DrumCorps
Summer 2013 | Vol. 7 No. 2
The Magazine of Marching Music’s Major League™
International
INDY ROCKS!
A Plan of Action for Championship Week in Indianapolis
2013 SEASON PREVIEW A Fan’s Guide to DCI’s Summer Tour Across America
Knicks Sticks Corps Alums Drum Up NBA Action
Globetrotters: DCI MARCHERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
MANDARINS’ & COLTS’ GOLDEN YEAR DRUM CORPS IN THE STANDS AND ON THE BIG SCREEN TEACHER TALK, VIDEO LESSONS, AND MORE DCI NEWS
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SUMMER 2013
DrumCorps International THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF MARCHING MUSIC’S MAJOR LEAGUE Volume 7 Issue 2
Dan Acheson Executive Director/CEO Bob Jacobs Director, Marketing John DeNovi Director, Sales & Business Development Chris Weber Sr. Manager, Communications
Custom Published By: In Tune Partners, LLC Irwin Kornfeld CEO Will Edwards President Angelo Biasi Publisher Emile Menasché Editor-in-Chief Jackie Jordan Creative Director Mac Randall Senior Editor Robin Garber Production Director Barbara Boughton Business Manager Photography Johnny Gilbert, Jolesch Photography, Linda and Sid Unser Contributors Debbie Galante Block, Will Kussmaul, Danny Miles, Adam Perlmutter Drum Corps International is the leader in producing events for the world’s most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers. Editorial and business contact is 110 W. Washington St., Suite C, Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone: 317-275-1212, fax: 317-713-0690. Drum Corps International Magazine is published twice a year. Nonprofit organization U.S. postage paid at Long Prairie, MN, permit #710. Copyright ©2013 Drum Corps International. All rights reserved.
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Carolina Crown
FEATURES 12
Summer Preview: 2013 is Going to Be FANtastic
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Foreign Legions
DCI’s traditional combination of artistry and athleticism meets new faces and places, giving 2013 the potential to be the hottest—and most entertaining—season on record. BY EMILE MENASCHÉ Whether they’re touring with groups from their respective homelands or filling the ranks of U.S.-based corps, DCI’s international members display talent, commitment, and culture both on and off the field. BY DANNY MILES
DEPARTMENTS 5 Sidelines
Music City
DrumLine Battle events scheduled for this season … Kick Start 2013 … Corps alums drum up NBA excitement … More classic performances come to Blu-ray … Summer cinema events, and more!
8 Championships Week
With pulsating action at Lucas Oil Stadium and great off-the-field events all around town, Indy will once again be the place for all drum corps fans in August.
26 Commitment to Excellence
Online lessons in the off-season have helped the Colts get ready for 2013.
30 Teacher Talk
How annual class trips to DCI’s Southeastern Championship transformed an Atlanta middle school’s band program. www.dci.org
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NEWS AND NOTES FROM DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL KICK START YOUR SEASON
DCI’s popular Kick Start leadership program will once again be part of group ticket packages at select Premier Events this summer, and it looks to be better than ever. “This year’s program will focus even more on personal responsibility,” says program founder Fran Kick. “Whether they’re in the role of leaders or followers, students will learn to treat others the way they want to be treated themselves.” 2013 events include DCI Houston (7/19), DCI Southwestern Championship, (San Antonio, 7/20), DCI Arkansas (Little Rock, 7/24), The Masters of the Summer Music Games (Murfreesboro, TN, 7/26), DCI North Alabama (Huntsville, 7/27), DCI Atlanta Southeastern Championship (7/28), and the World Championship Finals (Indianapolis 8/10). “Kick Start was a huge part of our marching band camp,” says Cecilia Clark, fine arts chair at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA. “It got everyone fired up for our season.” DCI.org/kickstart
Let the Battles Begin
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rumLine Battle is ready to launch with both in-person and online competitions all over the world. At press time, the schedule for DCI’s new mano e mano musical contest included events in Shanghai, China (5/31), San Antonio (6/14 and 7/20) and Dallas, TX (6/16), Nashua, NH (6/22), Boston, MA (6/29) Denver, CO (7/6), Opelika, AL (7/25), Murfreesboro, TN (7/26), Huntsville, AL (7/27) Atlanta, GA (7/28), Dublin, OH (7/30), Allentown, PA (8/3) and Indianapolis (8/10)—with more dates expected soon. “DCI is excited about DrumLine Battles as both stand-alone events and as a way to attract even more people to Drum Corps International Tour Events,” says DCI’s director of marketing Robert Jacobs. “The stand-alone events provide new opportunities for bringing DCI places that may be logistically impossible for full-sized drum corps competitions. The events at DCI shows are a great way to involve more people in the excitement of DCI and its participating corps.” For the latest schedule, competitors’ sign-up information, and rules, visit drumlinebattle.com.
