As the Santa Clara Vanguard prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2027, we’re excited to announce two new leadership appointments within the visual program! Josh Brenneis will step into the role of Visual Caption Manager, while Austin Byers will fill the Movement Caption Manager position. Josh and Austin join a long running team of caption managers who are returning for the 2027 season.
Josh Brenneis — Visual Caption Manager
Josh Brenneis is an active visual clinician, adjudicator and drill designer from Coral Springs, Florida, who works with marching music programs across the country. He began his DCI career as a performer with the Magic of Orlando in 2004 and later joined The Cadets for the 2006 and 2007 seasons, where he aged out in Pasadena, California.
Since 2007, Josh has been working with Florida marching bands that have been successful in the FMBC, FFCC and BOA circuits. In that time, he has held the Visual Caption Head role with Jupiter High School, Stoneman Douglas High School, West Broward High School and Park Vista High School. All ensembles achieved multiple FMBC State Championships and High Visual accolades, including Finals appearances and High Visual awards in Bands of America Regionals as well. Josh continues to write drill for many highly competitive marching bands all over the country.
During the winter/indoor season, Josh has been the visual caption head of STRYKE Wynds since 2016. In 2017 the ensemble was promoted to the WGI World Class division and has received a medal in every single season they have attended the World Championships. In 2022, he became the visual designer for the STRYKE Wynds ensemble, winning world championships in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Josh was most recently the Visual Caption Head of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 2020-2023 and Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps 2025-2026. He also served as a Lead instructor for Santa Clara Vanguard’s visual staff in 2024. And in 2027 will be coming on as the Visual Caption Manager for the Vanguard and is excited to be able to add to the continued legacy of this historically rich drum corps.
Austin Byers — Movement Caption Manager
Austin Byers is currently an Assistant Director of Bands at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. At Westlake, he leads the visual program for the marching band, directs the Symphonic Band, and assists all ensembles and color guards. During his time at Westlake the marching band has been a consistent BOA Regional finalist and 6A State Marching Contest participant, and he’s led the Symphonic Band to receive multiple UIL Concert and Sightreading Sweepstakes and the Citation of Excellence in 2025.
Austin is a native to Austin, TX where he graduated from Westwood High School and the University of Texas at Austin. At UT, he received his Bachelor of Music in Music Studies and Certificate in Trombone Performance. After graduating from UT, he began his teaching career at Cypress Woods High School in Cypress, Texas where he served as the Associate Director of Bands. Similarly during his time at Cypress Woods the marching band was a consistent BOA Regional finalist and 6A State Marching Contest participant, and received multiple UIL Concert and Sightreading Sweepstakes.
Austin has an extensive background in the performing arts including experiences with drum corps, winter guard, and a professional dance company. He began his drum corps career marching baritone with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, and continued to perform and age-out with Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. From his marching experience, Austin developed a passion for movement which he continued to pursue performing with ORIGINS Open and World, an independent winter guard based out of Austin, TX. While in college, he spent a season training and dancing with Chaddick Dance Theater, a professional modern dance company also based out of Austin, TX.
Aside from band directing, Austin also choreographs for various band and winter guard programs throughout Texas. He has worked on the visual staff for both Crossmen and Santa Clara Vanguard, and has served as a choreographer for the Colts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and Breakdown Camp. Austin is very fortunate to return to the SCV team in a new role for another amazing summer!
As Vanguard looks ahead to an exciting milestone season, we could not be more excited to welcome Josh and Austin into their new roles. Both understand the standards, traditions, and culture that make Vanguard special, while also bringing fresh experiences and perspectives from throughout the broader marching arts community.
If you’re ready to be part of this next chapter, fill out the 2027 interest form today and keep an eye out for audition information and materials coming soon!
Click here to Join: https://www.scvanguard.org/join-2027/