From the Mandarins' Web site: John Zarco has been named the new percussion caption head of the Mandarins. This is Zarco's third year as a Mandarins staff member. During the 2004 season, John was responsible not only for percussion instruction, but also coordinated the corps' music ensemble rehearsals. He was a marching member of the Mandarins percussion section in 2000 and 2002. Zarco has a degree in music education from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). He is currently a graduate assistant at CSUS, where he is working towards a master's degree in wind conducting. Zarco has experience instructing and arranging for percussion with several middle/high school ensembles, including Benicia High School, Granite Bay High School and Vallejo High School. He maintains a demanding schedule as an active clinician and adjudicator. In addition to his work in the field of percussion, Zarco has directed band programs from the elementary to collegiate level. Les Wong, who served as percussion caption head from 1987 – 2004, will continue as percussion arranger and assist in the transition. Under Wong's tutelage, the Mandarins percussion section has consistently been one of the corps' strong points. Wong will be stepping down to devote more time to his family, which includes his wife, former instructor and fellow Mandarins alum Kami (Jan), and daughter Jordyn (age 5 years) and son Alexander (age 1 year).