Skyliners Alumni Announce 2009 Music Program/Creative Team
Following a successful performance at the DCA Alumni Spectacular in Rochester on Labor Day weekend, The New York Skyliners’ Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps is proud to announce the upcoming 2009 Program and Instructional Staff. Led by returning Show Coordinator and World Drum Corps Hall of Fame / NJHoF Carl Ruocco, the instructional staff remains intact as the Skyliners prepare to build on the successful foundation established by this year’s corps. The corps shall continue to move forward with plans towards an innovative yet limited M&M program combined with the classic musical arrangements from the golden years of it’s past, in the style that only the Skyliners and their distinctive “New York Sound” can provide.
The 2009 Music Program includes such favorites as:
Off-The-Line of “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story, the 1979 Opener, brought back 30 years to the day !
Percussion Interlude
Color Pre medley of George M. Cohan’s 1904 tune “Give My Regards to Broadway” coupled with “Goodbye Broadway, Hello France”, the 1917 Wartime hit with music by Billy Baskette
Production of “Misirlou” from Sky’s 60’s era repertoire, a 1927 Greek tune first made popular in the United States by Nick Roubanis and later by Dick Dale and the Beach Boys
Drum Solo replacement for this year’s “Sing, Sing, Sing” still under consideration
Exit of “Slaughter on 10th Ave” and “Little Old New York”, a medley from the 1971 show followed by the forever recognizable “Every Streets a Boulevard” signature
Encore is none other and the show wouldn’t be complete without, the Bobby Sherwood 1940’s hit “Elk’s Parade”
The Skyliners Alumni mission is to keep forever alive, the legendary charts of their master arranger – the late Herman “HY” Dreitzer, while continuing to explore other musical avenues. This year, breaking from recent tradition and with the intent of creating immediate excitement and crowd appeal, the corps is proud to present a chart from the pen of the 1978/79 arranger Bob “The Phantom” Pearson – Leonard Bernstein’s “Something’s Coming”. This tune will provide both a technical challenge and a big brassy “NY” sound that both the corps will love to play and audience will love to hear.
The percussion program is under the capable hands of arranger/instructor Wes Meyers assisted by Robert “Jomba” O’Connor, both of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame / NJHoF, while the brass is handled by Bill Moore assisted by Joe “JD” Jacobs, both of the NJHoF and Bugler’s HoF’er and soloist extraordinaire John “Grass” Urspruch.
The M&M portion of the show shall be created by noted designer/instructor Bobby Steinhilber of the NJHoF, ably assisted by Frank Rogers and George Petrunchio.
The 2009 season shall also feature the return, once again, of Carl Ruocco to the podium as head Drum Major, replacing Brad Coleman who is taking a much needed sabbatical in order to better manage his own, successful business venture.
The corps has openings in all sections and is constantly seeking those that share the passion for good, old fashion drum and bugle corps traditions and who wish to experience the thrill of playing the great charts of years past. The corps prides itself on individual help/instruction and is home to many of the finest brass and percussion players in the NY metropolitan area. Drummers play in a world class environment and are surrounded by some of the best talent around. Buglers play along side of and learn from the best in the business, like World Drum Corps Hall of Famer Jimmy D’Amico, who calls this home. The corps would also like to institute an “old school” color guard of rifles/silks to augment the musical experience, enhance the overall show, and produce a complete field entertainment package. If you have prior experience in this regard or are simply interested in learning / participating, please contact us. The corps also employs a traditional “American Section / Honor Guard” which always has openings. If you have ever thought about being part of and contributing to the Skyliners’ big New York sound and want to enjoy the camaraderie in a place where “Something’s Coming” is a real Happening, this is where you are going to want to be.
Skyliners’ Alumni is an all age corps organized in 1994 and will be celebrating its 16 year. As a by-product of the famous NY Skyliners’ Drum & Bugle Corps, its purpose is to provide an outlet for those wishing to continue participating in the activity without the rigorous and demanding schedule often found in competing units. The corps strives to entertain crowds wherever it performs and primarily does a combination of parades and indoor/outdoor exhibitions, while adhering to a twice a month rehearsal schedule. The corps is sponsored by and affiliated with AL Post 1523 Staten Island NY and VFW Post 2867 Garfield NJ.
The first rehearsal for the upcoming season will be held next Sunday Sept 14 at 12 noon at the BENDA-ROEHRICH VFW POST 2867, 340 Outwater Lane, Garfield NJ, 07026 (973) 546-9790.
If interested, please feel free to stop down at this or any rehearsal or contact the corps director Ray Priester at: raypriester [at] earthlink [dot] net
For more information, complete rehearsal/performance schedule, corps history, pictures and audio/video of the corps, please visit our website at: http://skyliners.homestead.com
We look forward to meeting you real soon.