March Into the Movie House DCI returns to the big screen for two huge events this summer. The 2013 DCI Tour Premiere (Monday, June 24, 6:30 PM local time) features the Bluecoats, Boston Crusaders, Cadets, Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment and Spirit of Atlanta taped at the Innovations in Brass
DCI Tour event on June 22 in Akron, Ohio. Big Loud & Live 10 brings all the action from the World Championship Prelims at Lucas Oil Stadium (Thursday, Aug. 8, 6:30 PM EDT) as it happens. For more informaiton and to find a theater near you, go to DCI.org/cinema. www.dci.org
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Sidelines Essential Sequel
From DCI Corps to NBA Court
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he NBA’s New York Knicks have pounded a lot of opponents at home this season, but there’s another outfit issuing regular “beatings” at Madison Square Garden. The team’s official drum line, known as the New York Sticks, has been a big part of the excitement for New York fans all year. The group, which boasts some former Drum Corps International members among its ranks, helps get the Garden rocking during player introductions, time outs, and other breaks by playing arrangements of the latest pop songs and original rhythmic inventions. The Sticks are part of Gallant Entertainment, Inc. (GEI), a New York City–based organization that promotes drum line performances on TV and at sporting, corporate, and other events. “We combine traditional drumming with the latest music and performance technology,” says CEO Shaun Gallant. Sticks member Eric Carr sees a direct connection between his tenure with Jersey Surf (2008–9), and Carolina Crown (’10) and his success on the hardwood. “The transition was very smooth for me,” he says. “Sure, there was a lot of music to learn at first. But after preparing for
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DCI, I knew how to mange my time and get all the notes memorized by the first gig.” “Being in the Sticks takes my favorite parts of drum corps and turns it into a job,” adds Michael Howell, who aged out of the Boston Crusaders in 2008. “I remember finishing the drum break at a show in South Carolina and looking into the front row of the audience and seeing the energy and pure excitement they were feeling with us. With GEI that’s the whole gig— jam and hype beats with the sole purpose of getting the crowd up and pumped.” And while energizing basketball fans may not match the scale or intensity of drum corps, getting paid to play in “The World’s Most Famous Arena” is pretty cool in its own right. “There is still a part of me that enjoys the performance experience of a DCI show,” says Michael Eagle (Phantom Regiment 2002). “At this stage of my life and career, I couldn’t be happier to have a professional place for rudimental players in NYC.” And with the NYC’s notoriously demanding fans to please, the mental strength developed in DCI can be as important as musical skill. “The most important lesson I got out of marching was to accept no excuses,” Carr says. “Once I make a commitment, I follow through to the best of my abilities.”
DCI brings another volume of classic drum corps to the highdefinition Blu-ray format with the Essentials Collection— Champions 2. Like the first edition, it features 13 shows from the 1970s through 2000s— including the 1972 Anaheim Kingsmen’s performance at DCI’s World Championship in Whitewater, Wisconsin, available on a DCI video for the very first time. See the full lineup and find ordering information at DCIstore.org.
50/50 Madison Scouts‘ 75th (DCI Spring 2013) isn’t this season’s only big anniversary. Colts (Dubuque, IA, colts.org) and Mandarins (Sacramento, CA, mandarins.org) are each marking 50 years on the march. Part of the Colts’ 1996 Mandarins celebration will include a new documentary about the corps, while Mandarins have set up a “Year of the Gold1976 en Dragon Fund Colts Drive” to help the organization start its second half-century.
Take Your Seat Make sure you’re sitting in the sweet spot at your favorite DCI events by ordering tickets online. Find the latest schedule, search by location, and purchase seats— including group plans for select events— at DCI.org/schedule.
www.dci.org
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ChampionshipsWeek MONDAY & TUESDAY
August 5 & 6
Drum Corps International’s 2013 Championships Week is sure to offer something for every student and fan of marching music.
Open Class Championship: Start the week taking in Michigan City’s beautiful Great Lakes atmosphere by day, then witness the pure joy of drum corps under the evening sky for the Open Class Prelims (Monday) and Finals (Tuesday) at Ames Field. No one knows who’ll take the crown, but one thing is certain: It won’t be the defending champion Oregon Crusaders, who will compete in the World Class this year. Plan your pre-show at emichigancity.com.
