Richard Saucedo Joins The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps as Brass Arranger
The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce the newest addition to its design team, Richard Saucedo, who will serve as Brass Arranger & Music Designer, partnering with Design Supervisor, Brian Murphy, and Program Coordinator/Percussion & Audio Designer, John McFarland.
Mr. Saucedo brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the marching arts to The Academy.
A 2022 Inductee into the Drum Corps International ‘Hall of Fame’, and a 2015 Inductee into the Music for All/Bands of America ‘Hall of Fame’, Richard Saucedo is a globally recognized figure in the music industry, as a composer, arranger, author, adjudicator, keynote speaker, clinician, and guest conductor. Throughout the academic year, he will be a guest conductor, clinician, or commission composer in various states across the United States.
Mr. Saucedo spent 31 years as Director of Bands and Performing Arts Department Chairman at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. He was recognized as Indiana’s “Bandmaster of the Year” for the 1998-99 academic year and honored as the “Outstanding Music Educator” in the state of Indiana by the Indiana Music Educators Association in 2010. Under his direction, The Carmel Marching Greyhounds finished in the top ten at the Bands of America Grand National Championship for 17 years and were named BOA National Champions in 2005 and 2013. Carmel became one of the few schools to win a BOA National Championship and perform at the Midwest Clinic in the same year (2005). Mr. Saucedo still serves as Wind Arranger for the Carmel Marching Band.
Mr. Saucedo has contributed as an adjudicator and clinician at the Singapore International Band Festival and as a clinician and guest conductor at the Japan Band Clinic in Hamamatsu. Additionally, Mr. Saucedo presented at the Australian Band and Orchestra Clinic (ANBOC) held in Sydney. During his tenure in Australia, he also guest conducted the State Honors Ensemble Program (SHEP) at Griffith University in Brisbane.
Mr. Saucedo has consistently presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, as well as at MEA’s and Bandmaster’s conventions. Notably, he recently visited Thailand where he served as a clinician for the 2025 Thailand World Music Championships. In the upcoming months, Mr. Saucedo will be engaged in clinician and judging roles in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Mr. Saucedo served as a Drum Corps International judge for many years and was the brass composer and arranger for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in Rosemont, Illinois, from 2000 to 2008. During his tenure, the Cavaliers achieved five DCI World Championships. Saucedo is perhaps best known and defined for writing the all-original compositions that helped lead The Cavaliers to some of their most successful and memorable productions of all time. Through “Four Corners,” “Frameworks,” “Spin Cycle” and “Machine,” among others, Saucedo defined an era of Drum Corps International show design. He subsequently spent four years as the brass composer and arranger for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Currently, he is a Music Consultant for the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps in Concord, California.
Mr. Saucedo holds the position of Senior Educational Consultant for “Music for All” and “Bands of America.” He also serves as the Chief Judge Team Leader, overseeing all Bands of America Fall Championships. Additionally, he is a Senior Clinician within the Conn-Selmer Division of Education. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for “United Sound,” an organization dedicated to providing special needs students with the opportunity to experience the joy of instrumental music performance through peer mentoring, Mr. Saucedo also serves on the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Trophy committee. This committee assists in identifying and recognizing the most exceptional marching bands globally. Furthermore, he is currently the director of the Bands of America Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade for 2026.
Mr. Saucedo completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University in Bloomington and subsequently obtained his master’s degree from Butler University in Indianapolis. He is also an avid aviation enthusiast and holds a private pilot’s license. Mr. Saucedo is married to Sarah, an interior designer, and is particularly proud of his two children, Carmen, an elementary school teacher in Indianapolis, and Ethan, an architecture student at Ball State University. His grandson, Austin, plays the trumpet in the Carmel (IN) Middle School Band.
The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps welcomes Richard Saucedo with enthusiasm and anticipates the positive impact his expertise and passion for music education will bring to the organization.
Auditions for the 2026 Corps are coming in December!
