< Previous(The) Pacemakers (right, Mark Neilson) -- “Circle of Love,” Somebody to Love, Queen, Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars, Marry You, Bruno Mars, Sweet Child Of Mine, Guns & Roses. Phantom Knights (middle right, Glenn Riley) -- “West Side Story,” selections from the Broadway show including: Tonight, America, Maria, I Have A Love, Jet Song, One Hand, One Heart and Somewhere, Leonard Bernstein.Spirit of 52 (above,, Arjen Scholl) -- “New York Sphere -- A Day in the Life,” Equus, Eric Whitacre, But Beautiful, Earle Hagen, Pick up 52's, Mestizo and Mike Gao, Empire State of Mind, JayZ and Alicia Keys.Starriders (left, Arjen Scholl) -- “Hands,” First Circle, Pat Metheny, Laka-Koffa, Detektivbyrån, O / Fly On, Coldplay, Balkan Dance, Etienne Crausaz, Konnakol (Indian clapping music), Manjunath B.C.Thurrock Marching Brass (right, Mark Neilson) -- “The Story Teller - A Tribute to Robin Williams,” Seize The Day, The Melodysheep, Children's Ward from “Patch Adams,” Marc Sharman, A friend Like Me from “Aladdin,” Alan Menken, A Mi Manera from“Happy Feet,” John Powell. n n nNo DCA, SoundSport performances in 2018We’ve been told these four groups will not be performing this season in DCA or SoundSport events. Pictured (left to right) Thunder Brigade, LakeShoremen, Southeast Sound and Rocketeers (DCA). All four photos are from 2017 events and were taken by Chris Maher. Best of luck coming back for the 2019 season! n n nA little about myself to begin. I finished my undergrad in Music Education in spring 2017 and just finished my first year of graduate school, working on my Masters in Percussion Performance, both at West Texas A&M University. I didn’t march drum corps, but have always been an avid fan of the marching arts, from BOA to DCI to WGI. I am also on the live blog team for TxBands.com and Bands of America. I’m not sure exactly what I want to do after school. That said, I do know I want it to be under the umbrella of music education.I knew as early as 2016 I would love to volunteer or do some kind of internship with a drum corps. The idea of spending a summer giving back to an activity that has brought me so much joy over the years was enticing. After being sick and having surgery in fall of 2017, I felt it was time to go for it by putting myself out there. I applied at multiple corps, including Bluecoats. They've been my favorite corps since my activity introduction 10 years ago and I've heard nothing but amazing things about their operation, both on and off the field. After interviewing for an administrative internship in February, I was offered the position in April.My internship is administrative and duties include just about anything you can think of that goes on behind the scenes of a drum corps and will last the whole summer. Tasks include airport runs, assisting with merchandise, logistics of behind-the-scenes operations, office work, printing and distributing music, shopping in VERY large quantities at different stores, then unloading, sorting and delivering mail, working bingo once a week, working the food truck and so much more. Most of my interactions are with administrative staff, however, I interact with all facets of the corps, from the members to staff to the volunteers. I’ve found so far that most days are pretty long and include a huge array of things to do, but the people I get to interact with and the incredible activity I get to witness on a daily basis make it worth it.I felt a lot of emotions when I got this position. There was a ton of excitement, of course; the idea of spending the summer contributing to the success and operations of my favorite drum corps, in whatever capacity, was an amazing thought. However, there was also some trepidation that I wouldn’t really feel like I belonged since I had not marched with a corps, among other personal reasons. Any of those reservations were gone as soon as I had my first interactions with a member on my flight from Dallas and again when I met the rest of the administrative and supporting staff I would be spending my summer with at spring training. The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that no one cares about your background or the fact you did or didn’t march. As long as you are passionate about what you do and you're ready to work hard, you will be welcomed with open arms and have the time of your life.While I’ve only been here for around four weeks, I can already tell accepting this internship is going to be one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. Spring training with the Bluecoats has been an amazing experience thus far and I have already noticed such a huge change in myself as a person because of it. It’s doing things for me on both a personal and professional level that I never imagined possible a few months ago. I look forward to talking more in depth about it in my next article, including our time at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN, for spring training leading up to tour! n n n Tales of two internsSpending a summer with the Bluecoatstext by intern Landry Kendrick (wtxbd02@gmail.com), photos by media intern Emily JulianRaiders camp, June 2, 2018I frequently run into representatives of the Raiders during the marching band and indoor seasons running recruitment tables. I always stop by and chat for a while. This January, board member Phil Bigelow invited me to come to a camp. I agreed. Phil contacted me in April to check my schedule. I agreed to come in May, but the weather wasn’t great the week we picked, so finally on June 2 I made the