Bridgemen Keeping Busy In The Off Season

Despite the frosty temperatures outside, the Bridgemen have been heating things up as they continue to prepare for yet another exiting season.  Their musical book is really starting to come together.  Bringing back some of the best tunes in corps history, they will showcase some of Larry Kerchner’s best work.  Corps Director George Lavelle, surveyed the group at the end of the 2013 season and allowed the membership to choose the music.  Audiences will definitely be pleased with the results.  They will open with a powerful arrangement of “Pagliacci” and then move into the Earth Wind & Fire hit, “In the Stone.  Then they’ll slow things down with the beautiful, “Hymn to the Last Whale”.  They will wrap up the show with “Spanish Dreams”.  Of course, no Bridgemen production would be complete without an encore of “The William Tell Overture”.  Fans of the corps will not be disappointed as these tunes represent some of the greatest moments in the history of “The Show that Never Ends”.

There have been major improvements in the percussion section this year.  Once again Dennis Delucia has masterfully crafted a percussion section that is worthy of the Bridgemen pedigree, to don the yellow coats and add to his legendary legacy.  With an abundance of new and young talent the drummers are working to learn an entirely new book of music.  The talented drummers are required to play a wide variety of styles and techniques to be able to tackle Delucia’s complex compositions.  The hard work will pay off in the summer when the unique stylings of the most recognizable drumline in the world hits the field this summer.

Professional musician, Dr. Chud AKA David Calabrese pays a visit to Chelsea Delucia and the Bridgemen drumline during rehearsal.  In 1984 David was the set drummer for the corps.

Another major improvement will be in the Colorguard section.  Many of the more experienced members have returned to perform again and with the influx of younger members from the recently formed Double B Indoor Guard, they will field the largest section they’ve had in years.  Close to half of the Bridgemen Colorguard is involved in the Double B program and they rehearse once a week and they will be competing as an Independent group beginning this month.

Outside of their show music, the Bridgemen contribute to special masses at St. Andrews.  Below is the brass ensemble that participated in the midnight mass on Christmas Eve.  Father Pete who is also an accomplished musician joins Rick DuCharme, Gary Wada, Ivy and Joe Pepek and Ed Fortis for this picture after the beautiful Christmas service.  To keep up with everything Bridgemen, visit their website, www.bridgemen.com