Cosmo "Gus" Barbaro was a key member of the initial percussion management team. He served as the first Percussion Educational Director from 1993 until 1996 when he became Percussion Coordinator. As Educational Director, Gus was responsible for gathering all the percussion judging criteria available at the time and compiling it into what has served as the foundation for the successful judging system used today.



Cosmo "Gus" Barbaro was Director of Percussion Studies at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania for 34 years. He holds a PhD. In Ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh and received a Fulbright grant to study in Pakistan. Gus also was the first DCI Percussion Caption Head from 1974 through 1978 when he became the Caption head for the Chicago Cavaliers. He continues to adjudicate during the marching band and indoor percussion season.