Crystal Lake Thunder
WGI Open Class Percussion Ensemble
This could be YOU!
What is Thunder?
Crystal Lake Thunder is a competitive indoor percussion ensemble that competes within the WGI (Winter Guard International) organization. The group was founded in 2016 as a WGI A Class group, and after being named an A Class Finalist multiple times, the group now consistently competes in Independent Open Class.
Indoor drumline is a competitive winter-based pageantry art centered around rudimentary marching percussion. Stemming from competitive drum and bugle corps, the indoor drumline activity encompasses both scholastic and independent circuits. Most students of independent organizations range in age from 13 to 22 and represent a wide variety of experience levels and backgrounds. Each ensemble prepares a floor show lasting approximately 6-7 minutes including musical, visual, and choreographed elements. Ensembles spend their season rehearsing and perfecting their program, competing in regional competitions until ultimately arriving in Dayton, Ohio for WGI Percussion Championships in April.
Why should I join?
Thunder is comprised of students who want to be challenged at the highest level. If your desire is to be surrounded by other players who care, who are there to work hard together, and who will give their highest effort, this is the place for you.
Students that commit to an experience with Thunder are promised a top-caliber education in the realm of marching percussion. Beyond receiving instruction from a cohesive staff with decades of combined drumline experience, students will develop excellent habits - not only in the artistic realm of musicality and performance, but also in the disciplines of personal accountability, time management, rehearsal etiquette, and teamwork. In the end, the most valuable aspects to gain are the lasting friendships and memories earned through a season of togetherness and perseverance.
How do I audition?
Use the links below to register for auditions and clinics for the 2024-25 season. Auditions will be held November 2nd and 9th from 10am to 6pm at Martin Elementary School (10920 Reed Road, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156). Free clinics to prepare for the audition will be held October 22 from 6-9pm for Quads, Bass Drum, and Visual and October 24 from 6-9pm for Snare, Cymbals and Front Ensemble. Both clinics will be held at Mackeben Elementary School (800 Dr. John Burkey Dr, Algonquin, IL 60201).
Audition materials will be provided once you have registered for auditions. Use the following links to download audition materials from previous years if you'd like to get a head start:
How much does it cost?
Tuition is approximately $1600 for the season. As we understand that students and families are met with varying financial situations, we have payment plans and scholarships available to address these needs. Fundraising opportunities are available to reduce or even eliminate tuition.
How often does Thunder rehearse?
Rehearsals are held most weekends from November to April at Martin Elementary School in Lake in the Hills, IL. Members are expected to attend all rehearsals unless an illness or extenuating circumstance arises.
How can parents assist?
Parents are absolutely vital to the success of the group. While no assistance is formally required, the organization typically asks for help from parents with driving vans/equipment trucks, sewing uniforms, fundraising, and other logistically-oriented tasks. If you have any special skills (such as building props, electronics, sewing, etc.) and are willing to lend your abilities, please notify us of your specialties.
For more information on volunteering or sponsoring a member with financial need, please contact us at thunder@clstrikers.com.
Be sure to follow us on social media!
Meet the Staff
BRYAN JAMISON - DIRECTOR
Bryan studied Music Education at the VanderCook College of Music. He was a member of Green Thunder and the world class Cavaliers Indoor Percussion front ensembles. He currently works with the Huntley High School and Batavia High School marching bands as their Front Ensemble Caption Head, designer, writer, and sound designer. He additionally teaches private lessons in the Northwest suburban area.
JOSH VEZINA - SNARE TECHNICIAN
Josh has been playing the snare for almost 2 decades. He was on the snare line at Victor J Andrew HS for three years in both the marching band and the indoor line. He then attended Northern Illinois University where he was on the snare line for five years, spending three as the drum captain. During his time at NIU, he spent one season with the world class group Evolution Indoor. Josh currently plays on the Chicago Bears Drumline and teaches the battery at Huntley high school.
