Announcing the 2023 Music Design Team
Some familiar faces, a newcomer, and the return of a Cavaliers legend
The Cavaliers are thrilled to announce the Music Design Team for their 75th Anniversary Season, bringing together a mix of Drum Corps International World Class Championship and Hall of Fame experience. You’ll see a blend of stability, familiar faces, and new creative energy to propel the organization into our next era of competitive excellence.
Richard Saucedo: Brass Arranger and Brass Caption Consultant
David Starnes: Program Coordinator
Michael McIntosh: Battery Percussion Arranger and Percussion Caption Supervisor
Clif Walker: Front Ensemble Arranger
Richard Saucedo is no stranger to the Cavaliers or the Drum Corps International community overall, with six total Drum Corps International World Championships and his recent DCI Hall of Fame introduction. Saucedo served as a member of the Cavaliers design team as Brass Composer and Arranger from 2000 to 2008, a time when the corps won five DCI World Championships. Saucedo is a household name in the marching music world: he’s also arranged for Spirit of Atlanta and the Blue Stars, and in 2022 he served as the World Champion Blue Devil’s Music Ensemble Coordinator. During his 31-year tenure with Carmel High School, the band program received numerous state, regional, and national honors across concert band, jazz band, and marching band. Saucedo travels the world as an adjudicator, keynote speaker, clinician, and guest conductor. He does freelance composing and arranging work and is on the writing staff at Hal Leonard Publishing. He was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 2022. Click Here for full biography
David Starnes joins The Cavaliers in 2023 as a fresh face to the organization, bringing with him more rich DCI Championship-caliber experience. He served as the Design Advisor for Carolina Crown from 2013 to 2018, during which time the group won a DCI World Championship along with four additional finishes in the top three. From 2000 to 2011, he served as the Director of Bands at Kennesaw High School where he tripled the size of the program and led them to be six-time national finalists at Bands of America Grand National Championships. Starnes is sought out nationally and internationally as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor, and creative designer. Click Here for full biography
Michael McIntosh returns as the Battery Percussion Arranger and Percussion Caption Supervisor. McIntosh, entering his 20th season with The Cavaliers, worked alongside Saucedo at Carmel High School as well as The Cavaliers in the early 2000s. McIntosh says “The opportunity to design the music for The Cavaliers 75th anniversary production with David Starnes, Richard Saucedo and Clif Walker is off the charts. The addition of David and Richard is a home run: both are true professionals with a keen insight into producing effect at the highest level, and a strong appreciation for The Cavaliers. 2023 is going to be a very special season.” Click Here for full biography
Clif Walker is entering his sixth year with the corps and returns as the Front Ensemble Arranger. Walker serves as the Director of the University of Missouri Marching Mizzou Drumline, and his original works have been performed at PASIC, The Midwest Band Orchestra Clinic, TMEA, DCI, BOA, WGI and the Sydney Opera House. “There is an immediate, day one chemistry, respect, and trust that comes with this collaboration. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this team, and couldn’t be more excited for what this means for the 2023 Cavaliers. Click Here for full biography
More announcements coming soon, including the 2023 Visual Design Team as well as our caption leadership team. To stay current with the latest information about auditioning for The Cavaliers 75th season, fill out our interest form here.