The 2009 Drum Corps International Tour brought breathtaking shows to fans at more than 100 events in nearly 40 states. Whether long-time supporters or first-timers, no DCI event would be complete without the excited and sometimes eccentric fans from around the country who come out to support their favorite corps. Don’t miss a second of the exciting action from the world’s most elite marching music ensembles next summer—join these extraordinary fans at a DCI event near you in 2010!
These fans attended the DCI Eastern Classic event at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pa. on Saturday, August 1…
Proudly wearing his 1972 DCI Championship ring he earned marching with the Anaheim Kingsmen, Tony Antonelli came to Allentown as a volunteer bus driver with the Troopers. He said that he likes to wear his ring from the very first DCI Championship during the summer when he is with people within the activity. For Antonelli, driving for corps is all about giving back and helping out. “I decided to pay back to the Troopers, because I marched there,” he said.
[pic_]Vicki Niswonger is a Trooper alumna who loves to follow drum corps. She moved to Casper, Wyo. from Western Pa. because her dream was to be a Trooper. After marching with the Trooper’s winterguard in the winter of 1974, Niswonger marched during the summer of 1975. Her advice to kids interested in drum corps is to get involved as soon as possible. Of her experience with the corps, Niswonger said, “I had one year with the Troopers and it was not enough.” Coming back to the corps as a volunteer has been fun, Niswonger said. She and the other alumni proudly watch as the corps climbs through the ranks.
Seventeen-year-old Caity Sherrid did her part at the DCI Eastern Classic by helping to sell souvenir yearbooks during the show. Sherrid said she is interested in drum corps because her dad was a member with West Shore and the Skyliners. When she was not hard at work selling the book, she said she enjoyed watching the corps perform from her vantage spot in the stands. Sherrid also enjoyed looking through the yearbook. She especially enjoyed reading the repertoire and program information for each of the performing corps. “[The Fans] seem to enjoy the book and all of the information in it,” she said. “They’re really enthusiastic about the corps and their shows.”
Jersey Surf member, Kaite Brown caught some of the show after the performance earlier in the evening. When asked about the transition to the World Class and a new, more strenuous tour schedule, Brown said she enjoys performing in more shows. While the corps is on the road much more, Brown said she thinks the extra travel is worth it. “I think the crowd is impressed with what we’ve brought our for being our first year in the World Class.”
[pic_]Mary Bell and her husband love drum corps. They’ve been married for almost thirty years and have attend shows even longer. The couple are so dedicated that they changed the date of their wedding in 1980 so they could be back home in time to go to DCI East (the DCI Eastern Classic event in Allentown, Pa.) after their honeymoon. This committed drum corps family enjoyed another night of amazing performances by corps at the exciting event held at J. Birney Crum Stadium.
Al Chez is not only a world class performer who plays his trumpet nightly on national television with The Late Show with David Letterman, he’s also a drum corps fanatic! A former member of the Garfield Cadets, Chez keeps up with the activity still to this day. “I love it,” Chez said. “It brings me back to when I was a kid doing it. Seeing all of these kids out there is a reality check for me. It reminds me why I do what I do and why I work so hard at it.”
Madeliene Widmeyer and a group of friends traveled to Allentown, Pa. from Ontario, Canada for a special trip to see all 22 World Class drum corps. After driving for 10 hours to get to the stadium, the group would have been extremely late for the first night of the two-day show, but where fortunate in that a rain storm delayed the start time long enough for them to make to the stadium in time to see most of the performances.
Daniel Kemshed
Daniel Kemshed, of North Hampton, England flew all the way to Allentown to see his first live drum corps show. After seeing recorded performances of American corps and participating in a corps across the pond, Kemshed couldn’t wait to see the Blue Devils and Phantom Regiment. After watching the Academy of Tempe, Ariz. practice before the show, Kemshed was impressed with the corps’ intensity and dedication to rehearsal. “You can see what it means to them.” Knowing of a Cavaliers member who trekked from England to march, Kemshed said that, “he’s gone on a massive journey and I’d like to do the same. Hopefully you’ll be seeing me out on that field.”
Debbie Darcy, Dan Moloney and Doug Gonya are members of the Bridgemen alumni corps and performed at the DCI Eastern Classic. The three weren’t actually members of the original junior corps, but were all involved in the activity. “It’s family just like back in the day when I marched junior corps. I never thought I would find drum corps family again because I was so loyal to that one,” Darcy said. The members enjoy getting to march and play again for enthusiastic crowds. “It’s like picking up right where I left off,” Gonya said. “The show’s great, the crowd’s great and it’s great to be back.”