FIELD OF DREAMS
Indy Finals: Five and Counting
Ames Field
WEDNESDAY
August 7 Indianapolis takes over the drum corps universe on Wednesday, starting with the outdoor Individual & Ensemble Championship on Georgia Street.
Individual & Ensemble Championship
After three seasons engaging in their own contest in San Antonio, World Class members will once again face their Open Class counterparts in a return to I&E’s traditional format. In the eve8
ning, there’s the DCI Hall of Fame Induction and Kickoff Party at Union Station, which will honor new inductees: DCI judge Marie Czapinski, the late Phantom Regiment director Bob Lendman, Mandarins executive director Ray Mar, and broadcaster Steve Rondinaro.
This season marks Lucas Oil Stadium’s fifth anniversary as the venue for the DCI World Championships (and the sixth straight time the Finals will be in Indiana). The only location to host for five straight years, LOS also moves into second place for total Championships, passing the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, which hosted in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2003. And as the Championships’ scheduled home for the next few years, LOS is on target to top the current record holder, Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, which hosted seven times between 1985 and 2006.
THURSDAY
August 8 With Open and World Class groups competing head to head, Thursday’s World Championship Prelims is ripe for upsets. And with performances from early afternoon through the night, it’ll be a full day’s worth of incredible excitement.
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Georgia Street
INpact
August 10 After months on the march and on the road, it all comes down to one night for 12 DCI groups qualifying for the World Championship Finals. But before they hit the Lucas Oil Stadium turf one last time in 2013, downtown Indy will be slamming to the rhythm of a DrumLine Battle and SoundSport demonstration, which
FRIDAY
August 9 The top 25 corps at the Prelims take the field for Friday’s World Championship Semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium, followed by what many call the season’s most moving moments: the presentation of individual awards and schol-
SATURDAY
will happen on what the city calls its “newest and coolest gathering place,” Georgia Street. After a recent $12.5 million restoration, the threeblock area features a new pedestrian boardwalk, lighting system, and landscaping, and connects many of downtown Indy’s most popular attractions. Later in the day, INpact, a band of Indiana middle schoolers, returns to warm up the Lucas Oil Stadium crowd for DCI’s big finale.
DCI World Championships MICHIGAN CITY, IN i Open Class Prelims Monday, August 5 i Open Class Finals Tuesday, August 6 INDIANAPOLIS, IN i World Championship Prelims Thursday, August 8 i World Championship Semifinals Friday, August 9 i World Championship Finals Saturday, August 10
For tickets and other info visit DCI. org/Indy arships, the recognition of DCI’s new Hall of Fame class, and the massive Age-Out Ceremony for graduating members.
STAY IN STYLE!
Be at the center of the Championship Week action by booking through Drum Corps International. For locations, room availability, and special rates, go to DCI.org/IndyHotels. www.dci.org
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Championship corps deserve a championship city. Indianapolis is excited to welcome back the DCI World Championships. As a city that strives to be the very best, we’re in-tune with your elite standards of excellence and are proud to transform our home into your stage. Each year the spotlight shines on the DCI World Championships, and each year we are inspired by the moving composition of your performances, your leadership and your dedication. Indianapolis has been working hard to raise its game to provide the best for you. In the same way you work tirelessly to perfect your performance, we are working hard to strengthen the championships and our commitment to you. Good luck to everyone!
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2013
SUMMER PREVIEW Artistry, athleticism, and new faces and places are sure to make DCI’s 2013 season the hottest on record.
