7TH REGIMENT NEWSLETTER JULY 2017
1
Greetings to our 7th Regiment Family, Friends and Community Once again, we are excited to bring you the latest edition of the 7th Regiment newsletter. We ask you to pardon our tardiness—since last summer, the corps has gone through some significant changes, meaning that most of our attention was devoted to helping with that transition. Because of that, you will find that our age-out profiles (meant for publication in the fall of last year) are instead included in this edition, along with some fascinating insight into the current inner-workings of 7th Regiment from Assistant Director Stephen Klepner, and other valuable information. As the corps grows and continues its transition to new leadership, we invite all alumni to volunteer their time and skills in any way possible! More importantly, we hope that the drum corps can experience more of your presence. Come by shows (Family & Friends is coming up!) and rehearsals just to say hello! The presence of alumni will help ensure the continuation of the corps. Until next time, —Jamil Jorge & Erick Mancebo
2
WHAT I’VE LEARNED STEPHEN KLEPNER, ASST. DIRECTOR Since moving from my teaching role to
an administration position within 7th Regiment, I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with countless friends, family, and supporters of the corps. The most common questions I get usually revolve around the future of the organization: How can we continue to honor the past? What is the plan for the future? How do I feel the corps is in the present? These questions all look at how the corps was, is, and will be. I would like to share with you my thoughts on all of these questions from the perspective of a relatively new administrator.
our past I believe that while 7th Regiment is—in the grand scheme of drum corps—a young organization, we already have a very rich past. Our connections to the Surfers Drum & Bugle Corps are deeply ingrained in 7th’s DNA. The principals of hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence that led the Surfers to their own victories guide our current members to success. We are lucky as an organization to have the Surfers to inform and guide us. We also have our own growing alumni base that consistently steps up to the large challenges that an organization such as 7th Regiment creates. What consistently makes me proud about our past is that these two seemingly different groups of alumni
function as one. The Surfers and 7th Regiment are two names for one group of people who support our mission to educate as many young, talented students as we can each year. This group of individuals is strong and powerful. They built 7th Regiment and will continue to guide us as we push into the future.
our present So where is 7th Regiment currently? Let’s talk about the statistics of the corps. We are marching around 100 members this season. Our convoy consists of three busses, two trailers, and a box truck. The corps is performing on brand new state-of-the-art sound equipment that allows us to properly amplify our pit percussion. We will be taking ten massive props with us on tour this summer and we plan on taking one of the largest instructional and support staffs the corps has ever had on the road this summer. We continue to seek out the best possible instructional staff that we can bring in. Our students are in excellent hands and their education is truly the best we can offer. Our volunteers are continuing to propel 7th Regiment forward. They feed around 150 individuals daily four times a day, bring water to all fields, and maintain a large fleet of vehicles. Their work is nothing short of heroic. Without our volunteers our corps would not function. This > continued on page 7
3
THE AGE OUT CLASS OF 2016
RYAN PLOURDE
Hometown: Naugatuck, CT School: Southern Connecticut State University Major: Special Education and Elementary Ed. Years Marched: 2015—2016 Section: Front Ensemble
TORI-LYNN BELL
Hometown: Newington, CT School: Central Connecticut State University Major: English; Minor: Creative Writing Years Marched: 2013, 2014, 2016 Section: Mellophone Like the nearly 120 people I spent my summer with, I can honestly say that drum corps has changed my life. I joined seventh in 2013 after abandoning the idea of joining the color guard in 2012 (sorry, I just am not cut out for all the glitter), and it really bridged the gap I was feeling between my life in high school and what I would come to experience in college. I had the wonderful opportunity of going to college with nearly a dozen people who have marched with 7th Regiment, and the bonds I made marching carried over to my academic life. Essentially, I’ve been living the past four years in a sort of 7th Regiment bliss. But now that I will not be returning to 7th this upcoming summer as a marcher, it seems that my life will be very 7th-less.
