The Academy



Last weekend the Academy started its winter training at the Tempe Sports Complex in Arizona. Focusing on technique and physical training, corps members worked on the first three minutes of their 2009 production "The Ascent." Practicing in 70-degree weather, they also had the opportunity to head outside to learn the first 30 seconds of the visual production.



Read more at ArizonaAcademy.org.




Bluecoats



"Throw It Down," a cinematic documentary chronicling the 2006 Bluecoats' life on the road has recently been released on DVD. According to former Bluecoats member and instructor Luke Bauerlein on ThrowItDownTheMovie.com, "This is not your typical cinema v?©rit?© documentary. There are special effects, dream sequences, actors, and plenty of other conventions that are played with to maximum effect," providing an end result that "is as intimate and piercing a look at a corps as you'll ever see."



Read more at Bluecoats.com.




The Cadets



The Cadets will conduct a "mock parade" on Monday, Jan. 19 in Woodstown, N.J., as the 150 member ensemble prepares for the Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C.. "This is dress rehearsal for the real deal on Tuesday," said Cadets assistant director Justin Heimbecker. "We want to ensure the look, the sound and every detail is in order. At the same time, we hope to give the residents of Woodstown a little treat, and say thank you to the school administration and community for their hospitality over the past few months."



Read more at YEA.org.




The Cavaliers



Despite 11 inches of snowfall in the Rosemont, Ill. area, the Cavaliers were able to pull off their January rehearsal camp without a hitch. During the weekend, Alex Harmon was appointed as the corps' 2009 drum major. He served as the assistant drum major during the 2008 season. In his sixth year with the corps, color guard member Brandon Givens will again serve as the guard sergeant.



Read more at Cavaliers.org.




Colts



The Colts have put the finishing touches on their plans to perform as part of the Presidential Inaugural Parade on Tuesday, Jan. 20 in Washington D.C. With five buses, a semi trailer, two large passenger vans, and a box truck, 242 people total will travel with the corps including 119 performing corps members and local television and newspaper reporters, among other supporters.



Read more at Colts.org.




Madison Scouts



Brad Meyer has been appointed front ensemble caption head of the Madison Scouts and will lead a team of several new staff members for the 2009 season. "Brad has been instrumental to the growth of the front ensemble since '07, and there is no one better to lead us forward in 2009," said corps director Dann Petersen.



Read more at MadisonScouts.org.




Vanguard Cadets



The Vanguard Cadets announced that Javier Cerna and Sean Mardell will serve as the corps' drum majors for the 2009 season. Both will be in their fourth-year with the Vanguard organization.



Read more at SCVanguard.org.