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What’s more entertaining? Enjoying the music and movement you’ve come to love? Or hearing something new? How about a little of both? Let’s start with tradition—both long-standing and more recent. As it has every year since 2009, the 2013 Drum Corps International Summer Tour will end on familiar ground—or in this case, turf—as DCI will once again crown its World Champion at Lucas Oil Stadium (LOS) in Indianapolis on August 10. It will also cap off what’s becoming a traditional week of celebration and competition in the state of Indiana (see page 9 for more). Yet even with that long tenure as the home of the World Championships, LOS is far from the longeststanding major venue on this summer’s calendar. Ever y region of the countr y has its own classic Premier Events to look forward to each year, whether it’s an early-season show like DCI West in Palo Alto’s Stanford Stadium (6/22), mid-season classics in Minneapolis (7/13) and San Antonio (7/20), or later showcases like the Southeastern Championship at the Georgia Dome (7/28) and DCI’s annual two-day showdown in Allentown, PA (8/2 & 3). T hen t here’s Ju ly 6t h’s Dr u m s A long t he Rockies—which will be Denver’s 50th anniversary hosting drum corps. Like that city, two World Class groups—Mandarins and Colts—hit 50 this year, though they’re all whippersnappers compared to the Madison Scouts, who turn 75. Ironically, it’s a slight change to one of DCI’s most established events that has made room for DCI’s
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SUMMER PREVIEW newest Premier Event. With Atlanta’s Southeastern Championship moving to Sunday, July 28, due to a scheduling conflict this year, Huntsville, Alabama will take its usual Saturday spot on the schedule (July 27). What else is new? For one thing, t he World Class welcomes a new member, as the defending Open Class Champion Oregon Crusaders will join it s ra n k s. Consider i ng how wel l Oregon performed in the 2012 World Championship Prelims, expectations will be high for this year’s show, “My Heart, My Battle, My Soul,” which includes m u s i c b y D v o rˇ á k , Gershwin, the Animals, Adele, a nd Mor ton Gould. A s t he new k ids in town, the Crusaders will get to go up ag a i n st some well-established powerhouses, including last season’s champion Blue Devils. On the centennial of it s l iter a l ly r iotou s debut , Igor Stravinski’s “Rite of Spring” will be the group’s jumping off point as it defends its record 15th World Championship. “There will certainly be great respect given to the original but there’s also a point of view that only drum corps can provide,” says program coordinator Scott Chandler. “Drum corps provides a new way of listening and seeing such a great work. Taking on a work like this can be daunting—but it’s also exhilarating. And the possibility of discovering something new to offer the fans and members always is a risk worth taking.” Classical music will also feature in a number of other shows by last year’s Finalists. After finishing second for the second time since 2009, Carolina Crown may finally be ready to make t he f i nal leap i nto t he top spot. Perhaps Crown’s “E=MC2”—with music by Richard Strauss and Paul 14
Blue Devils
Musical theater fans will enjoy Santa Clara Vanguard’s “Les Misèrables,”
The Cadets
which includes selections from the massive hit of stage and screen. “Vanguard is looking forward to bringing the music of the stage back to DCI in a way that hasn’t been seen or heard in decades,” says CEO Jeff Fiedler. Last year’s sixth- and seventh-place f i n isher s, B l u e c o a t s a nd B o s t o n Crusaders , had yet to announce their shows as we went to press. Boston started the year on a high note by marching in President Obama’s second inauguration, but with recent tragic events in their hometown fresh in the nation’s minds and hearts, there’s no doubt that every performance will carry even deeper emotional impact. The Cavaliers will try to shed light into the shadowy world of a “Secret Societ y” using t he music of John Mackey, M ichael Giacchino, and David Holsinger to explore what corps communications director Chris Lugo calls “the ancient mysteries and rituals of a powerful, modern secret society influencing the world.”
The season begins on June 19 and runs through the Finals on August 10. Lovatt-Cooper—will provide the winning formula. If trends mean anything, however, pay heed to Phantom Regiment’s steady rise in the standings since finishing ninth in 2009. As the group’s show title implies, this summer tour may well turn into a “Triumphant Journey,” with music by Dmitri Shostakovich, Benjamin Britten, and others. In “Side by Side: The Music Boston of Samuel Barber,” the 2011 Crusaders World Champion Cadets showcase t he work of one of America’s most revered composers, including “Symphony No. 1,” “Adagio for Strings,” and “Medea.”
www.dci.org
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2013
SUMMER PREVIEW
The Cavaliers
Longevity is the fitting theme for Scouts’ “Corps of Brothers—75 Years of Survival,” featuring many of the groups best-loved music, including Modest Mussorgsky’s “ N ight on Ba ld Mou nt a i n” a nd Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Executive director Chris Komnick says fans can expect “new levels of visual impact” in this show. Colors both visual and sonic will be explored in “NoBeginningNoEnd” by Blue Knights , featuring selections by Jay Bocook, Steve Reich, Pat Metheny, and others. “Look for a musical book that is literally nonstop,” says program coordinator Tim Newburn. The Roaring Twent ies are t he backdrop to “Speakeasy,” the jazzinfused show by Spirit of Atlanta, with selections by George Gershwin, Paul Creston, and others. Executive director Todd Snead says “fans will be propelled into the frenetic energy of the b u s t l i n g c it y, e njo y t he d r a m a and danger of speakeasies during prohibition, fall in love with art deco fashion and design, and celebrate the decade that defined America’s wild and carefree attitude.” Crossmen took a big leap in the standings last year, making the Finals for the first time since 2004. Featuring Pete Seeger’s “We Shall Overcome”— along with music by Queen, Simon & Garfunkel, Sting, Michael Jackson, Fun, Pink Floyd, and others—2013’s Madison
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“Protest” is “celebrating the fact that people have the right to stand up for their beliefs,” says corps director Fred Morrison. “We’re not taking a particular stand about any one area of concern, only shining a spotlight on the things Americans have achieved throughout history by standing up for ourselves.” Of course, any veteran fan can tell you that when it comes to performance quality and entertainment, the
excellence exhibited by DCI groups extends well beyond the top 12. After missing the Finals by a whisker last year with a classically themed show, Blue Stars will perform original music in “I Put a Spell on You.” Though it takes its title from (and includes) the famous Billy Joel song, T h e A c a d e m y ’ s “ P i a n o m a n” i s designed to turn the football field into a German cabaret, with music ranging from Kurt Weill’s “Alabama Song” to Dimitri S h o s t a k o v i c h’s “ P i a n o Concerto No. 2, Movement 1.” W h i le C o l t s ’ s ho w hadn’t been announced at press time, it will be interesting to see how the technolog y the corps used to
DCI Premier Events combine the best in drum corps performance with a whole range of fan-friendly extras.