Thanks to everyone I have met, however, I know that this is not the case. Even when we’re not marching, the friendships grow strong and the inside jokes live on. I will never be without 7th because no matter the distance between our homes, there is one home we all share and come back to again and again. Rise as one, 7th Regiment.
MAXIM COUSINEAU
Hometown: Montreal, Canada School: University of Montreal Major: Software Engineering Years Marched: 2013—2016 Section: Snare Drum After five years of being a drum corps performer, the realization that it was all coming to an end was a hard one. The Regiment has seen me both at my best and at my worst over the years, and has truly become an important part of who I am as an individual. I’d like to thank everyone involved with the corps since 2013, for making the past four years of my life absolutely amazing. And to those of you who still have the opportunity to march, may the future hold as many great friendships and treasured memories as my time at 7th Regiment has for me.
back and I’m glad I did, since that year was absolutely amazing, and it led into this year. I can say without a doubt that the past two summers have been the best time of my life, but this blurb isn’t really about my story, it’s instead about the lessons learned. I can’t even begin to describe the impact Drum Corps This activity, and 7th Regiment, is about dedication, has had on my life. Since 2010 I’ve always dreamed of hard work, patience and most of all, it is about the joining one, yet every year in November I always seemed memories gained. The past two years have given me a to come up with an excuse as to why I wouldn’t try: “I novel full of memories and friendships that will last me don’t have the money, I’m not good enough, I’ll do it a lifetime. next year.” Year after year I would do that and I’m so glad But as one chapter ends, another begins, now that in November of 2014 I went to the open house for as an alumnus I can’t wait to start giving back to 7th 7th Regiment, it was an absolutely amazing experience. Regiment just like many other alumni did throughout After that first camp I went to I knew I was going the course of the season. to stay in it for the long run. From there, I kept on going
ERIN SNYDER
Hometown: Sellersville, PA School: University of New Haven Major: M.S. Forensic Technology Program Years Marched: 2016 Section: Mellophone Being a part of this drum corps has meant more to me than I ever thought it would. I have learned new things about myself and about the world around me and it has molded me to be a better version of myself. Other than having the best summer of my life and meeting over 100 people who, back in December, were all strangers that I now call my family, drum corps has given me the ability to push through anything in my path and to work hard for my dreams and aspirations. I was introduced to the art of drum corps by a fellow band member of mine back in 2010. My band director showed the entire band a show that incorporated the music we were playing and this kid who I had never even spoken to before was just going wild in front of the room over this show and the technique, and musicality and from seeing his reaction I always thought it would be something I would want to do—I just never thought it would be possible. This young man unfortunately passed away this past summer. It was such a small
event in my life that I never thought a boy I had barely said three words to could make such an impact in my life that I would eventually be able to follow through with the seed he planted in my mind six years ago. Many times this season, especially in the early camps I felt like I could not do it, like I was not going to be able to learn a new instrument and be able to march the show. But thinking back, I’m extremely happy that I stuck with it and I never could have imagine a different summer for myself. Thank you 7th Regiment for all you have given me in the one year I could give to you! I cannot wait to see where current and future members can take this corps!
5
THE AGE OUT CLASS OF 2016 6 WILLIAM SIMMS
Hometown: Southington, CT School: University of Massachusetts Amherst Major: Music Education and Technology Years Marched: 2012—2016 Section: Baritone and Tuba
If you had asked anybody at my first camp way back in December of 2011 (when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth), they would have told you that I probably sat by myself at meals, or perhaps with a couple of the kids I already knew from high school, or perhaps that I only spoke about fifty words max that entire camp. They would also probably tell you that I was a kid who just wanted to get it done so I could march World Class. Five seasons later, I’m exiting the gate of Lucas Oil in a glass case of emotion; I’ve just completed my final drum corps show with 7th Regiment. I could not have felt more accomplished from my years here, and I couldn’t have been more proud of the team that’s been built up here over the years, no matter what the score.
