Three outstanding candidates from a field of over 25 were selected to lead the 2017 Boston Crusaders. Mark Hambleton returns to the podium for his age out season and BAC vets Kaitlin Oresky and Nick Winckel will join Mark on the podium. 

Mark Hambleton (middle) is a four year member, conductor in the 2014 and 2015 seasons and Drum Major in 2016. He is a music education major at the University of Texas at Austin. A clarinetist, Mark teaches private lessons and has worked with the famed Leander High School Marching Band (Leander, TX) , bronze medalists at the UIL 5A state contest, and 6th place finishers at BOA Grand Nationals in 2016. Mark aspires to teach at the high school level and eventually earn an advanced degree in acoustics and sound production. He is happy to age out with his BAC “family” and could not be more excited to share what the 2017 Boston Crusaders have in store!

Kaitlin Oresky (left) is the longest tenured current Crusader. A five year member, she was in the baritone section in seasons 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2016 she served as a backfield conductor. She attends the University of Central Florida, studying music education with a minor in psychology. Always service oriented, she is a member and brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, the UCF chapter of the National Honorary Band Fraternity. Kaitlin has worked with the Lakewood Ranch High School Marching Band (Lakewood Ranch, FL)  and plans to become an elementary or middle school music teacher while teaching marching band and pursuing an advanced music degree.

Nick Winckel (right) is a four year member, having marched in the brass section since 2014. Nick attends Austin Community College where he is a sophomore music composition major, preparing to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin. He dreams of becoming an accomplished and successful film score composer. Nick has worked with the Hendrickson High School Marching Band (Pflugerville, TX) as a visual and musical technician. He is very excited and honored to join Mark and Kaitlin this year and cannot wait to see what the staff brings to the new Boston Crusaders!