Marching Band

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The Different Drummers’ Marching Band is our organization’s oldest and most visible ensemble. The group encompasses marching woodwinds, brass, percussion, along with a traditional color guard. Our marching band performs annually in the Washington D.C.’s Capital Pride Parade and Pride Festival along with numerous other East Coast Pride engagements including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Hope, and many more. Different Drummers partners with TeamDC and performs annually through the summer “Night Out” series including performances at D.C. United soccer games and the National baseball games. The Different Drummers also marched in the 2009 and 2013 Inaugural Parades with the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, the first LGBT contingents to participate in this seminal American parade. Our ensemble frequently performs informal on-the-spot concerts in Washington, D.C. as well, and periodically at private events.

We welcome all musical skill sets to this ensemble. The Different Drummers’ marching band holds rehearsals from spring through the summer, on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Our usual rehearsal venue is at 1st and N Streets, SE, adjacent to National’s Stadium at Navy Yard, along with one weekend band camp retreat. Those interested in joining are encouraged to contact our Membership chair for more information.

Charles Roth, Director

Charles Roth, a native of Dayton, Ohio, graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.S. in Music Education. He is a sought after director, clinician, and studio director for many schools in the Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and D.C. metro areas. Charles has been an active part of the marching band scene since 2000 as a performer, section leader, staff member, and director with multiple high school programs. In addition, he also marched in the Miami University Marching Band. Charles assisted both show and competition band styles and led schools to consistent superior ratings in competitions and performances around the country.

Charles is also an avid performer. He participated in many collegiate and community ensembles as a saxophonist and woodwind specialist, and currently plays saxophone in the Capitol Pride Symphonic Band. Beyond band, he also performed vocally in several university and community choruses, men’s ensembles, theater performances, and show choirs. In 2007, he was selected to perform at the American Choral Directors Association Conference National Honor Choir held in Miami, Florida. Charles is currently a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance, Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association, and National Association for Music Education.

Charles resides just outside of D.C., in Northern Virginia, where he currently teaches instrumental music. In his spare time, Charles enjoys playing community sports including softball, volleyball, and recently, flag football. He values making time for family, friends, and community.

Charles enjoyed his first marching band season in 2018, and looks forward to continuing our legacy for future seasons to come. Stay tuned for more updates on all our ensembles’ performance schedules.

Dr. Antares Leask, Color Guard Director

Dr. Antares Leask (she/her) resides in Herndon, Virginia, and is currently in her sixth year as an English teacher for Arlington Tech, a choice high school program in Arlington, Virginia. She is also in her eleventh year as an Adjunct English Professor at Northern Virginia Community College. She is in her twentieth year of secondary school teaching, with combined years of experience in Texas and Virginia. Dr. Leask was the 2009 Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted for Texas Region XI.

Dr. Leask did her undergraduate work in English at the University of Georgia, holds Masters Degrees in Secondary Education and Gifted Education from the University of North Texas, and earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds secondary teaching certificates in both English and Gifted/Talented. She is a member of NCTE and frequently presents at MAPACA and PCA conferences.

She has been responsible for the visual programming and direction of South Lakes and Briar Woods high schools in Northern Virginia, as well as schools in Texas and Georgia. She has choreographed for multiple other colorguards and has consulted in both programming and visual performance for several marching band programs.

In the realm of colorguard performance, Dr. Leask performed with the award-winning Contempo (TX), Allure (TX), Escapade (OH), and Ascension (TX) winterguards and Sky Ryders (TX) and Cadets of Bergen County (NJ) drum corps. In addition, she has done administrative work for Cadets of Bergen County and the Santa Clara Vanguard drum corps, and volunteers regularly with Winter Guard International. Dr. Leask also served for many years on the executive board of Atlantic Indoor Association North, helping to manage indoor colorguard and drumline competitions across Virginia. Dr. Leask is married with two children, a goofy dog, and a cat who’s a jerk.

Book the Ensemble

DC Pride 2018

Brass at 4th of July

4th of July Parade

Color Guard

D.C.'s Different Drummers is a proud member of the following organizations.

The Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area

DCDD is #93755

To join D.C.'s Different Drummers visit our "Join" page.
For more information, contact us or write/call:
DCDD - PO Box 57099 - Washington, DC 20037-0099 Phone: 202-403-3669
D.C.'s Different Drummers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit music organization incorporated in the District of Columbia.