< Previousgoing to be something special to watch this year. Cadets2, a championship-caliber corps in its own right, continues to evolve its program, this season titled “Industrial Awakening.” The design team is well ahead of last year and the corps already has a good chunk of the program on the field. SV: Have all the director positions been filled for the two corps and the USBands operation? Who is in charge of each entity and what is their background?DR: The leadership of both drum corps is set, as is the leadership of USBands. Jon Swengler is well qualified to lead USBands as the director. His commitment to the mission of YEA! and USBands is unwavering, and his passion for service to the band members and the band directors at the schools is exactly what we need for building out the bright future for the scholastic programs. In the coming year you will see a commitment to service and quality programs that allows us to provide more programming to the bands that participate with us.SV: Will the roster of USBands competitions be maintained for this year or will there be any expansion, reduction or will the number of events be at the same level as before?DR: As of April, the number of band shows for 2018 is up from 2017 and the number of bands registered has remained at about the same level. An interesting dynamic recently is the number of bands that have signed up for USBands shows that have never participated before. I can appreciate how the band directors might want to watch and see how things go and I can promise you, our commitment to continue to earn and re-earn the right to work with them will be unlike anything they have experienced in the past.SV: I understand many alumni are becoming re-engaged with The Cadets through generous gifts. What kind of reaction have you had from those who have marched with the corps over the years with the recent announcement about all the changes that have been instituted?DR: This part has been fun! #WelcomeHomeCadet has been really cool. The connection between the alumni and The Cadets has never been stronger and so many have stepped up to get involved. We have new committees that have never been in place to support volunteering, fund-raisers, parties, you name it . . .Our annual campaign just kicked off and within the first couple of days we are over 25% to our stretch goal. One fun part of the campaign is the “500 for 500” which is targeted to get 500 people to contribute $500 each. It can be all at once or over time with payments. YEA! has operated at break even for so many years and this year, we are expecting a significant amount of one-time expenses that we do not normally have, and we expect to put the organization on firm financial ground so we always have the resources to deliver on the promise of quality and not be at risk should something go wrong. (Above with the Holy Name Cadets’ first drum major from 1934)SV: Anything else you would like to note?DR: I am so pleased to be a part of the new era of The Cadets and YEA!. We are committed to the safety and well-being of everyone involved. The coming months and even years will have their challenges and we are implementing the best practices that will lead to a bright future that will continue to honor our legacy. It is a pleasure to be a part of it.It’s always a pleasure to speak with you, Steve.SV: I wish you and the entire YEA! organization a highly-successful season and future. I’m looking forward to seeing the corps this summer and watching the transformation that is about to take place in front of members, parents, alumni, volunteers, staff and fans! n n nThe 14th annual Spring Preview Concert was hosted by the Reading Buccaneers at the Twin Valley High School in Elverson, PA, on May 12. Elverson was once known as Blue Rock because of the pretty blue rocks that were embedded in to the mountains. Banner Brass (bottom right) is small brass ensemble that was formed this spring and it is made up of members of the Reading Buccaneers field corps. This small ensemble is more flexible where the competing corps is not! The New York Skyliners Alumni (middle of next page) present this year's musical showwith the brass line is under the watch full eyes of the Chez brothers. Not that the old rock-um-sock-um is gone, NO! Now there are dynamics along with a balance among the various sections of the brass line. Now you are able to hear the individual instrumental voices. Sky opened with the Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind. Next up was Hymn to Victory from Richard Rodgers’ sweeping repertoire from the television serious “Victory at Sea,” then America the Beautiful. To lead toward the close of the show, they played the ever-popular Harlem Nocturne and, ass always, closed their show with Elks Parade.Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights (top left on next page) were the next corps to appear on stage. Their show consists of National Emblem March, then a drum solo into the medley of What's New/Laura. Another drum solo into the medley of Meglio Stasera/You and the Night and the Music. The show concluded with the main theme from the movie “Mutiny of the Bounty” into the last drum solo then America the Beautiful. Buccaneers Alumni (top right on next page) have come a long in the last few weeks! The field corps lined the perimeter of the auditorium to lend their support to the alumni corps’ performance. In turn, when the alumni finished, they lined the perimeter to support the field corps. The alumni started their show with Hawk/Dance/Joy, then I Believe in You. Next was their patriotic tribute, Patriot's Prayer, into Birdland. Finishing their showwas their signature, Beyond the Sea.Now let’s get to the real reason why most of us are here, the Reading Buccaneers (bottom right on next page) field corps. Another WOW! Reading is way up and running on all 12 cylinders with a few to spare. The show is called “Here to There” and it is Reading Buccaneers stage 14th “Spring Preview” for area alumni corpstext and photos by Larry Eckert, Drum Corps World staff (mrcymbals@aol.com)based on the