Excelsior Announces 2008 Program And Staff

The Director of E X C E L S I O R Drum & Bugle Corps, Donel R.Mysliwiec, Proudly Announces Our Vision for 2008

The Concept
EXCELSIOR’S 2008 Conceptual Package Consists first of an exceptional staff That Designs, Creates, & tells a musical story of an age old desire Love…and the Beauty of the fight for it.

EXCELSIOR announces the return of Next Generation Arranger & Brass Caption Head Mr. Joey Pero Jr.

Joey artistically Creates the musical scenes in a score filled with intrigue Celebration , conviction and fight for what culminates in all of us

Unconditional Love…

Joey Pero early in his career was named DCA Soprano Individual Champion in the 2000,2001,2002 seasons. This as a result from his inspiration Mr. Ritchee Price who was very instrumental in encouraging Joey to become a soloist.
He received the prestigious DCA award for best showmanship (Vince Bruni Trophy) 2001, often he says was a reflection of Empire Statesmen’s own David Bruni’s as well as Hawthorn Caballaros’ own Jimmy Russo’s effect on him. Their Energy & Passion gave Joey his drive. Jerry Kelsey, Empire, being of course his inspiration to the arrangement of great music . Joey also took best soloist (Meg Russo Award) in 2002 and again in 2004. Joe has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, The Roberts Wesleyan College Wind Ensemble and the NYS Music Associations state conference winning several concerto competitions and capturing numerous achievement awards. While Studying at the Juiliard School at Lincoln center in NYC. Winton Marsalis took an interest in his ability and began teaching him privately for the next several years Often you will see Joe sporting the Gold Brush Monette Trumpet … a gift from his mentor Mr. Marsalis Joey was also a member of the Decappo Opera House, The Manhatten School of Music Preparatory division faculty and the highly noted Inter-School Orchestra (ISO) under the direction of the Illustrious Maestro Jonathan Strasser Where he still holds his faculty position After leaving Juiliard, Joey won several positions with highly noted groups in Boston such as The Berklee School of Music ,Tower of Power Ensemble , adjunct with The Boston Philharmonic And a member of Frank Boehm creative Corporate Entertainment While in Boston Joe studied pedagogy at the New England Conservatory with Charlie Schlueter , former principal of the Boston Symphony In 2005 he was asked to tour with jazz trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson and the Big Bop Neauveau ~ Held in High regard as a teacher, clinician & arranger, Joey is currently in the studio recording his debute album “Resonance” Due to be released Spring 2008.

EXCELSIOR welcomes Ensemble & Low Brass Instructor and Consultant Mr. Anthony Giles

After receiving his bachelors of Music with Honors at the State University of Michigan, Anthony went on to receive his Masters of Music at the Juiliard School in New York, N.Y. Majoring in Music Performance specializing in Low Brass. Anthony was the Department head of the Roane State Community College Brass Music in Harriman , Tenn. He was the Professor of Trombone & Tuba at the Conservatorio de Musica de Oviedo. Anthony has played with The Key West Symphony Orchestra, Sebrina Alphonso. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Jesus Lobos, The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Kirk Trevor, The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra , Yoshi Takeda, The Spokane Symphony Orchestra , Fabio Mechetti, and with the Orquesta del Principado De Asturias , Jesse Levine. Anthony also toured with The American Wind Symphony Orchestra, Robert Boudreau, Conductor and with The Michigan State University Symphonic Band, Eugene Corporan, Conductor. Anthony played Bass trombone for the Tommy Dorsey Big Band and The Mel Lewis Big Band Village VanGuard. His honors and awards to his credit include: Soloist, Knoxville Symphony, Visiting Artist Detroit Public School System, Soloist, Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra. Anthony’s vast experience also includes The Albany Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Cincinnati Pops, The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra were he recorded “Fountains of Rome”, The Juiliard Orchestra were he recorded “Casey at the Bat”, The West Virginia Symphony and The Aretha Franklin Band. EXCELSIOR welcomes Mr. Anthony Giles

Instructional Staff returning

High Brass technical Instructor & Drum Major Ms. Donel R. Mysliwiec

Low Brass technical Instructor ~ Mr. Paul Christopher

Program Designer & Coordinators
Donel R. Mysliwiec
Arthur F. Cornell

With a combined Drum Corps & Marching Band History of almost 15 years With Drum Corps that are gone but not forgotten and some that are still thriving today The Volunteers Drum & Bugle Corps, The Avant Garde, 27th Lancers, EXCELSIOR and The 8 time DCI World Champions The Cadets As well as a combined history of over 10 years in acting, Theater Direction, Marching band, Choreography, M&M, Brass and Percussion instruction They have re-awaken the Art of Field competition in the capital Region of New York and the Berkshires of Massachusetts with this years production of Artistry.

