Dr. Brad McDavid - Director

In 2009, Dr. McDavid enters his 16th season as the director of the Athletic Band Program at the University of Washington. His duties as director of the renowned 240-piece Husky Marching Band include principal field conductor, show coordinator and band administrator. He is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor throughout the United States. In addition, Dr. McDavid holds a dual appointment position within the UW School of Music and is a conductor of the University's Symphonic Band.

A native of Centerberg, Ohio, Brad has served as Director of Bands at Licking Heights High School in Summit Station, Ohio and Tempe High School in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. McDavid received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Ohio State University in 1985, and a Ph.D. in 1999. He received his Master of Music Degree from Arizona State University in 1990. Brad also completed additional graduate studies while working with the Purdue University Band Department.

Dr. McDavid's professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference; the Washington Music Educators Association; World Association for Symphonic Bands & Ensembles; and is a life member and past Western District Governor for the national honorary collegiate band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi.

Brad and his wife Janie and son Skylar reside in Bothell.

Rocky Raffle - Program Coordinator

This year has brought with it not only a surge of excitement to Husky football, but also Rocky Raffle’s first season as the band’s program coordinator. Rocky is, however, no stranger to the band: he was a member of the trombone section, he served as undergraduate assistant, and he lent his assistance to the band in recent years as a volunteer. Rocky also brings with him a wealth of outside experience in logistical operations, event planning, fundraising, and the travel industry.

Rocky earned his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Washington in 2007.

Gary Brattin - Graduate Assistant Director

Gary Brattin is in his second year of study in the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting program at the University of Washington where he serves as a Graduate Assistant Director for the Husky Marching Band.

Gary comes to the UW after serving for two years as Director of Symphonic Winds, Athletic Bands, and Brass Choir at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas where he also taught students enrolled in the low brass studio. Previous to his appointment in Kansas he served as Director of Bands at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand and at Northglenn High School in Denver. Gary lived in Taiwan for ten years where he was Principal Tuba of the Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, the Taipei Sinfonietta & Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Wings of the Angels Symphonic Wind Ensemble. While in Taiwan he also served as Director of Bands at Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo, Ching Mei Girls, and Chung Shan Girls Sr. High Schools, and as Music Director/Conductor of the Sirens Symphonic Winds. Gary continues to serve as Principal Conductor of the Yuetao Symphonic Wind Ensemble in Taipei, Taiwan.

The recipient of Bachelor and Masters Degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, Gary has studied conducting with Kenneth Singleton, John Bell and Dick Mayne and tuba and bass trombone with Bill Clark, Jim Sparrow, Paul Brooks, Jack Robinson, and Benedict Kirby.

Alison Farley - Graduate Assistant Director

Alison Farley is excited to begin her first year with the UW Husky Marching Band.  Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Alison completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas in Music Education.  During her time at KU, Alison studied Horn and was a member of the KU Wind Ensemble, Basketball Band and Co-Director of the Volleyball Band.  Alison was also a drum major for the Marching Jayhawks for two years.  Alison then served as Director of Bands and Choirs in the Steelville R-3 School District, an hour outside of St. Louis, Missouri.  Most recently Alison was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the University of Louisville Band Department earning her Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting.  Her conducting teachers have included Frederick Speck and Kimcherie Lloyd and clinic instruction from Joseph Missal.  She has studied Horn with Karen Robertson, Shelley Manley, Paul Stevens and Bruce Heim.  Alison also spent two summers marching with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps where she is now on staff teaching the Mellophone section.  Alison has enjoyed many opportunities to work leadership camps and design drill for bands in the Kansas City and Louisville areas. While at UW, Alison will be working toward her PhD in Music Education

Don Sabo - Field Instructor

Don is a part-time assistant to the band and has been affiliated with the group for five decades. He marched with the Husky Band as a cymbal player from 1965 to 1969 and again from 1976 to 1978. In July 1984, Don married Adrienne Frank, the band's 1983 Undergraduate Assistant, now teaching elementary music at Blackwell in the Lake Washington School District. He and Adrienne have two children, Paige and Shanley.

Respected throughout the band as the definition of TOC and the 'guru' of Husky Band marching style, Don's work with the Husky Band includes on-field help and troubleshooting difficult maneuvers. Don received his Bachelor's Degree in Building Construction from the UW in 1978 and currently owns and operates a residential design and construction service in the greater Seattle area.

Frazer Cook - Announcer

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the University of Washington Department of Intercollegiate Athletics proudly presents...the Husky Marching Band!!"

This pre-game announcement has been a Husky Stadium staple for over 40 years. As the 'Dean of Pac-10 Announcers,' Frazer Cook's years of experience and knowledge of the band business make him one of the top band announcers in the nation. He has called every bowl game the band has performed at and has never missed a single home or away game since first picking up the microphone!

Frazer is involved with investment, business and communications consulting.

Don Curtis - Field Assistant

Don begins his 16th year as band staff. He is a 1973 graduate of the UW with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration/Accounting and was a member of the Husky Band’s Drumline for 4 years. Don has performed each fall in the annual varsity/alumni show since the tradition began in 1978. 2009 marks his 32nd consecutive appearance. Don has now marched in a Husky Band uniform over a span of 5 decades for 3 of the 4 UW band directors. He served four years on the Board of Directors of the Husky Marching Band Alumni Association. He is the owner of Don A. Curtis & Associates PLLC, a certified public accounting firm in Kent where he resides with his wife Kathy.

Kathy Curtis - Videographer

Kathy begins her 18th year as a member of the band staff, 16 as videographer and 2 as student staff in the 70’s. She is a 1974 UW graduate with a BA degree in Business Administration/Accounting and was a member of the Husky Band’s saxophone section. She also played basketball and is a member of the Big W Club. In 1977 Kathy and husband Don were instrumental in creating and organizing the Alumni Band which entertains tailgaters at all home football games. Kathy served as Treasurer of the Husky Marching Band Alumni Association for six years. She is a part of the Kentwood High School football staff and serves as a trainer for all of Kentwood’s athletic programs. Don and Kathy have been married 35 years and have two sons who also attended the UW.

Ben Gary - Equipment Repair Technician

Ben came to the Seattle area in 1969 as a band teacher in the Shoreline School District where he retired in 1994. Upon retirement, he successfully completed the instrument repair program at Renton Technical College. He spent several years repairing band instruments before being offered the opportunity to set up a repair shop and maintain the Husky Marching Band instruments.

Ben and his wife, Jackie live in Bothell.

Garry Nakayama - Press Box Photographer

Garry has been with the HMB for over 30 years, serving as a student, an assistant band director and now a staff photographer. He first served as Assistant Director under former director Bill Bissell and has also been a high school conductor in the greater Seattle area for 30 years. He was an inaugural member of the Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.

Garry resides in Kent, Washington.

Louis Figueroa - Field Photographer

Born and raised in the Seattle area, Louis is entering his 22th year with the Husky Marching Band, his 17th as the band's Field Photographer. Louis earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering during his five seasons playing sousaphone in the Husky Marching Band. During his marching seasons, the band accompanied the football team to the 1989 Freedom Bowl as well as the 1991, 1992, and 1993 Rose Bowls. In the 1991 National Championship season, his peers voted him "Most Spirited Bandsman."

Louis works as an engineer for The Boeing Company. He lives in North Seattle with his wife, Tera, and their two young children, Marcus and Katie.