoneham.  She marched in Alliance drum and bugle corps in 1983. In 1985, she then moved on to Blessed Sacrament Color guard of Cambridge where she was there till her age out year in 1991 as captain of the guard. As a member of Blessed Sac Katherine received a Bronze, Silver and a Gold medal in WGI. In 1990 she was a world champion of WGI.  

She marched in Boston Crusaders in 1987, and then the Blue Devils in 1989. Katherine taught Blessed Sacrament color guard from 1993-1998 where her equipment writing, and innovation helped keep the guard in the top 12 as it was for over 40 years. She also taught Boston Crusaders drum and bugle corps color guard from 1993-1997.  Katherine then rejoined Blessed Sac when the age limit was abolished.  She marched there as captain from 2000-2002. Katherine then taught Blessed Sac B guard for many years.  She began performing with North Star alumni corps at its inception.  

Brass Caption Manager - Don MacTaggart

Don MacTaggart has adjudicated marching band and drum & bugle corps programs throughout the United States and Canada and is a highly sought after clinician and judge. Since his days as a performer with the Revere, MA 27th Lancers, he has judged for Bands of America, Drum Corps International, Drum Corps Associates and many local and regional associations including many national championship shows.

Mr. MacTaggart has written and arranged for many marching bands and drum corps. He has also served as program coordinator, staff coordinator and consultant for many others. He is the former marching band director of Peabody, MA HS and is currently on staff with the highly successful Nashua, NH Spartans who have won multiple DCI Open Class Championships.

Mr. MacTaggart is a member of the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Fr. Robert Carr Exemplary Service Award. He is the current Music Education Director for the Massachusetts Judges Association and the Judge Administrator for the Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association. 

In his limited spare time, Mr. MacTaggart gives private lessons in the Boston area.

Percussion Caption Manager – Arthur Shannon

As his father was a drummer, Arthur became interested in drumming at a very young age and joined the IC Reveries at 8 years old. He stayed with the Reveries until it’s merger into the eventual North Star where he expanded his musical knowledge under the tutelage of Professor Dave Vose. He represented North Star in Miami at the DCI 25th anniversary celebration.

• He performed with the 1994 27th Lancers Alumni corps, Legends of Drum Corps,  Crusaders Senior Corps.

• Co-Founder of the Drum Club MA Chapter.

• Served as VP of the United States Association of Rudimental Drummers and currently on the Executive Board.

• Performed professionally with many local area Top 40, Rock, Funk, 60’s groups.

Visual Designer - Neal Smith

Neal Smith began his journey in the Marching Arts as a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps at the age of 12.   He would march for 9 years as brass soloist and drum major.

As a Visual Designer he has designed shows for Drum Corps, Marching Bands, Color Guards and Percussion Ensembles throughout the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom and Europe.  His designs have won numerous Regional, National, International and World Championships.

His trade mark style of coordinating all the elements of Sound, Color and Movement have made his designs entertaining, engaging and effective.

In addition to designing, he is a consultant and clinician and has worked on Marching Arts Task Forces in developing programs in inner cities.

Mr. Smith is a member of the Massachusetts Judges Association and judges Regional, National and World Championships for Bands of America, US Bands, NESBA, MICCA, MAC, DCA and various independent judging associations.

He has been inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame, The Massachusetts Music Educators and Drum Corps Hall of Fame, the Boston Crusaders Hall of Fame and the Connecticut Hurricanes Hall of Fame.

He continues to design shows for many high profile Marching Bands, Color Guards and Percussion Ensembles throughout the United States.