Eric Kitchenman
Captions Color Guard Design Analysis
Bio
Eric has been involved with pageantry his entire life. He began at age five when his father directed a drum and bugle corps in 1964. In 1980 his career began in the movement arts as a marching technician and indoor guard instructor for North Penn H.S. In 1981 he began his designing career by stepping up and writing the indoor color guard program and later the percussion program. In 1982 and 1983 he was a visual technician for the Westshoremen Senior drum and bugle corps. His first drum corps effort in drill writing was with The Conquest Alliance from Brighouse in the United Kingdom and he played a part in leading the corps to their first championship in 1986.
Eric’s first U.S. drum corps design effort was in returning to his alumnus the Crossmen and designing programs in 1987 through 1991, 1996 and 1997, staff coordinator in 1998 and finally the program coordinator and assistant director for the Crossmen in 2004. In addition he was the drill designer for the Velvet Knights in 1992 and 1993, the Skyliners in 1994 and 1995, the Spirit of Atlanta in 1999 and visual coordinator for the Bluecoats in 2001 and then designer in 2002. In 2000 he was hired to design the Buccaneers senior corps program where he remained until 2004. In 2006 and 2007 he returned to be the visual coordinator and designer for the Reading Buccaneers in which they achieved two undefeated seasons. In 2007 and 2008 Eric was the Associate Program Coordinator for the Cadets. Most recently in 2013 and 2014 Eric was the Program Coordinator and Staff Coordinator for the Boston Crusaders.
Eric’s marching band experience started in 1978 as a marching technician for Upper Dublin H.S. After two years he was hired at North Penn H.S., first a technician and then visual coordinator and designer where he has remained for 37 years. He was director and designer of the North Penn Visual Ensemble from 1980 – 1991. In 1989 North Penn HS achieved a Gold Medal in Scholastic A competition at WGI Finals. Over the years he has designed field shows for numerous high school across the United States, and continues to do so as an independent contractor.
In addition Eric is very active in student leader programs throughout the country. He has designed for Indoor Color Guard and Indoor Percussion programs since the early 80’s. He also consults with a variety of teams regarding design and planning. Since 1993 on winter weekends he has worked as an adjudicator for WGI, where he presently continues to serve. Eric is a proud member of the Crossmen, Buccaneer and Keystone Indoor Drill Association Hall of Fame. Finally Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in History with an emphasis in education from Gwynedd-Mercy University.