Troopers
The Academy
enhance its offseason rehearsals (see page 26) will translate on the field. Pacific Crest ’s “Transfixed” will offer an artful contrast by introducing the music of Demi Lovato to the drum corps field alongside that of more tradit ional composers M ichael Markowski and John Mackey. “Fans should look for the development of emotion— changes of heart, so to speak—throughout the show,” says executive director Stuart Pompel. Mandarins will explore both Asian and American sounds in “Destination America: Journey of the Paper Sons,”
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“The Commandant’s Own”
The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps USMC.Drumcorps
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2013
SUMMER PREVIEW
Raiders
with music by Key Poulan. With an assist from former Late Show trumpeter (and drum corps alum) Al Chez, Jersey Surf will have fans on their feet with a funk fueled show called “Soul Surfing.” Tr o o p e r s ’ 2 013 s h o w “ T h e Magnificent 11,” features original music, selections from classic westerns, and “The Battle Hy m n of t he Republ ic,” while Cascades hope that success will be “Inescapable” this season. Pioneer’s spirited performances always seem to hit fans in the heart. As usual, the repertoire will ref lect the corps’ Irish-A merican roots w it h a show called “A nam Nua— Celtic for A New Spirit.”
OPEN CLASS
W it h defend i ng cha mps Oregon Crusaders now out of the way, the Open Class will offer an interesting m i x of established and emerg ing groups. Blue Devils B and Vanguard Cadets always seem to be at or near the top of the pack. New Hampshire’s Spartans finished right behind them last year. Their show “Live Free,” focuses on one work by one composer, Tchaikovsk y’s Swan Lake. Fellow Finalists 7th Regiment and Gold had yet to announce their 2013 shows, but you can bet both have their sights on a top three finish—or higher. Me a nwh i le , L e g e n d s ’ “Sleepy Hollow” will riff on the writings of Washington Irving. “We’re bringing our tradition of storytelling to the field,” says Legends executive director Ibe Sodawalla. “We’ll depict t he adventures of Ichabod Crane, who’s a quirky and superstitious character.” Legends won’t be the only Open Class group showing its literary side: In “mOZaic,” Genesis will perform selections from the 1939 theatrical version of The Wizard of Oz, while or ig i n a l mu s ic b y K e y Pou l a n , 18
Genesis
Hall. “And for a more dramatic, Latin look, the corps will sport fiery red plumes and the white in the uniform will be replaced with black.” Speaking of colors, Colt Cadets will turn “Red” with music from Bizet, Dave Grusin, Aaron Copland, and others. W hile many Open Class groups can be seen on the Summer Tour, it’s also worth checking out corps that spend the season closer to home. West Coast fans should look out for talented regional units like California’s Blue Devils C (Concord), City Sound (Long Beach), and Impulse (Buena Park), along with Thunder (Veradale, WA). Across the country, Spirit of Newark (NJ) will be rocking the Garden State and beyond, while Ontairio’s Blue Saints and Les Stentors of Quebec will bring thunder from the north. Sometimes, “new” means restarting a tradition, which is what will happen when Racine Scouts —America’s oldest continually active corps—looks to return to DCI competition this season. Fittingly, Racine’s “From the A shes” tells t he stor y of renewal t hrough t he mu sic of Stravinski’s The Firebird. “The subject of the ballet is a Russian mythological story about a prince and a princess menaced by strange magical creatures,” says program coordinator and brass caption head William V. Clark. “The production culminates in a triumphant and jubilant fanfare” celebrating the corps’ return. Learn more at DCI.org/corps and DCI.org/schedule.