easy one-hour drive up I-95 to West Trenton, NJ. I arrived at Katzenbach School for the Deaf around 1:3 PM as the corps was finishing up lunch. I soon ran into program coordinator and good friend Lauren Burns, followed shortly by greeting the Raiders’ director, DeLano Bonner, who was expecting me. The Raiders have most of their camps at this venue, which has ample fields and buildings for the corps to use. They ventured up to a field near the entrance to begin ensemble rehearsal. I drove up there so my car would be nearby, realizing that I was not adequately prepared for the heat, humidity and sun. Oh my, it is summer! For the next two hours I watched the corps learning. They were quickly moving through the piece with enough breaks to keep them well-hydrated when a light rain started up. The refreshingly cool water soon became more intense. I grabbed by backpack and umbrella and took refuge in my car. The corps remained on the field until the sound of thunder promptly sent them to shelter. I waited for the rain to subside and left the facility to find a Wawa to go get someone to pump gas for me (this is the New Jersey way) and grabbed a snack. Once the rain stopped, I headed back to the school. The corps was going into sectionals, so I decided to go visit Bushwackers, practicing about 5 miles away. They were just finishing up dinner. I hung around talking with friends and then went back to see Raiders.The corps was back on the field and I got out the camera and went to work. I’m enjoying what I’m seeing and hearing -- original music and the story of Beowulf. Eleventh-grade English was a long time ago, so I’ll have to brush up on the olde English epic poem at some point this season. I left about 8:00 PM as the corps was still going strong. When Phil Bigelow arrived, I spent some time with him. He explained that A+ Education and Performing Arts (A Plus) is a 501c3, all-volunteer, youth-oriented performing arts organization. Besides the Raiders, A Plus supports an indoor guard (Winter Star), an indoor drum line (East Coast Percussion) and a community theater program (Riverfront Community Players). I know the indoor groups well, but was not familiar with the theater group. Phil explained that the Riverfront Community Players perform several plays and concerts throughout the spring and summer. They also put on a summer production for middle school-aged students and in July, run a month-long theater camp for young aspiring performers from grade 2 through grade 9 who put on a production at the end of the camp.Phil discussed some of the recent improvements within the organization. The finances are stable and the Training camp visits to Eastern corps campsReports from a long-time competitor and an up-and-comer in DCI Open Classtext and photos by Chris Maher, Drum Corps World staff (chris@corpsreps.com)Encorps camp, June 3, 2018Since my last visit to Encorps in January, the newest DCI SoundSport ensemble had one day per weekend rehearsals. I’ve been following them on Facebook and have been anxious to get back to see the progress firsthand. The corps recently arranged to have rehearsals at the Rutgers University athletic facilities, including use of the “bubble” (enclosed football field) when the weather prevented being outside. I arrived at Rutgers about 2:00 PM and drove around a while before I found them after spotting their equipment truck. The corps was on a beautiful turf field behind the stadium having ensemble rehearsal. I quickly got to work photographing the action, finding many familiar faces from the New Jersey ensembles I see regularly during indoor and marching band. Given the many school commitments at this time of year, attendance was strong, with a handful of members missing, mostly in the brass line. The full numbers are 27 horns, 29 percussion (9/3/4/3/10pit), 23 guard and one drum major.The corps rehearsed efficiently, understanding that a lot of focus is necessary when you only together one day a week. They weres working through the ballad, learning the drill. About 5:00 PM, the corps took a break for dinner and section photos. During the mealtime I had a chance to catch up with Pat Petrillo, executive director. In life there are the things you plan and the things that just fall into place. Both Pat’s plans and happenstance are breaking in the corps’ favor. From the hard work of recruiting, to discovering a parent ran a trucking company and could park the equipment truck for free, the planned and the unplanned were falling into place -- equipment, facilities, staff, members, equipment trailer, transportation and so much more. The facility at Rutgers is amazing, though long-planned work on the bubble and some fields will have the corps practicing at other locations over the next few weeks, after which they can return to Rutgers. I did not get to see the bubble live, but I did see photos from when they used it last week and it looks fabulous. Since the corps is a one-day-per-week event, there are no concerns about housing facilities.After dinner, the corps warmed up in sections and then returned to ensemble rehearsal, this time working on the opener. After a few full runs of the drill, the corps did a full run of the opener and ballad which went extraordinarily well. The goal for the day was accomplished . . . first two pieces on the field with drill and music and the rehearsal concluded. Everyone I spoke to, from parents to members to staff, exhibited a palpable excitement about the Encorps experience thus far. With their debut performance coming up quickly on June 30 in Allentown, PA, the corps is well on the way to impress, excite and entertain the crowd! n n ncorps passed a DCI evaluation, which is standard operating procedure when the board experiences significant change like A Plus experienced in 2016. Each of the A Plus ensembles are in good shape and are experiencing good growth over the last two years. Recruiting continues to go well, with members coming from nearby states (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virgiinia and Maryland) and further away (Texas, Indiana and IllinoisL). There is a good story to tell at Raiders -- financially, organizationally and programmatically. