Reading Buccaneers Announce 2011 Production
The ten-time and six-time-defending Drum Corps Associates world champion Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is pleased to announce the corps? 2011 production, ?танец-Danse-Danza-Dance.? The musical and visual program will transport audiences to a grand dance hall as the Buccaneers explore the rhythm, movement, excitement and entertainment of dance.
Dance is an art form that showcases body movement as a form of expression, social interaction, or spiritual invocation ? a powerful form of non-verbal communication. With its 2011 production, the Buccaneers will bring four distinct styles of dance to life. Each dance represents a discrete style of music, yet each is within the classical and symphonic idiom that has become a Buccaneers hallmark. The corps? outstanding color guard will assume a prominent role in the development of the program, introducing each dance idea to the rest of the corps and to the audience. With this program, the Buccaneers will build on the corps? robust visual program, adding another element for audiences to enjoy.
The Buccaneers will bring modern dance to life with The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot for Orchestra) by contemporary American composer John Adams (b. 1947). Composed in 1985 on commission from the Milwaukee Symphony, the work is an offshoot of Adams? acclaimed opera Nixon in China. Look for the brass section to set the mood with innovative voicing and textures, complemented by a spirited percussion feature. The minimalist quality of the music will be punctuated by modern dance movements and the rhythmic variations of the foxtrot.
The danzon was once the official dance of Cuba and remains prevalent in Mexico. It is highly expressive, elegant, seductive and rhythmic and is a fusion of European and African rhythm and dance styles. The Buccaneers will bring this dance to life with Danzon No. 2, by contemporary Mexican composer Arturo Marquez (b. 1950). Commissioned by the National Autonomous University of Mexico and debuted in 1994, Danzon No. 2 is one of the most popular, significant and frequently performed pieces of contemporary Mexican music. Look for unique rhythms, accents, timbres and excitement as every section of the corps shines in this engaging piece.
No form of dance stirs the soul like ballet. This formal, highly technical, dramatic, emotional, poised and elegant style is most commonly associated with classical and symphonic music. Originating in European courts during the Renaissance, ballet was perfected in Russia. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) ranks among the greatest of the great composers of ballet music, and the Buccaneers are proud to present selections from his masterpiece, Swan Lake. This dance will bring fans everything they?ve come to expect from the Buccaneers ? power, movement, volume, drama, excitement, and unforgettable melodies.
Finally, the Buccaneers will bring to life the high energy and festivity of the mambo with a return to the music of iconic American composer Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), as we present ?Mambo? from Symphonic Dances from ?West Side Story.? The Buccaneers will present a fresh take on this enduring and popular work, drawing inspiration from spirited performances by Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela.
According to Program Coordinator Rich Hammond, this year?s program will offer performers and audiences all they?ve come to expect with a Buccaneers production, with a new twist. ?As always, we will put together a show that emphasizes entertainment and our ?total team? concept of excellence in every caption, in every section. We?re excited to bring another dimension to our visual package ? movement and dance, in addition to drill. We?re fortunate to have such a talented group of visual designers and instructors. This type of show will give them an opportunity to use their talents to the fullest, which in turn will have a huge impact on the kind of show experience we provide fans and our members. We?ve also chosen some fresh, challenging and exciting music that should be a lot of fun to perform and great for our audiences to experience.?
The Buccaneers will host Winter Camp #1 on Saturday December 4, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., for brass and percussion players. Both rehearsal camps will be held at Twin Valley High School, Elverson, PA. All brass and percussion players interested in membership in the 2011 Reading Buccaneers are invited to attend. For more information, visit www.readingbuccaneers.org or emailmembership [dot] manager [at] readingbuccaneers [dot] org.
Founded in 1957, the Buccaneers are a non-profit, education-oriented musical organization. The Buccaneers are a charter member of Drum Corps Associates and won the first-ever DCA world championships in 1965. Additional titles followed in 1968, 1979, 1980 and, most recently, in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010– all six undefeated championship seasons. In 2009 the Buccaneers posted the highest championship score in DCA history, a 99.025 out of 100 and were named all-age Corps of the Decade by the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. In 2010 the Buccaneers set or extended DCA records for most championships (10), most consecutive victories (57) and most consecutive championships and most consecutive undefeated seasons (6).
For more information, visit www.readingbuccaneers.org.