concept of getting from point A to point B on the field and that isn't always easy. With all the twists and turns that one encounters along the way, we need to push ourselves outside our comfort zone. Utilizing music from Steven Bryand’s Hummingbird, Gordon Goodwin’s Hunting Wabbits and Carole King’s So Far Away, it is a great production.The first time the Buccaneers, along with the alumni ,will showcase their 2018 season performances outside will be at their annual “Friend and Family Day” June 10. The location is to be announced in the near future through the “Blue Notes” newsletter on- line. This is because last year Buc's field was lost to the expansion and development around the Reading Airport. n n nThe Reading Buccaneers Alumni hosted their 4th “Music in the Mountains” on April 28 at the Blue Mountain High School in Schuylkill Haven, PA. You may ask where is Schuylkill Haven. Well, it about 50 miles northeast of Harrisburg and about 35 miles from Allentown on Pennsylvania Route 61 North.Schuylkill Haven is noted for many things but coal has been the region's main source of income over the years.The first corps tonight were the region’s only drum corps, the Belvederes Alumni (below). It was the first appearance at this indoor stage show. The last few years the Emmaus Sentinels and the Belvederes have gone out as one corps, either as the Sentinels or the Belvederes. This year the corps membership of the Emmaus Sentinels decided to not put out a corps and decided to merge with the Belvederes.Tonight the corps opened with Torero which the Sentinels played in 1969 and was arranged by the late Jim Prime. The next number was Danny Boy into I Write The Songs. Jezebel was up next that the Sentinels used in 1972. South Rampart Street Parade" was performed with the a New Orleans swing feeling. The Belvederes next performed and arrangement of Armed Forces Melodies and the announcer asked for service men and women, when their branch anthem was performed, to stand up. There were a number of service members in attendance. Closing their show the corps played Never My Love. (Left, Belvederes, 1972, Ron DaSilva) Banner Brass (no photo available) is made up of members of the competing Reading Buccaneers corps. I had some challenges with their performance. I felt there were some notable balance problems and members were unsure of their music. No doubt these are problems that can easily be corrected in rehearsals.Bucs Alumni host “Music in the Mountains” spring standstill concerttext and photos by Larry Eckert, Drum Corps World staff (mrcymbals@aol.com) Now what can be said about this next performance that has not been said, but WOW! The Hanover Lancers (top of next page) gave a performance that leaves you with the impression that they come to perform and have fun doing it. I felt that tonight’s program was vastly improved since their last performance and that this show was no slouch.The percussion line has a solo called The Duck that allows each section to show off its talent. Closing their performance, the corps played an exquisite Malagueña.It's hard to follow a corps that leaves the audience stunned, but Reilly Raiders (below) did a suburb job in doing the impossible. Reilly was a little light tonight in the percussion section, but still put out a clean “VORTEX18,” their dynamic drum solo.Reilly’s Irish Eyes leaves you reflecting the green fields and tranquilly of Ireland.After a brief intermission the Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni (top of next page) were next to take the stage. Tonight’s performance was a much better one than at the Hanover Lancers’ show on April 14. The alumni showed more confidence in their show and in themselves. This was the first time the corps has performed at this show and I‘ve been told they have been asked to come back next year. The date of next year's show is on April 27, 2019.The alumni is still having a balance problem with their concert number, El Boro, but with time and now being outside on the field, this will be licked.Blast from the Past (bottom on next page) was a color guard production from the Reading Alumni color guard and other area guard members dressed up as clowns and performing to the Sunrisers’ music from 1982, the year of“ Barnum,” all arranged by the late John “Screech” Arietano. If this is what the they are performing up at Williamsport, PA, at the DCA Individual and Ensemble competition, they are sure to win another title.Now, to the surprise of the evening, from Lancaster, PA, home of the Amish Community, comes Big Boy Brass a four-person brass group (no photo available). No, they don't play any Amish music and I don't know of any, but they played a mixture of jazz, pop, r&b, as well as traditional New Orleans music. To close their show tonight, the Reading Buccaneers Alumni Corps came out strong and bold. Over the last few weeks of working out the bugs and tweaking their music book the corps has blossomed, and their music is coming alive. With the next performance at the Reading Buccaneers indoor show they will be fine and ready for the upcoming season. n n nAs the next step in the ongoing process of supporting and strengthening our community, the Drum Corps International Board of Directors has revised and updated a comprehensive set of guidelines for all participating organizations in DCI programs and activities regarding the safety and well-being of performers, staff and volunteers.The DCI Community Code of Conduct & Ethics Guidelines (see document link below) is in effect immediately and includes clear definitions of many forms of misconduct, measures for individual and organizational accountability and mandatory reporting guidelines. It sets forth DCI’s expectations from its participating organizations, while also recognizing the different state laws applicable in each participating organization’s home state. Ensuring a positive, safe and welcoming environment has always been a top priority for the board and the executive staff. Through these new standards, we seek to advance that goal while promoting greater awareness and clarity