The Academy recently added two new brass instructional staff members including Chris Yee, music a educator from Austin, Texas, and Larry Jones, assistant professor of trumpet and jazz at the University of Central Arkansas.
On Dec. 13 and 14 in La Verne, Calif., the Blue Devils will launch its very first System Blue educational clinic. The sessions will give participating students the opportunity to experience first-hand the methods, materials and products that have led the Blue Devils to success over many years.
Corps members, personnel, friends, family, and more gathered on Nov. 21 for the Blue Knights' annual awards banquet which celebrated the accomplishments of the organization during its 50th anniversary year.
Last weekend, Boston Crusaders executive director Tom Spataro "Twittered" his way through the corps' very first audition camp in Tampa, Fla., providing up-to-the-minute posts on how the weekend was progressing.
The Cadets report that 11 returning and two new staff members will guide the corps' color guard section in 2009. Leading the team will be caption supervisor Emma Roberts, now in her 13th year with the group.
Capital Regiment reported on the success of its first audition/rehearsal camp on Nov. 24. The corps is making strides toward a 2009 return as a DCI Open Class corps pending the final outcome of an evaluation from the Drum Corps International participation review committee. "Each staff member is hyped more than you can imagine. From what they saw this weekend from those wanting to be a part of the corps, they couldn't be more pleased," said executive director Rick Bays in an update posted on the corps' Web site.
Carolina Crown had a record-setting turnout of 350 applicants last weekend as the organization hosted its first round of 2009 auditions at Nation Ford High School in the corps' hometown of Fort Mill, S.C.
The Cascades welcome James Wilson as the group's new brass staff caption head. Wilson is a Madison Scouts alum and is currently the assistant director of bands for Sand Springs Public Schools in Sand Springs, Okla. Pending the outcome of an official review of organizational operations by the Drum Corps International participation review committee, the Cascades look to return to the 2009 DCI Summer Tour after not fielding a corps last season.
Members of the Colts recently capped off the 2008 season during the organization's annual awards banquet celebration. Both Colts and Colt Cadets members were recognized for their accomplishments, with awards for outstanding first-year member, most improved corps member and Colts member of the year, among others. Those attending also bid fond farewell to the "age-out" corps members, who boast a combined 81 years of experience with the Colts.
Capital Regiment reported on the success of its first audition/rehearsal camp on Nov. 24. The corps is making strides toward a 2009 return as a DCI Open Class corps pending the final outcome of an evaluation from the Drum Corps International participation review committee. "Each staff member is hyped more than you can imagine. From what they saw this weekend from those wanting to be a part of the corps, they couldn't be more pleased," said executive director Rick Bays in an update posted on the corps' Web site.
Carolina Crown had a record-setting turnout of 350 applicants last weekend as the organization hosted its first round of 2009 auditions at Nation Ford High School in the corps' hometown of Fort Mill, S.C.
The Cascades welcome James Wilson as the group's new brass staff caption head. Wilson is a Madison Scouts alum and is currently the assistant director of bands for Sand Springs Public Schools in Sand Springs, Okla. Pending the outcome of an official review of organizational operations by the Drum Corps International participation review committee, the Cascades look to return to the 2009 DCI Summer Tour after not fielding a corps last season.
Members of the Colts recently capped off the 2008 season during the organization's annual awards banquet celebration. Both Colts and Colt Cadets members were recognized for their accomplishments, with awards for outstanding first-year member, most improved corps member and Colts member of the year, among others. Those attending also bid fond farewell to the "age-out" corps members, who boast a combined 81 years of experience with the Colts.
The Crossmen reported that more than 430 prospective members attended the group' s recent "eXperience/audition camp" in San Antonio and Dallas. "We are thrilled not only by the numbers who attended but also by the talent level of the musicians who came to the camps and auditions" said Crossmen director Mark Chambers.
