John Brennan
Music Arranger
John Brennan, a native of Columbus, Ohio, joined The Ohio State University Marching Band arranging staff in 2010. A former five-year member and graduate assistant with the OSUMB, Brennan has earned both his bachelor’s in music education (2009) and his master of arts (2014) degrees from Ohio State. During his time as a music arranger with the OSUMB, Brennan has had quick success with the band. His arrangements were featured in the 2012 viral hit “Tribute to Classic Video Games” halftime show. Additionally, the band has performed his halftime shows at the 2015 Allstate Sugar Bowl, the 2016 BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl and the December 2017 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. In addition to the Ohio State Marching and Athletic Bands, he also writes for Arrangers Publishing Company and over a dozen middle school and high school bands across the state of Ohio.
Dr. Ishbah Cox
Music Arranger
Dr. Ishbah Cox is Director of Bands at Olentangy Orange High School in Lewis Center, Ohio. He most recently served as the Associate Professor of Bands at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. A native of Notasulga, Alabama, Cox received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Auburn University, his master’s degree in music performance from the University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, and most recently his Doctorate of Arts in Wind Conducting with a secondary specialization in Euphonium Performance at Ball State University. In addition to directing the marching and concert bands and teaching music theory at Olentangy Orange, Cox is an accomplished arranger for marching and pep bands. He currently writes for Hal Leonard Corporation, high schools, and universities, including TBDBITL and Penn State’s marching band.
Lisa Galvin
Music Arranger
A native Ohioan, Lisa Galvin earned a BME and an MA from Ohio State and retired after 30 years of successful teaching in the Reynoldsburg and Hilliard City School Districts. Galvin has a long and varied career with The Ohio State Marching Ban, first as a five-year member and squad leader and later as a Graduate Assistant. She was asked to join the arranging staff in 2008, and was appointed co-associate interim director of the band for the 2014 season. Additionally, Galvin has served as an assistant director of the Alumni Band. Her original wind band, string orchestra and jazz ensemble compositions are published through the C.L. Barnhouse Company. Her music has been featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade (2022), and has been heard in a number of viral YouTube videos. Galvin remains active as a founding member and solo hornist with the Brass Band of Columbus and the Athena Brass Band. She and her husband, Joe, support music education through their Charnette Creations Company.
Andrew Markworth
Music Arranger
Andrew Markworth is a composer, arranger and consultant who writes for marching bands, indoor percussion, winds groups and drum corps all over the world. He is currently the music director for Rhythm X Percussion, the three-time WGI Independent World Gold Medalist. Markworth was the music arranger/coordinator for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps from San Antonio, Texas, from 2015-20 and the front ensemble arranger/coordinator for Carolina Crown from 2007-14. He is a Yamaha Performing Artist who currently resides in Centerville, Ohio, with his wife, Kara, his daughter, Natalie, and his son, Brady.
Michael Martin
Music Arranger
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Michael Martin became the youngest member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops as third/utility trumpet at 24 years old. Martin attended Northwestern University where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in trumpet performance. Prior to joining the Boston Symphony, he performed with a diverse array of professional orchestras, chamber ensembles, and performing artists. As a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Martin can be heard on numerous recordings under Music Director Andris Nelsons, including the BSO’s GRAMMY winning albums featuring the symphonies of Shostakovich. Martin has long been devoted to performing and creating music at the highest artistic level and has become an extremely sought-after musician in both disciplines, forging a unique niche within the world of professional music. His music has been performed by collegiate and professional ensembles across the country. Martin is also a Yamaha Performing Artist.
William T. (Ted) McDaniel
Music Arranger
William T. (Ted) McDaniel joined the arranging staff of The Ohio State University Marching Band in 1981. He has a bachelor of arts degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta and a master’s degree and PhD from the University of Iowa. He was a band director at Morehouse College and the head of the music department at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro before coming to The Ohio State University. He remains active as a jazz scholar, composer, performer, clinician and arranger. After 35 years, McDaniel retired from the Ohio State faculty in 2015; he served as professor of African American Music, a joint position in the School of Music and the Department of African American and African Studies. He was also director of the Jazz Ensemble and of Jazz Studies at Ohio State, and was a former chair of African American and African Studies.
James Swearingen
Music Arranger
Jim Swearingen is starting his 46th year as a member of the arranging staff for The Ohio State University Marching Band. He has earned music education degrees from Bowling Green State University and The Ohio State University. Prior to his appointment at Capital University in 1987, he spent eighteen years teaching instrumental music in central Ohio. In recognition of distinguished contributions, Professor Swearingen was recently accorded the title of professor emeritus from Capital University. School directors, student performers and audiences worldwide have enthusiastically received his numerous contributions for band. With over 600 published works, he is one of the most prolific composers and arrangers of concert and marching band music today. In April 2015, the Ohio State School of Music honored Swearingen with its distinguished Alumnus Award.
John Tatgenhorst
Music Arranger
John Tatgenhorst is well-known as a composer for television, films and commercials, with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. His music has been published and performed worldwide. Since 1964, Tatgenhorst has written hundreds of arrangements and compositions for The Ohio State University Marching Band that include the “Hey Cheer,” “Go Bucks,” and the official rock song of the state of Ohio, “Hang on Sloopy.” He recently produced the Ohio State Tailgate CDs and cassettes, which are sold at campus and arena gift shops and retail stores. The profits go to the School of Music and student scholarships.
Richard Heine
Music Arranger Emeritus
Richard Heine is responsible for creating the sound of The Ohio State University Marching Band. He composed and arranged music for The Ohio State University Marching Band for more than half a century, starting in his student days during the 1930s. More than any other person, he is responsible for the unique sound of this all-brass marching band. In addition to writing several original compositions, Heine arranged most of the Ohio State school songs that are still in use today. He passed away in 2007.
SGM (ret) Ken McCoy
Music Arranger Emeritus
U.S. Army SGM (ret.) Ken McCoy served as an arranger of the Ohio State Marching Band for 23 years. A former chief arranger for the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus in Washington, D.C., Ken led a life of music and service — leaving an indelible mark on the OSUMB family along the way. A native of Ironton, Ohio, Ken's arrangements have been performed in all 50 states and around the world. Ken received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas and his master's degree from Ohio State — during which time he served as a graduate assistant with the Ohio State Marching Band and began arranging for the ensemble. Ken also was a regular adjudicator for the Buckeye Invitational, the OSUMB's annual high school marching band competition in Ohio Stadium. Ken's legacy at Ohio State includes his arrangement of the Navy Hymn. It was first performed in 1997 and since has become a staple of Skull Sessions and one of the band's most special traditions. Ken passed away in 2018.