of DCI’s values and expectations.DCI acknowledges that people around the world and throughout our country have been faced with the harsh realities of bias, harassment and incivility. While these social ills are not unique to any one industry or field, society’s former tolerance and perhaps willful ignorance of these realities are no longer acceptable; standards and expectations are changing, as must our own. Behavior that demeans, harasses or reflects bias against another member of our community is not acceptable, in any context.As the leading organization in the marching music performing arts, DCI remains committed to doing its part in continuing to provide education and resources for all participating organizations, as our entire community works to enhance safety practices and change attitudes and mindsets. We look forward to soon announcing additional activities that will augment these efforts even further.To read the full content of the DCI Code of Conduct and Ethics Guidelines, go here: https://www.dci.org/news/dci-board-of-directors-updates-sweeping-code-of-conduct-ethics-guidelines?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email. n n nDCI Board updates Code of Conduct guidelinesby Drum Corps InternationalLong-time board member Fred Morrison has stepped down as chair of the DCl Board. He has served on since 2010 and is executive director of the DCI World Class Crossmen, based in San Antonio, TX. He wanted the board to be able to continue the important work of improving the policies and procedures to safeguard all participants in the DCI community. Morrison wrote, “Although done with a very heavy heart, I believe this is the appropriate course of action rather than have my decisions within my own corps continue to be a distraction to the DCI family.”Under Morrison’s leadership, DCI has experienced a period of unprecedented growth. He was instrumental in guiding development of the 2017 Strategic Plan, which laid the groundwork for the current focus on participant safety and well-being.Board Vice-chair Chris Komnick said, “Fred has fulfilled his leadership role with incredible passion -- always with a focus on the best interests of DCI. We are grateful for his service.”Upon accepting Morrison’s resignation, the board elected New Mexico lawyer Kathy Black as its new chair. She is an attorney for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, representing the U.S. Forest Service in civil rights matters and joined the DCI Board in 2016. Black is an Indianapolis native and is an accomplished jazz, rock and blues drummer. She marched as a member of the Guardsmen from Schaumburg, IL, and has long been an advocate for the marching arts.DCI Executive Director and CEO Dan Acheson said, “Kathy is an integral member of our board and we look forward to her leadership. The DCI community will no doubt benefit from her efforts. not only as the board’s new chair, but also through her newly-established ‘IN STEP: Women in DCI’ initiative.” n n nKathy Black elected new DCI Board of Directors Chairby Drum Corps InternationalApril 21, 2018, Burlington, NJ . . . The 2018 edition of the Reilly Raiders’ “Shamrock Festival” again was held at the City of Burlington New Jersey High School. This is the home of the Burlington Blue Devils Marching Band program. Just this past October, I had the pleasure of being the show Coordinator from USBands for the Blue Devils’ show. The school district is very much committed to their musical arts program. At that show I had the opportunity to spend some time talking with their band director, Dave May. It seems that we have a mutual love with a drum corps called the Hawthorne Caballeros. We talked about our experiences in the Caballeros and what has changed in the world of drum corps since we both stopped marching. A historical fact about the city of Burlington is that at one time it was home of James Fennimore Cooper, who wrote “The Last of the Mohegans.” Cooper is buried in a little town upstate in New York called Cooperstown, where the Baseball Hall of Fame is located.The master of ceremony tonight was the popular Fran Haring. Tonight's concert opened with the Burlington City Blue Devils Jazz Band (left) that was a little light as it was the weekend that the senior class was on their trip to Walt Disney World. One of the numbers they performed was Angel Eyes by Ella Fitzgerald. Next was the Burlington Township High School Jazz Band opening with Count Basie’s Orange Sherbet into Skylark, a Johnny Mercer number.Celebrating their 34th year as a alumni corps, Connecticut Alumni (below) was the third group to perform tonight. This was their first time at the “Shamrock Musical Festival” and with the caliber of their performance, they will be back! Their members and music consist of alumni from the Hurricanes and other corps from the state. They opened with the Hurcs’ 1967 opener, Just One of Those Songs. They the played their rendition of God Bless America using 11 other patriotic numbers woven into a medley. Next the group performed For Once In My Life that transitioned into Hallelujah Chorus. The performance concluded with their signature and the Connecticut Hurricanes’ famous number, Magnificent 7, from the movie “Magnificent 7.” For an encore they played Caravan, another signature number for both Connectdicut corps. All the way from across the mighty Delaware River, in Bristol, PA, came the Bracken Cavalier (above left) This corps receives the hands down award for fan audience support. They brought their own cheering section and they let the rest of the crowd know what they were there for. This is an example of what hard work and determination will do in athe few short years this alumni corps has been together. Tonight's performance consisted of some of the following numbers by opening their show with Lord and Master, into Jump Jive, followed by a drum solo that led into Birdland, a much slower version. This was very “Shamrock” concert produced by Reilly Raiders showcases alumni talenttext and photos by Larry Eckert, Drum Corps World staff (mrcymbals@aol.com)Next >