Pronouncing the Heart Beat of the Concept EXCELSIOR welcomes new comer Arranger and Percussion Caption Head Mr. Brian Ballard

Brian has been a performer on both the junior level as well as the all- age level Drum & Bugle Corps. Performing in the percussion section with the Jersey Surf from 1997 to 2000 and with the ~ 5 time DCA World Champions The Syracuse Brigadiers from 2003-2005 . Brian also has been very active in the instruction , design, arranging & consulting of some very successful championship marching band and winter percussion programs in the New Jersey / New York State arenas He has been percussion Caption Head and arranger for Eastern Regional and The Triton Regional HS. He was Percussion Arranger, program coordinator and visual caption head For Burlington County Regional HS , Gloucester City High School, Timber Creek High School and Lincoln High School South Dakota as well as a consultant for the Highland Regional HS . Brian is currently with Johnstown High School were they finished 3rd in The New York State High School Band Championships this 2007 season. Continuing on his Drum Corps Career path he was the Arranger and caption head for the White Sabers 2006 & 2007 seasons where he helped to lead the corps to its first finals appearance and obtained the High Percussion Finish, finals night. Brian Currently resides in the Troy, NY area and is pursuing a degree in music education. Also active in concert percussion, Brian has been a member of the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey And the Concert Band at the College of St Rose Brian is a pending member of the Vic Firth Education team. Brian also serves as an Adjudicator for the USSBA judging music and visual. Welcome Brian…

The Ethereal Front EXCELSIOR welcomes World Renowned Percussion Ensemble Artist & Arranger Dr. Gifford Howarth

Dr. GIFFORD HOWARTH has presented clinics and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. He has presented at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, dozens of MENC All-State Conferences, several PAS Day of Percussion events, and at different Universities throughout the world. The focus for most of his sessions are geared around percussion education. He is known as a mallet percussion specialist with a method book published through Tap Space Publications (tapspace.com), a series of signature marimba mallets through the Vic Firth Company (vicfirth.com) and several solo mallet arrangements. Dr. Howarth is also very active in the marching percussion genre. He has been a percussion consultant for The 8 time DCI World Champions The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps since 2000 and has arranged and taught for the Rochester Patriots and 5 time DCA World Champions The Syracuse Brigadiers. He is a national WGI percussion adjudicator along with several state wide indoor percussion and marching band circuits. Dr. Howarth recently received his DMA degree from Michigan State University, in East Lansing, MI. His Bachelors degree is from Ithaca College, his Masters is from Kent State University, and as a percussionists he had the privilege to study with Gordon Stout, Ted Rounds, and Bill Molenof. Currently Dr. Howarth is Assistant Professor of Percussion at Bloomsburg University located in Bloomsburg, PA. He is also an Instructor of Percussion at Penn State University in State College, PA. His previous teaching duties included teaching at Michigan State University and Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. Dr. Howarth is a National Yamaha Performing Artist, a Signature Artist for the Vic Firth Company, a clinician for Evans drumheads, and a clinician for the Zildjian Cymbal Company. For more information about Dr. Howarth, go to his website at www.giffordhowarth.com.

Front Ensemble Instructor
Ms. Jennifer Gonyea

Jennifer is currently a Certified Music Educator with certifications in New York State as well as New Jersey. After receiving her Associates in Applied Science- Honors Majoring in Music Education & Performance at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY. Jen went on to receive her Bachelors of Music from the Crane School of Music, State University of NY, Potsdam. Jen then achieved her Masters of Music Education at the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. Jennifer is currently teaching band and instrumental lessons in the Cohoes, NY. School District. She is also the assistant marching band director. From 2003-2006 Jen was the High School Jazz, concert percussion and brass band director for the Cherry-Valley Springfield CSD, Cherry-Valley. NY. Jen was also the instructor and arranger for the Johnstown Marching Band Front end ensemble 2005,2006 and finishing 3rd in the NYS Band Championships this 2007 season. Jennifer was also involved with the Johnstown Winter Percussion theater as an instructor in the spring of 2005,2006. With the US Scholastic Band Association Jen has been an adjudicator since the fall of 2003. Jen was the Percussion front Ensemble Instructor for the White Sabers Drum & Bugle Corps during the 2003,2004,2006 & 2007 Seasons. In addition Jen was the co-instructor for the Central Square Marching Band, Phoenix Marching Band, The Clinton School district parade band and Drum Line Instructor. She also was the Co-Director of the Jordan –Elbridge Winter Drum Line Front Ensemble. EXCELSIOR welcomes Jennifer Gonyea

Tenor Tech – Pending

Visual Youth
EXCELSIOR welcomes Debut Visionary Visual Caption head Mr. Kyle Leach

