From a Blue Stars' press release: Tahle Kirk will be the Blue Stars' percussion caption head in 2004. Kirk's talent and experience will ensure that The Blue Stars continue their tradition of percussion excellence. "The percussion line has been the crown jewel of this corps for decades," said corps director Bill Sucha. "One of our highest priorities this winter has been making sure that we found a staff with the talent and the drive to improve on what is already an extraordinary section." Kirk marched with Lone Star for eight years. He spent six years as the percussion section leader and aged out as drum major. He was the second member join the corps and the last original member to age out. Tahle graduated from Midwestern State University and currently serves as the percussion director for the Terrell Independent School District near Dallas. Joni DeClercq, who will lead the Blue stars' front line, is an alumnus of both Blue Stars and Phantom Regiment, where she aged-out as the front line section leader. She graduated from the University of Kentucky under James Campbell, and is presently finishing a master's degree at UNLV under Dr. Dean Gronemeier. DeClercq is presently an alternate with the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra and was an alternate with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra as an undergraduate. Her other credits include performances with Bill Molenhof, Gary Cook, Anders ?…strand, Michael Burritt, Andrew Spencer, Jerry Steinholtz, Joe Porcaro, Emil Richards, Dave Samuels, Dan Moore, Michael Gould, Brian Mason, Ruben Alvarez, Steve Houghton and Zoro. Andy Pruyn, who will lead the Blue stars' bass line, was section leader of the Glassmen bass line in 1997. Pruyne graduated from Northern Kentucky University and currently serves as a band director and percussion specialist at Mesquite High School in the Dallas. His other instructing credits include Ryle High School in Kentucky and Cincinnati Glory in Ohio. Ben Scearce, who will lead the Blue stars' tenor line, marched with the Delta Brigade.   Scaerce graduated from Oklahoma State University. He is currently the percussion specialist and assistant band director for the Burkburnett Independent School District in Burkburnett, Texas. His performance credits include a P.A.S. High School Tenor Drum title in Phoenix, Arizona, Oklahoma State University's P.A.S. Percussion Ensemble, the indoor P.A.S.I.C. drumline, and the Oklahoma Music Educators Association's State Conference. Scearce was the founder of the Oklahoma State Winter Percussion Ensemble.