Whether you’re an instructor, a friend, a leader, or a member of our wonderful support staff, you’ve helped me grow up through drum corps. Though it did not happen instantly, I’ve taken the lessons I’ve learned from this activity to build myself into the person I am today. This past year, my leadership skills were improved by being a horn sergeant, and it was an absolute pleasure to get up each morning and work alongside my fellow corps members. What I’ve discovered in my five seasons here is that, in the grand scheme of things, where you march or where you end up score-wise doesn’t matter at all, as long as you’re happy with what you’re doing. To quote our baritone tech, Stephen Klepner: “If you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong.” You could be a World Champion and get the highest score ever, but if you don’t love what you’re doing and the people who are working alongside you, then you’ve done something wrong. I believe I’ve made the right choice by sticking with 7th Regiment.
ERIN HALEY
Hometown: Kingston, MA School: University of Massachusetts Amherst Major: Mathematics Years Marched: 2015—2016 Section: Trumpet, Colorguard 7th Regiment allowed me to grow as both a performer and a person. 7th Regiment has a special community of performers, instructors, staff, and supporters that harbor a strong work ethic to achieve greatness. This corps is a special place where members can learn and grow, and for that I will be forever grateful.
ALUMNI NEWS Andrew Dressler (Battery ‘08, Front Ensemble ‘09-’10) was recently promoted to the Juvenile Unit at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and now prosecutes felony cases. Hannah Feldman (Trumpet ‘15) will begin studying Music Business at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development this coming fall. Jamil Jorge (Tuba ‘10-’11, Drum Major ‘12) and Rachel Timmons (Colorguard ‘05-’11) were married this summer in Connecticut, and are now living in Cranston, Rhode Island. Jamil also completed a master’s degree in Musicology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Amanda Kulas (Trumpet ‘14) won the NCAA New England Coach of the Year Award in her first year as an Assistant Coach. Cindy Tai (Colorguard ‘13, ‘15) is working as a Teen and Young Adult Educator/Bicultural Counselor at the YWCA North Shore Rape Crisis Center after earning her BS in Psychology from Salem State University. Burgundy Penn (Colorguard ‘06-’11) is currently on a seven-month deployment with the Navy and is engaged to be married upon her return home. Maddy Ventresca (Colorguard ‘11-’14) is moving to Massachusetts full-time and working for Sondra Celli as a rhinestoner after earning a VFA in Fashion Design from MassArt.
GARRETT LIPPIE
Hometown: Bridgetown, NJ School: William Paterson University Major: Physical Education Years Marched: 2015—2016 Section: Battery
Michael Vita (Trumpet ‘09-’14) and Lauramarie Rahusen (Colorguard ‘08) are engaged to be married. Jesse White (Tuba ‘07-’10) will be married this July. He and his fiancée Shannon Cohane met while performing in the marching band at the University of Connecticut.
7TH REGIMENT YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Arminder Singh : President Christina Nadeau : Vice President Kerry Valley : Treasurer Kyle Conrad : Secretary Daniel Topping Erick Mancebo Jennifer Stuckman Daniel Earhart Kevin Lowery - Corps Director Jim O’Neil - Assistant Corps Director Stephen Klepner - Assistant Corps Director
> continued from page 2
WHAT I’VE LEARNED STEPHEN KLEPNER, ASST. DIRECTOR
selflessness is inspiring and makes me want to come to work every day.
our future My personal goals for the corps all revolve around growth. The main objective of this growth needs to be to always try to give the highest quality education to as many students that we can. This goal needs to be achieved responsibly, meaning that we want to expand our ability to serve students but we do want to have 150 members on the field as soon as possible. We will not incur this cost down to our membership. Our organization is looking
for potential sponsors and donors to help offset costs. We would like to continue to modernize our current equipment and in the near future look to purchasing new horns, uniforms and percussion equipment to keep us competitively current within DCI. The future of 7th is exciting for me. 7th Regiment has become my home and my family. I am proud to be serving you and our corps as we look into the future. Together we can achieve great things for 7th Regiment. I am always open to discussion, questions comments or stories you may have—please feel free to email me at any time at stephen.klepner@7thregiment.email.