Legends announced staff members of the corps 2009 design team: Ibe Sodawalla (program oversight/brass arranger), Landon Ewers (percussion design), and Ryan Miller (drill/visual design/color guard choreography). This team will work to develop the corps' 2009 production which will incorporate music from Maurice Ravel's ballet, "Daphnis et Chloe."
The Madison Scouts announced new and returning visual staff members including Ken Karlin who will be returning for a second season as drill writer and caption supervisor. "We are excited to have Ken return in a greater capacity," said Madison Scouts director Dann Petersen. "Along with unprecedented experience, Ken is a great teacher of teachers and will help develop the rest of the visual staff."
Phantom Regiment announced its new and returning color guard staff members for the 2009 season. Rick Subel will return to the corps as color guard designer and caption head along with choreographer Michael James.
Santa Clara Vanguard welcomed back former SCV Cadets director George Brown as the organization's director of operations. "George's familiarity with the organization means that he can hit the ground running." said Vanguard COO Kathy Serksnis. "He will be a boost to our data management work, our internal operations, and will help us continue building excellent relationships with the local community."
Building on the success of the corps' last two seasons and as part of a development plan, the Surfers Alumni Association, parent organization of the 7th Regiment, has invested in the purchase of King Ultimate Marching Brass horns which will be used by corps members at the organization's upcoming audition camp.
Teal Sound is in the process of creating a new uniform design that will feature the original colors of the corps when it was established in 1998. As posted on the corps' Web site, "the anticipated look of the corps will once again draw attention to the 'slotted diamond' that is synonymous with Teal Sound's identity. The colors of teal, gold and cream will introduce a more mature look while keeping with the uniqueness and originality of the corps."
The Vanguard Cadets revealed their 2009 production titled "Love." "This year the design team wanted to explore a universal theme and we couldn't think of anything more thematically universal than 'love,' the most powerful and transforming human emotion," said corps director Rob Ripley. The program will feature selections from the musicals "Rent" and "Moulin Rouge," as well as by Giacomo Puccini and others.
Legends announced staff members of the corps 2009 design team: Ibe Sodawalla (program oversight/brass arranger), Landon Ewers (percussion design), and Ryan Miller (drill/visual design/color guard choreography). This team will work to develop the corps' 2009 production which will incorporate music from Maurice Ravel's ballet, "Daphnis et Chloe."
The Madison Scouts announced new and returning visual staff members including Ken Karlin who will be returning for a second season as drill writer and caption supervisor. "We are excited to have Ken return in a greater capacity," said Madison Scouts director Dann Petersen. "Along with unprecedented experience, Ken is a great teacher of teachers and will help develop the rest of the visual staff."
Phantom Regiment announced its new and returning color guard staff members for the 2009 season. Rick Subel will return to the corps as color guard designer and caption head along with choreographer Michael James.
Santa Clara Vanguard welcomed back former SCV Cadets director George Brown as the organization's director of operations. "George's familiarity with the organization means that he can hit the ground running." said Vanguard COO Kathy Serksnis. "He will be a boost to our data management work, our internal operations, and will help us continue building excellent relationships with the local community."
Building on the success of the corps' last two seasons and as part of a development plan, the Surfers Alumni Association, parent organization of the 7th Regiment, has invested in the purchase of King Ultimate Marching Brass horns which will be used by corps members at the organization's upcoming audition camp.
Teal Sound is in the process of creating a new uniform design that will feature the original colors of the corps when it was established in 1998. As posted on the corps' Web site, "the anticipated look of the corps will once again draw attention to the 'slotted diamond' that is synonymous with Teal Sound's identity. The colors of teal, gold and cream will introduce a more mature look while keeping with the uniqueness and originality of the corps."
The Vanguard Cadets revealed their 2009 production titled "Love." "This year the design team wanted to explore a universal theme and we couldn't think of anything more thematically universal than 'love,' the most powerful and transforming human emotion," said corps director Rob Ripley. The program will feature selections from the musicals "Rent" and "Moulin Rouge," as well as by Giacomo Puccini and others.