DCI’s Open Class groups know how to put on a big show. Michael Huestis, and Jason Medeiros will underscore Raiders’ Edgar Allan Poe-inspired production, “The Raven: A Decent Into Madness.” Music City may brighten the mood w it h “ Po st c a rd s f rom H av a n a.” “Mu sica l selec t ions w i l l i nclude ‘ R ap s o d i a C u b a n a’ b y E r ne s t o Lecuona and ‘A M is Abuelos’ by Arturo Sandoval,” says director Keith
Spartans
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They don’t call it Drum Cor ps Inter national for nothing! Over the course of DCI’s history, thousands of overseas marching musicians and color guard members have competed in DCI events, either with corps visiting from foreign lands or as members of DCI groups. Let’s start with our neighbor to the north: Canada’s corps connection is so strong it’s hard to think of it as “foreign.” It’s home to two current Open Class groups—the Ontario-based Blue Saints a n d Q u e b e c ’s L e s S t e nt o r s — a n d Montreal hosted the 1980 and ’81 World Championships. DCI’s International Class, on the other hand, has brought to the Summer Tour groups from fart her af ield, including t he Netherlands’ Beatrix and Jubal, Japa n’s Yokohama Scout s, a nd others. In 2013, Taiwan’s Taipei Yuehfu will return for the fourth time. “We always set a goal to promote the value of marching music and the drum corps arts [to our members],” says Taipei program coordinator Paradox Chen. “Invitations [to perform with various] international music societies in the past years have led to some very special experiences. Among the most valuable have been our tours with DCI.” The experiences such visiting corps take home from DCI events, along with the Internet, social media, and trips abroad by DCI group members and instructors, are adding up to increase interest in marching music all over the world—and spurring a growing influx of foreign talent to North American groups. In addition to members from Canada, U.S.-based DCI corps will include dozens from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America this season. “Most, if not all of those auditioning from other countries march with a drum corps or color guard in their respective homeland,” says Nancy Barth, director of operations for Carolina Crown, which will include members from four foreign countries in 2013. Passing the audition is only the first challenge faced by many of DCI’s international members. “Some of the kids come over here with a language barrier to knock down,” says Rick Valenzuela of Phantom Regiment, which will host
Each season DCI plays host to musicians and guard members from all over the world.
Phantom Regiment’s Eri Chibana of Japan performs at the 2012 World Championships.
F REIGN
LEGIONS www.dci.org
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members from Japan, Thailand, Canada, and the Netherlands in 2013. “Therefore, their drive and desire is very high, as is their willingness to work hard and learn.” “We’ve been blessed with some very talented international members through the years,” adds Blue Knights executive director Mark Arnold. “I can think of at least t wo I nd iv idu a l & E n semble Champions and many others who have held leadership positions within our corps.” A mong t he bigge st t a lent Martijn exporters is t he Net herlands, Verstelle the which has a ver y active drum of Netherlands corps scene of its own—and some will return Madison ver y act ive DCI alumni. The to Scouts for Dutch in DCI Foundation has the third time in 2013. helped boost this pipeline by providing scholarships to help t hei r you ng cou nt r y men march in America. “We felt ever y talented Dutch perf o r m e r s h o u ld h a v e t h e opport u n it y,” says Robby Overvliet, who started marching with the Dutch group Don Bosco in 1985, spent five summers with the Freelancers (Sacramento, Calif.), and — af ter ag ing out in 1991— served as an instructor for The South African Field Band Foundation has been a source of members for Pioneer since 2001. another two years. Alarmed by the growing travel costs “We’ve had international members datfaced, he cofounded the foundation ing as far back as the 1970s,” says execuwith fellow DCI alums Erwin van tive director Chris Komnick. “It is an Wengen ( Blue Dev ils), and Marc important part of the diverse culture Haarman (Star of Indiana). This year, we try to develop within the corps. they will be awarding a record nine Our international members scholarships, an investment that pays bring unique viewpoints dividends by bolstering drum corps in and experiences to our their homeland. “A lot of Dutch in brotherhood and help DCI alumni bring their experience establish our reputation back home to t he Net herla nds,” worldwide.” Overvliet says. “They become teachers A sia is one of t he and spread the experience and elevate fastest-growing regions the level of European drum corps.” for competitive marching Most visiting marchers come for a music. For years, Japan has single season, some stay longer, includ- been sending a steady stream of ing Madison Scouts mellophone player members to DCI groups like Phantom Martijn Verstelle, returning for a third Regiment, Pioneer, Pacif ic Crest, DCI tour in 2013. (Madison’s ’13 roster Mandarins, the Cadets, Blue Knights, also includes members from Canada, Spirit of Atlanta, Boston Crusaders, Indonesia, Great Britain, and Japan). Carolina Crown, and others. “The
