Brigadiers Welcome Back Tom Santino
The Syracuse Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps is pleased to welcome back Tom Santino as its Brass Coordinator for the 2007 season. Tom was previously the brass caption head with the Brigadiers from 2002 – 2004, during which the time the corps won a World Championship (2002) and two brass titles (2002, 2004).
In his new position, Tom will be primarily responsible for the brass instructional program, providing the corps his exceptional experience in the drum and bugle corps activity, as well as his talents as a music educator and brass technician. Tom’s drum corps instructional experience began in 1990 as a brass instructor with the Magic of Orlando. From 1994 to 1996 he served on the brass staff of the Concord Blue Devils, and in 1998, he became the Brass Caption Head for the Boston Crusaders, a position he held until 2001 and again in 2005-06. He also taught the Magic of Orlando in 2002, when that corps won the DCI Div. II championship, and again during Magic’s return to Div. I competition in 2003.
Joining Tom on the brass staff for 2007 will be Pete Blake, who returns to the corps after spending 2005 and 2006 as a brass technician with the Cadets. Pete has been actively involved with the Brigs since 1998, beginning his association with the corps as a member of the soprano section and ultimately becoming the Brass Caption Head in 2005. Pete is currently a music educator, having received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Syracuse University in 1999.
The Brigs are also delighted to have Wayne Downey returning to the corps for his 8th season as the Brass Arranger. Known for his years of achievement as the Music Director of the Concord Blue Devils and distinguished as one of the finest brass teachers/clinicians and arrangers in the world, Wayne will again provide the Brigs his expertise as brass arranger and music consultant.
Finally, Lansing Dimon will also be returning to the corps as a brass technician. Additional brass staff announcements will also be made in the future on the corps’ website.
The Brigs are eager to continue the corps’ association with these outstanding music educators and look forward to another outstanding season for the horn line under the direction of these gentlemen. For more detailed biographies, please go to Brass bios .
The Brigs will be hosting their Open House and first rehearsal November 11-12, starting at 1:00 on the 11th. Further details will be posted on the corps’ website soon. Anyone interested in experiencing the Red and Black first hand should make plans to attend!
With roots dating to 1938, the Syracuse Brigadiers Drum & Bugle Corps was reorganized in 1991 after a nineteen-year absence from competition. The Brigadiers are 5-time Drum Corps Associates World Champions, winning titles in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and are the only drum and bugle corps to ever win four consecutive DCA titles.
For more information, visit the corps’ website at www.brigadiers.com.
