The Academy
The Academy’s Center Stage production has arrived. On Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12, the full corps and guest artist Will Calhoun from Living Colour will perform at this annual theatre production. The show will also feature solo dancers, the “zany tuba section,” percussion ensembles and even performances by staff members.
Blue Devils
System Blue and the Blue Devils have partnered together with Wernick Musical Instruments (WMI) to introduce the System Blue Xylosynth. The instrument, an electronic keyboard that has proved itself as part of indoor drum line competitions, is now be available for outdoor use. ” With the System Blue Xylosynth, the Blue Devils expect to set the bar on electronic keyboards for the future and beyond,” said executive director David Gibbs.
Blue Knights
The Blue Knights are looking for volunteers for the 2010 summer season. The corps needs individuals to lend a helping hand during its “mini-camps,” its Rocky Mountain Rendezvous preview event, and throughout the summer tour.
Blue Stars
On June 11, the Blue Stars will debut their 2010 production, “Houdini,” at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds. Festivities start at 6 p.m. ET with a social and silent auction outside the Centennial 4-H Exhibit Hall, finishing with a full corps performance. As the group begins its summer tour after this debut performance, the La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune will follow along in a new blog that will chronicle the corps’ journey all the way to the World Championships in Indianapolis.
Bluecoats
The Bluecoats invite fans to the corps’ first-annual Reunion and Family Day event on Saturday, June 19 in Granville, Ohio (next to Denison University). This event will feature a debut performance of the corps’ 2010 production, food, memorabilia, and a chance for family and fans to mingle with corps members before they depart for their summer tour.
Boston Crusaders
As part of the upcoming Spring Fling on June 18, Boston Crusaders will announce their 2010 Hall of Fame inductees during a special awards ceremony. Among the winners are Jim and Ann Hughes, Jason Maxner, Jerry Noonan and Ed Rooney.
The Cadets
Have you ever had a brilliant idea for a drum corps T-shirt? The Cadets are looking for volunteers to help design T-shirts, thermals and sweats for their 2010 souvenir shop. Suggested themes include the group’s 2010 production “Toy Souldier” or the Cadets’ new logo.
Carolina Crown
On Sunday, June 13, Carolina Crown will preview its 2010 production, “A Second Chance,” in Boiling Springs, N.C. on the campus of Gardner Webb University. The corps will perform a full run-through of the show in uniform for friends, family and supporters. Admission is free.
The Cavaliers
The Cavaliers invite friends, fans and family to Fan Appreciation Night at Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, Ill.) on Saturday, June 12. The corps will perform a full-uniform dress rehearsal beginning at 7 p.m. High School students in attendance will have the special opportunity to meet and talk with corps members during water breaks and after rehearsal.
Colts
The Colts recently received a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association/Mystique Casino that will provide funding for 15-passenger van to add to the corps’ fleet.
What’s for lunch? With a camera on board the kitchen truck, the Colts are bringing a live streaming video feed to fans throughout the summer tour.
Forte
New Open Class corps Forte and Overture Youth Advocacy for the Arts (OYAA) are looking for your help. They recently launched their Capital Giving Campaign to raise money for the 2010 summer season and to prepare to expand operations the following year as the corps continues to grow.
Genesis
The newly-approved Open Class corps recently announced a new partnership with Jupiter, Mapex and Majestic marching equipment. According to a news release on the corps’ website, they will march with custom Mapex drums and Jupiter brass instruments.
Glassmen
The Glassmen will host a Run for the Corps 5K race and 1K fun run/walk fundraiser on Saturday, June 12 in Morenci, Mich. The race is set to start at 8:30 a.m. sharp (with registration at 7:30) beginning at the Morenci High School parking lot. Also, don’t miss the Glassmen Family Day Preview event on Sunday, June 13 also at Morenci High School.
Mandarins
The Mandarins worked hard during their May and June rehearsal camps, completing the opener, second movement, and part of the percussion feature for the group’s 2010 production. The Memorial Day camp also featured a performance skills session with DCI Hall of Fame member Shirley Dorritie. Spring training officially begins for the Mandarins this Friday, June 11.
Phantom Regiment
Phantom Regiment alum Dan Bohan (percussion 1978-1981) passed away last weekend in a traffic accident in Huntsville, Texas, where he had lived since 1990. Bohan marched with the Flying Dutchman from 1973-77 and joined Phantom’s tenor drum line in 1978. Services were held in Huntsville, Texas on June 9 and 10.
Raiders
The Raiders must be on Santa’s good list – due to their partnership with Dynasty musical instruments, the corps received new percussion and brass instruments for the 2010 summer season. At their Memorial Day camp, the Raiders displayed Christmas decorations to welcome support staffer Joe Kay, who had picked up the new equipment and driven it to the camp.
Revolution
All-day rehearsals have begun for Revolution in Natalia, Texas, kicking off the beginning of the corps’ summer tour. Volunteer help is still needed for meal prep and uniform sewing. Revolution will continue to update fans with tour news in the “Revolution Chronicles” blog.
Spirit of Newark/New Jersey
Spirit of Newark is introducing the Spirit Grade Fund to aid its members; many of whom struggle to raise even part of the tuition to participate. To help raise funds and motivate members to do well in school, the corps asks for donations based on letter grades: $20 for an A, $10 for a B, and $5 for a C.
Teal Sound
Teal Sound recently signed on with Warburton custom mouthpieces. Corps members will use the hardware with their Quantum brass instruments to improve projection and sound quality. The corps thanked the company and several staff members for their role in putting together the agreement.
Velvet Knights
Recording artist Wayne Bergeron will conduct a free educational clinic during the next Velvet Knights rehearsal camp on Sunday, June 13 at John Muir High School in Pasadena, Calif. In his youth, Bergeron marched as a member of the Lynwood Diplomats, the Lakewood Vaqueros and the Velvet Knights, and credits his drum corps experience for teaching him discipline and leadership skills. Bergeron is now a “first call” lead trumpet who has recorded with a range of artists from Christina Aguilera to Weird Al Yankovic.
