2009 Officers and Drum Majors
Commanding Officer- John Bowie
John Bowie is an Aerospace Engineering major at UB. After graduation, he hope to work for an aerospace design team. Currently in his fourth year with the marching band, John is a proud saxophone player. He has been playing for 15 years, and over that time has played soprano, alto, tenor, and bari saxophone. Prior to joining the "Thunder of the East" , John performed with multiple ensembles such as the Longwood High School Marching, Jazz and Concert bands, the Brookhaven Youth Orchestra Jazz Band, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Pep Band and Jazz Ensemble, and the Suffolk Community College Jazz Band. John is proud to continue serving the "Thunder of the East as their Commanding Officer for the 2009 season, and is looking forward to another great year for the band and our UB Bulls.
Executive Officer and Assistant Drum Major- Eric Rochman
Eric is a native of Huntington New York and graduated from Huntington High School in 2006. During his four years there, he participated in the Blue Devil Marching Band, as well as the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. He was a member of Trombone section and was the Trombone section leader his senior year for all three ensembles. During his involvement in the Blue Devil Marching Band, they won both a USSBA and a NYSFB championship in 2002 and 2004 respectively. Because of his determination and love of the activity, Eric joined the Syracuse Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corp in 2004 and completed four seasons with them. Eric will be a member of the DCI “Colts” Drum and Bugle Corps this summer.
Eric will be a Senior this coming Fall and is pursuing a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences with a double Minor in Medical Anthropology and Theatre. He joined the Thunder of the East his freshmen year and was a part of the Trombone Section. The following year, Eric became the assistant Drum Major of the Band as well as Executive Officer. He was reelected as Executive office for the 2008 season as well. Eric is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi; the National Honorary Band Fraternity and was inducted into the Fraternity with the Pi class in the Spring of 2007. Eric is extremely excited about the 2009 season and looks forward to the 2009 field show. Eric would like to thank his fellow band members for all of their hard work over the past two seasons and would like to congratulate them on the success and growth of the Marching Band. He also would like to extend his welcome to any new incoming band members and looks forward to meeting them in the fall.
Executive Officer- Mitchell Thompson
Mitchell Thompson is from Syracuse, NY and graduated from Onondaga Central High School in 2006. While in high school, he participated in the school’s concert and jazz bands plus many other outside bands, including the Greater Syracuse Honors Youth Wind Ensemble, Allegro Wind Ensemble, and the pit orchestra for a neighboring school. Without a marching band at his high school, the Thunder of the East was Mitchell’s first taste of marching. After joining the marching band his freshman year at UB, he was named trombone section leader during his sophomore and junior years and has also been involved with the Blue Noise Pep Band all three years. Mitchell is honored to be in the Executive Officer position and is extremely excided for the upcoming season. In the fall of 2009, Mitchell will be a senior pursuing a B.S. in Civil Engineering.
Head Drum Major: Eric Rochman
Assistant Drum Majors: Evonne Cleveland, West Richter