TYLER STEWART - BASS TECHNICIAN
Tyler Stewart arranges for and teaches the marching percussion section at Huntley HS and also teaches the drumline at Prospect HS. Tyler is a proud alumnus of the Crystal Lake Thunder, having played snare drum with the group since its inaugural season. Tyler also teaches English at Wauconda HS in Lake County Illinois.
ISSY MALIC - SOUND DESIGN/FRONT ENSEMBLE
Issy studied music technology at JJC and Cybersecurity at WGU. She marched with the Minooka HS Marching Band and Indoor Percussion Ensemble before teaching there as a front ensemble tech and audio engineer/sound designer. Issy has spent 8 years working for the Plainfield North HS Marching Band and Minooka HS Marching Band and Indoor Percussion Ensemble. She has also provided audio consultation for Downers Grove South HS and the Colt Cadets. This will be her second year at Crystal Lake Thunder.
CRAIG HATTER - VISUAL COORDINATOR
Craig was a member of the Cavaliers Indoor Percussion ensemble in 2015 and holds Bachelor's Degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance from the University of Iowa. He served as band director at Morton High School and Junior High from 2020-2024, and has worked as the percussion coordinator for Iowa City High School and as a battery assistant for both Lake Park High School and Crystal Lake Thunder, accompanying these groups to BOA Nationals.
BRANDI MCGEE - CHOREOGRAPHER
Brandi is excited to return for her third season as choreographer with Crystal Lake Thunder! Brandi has previous WGI guard experience and currently teaches visual/choreography at Batavia High School.
SAM SHEPARD - BATTERY COORDINATOR
Sam graduated from Batavia High School and studied Music Education at Elmhurst College. He was a member of Green Thunder Percussion and Cavaliers Indoor Percussion between the years of 2012-2017. In 2017 he moved to Oakland, CA and was the Percussion Director at Dublin High School in Dublin, CA. After moving back to Chicago, he instructed the drumline at Lake Park High School and is the current battery instructor at Batavia High School.
ISAAC FRANK - QUAD TECHNICIAN
Isaac holds bachelor’s degrees in both Music and Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University where he played with the NU percussion ensemble at PASIC in 2017. He plays tenors with the Chicago Bears Drumline and directed both the marching and concert percussion programs at Wheaton Warrenville South HS. Isaac has also previously taught with Plainfield South HS and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. Isaac works as a consultant for a Chicago-based supply chain software company called GAINSystems.
KATIE KLIPSTEIN - FRONT ENSEMBLE TECHNICIAN
Katie received bachelor's degrees in music education and music performance in percussion from Illinois State University. She has worked with a variety of marching programs including Normal Community HS, Plainfield North, Lincoln-Way, and Huntley High Schools. During the day she works as an account executive for FIRST insurance funding. This will be her fourth year teaching front ensemble at Crystal Lake Thunder.
MIKEY MCGUIRE - CYMBAL TECHNICIAN
Mikey began his marching career with CLT in 2018 on the cymbal line. From there he marched two seasons with Pi Percussion as well as one season of Drum Corps with Shadow DBC. He has previously taught with 202 Indoor Percussion and Plainfield Central HS. He currently plays Cymbals for the Chicago Bears Drumline. This will be his second year working with CLT.
JAZ BARNHILL - FRONT ENSEMBLE TECHNICIAN
Jaz graduated from Roosevelt University with a BA in Psychology and during her time in college, taught at both the Huntley and Batavia high school marching bands. Jaz played with Thunder for 5 seasons in the front ensemble.
DALE HALLERBERG - SENIOR ADVISOR
Dale marched multi-tenor and marimba with the Cavaliers from 1977 to 1980. He also played snare in the University of Illinois drumline, which included winning the first indoor drumline competition ever held. Dale taught the Cavaliers bassline for 5 seasons and was a DCI judge. More recently he has played for the Chicago Bulls Drumline, Chicago Bears Drumline, and the Crystal Lake Strikers.