[Japanese] members are usually on the older side, typically 20 or 21,” says Mandarins corps director Jim Tabuch i. “T hey ’re ver y wel l trained, have very good manners and are not ones to complain about anything. We are always open to exploring more members from overseas, especially from Asia since we have that special connection.” Mandarins isn’t the only corps with a special foreign connection. Pioneer began a relationship with the South A frican Field Band Foundation in 2001, which has supplied the Milwaukee-based corps with more than 50 members since then—many from the poorest areas of South Africa. “It has been a source of pride for us, ” says executive director Roman Blenski. “The Field Band Foundation selects three to six young people, and pays to fly them here. In turn, we charge them no fees and have a list of donors who help out. This year we expect four members. They show a great amount of appreciation for what we do for them, and whenever they have access to a computer in South Africa, we hear from them.” “I think having foreign members gives us the best of both worlds,” Valenzuela says. “They get to experience the Drum Corps International activity and get the fast track to learning about and seeing our countr y, while the American kids get to learn about the overseas members’ countries and cultures.” A ll t hose bus rides, rehearsals, and shows forge international relationships lasting well beyond t he season. “Being a ‘corps with no borders’ has been valuable to all of us,” Blenski concludes. “I ca n’t say enough good things about the yearly mix that it brings and the experience of the entire corps in learning about each other’s cultures. They’re literally gaining friends for life with students from all over the world.”
“Having foreign members gives us the best of both worlds.”
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www.dci.org
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4/25/13 9:25 AM
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4/26/13 3:07 PM
Commitment to Excellence
By Adam Perlmutter
Log In and Learn
Online lessons have helped Colts members get ready for the 2013 season.
A
s with many corps, in recent years the Colts had been experiencing difficulty in getting the full ensemble together during the season from each February through mid-April, particularly during March. So, rather than just accept lackluster attendance— and its effect on the quality of its performances—the Dubuque, Iowa–based group took a bold step and eliminated that month’s rehearsal—well, sort of. “March rehearsals were always low-attendance camps for us, so the initial thought was that we would make more progress keeping students in regular contact over a few months’ span than we would by having one weekend of rehearsal,” explains Colts director Vicki MacFarlane. “It’s proven to work out well for us.” To maintain that regular contact, the Colts decided to take advantage of online technology to get their members up to speed while eliminating high travel costs for those who have to travel long distances to a camp. “Although in the past we’ve utilized Skype, YouTube, and SmartMusic for lessons, assignments, and auditions, 2013 marks the first season where we’ve had mandatory lessons in video format, MacFarlane says. “So we’ll be reducing
26
the members’ expenses, and we’ll become a stronger group—even though we’ll be spending less time together as a full corps during the off-season.” For these lessons, a caption head gives an assignment to be p r e s e nt e d l i v e o v e r S k y p e . Members with slow Internet connect ions can use YouTube to upload their lesson for a critique. It might be tricky for students without the proper equipment to make decent videos, but the Colts staff takes this into account when assessing these performances. “Some st udent s subm it ver y rough v ideo s t a ken w it h a n iPhone, and other students use more high-quality gear and get into editing, titling, and narrating s o m e o f t h e i r o w n w o r k ,” MacFarlane says. “But our brass staff, for example, will generally refrain from commenting on tone qualities for students without good microphones.” The most important thing is for each player to demonstrate proficiency on each assignment, which are given weekly for brass and every other week for percussion members. One added bonus of working online is the ability to explore the music in more detail than is possible with the compressed schedule of a rehearsal camp. “Because we have a lot more time during these video lessons, we don’t have to prioritize or sacrifice one thing for another,” says Brass caption head Bobby Frey. “If the student and I have the time, we go very deeply into fundamental musicianship.” Positive results have already been seen from the new program, and the Colts—who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this season—are hoping that will translate to a rise in the World Class standings. “The frequency of contact is resulting in more consistent work from each individual within the corps,” MacFarlane says. “Individuals are more prepared and are able to receive feedback more frequently. The structure allows students and staff to find optimal times [to work together], so there isn’t the limitation of one given weekend. Our April rehearsal will be the test of bringing all of the individual development back to the full ensemble setting, but we expect to be further ahead of where we usually are this time of year.”
www.dci.org
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3/1/13 11:20 AM
Teacher Talk
By Debbie Galante Block
Fans look on as the Phantom Regiment brass section warms up outside the Georgia Dome.
