Bridgemen Alumni Corps To Perform For The Last Time
The Bridgemen Board of Directors recently announced that the coming 2016 season will be the last for the Alumni corps due to membership and practice facility issues that were presenting the corps for this coming year. Director, George Lavelle recommended that, the corps should go out on top; on their own terms, instead of folding up on a cold February night, as so many great drum corps have done in the past. The board unanimously agreed and the corps has set some special plans for their final year as a drum corps.
The organization will continue to exist as a performing arts company, providing scholarships and helping to develop new programs in the city. The plans include offering outlets for those who wish to perform, play, dance, drum and spin in an organization suited to their individual abilities, desires and talent.
The City of Bayonne will only get to see their favorite corps a few more times this spring and summer before they ride off into the sunset.
On Saturday May 7th the will be marching in the Special Needs Baseball league parade. Then on May 14th, the corps will be partnering with BCB to sponsor the 4th Annual BAYONNE DAY at Vets stadium. Attendees will get an up-close and personal preview of the corps 2016 program. They will also be marching in the Bayonne Memorial Day parade on May 30th. Their last performance in Bayonne as a drum corps, will be on July 23rd at the TOURNAMENT OF STARS drum corps competition at Vets stadium.
The corps will then close the show at The historic DCI Eastern Classic in Allentown, Pa. on August 6 as they say goodbye to the East Coast. The LAST performance of the Bridgemen Alumni corps will be at the Drum Corps International Semi-finals in Indianapolis, Indianna. The corps will go out in style on marching music’s biggest stage and says goodbye to the world in front of 20,000 people.
“While it is sad that the corps will be going away, we are very excited that we will be going out on top and doing it our way, Turnouts for rehearsals are at a all-time high.” Bridgemen Director George Lavelle commented
This will be the BIGGEST corps ever and there is still an opportunity for anyone who would like to be part of the Hype! If anyone is interested in joining the Bridgemen for their farewell season, please email director George Lavelle at gmanbay41 [at] aol [dot] com for information. He will gladly send information on how to join. The corps next practice will Saturday May 14th from 12-6 at Veterans Stadium in Bayonne.
The program for the 2016 season includes Bridgemen classics: “Pagliacci”, “Land of Make Believe”, “My Favorite Things”, “The William Tell Overture” an encore of “In The Stone,” with Bridgemen humor and magic sprinkled throughout show!
The Board of Directors also announced that the Bridgemen Organization will continue on and become a Performing Arts organization. The organization already has a Mini Corps which is in its third year of existence, a Championship Indoor Color Guard known as DoubleB, and a brass choir that plays at church and civic functions. There are also more groups and ensembles on the horizon.
