From a Phantom Regiment press release: More than 30 young people auditioned in November to be the conductors for the 2005 Phantom Regiment. They participated in two days of instruction in a clinic format taught by former Phantom Regiment conductor Mark Hourigan (1989), who is now director of bands at Novi (Mich.) High School. Two were selected to lead the corps for the upcoming summer: Will Pitts and Chris Fulton.

Will Pitts (left) and Chris Fulton.
Pitts, an 18-year-old freshman at Emory University in Atlanta, will be the conductor. He is a composition major at Emory, where he works in the music department library. He plays the saxophone and piano. "I have never marched corps before, but I have been a lifelong fan of
Phantom Regiment," he said. "I have always admired the character of the
corps as a whole as well as of the members and staff." Pitts was drum major at Carrollton High School for two years and works as a drum major clinician and teacher in northern Georgia. When he learned that he would be Phantom Regiment's conductor, he said, "It just didn't quite sink in at first that my lifelong dream was really coming true. "It is an incredible honor and privilege to have the chance to serve Phantom Regiment this season, and hopefully seasons to come. I hope that I can uphold the tradition of phenomenal conductors at Phantom Regiment." Assisting Pitts is Chris Fulton, a 16-year-old student at Pomona High School in Arvada, Colo. Fulton attended the Phantom Regiment Drum Major Camp in 2004. During that time, an injury opened up a spot in Phantom Regiment and the staff offered him a spot as a third drum major. Fulton says he first discovered drum corps in 2002 and saw Phantom Regiment for the first time at Drums Along the Rockies in 2003. "I fell in love with the corps," he said. During his research into Phantom Regiment, he learned of the outstanding tradition of the corps' conductors. He decided Phantom Regiment is where he would like to march some day, so he attended the drum major camp to learn more about conducting and to see Phantom Regiment behind the scenes. Chris is a trumpet player, and he played mellophone in the Pomona Marching Band this past fall. Three of the past five Jim Jones Leadership Award winners (recognizing outstanding drum majors) have been from Phantom Regiment: Kara Hoeflinger (2004), David Simon (2003) and Tommy Feagin (2000).