“A Place We Call…”
A rising star in marching drill design, Sean Rees' upbringing has centered around the music, pageantry, and community of the marching arts. He grew up in a musical family, his father being a nationally renowned collegiate band director.
Sean’s drill design for marching band and indoor percussion incorporates attainable athleticism and drum-corps style creativity, always pushing the art in new and innovative directions. He has designed shows for several large and small competitive high school programs throughout Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, and Texas, as well as The University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Florida International University, and The University of Miami. His passion for drill design incorporates a 21st century sense of the craft, while recognizing the necessary fundamentals to help students achieve success on the field. Sean clinics and teaches at many of the schools for which he writes.
Sean’s show design for the 2014 University of Arizona “Pride of Arizona” marching band was awarded special recognition by the prestigious jury of the College Band Directors National Association in a ceremony held at the CBDNA national conference. His work has received several awards and distinctions over the years, including multiple first place honors at the ABODA (Arizona) State Marching Festivals. Additionally, his detailed work with indoor percussion ensembles consistently win medals within their respective local WGI circuits.
As a performer, Sean is an accomplished marching, orchestral, and electronic percussionist. His work includes four national tours with Drum Corps International world class ensembles, as well as the exploration of new works for concert and electronic percussion. A two-time DCI scholarship award winner, Sean performed on snare drum with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and The Academy DBC. He was prominently featured in a REMO commercial during the 2016 and 2017 DCI seasons, and marched four years with his Pac-12 collegiate drumline, serving as drumline captain his senior year. Sean has also appeared at the 2019 Ultra Music Festival, in a music video for Universal Music Group, and currently performs with Blue Devils Entertainment as a percussionist/performer for community events and outreach.
Sean is a member of the Vic Firth/Zildjian Education Team, a graduate of The University of Arizona in Percussion Performance and Music Education, and currently resides in Miami where he serves as Director of Percussion with the FIU Marching Band, Asst. Director of Bands at Flanagan HS, Asst. Percussion Instructor with The University of Miami “Frost Band of the Hour,” and as the Battery Coordinator for STRYKE World Percussion.
Testimonials
In my seven years of being a high school band director, I haven't worked with drill that was better suited for the music and the students. It was extremely easy to work with Sean Rees and I got exactly what I needed for a successful show....Jim MatsushinoDirector of Instrumental Music, Mica Mountain High School
Sean is sought after as a drill designer for high schools and colleges all over the country. A large number of schools utilize Sean Rees’ drill design and visual production prowess for their competitive marching field shows. He is the rare example of what happens when talent meets work ethic,...Chad ShoopmanDirector of Athletic Bands, The University of Arizona