From an Esperanza Performing Arts Association press release: The San Diego, Calif. based Esperanza Performing Arts Association, Inc. regrets to announce that it will not field a competitive drum and bugle corps for the 2007 Drum Corps International competitive season. Adrian Concepcion, president of the Esperanza Performing Arts Association said: "Alan Cox, who has served as our corps director since its inaugural season in 2000, is working on his graduate degree in education, and will be unable to continue to fulfill his directorial responsibilities. We have accepted Alan's resignation with regret and great appreciation for all that he has done to lead the corps over the past seven seasons, including the achievement of a Drum Corps International World Championship in Division II during the 2003 season, and for his determination to bring a Division I-caliber program to San Diego."
In addition to Cox, other key support staff members have recently moved on to new challenges in their lives as well. The most notable of these departures is long-time Assistant Director, Adam Stout, who is returning to school staring this July to complete his graduate degree in business administration at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. These developments led the board of directors to the decision of withdrawing from Drum Corps International participation at this time. "Our goal is to provide a positive experience for everyone in the Esperanza organization, and the board felt strongly that a reevaluation of our operations was necessary," Concepcion said. "Although the corps had assembled its teaching staff for this season, we did not begin rehearsals for the 2007 season, and we will use this time to examine our opportunities to continue our program for future seasons." Esperanza will still host its eighth annual "Esperanza Experience" on Sunday, Aug. 5, as part of the Drum Corps International Summer Music Games Tour. Additionally, the organization will hold an educational workshop for brass, percussion and color guard members in conjunction with that event. More information will follow in coming months. www.esperanzaarts.org