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to see the corps this season . . . just brush up on your Beowulf first! n n nIn 1993, 33 individuals took the field for the very first time representing a new drum corps -- Pacific Crest. Little did they know that the collection of visionary leadership and passionate performers would evolve years later to be the only DCI World Class corps in the second largest city of the United States. I’ve been around the Pacific Crest group for several years and they are not only my home corps, but are an ever-evolving collection of friends. I love going to practice, watching new drill and hearing the thoughtful music. Drum corps produces some of the finest individuals on the planet -- extremely hard-working, dedicated, committed . . . you know the adjectives. These people are all that and, to round it all out, great people! (Right, Executive Director Stuart Pompel and his wife, Ann, along with Liz and Carter Schuld, one of the corps founders and former executive at Yamaha)During May camp, in addition to all the hard work by the performers and staff, there was one more event to orchestrate. Diana Petersen Harari (below left) is probably the best symbol of that Pacific Crest persona. Yes, she is an alumni, having spent years in the front ensemble. She continues her efforts for the corps by serving on its current board of directors. She’s not one of those high brow, executive-only types. I’ve seen her selling souvenirs, I’ve seen her cooking meals, I’ve seen her driving trucks (and back up and park a trailer). I’ve seen her assisting the corps manager and the executive director in all aspects of running the corps. She is always smiling and has a kind word for all the volunteers and people around the practice. Thankfully, she was in charge of the 25th anniversary gala held on Sunday following the May camp. Do you know what it’s like coordinating 25 years of alumni, speakers, auctioneers, masters of ceremony, caterers, photographers, dignitaries, the corps leadership and 154 members to travel from practice to the banquet site? I think she did it in her spare time -- the event was like a drum corps performance -- a ballet, a symphony of moving parts, performed to perfection by a drum corps person. It was perfect! Dan Acheson (above right with Stuart Pompel) attended the evening’s festivities. It was great seeing the chief executive of DCI at an event honoring the exceptional work of Stuart Pompel, the board and the staff of incredible people who call themselves Pacific Crest! Instead of me waxing poetic about the great event, I thought you would enjoy hearing from the people who define 25 years of a great organization. Here are the La La Land celebrates a PC Silver Jubilee!textx and photos by Russell M. Tanakaya, Drum Corps World staff (r_tanakaya@yahoo.com) LA CROSSE, WIJULY 1 7:00 PM Logan High SchoolROCHESTER, MNJULY 87:00 PMRCTC StadiumPRESENTED BYDRUM & BUGLE CORPS SHOWSSPONSORED BYSPONSORED BYrivercityrhapsody.com 608.782.3219OPTION 2ORDER TICKETSFAMILY PACK: $5 child ticket with purchase of adult ticket in standard section only (CHILDREN 16 AND UNDER)This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.words of the pioneers of the Los Angeles drum corps, Pacific Crest, past and present. “What are you thinking on the occasion of Pacific Crest 25th Jubilee?”Alumni Jennifer Sevigny -- I joined at 16 years old, so I literally grew up in this organization. Pacific Crest has given me so much on and off the field. I would not be the person I am today without Pacific Crest.Armando Luis Duenas -- It felt great to bond and reminisce about the times we had marching togethe -- all of those moments where we succeeded, we failed, we laughed and cried. It was like being home. Jennifer Alice Inman -- It warms my heart to see so many alumni I had marched with and those I had gotten to know through the alumni association. When life gets rough, you know you have a shoulder to lean on and one to lend to others, too. Sunday was truly incredible. Here’s to another 25 years!Corin Uchuion -- Looking around the room, I saw three groups of people -- those who led me to growth, those of whom I had the opportunity to grow beside and those to whom I fostered growth. The only logical way I can imagine expressing my gratitude to all of them is by continuing the cycle of giving to strangers and the future of Pacific Crest, a place where a “family” goes beyond a tree and a ”home” goes beyond four walls.Nathan Sacamay -- I am amazed at how PC is truly interconnected between generations.Dakota Chavez -- Stuart always puts it in really great context. There’s only going to be one winner each season. It’s about what goes into each minute and the long term effects that really matter -- overcoming adversity, becoming a great leader and person. Coming together for a great big family reunion and getting a chance to see how well everyone is doing with their