Mike Leitzke Appointed Percussion/Winds Judge Coordinator
Published June 12 2018

We are pleased to announce that effective immediately, Mike Leitzke will fill the role of Percussion/Winds Judge Coordinator for the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association. Mike, an active judge on the CWEA roster for many years, has extensive knowledge of the marching arts and currently serves as an adjudicator for circuits around the country.

At the 2018 Spring Meeting, it was announced that Dave Carbone would not be returning as the Percussion Judge Coordinator for the upcoming season so that he may spend more time at home with his family. Board President Cody Crawford expressed his gratitude towards Dave for his service, saying “Dave has brought an exceptional level of expertise and leadership within the CWEA Percussion Division. I can’t speak more highly of his professionalism and commitment to our groups - he will certainly be missed.”

In addition to his role coordinating the judging roster, Mike will also work with the newly appointed Color Guard coordinators to offer opportunities to those who are interested in learning more about becoming a judge. In addition to education for aspiring adjudicators, he will begin working on a plan to provide more educational opportunities to the Percussion & Winds divisions within the organization.

“We are very excited to welcome Mike to the team!” remarked Cody. “Having spent many years in South Carolina as a student and instructor, Mike is eager to continue the positive growth of the Percussion and Winds divisions within CWEA.”

Mike Leitzke began his percussion career at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois, and went on to become a member of the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps and Rhythm X Indoor percussion ensemble. During his tenure at Rhythm X, the group earned their first WGI World Class Championship.

Mike has taught, arranged, and consulted for many high schools and indoor programs across the United States- including several BOA and WGI National finalists. Additionally, Mike served as the front ensemble caption head/arranger for Palmetto Percussion from 2009-2011. During that time the ensemble won the 2010 WGI Open Class World Championship and made PIW Finals for the first time. Mike also served as a clinician at the GearWORKS series of educational events sponsored by The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2009 to 2014. Mike was on the percussion faculty of the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps for the 2010 season and was the front ensemble coordinator for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps in 2011.

Presently, Mike is an active adjudicator for Bands of America and Drum Corps International. Mike has had the honor of serving on several DCI championships week panels, including both the Open Class and World Class championship finals competitions. Additionally, Mike is an educator and designer for the WGI World Class finalist Mt. Juliet High School Band of Gold and Indoor Drumline. Mike is an educational artist for Mapex/Majestic, Remo Drumheads, Innovative Percussion, Inc and Meinl USA.

Mike earned a degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of South Carolina and works for the State of Tennessee.