About Us
230 Members Strong
The Olentangy Orange High School Band performs in a collegiate style and is best described as a show style marching band that incorporates precision drill and dance routines into their performances. During parades, the Orange band not only plays selections from their list of contemporary songs, but also perform a number of drum cadences. Because of their style of performance, the band does not routinely participate in marching band competitions, but rather perform at band festivals, sporting events and parades. In addition to entertaining crowds at Friday night football games, the band has been busy entertaining crowds all around the state this year.
"We have PRIDE, we Build TRADITION, we are ORANGE"
Additional performances include: Orange Township 4th of July Parade and the Circleville Pumpkin Show. Recently, members of the band appeared on stage at Rock on the Range for a special performance with the band Papa Roach and they made a special appearance at the Bowl College Series Semi Final Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia on New Year’s Eve. The Marching Pioneers received Grand Champion trophies in all categories while in Atlanta. This included Grand Champion Parade Performance, Field Show Performance, Jazz Ensemble and Concert Band. First place trophies were also awarded to color guard and percussion. The band has also appeared in the Indianapolis 500 Parade and Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 2024 the band will travel to Dublin, Ireland to participate in the St. Patrick's Day Festival and perform at a variety of other venues on the Emerald Isle.
Mr. Joshua Boyer, Director of Bands, joins the Marching Pioneers after spending the past nine years at Ohio University as the Assistant Director of the Marching 110. In addition to his duties with the Marching 110, he also conducted Symphonic Band and taught courses in Music Education. A native of West Unity, OH, he holds three degrees from Ohio University, including a Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Music Education, and Master of Music Performance in wind band conducting. Mr. Boyer is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education with the University of Missouri-Columbia.
The band member’s level of musicianship is reflected in the band receiving superior ratings at the District and State level I Large Group adjudicated events, their numerous high marks received at OMEA solo and ensemble competitions, and the many band alumni currently performing in collegiate bands around the country.
We have PRIDE, we build TRADITION, we are ORANGE!
Marching Pioneers Staff
Mr. Joshua Boyer
Director of Bands
Mr. Boyer joins Olentangy Orange High School as the Director of Bands at Olentangy for the Fall of 2023. Mr. Boyer spent the past nine years at Ohio University as the Assistant Director of the Marching 110. In addition to his duties with the Marching 110, he also conducted Symphonic Band and taught courses in Music Education. A native of West Unity, OH, he holds three degrees from Ohio University, including a Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Music Education, and Master of Music Performance in wind band conducting. Mr. Boyer is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education with the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the "Marching Mizzou." A five-year member of the Marching 110, he served as the Field Commander during the 2007 season.
Mr. Boyer is an active drill writer and music arranger for high school and collegiate marching bands around the country. He holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, Ohio Music Education Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda, honorary membership in Tau Beta Sigma.
Mr. Craig Dunn
Assistant Director & Percussion Instructor
Craig Dunn was born and raised in Westerville, Ohio. Craig was a member of the Westerville South High School Marching Band, a Bands of America Finalist. Craig attended The Ohio State University and obtained a Bachelor Degree in Music Education. Craig then went on to get re-certified to teach elementary school after teaching high school at Westerville South for five years. Craig is currently completing his internship for a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from the University Dayton. Craig has been teaching in Olentangy for ten years and is now at Freedom Trail Elementary teaching second grade. Craig has been teaching percussion in central Ohio since 1993 and has served as the director of percussion at Westerville South, Fairborn, Olentangy Liberty, and Olentangy Orange High Schools. Prior to leading Rhythm X to an Independent open title in 2002, he led Westerville South to five Winter Guard International regional championships, and two bronze medalist finishes departure from International World Championships. Craig developed Rhythm X upon his Westerville South to offer the performing experience to kids from all over the Midwest, Craig has been on the wGI Percussion Advisory Board for many years, also a member of the Drum Corps International adjudication team. Craig is endorsed by Evans, Pearl, Innovative Percussion, and Sabian.
Mr. Zachary Zerkle
Assistant Director
Zachary Zerkle was raised in Springfield, Ohio where he attended Kenton Ridge High School. He attended The Ohio State University where he marched with TBDBITL, participated in many performing ensembles, and obtained a bachelor's degree in music education. Since college, Zach has worked on the marching band staff at Westerville South and as a substitute music teacher around central Ohio. He has been teaching private lessons since 2014 and has worked in band camps for many other schools in that time. An avid performer, Zach has had the pleasure of recording with local groups Hello Emerson, The Ark Band, Omni-Tet, Zoo Trippin’, and the Brooklyn Rose Ludlow Future Jazz Orchestra. He also regularly performs with local jazz bands such as Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra and Rick Brunetto’s Big Band. Mr. Zerkle is proud to now be working with this strong program full of Pride and Tradition here at Orange.
Mr. Jared Miller
Color Guard Instructor
Bio coming soon.
Mrs. Jennifer Cabral Hever
Assistant Director
Mrs. Jennifer Cabral Hever has worked in the Olentangy School District since 1996. She has been the Director of Bands at Orange Middle School since it opened in 2004 and continues to teach 6th, 7th & 8th grade bands and Jazz Band. Mrs. Cabral Hever earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of New Hampshire in her home state. She then earned her Masters of Music in Performance on bassoon at The Ohio State University in 1995. She is a member of the American School Band Directors Association, the National Association of Music Educators and the Ohio Music Educators Association.
Mrs. Heather Lantz
Band Administrator
Mrs. Lantz is a graduate of Bethel University with degrees in Communications and Journalism. Prior to serving as the band administrator she was a proud Pioneer parent. Mrs. Lantz serves the staff, students and parents affiliated with the Marching Pioneers. She provides support services to the program through scheduling transportation, coordinating band activities and large events as well as trips. She works closely with our parent volunteers and proud alumni.