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Welcome North Star Staff Additions for 2026: Bev Bajgot to the Color gUard Staff and roy bailey to the Brass Staff!
Welcome North Star Staff Additions for 2026: Bev Bajgot to the Color gUard Staff and roy bailey to the Brass Staff!
Color Guard Instructor - Bev Bajgot
Bev Bajgot has been involved in color guard as an instructor and performer since she was 5 years old. She is especially proud of teaching at the high school level for 48 consecutive years, beginning when she was in tenth grade, and earning numerous awards along the way. For her, however, the most rewarding aspect has not been the trophies or medals, but seeing her students grow not only in their guard abilities, but, most importantly, in their belief in themselves.
She began marching in the 35th Regimentals from East Weymouth at age 5. She grew up in the South Weymouth St. Francis program, progressing through the junior drill team, the Marionettes; the senior drill team, the Sancianettes; and the senior drum corps, the Sancians. After moving, she joined the Holy Family Defenders until she was old enough to march with the North Star.
Bev marched with the Matadors in 1982 before joining the Blessed Sacrament winter color guard. She also enjoyed working with St. Ann’s Cadet winter color guard in 1997 and 1998, and with the Sac Open guard from 2014 to 2017. In 2022 and 2023, she marched with the New England Pride Color Guard. From 2023 to 2025, Bev also performed with the Trooper Legacy Corps and was proud to appear at the DCI World Championships as a Trooper.
When the North Star Alumni Corps was established, Bev was excited to return to her childhood corps and has marched as a founding member since its inception in 2014.
Roy Bailey’s career reflects decades of dedication to both music and technology. His drum corps journey began at age 17 with the Sky Ryders of Hutchinson, Kansas, and he later marched with the 27th Lancers while attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. After nearly a decade of teaching music in New Hampshire, Roy transitioned into technology and went on to serve for more than 30 years as Director of Information Technology (IT) for a New Hampshire school district.
Since returning to the drum corps world with the founding of the North Star Alumni Corps in 2015, Roy has remained an active performer, Brass Instructor and Staff Coordinator. Most recently, he contributed to the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps in Nashua, New Hampshire, as they prepared for their performance in the 2025 Macy’s Parade in New York City.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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