Dr. Joshua Boyd Director of Bands
Smokey Road Middle School, Atlanta, Georgia
With the entire World Class invading Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, late July’s Southeastern Championship has always been among the most exciting events on the Drum Corps International Tour schedule. It has also become an annual pilgrimage for Smokey Road Middle School band director Josh Boyd and 50 to 60 students of his students. Many of the kids from this fully-funded Title 1 school will be witnessing live performance at the level of a DCI show for the very first time. “In middle school, it is about exposure and discovery,” says Boyd, himself a former trumpeter and drum major with Spirit of Atlanta. “They see what is in the world of music and what the opportunities for education and careers can be.” With another drum corps season on the horizon, we asked him to share his and his students’ experiences. Spirit of
You’ve been bringing students to DCI shows Atlanta for a few years now. Has this had a lasting impact back at school? When I came to Smokey
Road about seven years ago, there were only about 100 band students total. I would say these DCI experiences have been a huge contributor to expanding the program to the 235 students we have now.
What’s the day at the stadium like? The kids are all fired
up, not knowing what to expect. When we get there and they get off the bus, the drum corps are already in the parking lot warming up. We take the kids around so they can see what a day in the life of a typical drum corps member is like.
I think that’s almost as valuable as seeing the show itself. Middle-level learners are still trying to figure out what they want to do and who they want to be. Several students have told me that that moment at the Georgia Dome is the moment they decided they were going to pursue music. Beyond the performances themselves, how have these group outings connected with your students? A couple of
years ago, the DCI groups coordinator brought a drum major, a color guard member, and a horn player up in the stands to meet the kids. The students felt like they were meeting rock stars. We attended the Kick Start event last year. [Kick Start is a free program available with group ticket packages for select DCI events. DCI.org/kickstart]. It increased our students’ interaction with high school and college students. Thanks to online communities, they can now talk about music with kids all over the world—all because DCI had a leadership opportunity where they could grow and develop a learning network. People who will be successful in tomorrow’s world will be those who can function in the digital workplace while maintaining people skills and values. These values can never be replaced, and I think that’s the most important thing that drum corps provides for students. Your kids seem to be learning a lot at each event. What about yourself? Drum corps events
give teachers the opportunity to grow and to ask questions. It is so easy to marginalize the value of music education. Do music programs provide any value to students outside of music? The truth is that they do! I marched 12 years ago in the Spirit of Atlanta. We didn’t all become band directors: There are doctors, lawyers, scientists, and prominent leaders [among the alumni]. But being part of a DCI group helped shape us into who we are today. My goal in taking my students to DCI events is to influence the next generation. It’s all about middle school kids seeing what they can do—and having a vision for what they can become.
Learn more about taking your group to a 2013 DCI Tour event. Visit DCI.org/groups or call 317.275.1212 for additional info. 30
www.dci.org
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4/23/13 4:10 PM
Presenting the 2013 Yamaha
Sounds of Summer
Camp Program Coming to a location near you. Since 1984 the Yamaha Sounds of Summer program has provided top notch instruction to drummers and percussionists of all ages. If you are hip to drum corps, indoor percussion or marching band, a Yamaha Sounds of Summer camp is the place for you. Don't be left behind. Camps are located all across the country and include instruction with the top names in marching percussion such as Dennis DeLucia, Jim Campbell, Bret Kuhn, Tom Aungst, Mike McIntosh, Lee Beddis, Dave Marvin, Matt Savage and many, many more. The hands-on instruction received by attendees is at the core of the Yamaha Sounds of Summer curriculum. The students will rehearse and perform exercises and etudes contained in the 2013 Sounds of Summer Marching Essentials book.
Be sure to tag your photos using #YAMAHASOS We will share them on the Yamaha Hub!
Key Facts: • Campers receive comprehensive marching percussion training • For all levels (grades 7-12) • Sectional and ensemble performing techniques are incorporated • Special clinic presentations available at select camps
Visit 4wrd.it/SOS13DCIM to find a camp near you!
SOUNDS
of SUMMER ©2013 Yamaha Corporation of America. All rights reserved.
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4/15/13 2:48 PM
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Events and dates subject to change. rev 4/13.2
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Tour of Champions Series highlighted in blue.
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MARCHING MUSICâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MAJOR LEAGUEâ&#x201E;˘
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