My name is Andrew Hill, founder of The 8to5 Newsletter. With over a decade of experience in the marching and performing arts, my hope is to bring my own personal blend of passion and expertise to create the best newsletter in the industry. 

If you’re wondering exactly what The 8to5 newsletter is all about, the content will continue to shift based on where the biggest stories lead, but the goal is crystal clear - it is a monthly newsletter built for fans, performers, volunteers, and staff who believe that the performing and pageantry arts deserve the same depth of storytelling as any sport or industry. This isn’t just about scores or placements. It’s about the people, the process, and the purpose behind every performance. If you’ve ever marched a show, taught a set, or felt chills from a hornline hit, this newsletter was made for you.

I owe who I am today to band. I've marched as a lead trumpet and featured performer for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps and the Penn State Blue Band. Additionally, I was the Vice President and co-founder of the Madison Scouts Alumni Association. I currently design for and teach a marching band in New Jersey, as well as teach private lessons. Side note - my latest student became a lead trumpet for the JMU Marching Royal Dukes! 

Outside of all that, I’ve marketed Band & Orchestral Instruments for the Yamaha Corporation of America, worked on the Sales & Analytics team for Disney’s Broadway shows, and helped grow the business of Major League Soccer. No, it’s not band, but it gave me a deep insight into the business of entertainment. Combining these two passions is the inspiration for the 8to5 Newsletter, and I’m excited to share it with you. 

The 8to5 Newsletter is a monthly coverage engine for all things marching and pageantry arts, primarily focusing on the Drum Corps International circuit and honing in on the best stories throughout the season. I’ll be covering the scores, digging in on success stories, celebrating amazing performers and performances with interviews, and uncovering aspects of the season and cultures that may not be at the forefront.

The core mission of this newsletter is to celebrate the pageantry, dedication, and competitive spirit of the marching arts world.

The best thing you can do right now is subscribe and help spread the word. Every great publication needs a community. The best way you can contribute to the quality and success of The 8to5 Newsletter is by sharing this publication with a friend, alumni group, or corps member. The larger the community, the deeper the coverage can go. 

Another way you could get involved is by sharing the amazing stories that happen in this world every day that may not get the coverage they deserve. I’d love to hear your tips, leads, and testimonials, so please reach out to [email protected] anytime. 

Let’s do this.

Your friend in marching,