Troopers Name 2022 Conducting Team via New Method

The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps is excited to announce the ensemble’s conducting team for the coming season.

Aaron O'Bar, a member of Troopers’ DM/

conducting team since 2019, will succeed Savannah Light as head Drum Major. Bryan Paat and Carson Johnson have been selected to join the team as Conductors.

These member leaders were chosen in a new process for the Troopers at the corps’ December camp.

"With all of the changes in the last few years as we have navigated the pandemic, and with so many new people joining the Troopers, we made the decision to open up auditions for the position of Drum Major and Conductor,” said Michael Gough, Corps Director.

Gough noted that this is the first time the Troopers have held open auditions. The staff was pleased with the results.

“We had several wonderful candidates, and it was very exciting to see them all in action at our December callback camp,” Gough added.

Aaron O’Bar, a Music Education major at Boise State University and multi-year member of the Troopers, will serve as head Drum Major. Aaron began his journey with the Troopers in 2019, spending that first season as a conductor then becoming assistant drum major for the 2020/2021 seasons.

“Aaron O'Bar really led the charge at camp, helping the new candidates learn the process, guiding them throughout the weekend,” said Gough. “We are glad to have this impressive young person leading the Troopers as our 2022 Drum Major.”

Currently, Aaron is studying classical saxophone. He also plays mellophone for the Boise State University Blue Thunder Marching Band. O’Bar is an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi, a fraternity for college and university band members. Aaron is also the visual designer at his alma mater, Borah High School, in Boise.

“After being with this corps for three years now, it is an absolute honor to be selected as Head Drum Major for my final season of drum corps,” O’Bar shared.

“Knowing the history and tradition of this corps makes this mean that much more, and I can’t wait to show the world what the Troopers will bring to the competitive field this year,” he added. “2021 was a stepping stone, but we aren’t done turning heads yet. The Troopers are coming, and we have something to show Indianapolis.”

O’Bar will be joined by newcomers Carson Johnson and Bryan Paat, who will lend their skills as Conductors.

“Carson and Bryan displayed excellent conducting and leadership qualities. I couldn't be more proud of their accomplishments!" said Gough.

Carson Johnson, from Greenfield, IN, started his musical journey with piano lessons at age three, but serving as a Troopers’ conductor in 2022 will be his first drum corps experience. Johnson has played French horn for several years and has picked up both mellophone and trumpet. He served two years as drum major in his high school band.

He said: “My goal for this year is to become a better musician and inspire others along the way. With the limited amount of time I’ve had with Aaron and Bryan so far, I can already tell this is going to be a great team. I can’t wait to see what kinds of successes this year has in store for the Troopers.”

Bryan Paat rounds out the Troopers’ 2022 conducting team. He served as drum major for two years at Northwest High School in Olathe, KS, where he grew up. Paat is a sophomore at Missouri State University studying Instrumental Music Education; he also serves as a drum major there.

“Throughout high school, I always wished to have the chance to join a corps. It means so much to have such a storied organization be that corps for me,” Bryan said.

All three young men look forward to leading the Troopers through a fun summer that they believe will see the ensemble build on its recent success and perform at the highest level.