lives is so inspiring. And you know that every single one will say PC played a big part in getting them where they are today.Nikki Collister -- I thought the event was a lovely look back at the history of the organization and how it has grown over the past 25 years. It was so heartwarming to talk to alumni who came both before and after me, and to realize that no matter what years we were involved with the corps, we all shared similar stories and the same love for Pacific Crest. Things like that make me appreciate the special bond that we all share and that even after years (in some cases, decades) of not seeing one another, we can all pick up right where we left off.Annie Kveton -- Everyone was there for one reason, to support PC - an organization that has given us so much, whether we realize it or not. I took a moment to look around the room and saw so many large groups of alumni having a great time, and I couldn’t believe how much happiness there was for a silly little thing like band. It was an honor to celebrate the fact that Pacific Crest has been fueled by 25 years of passionate individuals and it’s exciting to think we’ll continue celebrating that passion for years to come.Mark Kveton -- I just could not contain my pride to be part of something so special. I think it was the perfect way to convey the impact every single donor, staff member, alumni, volunteer and marching member has had on this activity and this organization. There were people there I’ve known for over 10 years and some I’ve only known for a few months, but the impact they’ve all had is the same. Pacific Crest has not just survived for 25 years, it has thrived. And it’s because of everyone in that room and those who could not be there with us that Pacific Crest stands for undeniable organizational excellence.And some remarks from current members Marissa Espinoza, color guard captain / 5 year vet -- Being able to be a part of Pacific Crest’s 25th anniversary as a member of the color guard is an honor and amazing feeling. Pacific Crest has been such a huge part of my life for the past five years. Although I myself do not play the Ave Maria, hearing it played in a room surrounded by people that, like me, chose to join PC is one of the purest happiest most fulfilling feelings because I know this is also my family. I have learned so much from my experiences with the corps and the people. It’s exciting to think of where PC can and will go in the next 25 years with the support that we continue to have and gain. It brings happy tears to my eyes the same way it does when I hear Ave Maria played because that is what home and family sounds likeWill Selby, battery captain / 2 year vet -- I felt so proud being up there as a member of the 2018 corps, able to represent 25 years of work. Being able to hear Ave Maria after all this time and think of all the passion and memories these alumni associate with the corps was really cool. I can’t wait to stand on the other side of it the next time around and watch that generation represent an even greater legacyThe Pacific Crest corps song is Franz Biebl’s Ave Maria. The 25th edition surrounded the 300 celebrants and played their gorgeous rendition of a song all have engraved on their hearts. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room and it was clear they all hoped the experiences of the performers around them would be as grand as theirs. Normally, at the end of a great musical performance, there is applause. Tonight there was silence . . . each celebrant in their own thoughts. It took a long moment for the appreciation to begin, but the crowd thanked the newest collection of Pacific Crest performers the way only a corps audience can, with a standing ovation! (Above left, Eddie Martin, past directorof Yamato, on the PC management staff)Two days later the corps announced its 2018 show: “In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Pacific Crest pays homage to its Los Angeles roots and to the pursuit of success that has drawn aspiring performers to the city’s dazzling lights for over a century. Mirroring the ambitions of our founding staff and members who took a leap of faith in 1993, our 2018 production honors and celebrates those who dare to dream.”Enjoy the pictures from the 25th anniversary gala. See the reoccurring theme? These are drum corps people . . . look how happy they are when they are in each other’s company! Here’s to the ones who dream. I can’t wait for the season to start. See you in the stadium. n n nHorns blare and drums beat in Castleton, VT, Boston Crusadersby Kevin Russell, Drum Corps World staff (kevinrussell@gmavt.net)The other day, I drove down to Vermont’s Castleton University to see some friends I made last year while touring with the Boston Crusaders (BAC) and to catch their spring training ensemble rehearsal for the upcoming 2018 season. Spring training in Castleton is the closest that drum crops comes to my humble home along the Mill Brook, a 90-minute drive south from Waitsfield, VT. Maybe you read my daily blog series, “I ran away with the drum corps,” about my experience touring 23 days as a volunteer with BAC in 2017. The series has been in Drum Corps World during the past 10 months (final episode in this June 15 edition). It was great to see Steve Woodward, the prop guy, on the job again. He is the most dedicated, hardest-working and kindest adult in drum corps. It was a privilege to work with him last season. He has been encamped with the corps from the beginning of spring training. The large props will arrive June 1, but