The summer is heating up in Arizona as last year’s Division II World Champion, the Academy, gets ready to move into Division I competition. The corps has been rehearsing in Tempe almost every day since Memorial Day, working on their 2007, and most challenging program to date, “The Chase.” They come into this season feeling that their past work ethic as a Division II corps will continue to help them be successful this year as well. DCI.org recently talked with Academy Director Mark Richardson to find the corps’ secret to success.
We know the quality of our product, the quality of our performers and the attitude and character of our corps must be in place in order for us to honor all that is already out there.
Richardson says the corps’ 2007 program is designed not merely as a competitive vehicle, but as an educational one first and foremost, as he understands that a solid educational foundation is the key to long-term success and evolution. “The choice for us to make this a harder, longer and a more Division I type of show was made regardless of whether or not we were going to be in Division I or Division II,” said Richardson. He knows the Academy is in new territory this year, but still believes the continued focus on music education and allowing the corps members to reach their fullest potential is the organization’s first priority. “We are certainly aware that the competitive field has heightened. We know the quality of our product, the quality of our performers and the attitude and character of our corps must be in place in order for us to honor all that is already out there,” said Richardson. “But the competitive aspect is only part of it. We are preparing our members as we have always done; not to get out there and beat the next guy, but to get out there and beat what we did the day before and see where that takes us.”