Coming to us from Penn Yan, New York Formerly of The Marcus Whitman Marching Band as well as the Westmoreland High School Marching Band Kyle’s Drum Corps Career was spent with The White Sabers and the 5 time DCA World Champions ~Syracuse Brigadiers Kyle brings with him a wealth of creative vision and a sense of Avant Garde. Inspired in him by his long time friend Mr. Bruce McCready Drill and visual instructor for the Marcus Whitman High School. Mr. McCready having taken Kyle under his wing during McCready’s stint on the visual staff with the Syracuse Brigadiers. Kyle’s talent also runs in music, as a former trumpeter for Marcus Whitman Marching Band and later worked to a lead Soprano in Drum Corps were, performance and Soloing was inspired in him from his earlier time under the tutelage of Mr. David Martin the Music Director of Marcus Whitman. It is Kyle’s Grandfather though who he credits with the building of his character and driving force behind his desire to be instrumental in the renewal of entertaining Drum Corps . Excelsior Welcomes The New & Innovative Mr. Kyle Leach

Visual Techicians ~
From Ohio Miss Rebecca Scroggins
From New York Miss Erika Brown
Visual tech 3- Pending

Artistry in Motion

The Next Logical Step…EXCELSIOR welcomes Mr. Bruce McCready

Mr. Bruce McCready has taught in the Pageantry Arts for the last 44 Years within the Drum Corps, Marching Band & Competitive Color Guard arenas. Mr. McCready has taught and or written Drill for Marcus Whitman HS, Copiague HS, Liverpool HS, Westmoreland HS, Auburn HS, Horseheads HS, Pioneer HS, East Irondequoit HS, New Milford HS, Jamestown HS among others. Having also taught The 5 time DCA World Champions The Syracuse Brigadiers, The Auburn Purple Lancers, Lacrosse Blue Stars and several other small corps. Bruce has earned life time membership with the New York Federation of Contest Judges where he has held the position of Color Guard Caption Administrator for the judging organization. He has judged DCA shows, including several championship finals and also held the position of Visual Coordinator for DCA judges. After retiring from The Marcus Whitman Sr. & Jr. High School where he was the Dean of Students He now holds the position of Assistant Director of the 5 time DCA World Champions The Syracuse Brigadiers EXCELSIOR welcomes MR. Bruce McCready

In A World of Dance EXCELSIOR welcomes to the staff Color Guard & Choreography Caption Head Miss. Emily Brown

Emily is a senior dance major at Suny Potsdam. Originally from the Finger Lakes region of New York Where she was involved with Marcus Whitman High School As a dancer Emily, has twice attended American College Dance Festival, New York City Dance Alliance and the Bates dance Festival She has received the Canfield Scholarship in Dance at Suny Potsdam as well as teaching dance at the Colton School District through safe schools & healthy schools grant of New York State Emily has previously taught at various dance studios And coordinated the Marcus Whitman dance team, where she also participated in the marching band , winter guard, and dance team. Emily has marched with Rochester perfomance Ensemble and worked with the Finger Lakes Performance Ensemble. Emily plans to attend graduate school for her Masters in Fine Arts for Choreography.

Color guard Tech 1- Pending
Color Guard – Tech 2- Pending

With a precisely orchestrated staff in Place…E X C E L S I O R Drum & Bugle Corps Presents ROBIN HOOD A Field Production

Robin Hood A dark and mysterious love story of a common man who robs from the rich to give back to the poor. Who’s love & deeds bestows trouble on the women who would be his wife.

Modo Nigor

The Opener ~ A Gregorian Chant of mystery introduces the harmonies of the horn line, the beauty, of the color guard, and the air of the day.

Introduction To Robin Hood

Drawing in, the power of the drum line and the ring of the sopranos, as just a taste of what is to come now builds the presence of the dark side to the story …
The Nottingham’s

Nemesis

Appropriately titled this powerful movement introduces us to The Nottingham’s Those who are being robbed finding it difficult to live with, Robin Hood and his merry men. (The Drum Line). Here, the Color Guard depicts their presence with brilliant color and a powerful dance. With a glimpse of Robin Hood himself we are walked through the echoing movement between the different sections of the horn line leaving no hair on your arms lying down .

Marian

A familiar piece among lovers says it all … “Everything I do I do it for You” A beautiful ballad to introduce the lovely soloist Marian to her beloved Robin Hood While the royals in waiting create a beautiful nuance of color and romance…

Arthur Is Born

A celebratory festival of life In Celtic flare as the Percussion Battery is featured and the horn line demonstrates it’s skill in both movement & the layered artistry of sound while the contras build the bass of this coming together The Nottingham’s have other Plans …

Robin Hood

Where it all unfolds …Who will win? The Nottingham’s or The Royals ? A battle ensues between the two while Robin Hood fights to save his love … This arrangement walks through the battle of the Mellophones & the Sopranos When a reprise of their love defeats all and A wedding of unconditional love is in their hearts…

As the conceptual Idea unfolds So in lies the Début Competition Performance Of The E X C E L S I O R Drum & Bugle Corps!