meanwhile, he and his crew are working in the gymnasium on some hand-held props -- spears. The Glenbrook Gymnasium has been taken over by the corps. Instead of member’s air mattresses, the gym floor is covered to protect it and it has been turned into the corps’ nerve center, storage area and Steve’s workshop. Pallets of food, paper goods and sundry items line the perimeter on one end and the color guard commandeered the other end for their assorted regalia. The corps members are well-encamped in dorm rooms and enjoying meals prepared in the college cafeteria, so Anthony, the touring chef, is not on campus. At dinner, I recognized many members from last year among the many new members who all seem to have known each other forever. As this is a youth education activity, each year members that are 21 complete their final year and age-out. I sat with Gino Cipriani, brass caption head and low brass instructor Ryan Williams, who stated that the uptick of the quality of new members has exceeded their expectations. I did not press too much for information on the 2018 program titled “S.O.S,” but they explained that it is a much more complicated book than last year’s “Wicked Games” to match the increased level of the 2018 talent. It is evident to me that they are confident in their championship-quality content and those who will deliver it. After dinner, the entire corps began evening rehearsals. These are open to the public and they encourage visits from fans as long as they keep your cell phone/camera in their pocket. However, I was one of just a few others who came to observe the percussion ensemble and marchers rehearse on the field from the stands in Spartan Stadium. The guard was rehearsing separately on an adjoining field as the constant beat of their metronome echoed across the countryside. As spring training progresses, ensemble rehearsals will bring them all together. The visual component of a drum corps show is not to be underestimated and BAC is instructing the world with its championship- level color guard, scoring in the top three last season. I am sure that we will see some very interesting moves this summer with “S.O.S.”From the scaffolding above, the creative team of Gino, Colin McNutt, director of percussion, and Michael Townsend, lead designer worked the corps repetitiously through sections of the program, page to page, measure by measure. On the field, the visual team and music instructors worked with the members as they adjusted to their dots, each take improving the precision of the particular drill. In addition to the 154 marching members, there are over 50 music and visual instructors that tour with the corps. They were working on a very fast section of the program that included many body movements. It is amazing how these kids can hold a note while also gyrating, genuflecting and hurtling across the field . . . and so close to each other! Everyone on the field gave their full attention to the instructors and returning drum majors, Kaitlin Oresky and Nick Winckel, well into the evening under the lights. Today, they were working through a particularly powerful sequence of the program. What a treat to once again be in the epicenter of sound that resonates through the total body. I do not get this at home with my computer and on-line videos, even with the woofer assist. Being in front of this corps again triggered that certain hardwire from my brain to my tear ducts. Goosebumps rose as the corps ran through the entire part of the book that they had been rehearsing to complete today’s work. Gino and other staff gave hearty congratulations to the members for their hard work that day and good tidings for the things to come. Everyone was in great spirits and humor. I felt that indelible BAC vibe that I tried to put into words last year, with some challenge to fully explain. You really should try to catch some of that esprit and go see them in Vermont or anywhere else they will be encamped this summer. There has been a lot of speculation about the program theme this year. Not much information is being provided by the corps, leaving fans to wonder what to expect. “Cast away,” “Lord of the Flies” “Lost,” “Gilligan’s Island” have all been tossed around on the DCP forum. I did not see any volleyballs with painted faces, but I did observe a conch shell that is blown by a pit member during part of the program. Raspy horn blaring from the line and beastly sounds emanating from the synthesizer portend a dark period reminiscent of “Wicked Games.” It will be interesting to see it all come together, props, uniforms and the production. (Photo above by Dan Scafidi)I will be returning to Castleton University on June 12 for the free “Community Night” presentation that will include a run-through of the entire program. Though I will not be touring with the corps this season, I will be checking in with them as they encamp or are in the lot at shows I attend this summer. As you know, I love all of the corps. I look forward to seeing the amazing Boston Crusaders along with all the other amazing drum corps in the sweet spot of some great outdoor stadiums. I have tickets in-hand for several shows in the East this summer and will post my perspectives from the 50 yard line on my blog site. Meanwhile, I’ll be hanging out along the Mill Brook and keeping up with new content through my computer in preparation for an amazing summer of music in motion. For more information on this uniquely American youth education activity, check out Drum Corps International, the sanctioning organization, at dci.org. n n nNext >