Marching Band Services

Drill Design

My marching band experience

In 1976 my parents took our family to Drums Along the Rockies. The night was so positive that I started trumpet lessons the next week. That was the beginning of my love for the marching arts. I marched in high school, had amazing experiences marching with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps and Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, became Director/Drill Designer/Visual Instructor for the Rocky Mountain Magic Drum and Bugle Corps, Drill Writer/Visual Instructor for the Rocky Mountain Magic Winter Guard and have worked with high school marching bands for the last 39 years as either an Assistant Director, Drill Writer, Visual and Marching Instructor or all three at the same time. I love marching band and drum corps. I was a full-time choir director as well for the first 35 years and love my work in that area of music, but there is something different about working with a group of marching band kids, an enthusiastic director and a dedicated staff who will do everything they can to give the best performance possible.

My promise to you

I promise you that I will treat you and your marching band program as if it were my own. I want you to succeed. I have had enough experiences where I didn't feel like the most important person when working with outside contractors and don't want you to feel that way. I chose my website address and email on purpose, jimfarrellcares, because I really do. My clients will testify that I deliver a great product, listen to their needs, address their needs, make them feel like they are my most important client, and that I care about their experience throughout the whole process. Please give me a call or text me at 720-937-5637 or email me at jimfarrellcares@gmail.com if you would like to seriously discuss the possibility of my writing drill for your ensemble. No commitments, just a chat. I hope to hear from you soon.

Me....a few years ago.

Services offered

* Drill design Video Examples Below

- Meeting with you and your staff

- Input, as desired by you, on show concept

- Pyware software

- Communication - I will ask for details as we go along in the writing process to create the
best show possible.

- Delivered on time. This is very important to me. Your program is relying on a product that
is needed on a certain date.

- I am local. I have been involved in the Colorado Bandmasters Association marching competitions
for many years and understand it. I also take the time to research and understand the rules and regulations

for bands that compete in other states. It doesn't make sense to not do that.

- Placement of instruments and guard within the drill is equally as important as the movement within the drill.

- Price is negotiable. Your budget and desired outcome will help dictate cost. I am very affordable.

* Marching and Visual Instructor

- Available on a semi-regular basis at your rehearsals as scheduling allows. Hourly wage as agreed upon.

- Available as a consultant at one or two of your rehearsals. Fee as agreed upon.

- Available as an online consultant. Watching a video of your performance/rehearsal and providing a written critique. Fee as agreed upon.

Example of written critique

Organizations I have worked with

Rocky Mountain Magic Drum and Bugle Corps

Greeley Central High School

Smoky Hill High School

Aurora Hinkley High School

Littleton High School

Horizon High School

Roosevelt High School

Rock Canyon High School

Castleview High School

Ponderosa High School

Eaglecrest High School

Gateway High School

Ralston Valley High School

Heritage High School

Delta High School

Elizabeth High School

Benedictine College Marching Band

Florence High School

Woodland Park High School

Thiel College

Evergreen High School

Arapahoe High School

Cameron County High School

Long Island University

Antonian College Prep High School

Grandview High School

Dawson High School

Olathe High School

South East High School

West Middlesex High School

South Gate High School

Bennett High School

Fall 2025 Clients

Olathe HS Olathe, CO

Bennett HS Bennett, CO

South Gate HS Los Angeles, CA

Delta HS Delta, CO

South East HS Los Angeles, CA

Roosevelt HS Johnstown, CO

Eaglecrest HS Centennial, CO

Woodland Park HS Woodland Park, CO

Dawson HS Dawson, TX

West Middlesex HS Middlesex, PA

Mart HS Mart, TX

East Jackson HS Jackson, MI

YOUR SCHOOL?

Fall 2024 Clients

Olathe HS Olathe, CO

Delta HS Delta, CO

Roosevelt HS Johnstown, CO

Eaglecrest HS Centennial, CO

Woodland Park HS Woodland Park, CO

Berthoud HS Berthoud, CO

Mead HS Mead, CO

South East HS Los Angeles, CA

Dawson HS Dawson, TX

West Middlesex HS Middlesex, PA

Grandview HS Aurora, CO

I would love to add you to this list for the 2025 marching seasons. Send me a text or call me at 720-937-5637, or send me an email at jimfarrellcares@gmail.com.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Don Emmons

Band Director
Littleton HS

Jim Farrell writes drill that is active, flows and enhances the music of each show that he addresses. His writing has a high degree of creativity, yet is adapted to the levels and needs of the students. I have always appreciated how well he listens to the desires of our design team to create a drill reflective of a specific concept.

Jim is also exceptional at working with and coaching high school marching band students. He brings an enthusiasm for the marching arts that translates directly and positively to students. His instruction is direct, personal, meaningful and helps to get the most out of the student performer. Jim is easy to work with and always works to achieve what I want and envision as a Director with our students.

Jess Quintana

Scholastic Marching Arts
and The Drumguys

Jim Farrell is an outstanding educator who will make an immediate impact on your marching band program. In addition to drill writing, he is a dynamic instructor and has the ability to get the most out of your students in as little as one rehearsal. His 31 years as a high school music educator, plus DCI experience with the Boston Crusaders and the Santa Clara Vanguard give him the tools necessary to reach even the most stubborn students. He delivers his message with humor, love, expert methods, and tenacity. Hire him with confidence! He is one of my favorite people to work with! Drill writing, composition, visual design, and instruction make him the total package.

Kelly Watts

Band Director
Ralston Valley HS

I LOVE working with Jim.

His drill design is easy to comprehend and teach. He is extremely approachable, which makes designing shows a breeze. His work is always on time, and quick with any changes. Jim’s drill really took our show to the next level. The fact that he is willing to personally come out and work with the students is an added bonus.

Sam Hesch

Band Director
Ponderosa HS

From the moment that I first spoke to Jim Farrell, I knew that he was going to create something amazing for my students. I had the daunting task of restarting my Marching Band program this year. I was very nervous about putting a show on the field that would set my students up for success. Well, little did I know that I had no reason to be nervous! Jim did an OUTSTANDING job writing drill that was fun, simple, and engaging for my students. When I needed edits to the show, Jim was very responsive and sent them to me in a timely manner. The whole process was very comfortable, and working with Jim was very easy. I am here to say that Jim Farrell truly does care!"

Stuart Johnson

Band Director
Delta HS

I have been friends with Jim for a very long time and still use things he taught me in drum corps on a regular basis. This year we were able to return to competitive marching and Jim’s work helped us move to the next level. His drill fit the band’s ability and helped us tell the show's story in a very effective way. Our visual scores were some of the highest we’ve had and a big part of that is drill that allowed the students to achieve at a high level. We have begun our planning for 2022 and absolutely will be contracting with Jim to help us continue to grow as a program.