Jump to content

vbc33

Members
  • Posts

    250
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Contact Methods

  • AIM
    vbc33
  • Website URL
    http://
  • ICQ
    0
  • Yahoo
    vbc03001

Profile Information

  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Connecticut

vbc33's Achievements

DCP Veteran

DCP Veteran (2/3)

23

Reputation

  1. The CTHurricanes are excited to announce their 2017 Music Design Team. Ray Fallon, Jr. is joining the Hurricanes and will serve as the Program Coordinator. Aaron Goldberg, who consulted with the corps in 2010, will be the brass arranger. Hurricanes Alumnus Tom Gasparrini will be the Battery Arranger and Matt Hahn will serve as the Front Ensemble/Electronics Arranger. This team brings a wealth of music experience to the Hurricanes, along with years of success in the drum corps activity. The team is hard at work to design a competitive and engaging program for the DCA audience! Executive Director Brian Maroldt said, “We’re extremely excited about the music design team we’ve assembled. I can’t wait for everyone to see what Ray, Aaron, Tom & Matt put together for the Hurcs in 2017!” You can check out the bios for our Music Design Team on our website. Remember, our 2017 Open House is taking place November 26 & 27 at Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge, CT. Get all the details at CTHurricanes.org/Join.
  2. Stop by our website to check out our 2 winter update videos! http://cthurricanes.org/winter-updates Our next camp will be held at Manchester High School (located at 134 Middle Turnpike E, Manchester, CT 06040. Park in the lot on Summit Street). February 20 from 9AM - 4PM, brass only February 21 from 9AM-4PM, full corps, including guard There are still spots available, so fill out an application at http://cthurricanes.org/join-the-hurricanes or email is at info@cthurricanes.org for more information!
  3. I couldn't agree more. Bob was one of the most influential Hurricanes of all time, and even though many of the newer members didn't know him personally, they were able to appreciate what the man did for the Corps. That performance for him last August (see below) was one of the most powerful moments of my drum corps career. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvMwliW6HI
  4. In the past few days, the Hurricanes have announced their 2016 Program & Design Team! See the information below, and click here for a clip from the local news station plugging our Open House, coming up on November 28 and 29! 2016 Connecticut Hurricanes Program Announcement The concept of Freedom is multifaceted. It is a concept that represents the opportunity to embrace a system of beliefs, to choose methods of expression, and the ability to pursue one’s dreams. It is the concept of Freedom that stands as a cornerstone of democracies around the world. The 2016 Hurricanes are celebrating this idea of Freedom and the opportunities it allows those who have it. Using the liberating and inspiring strains of “Amazing Grace” woven through the program, combined with other musical selections, the Hurricanes will explore varying aspects of Freedom. The repertoire will consist of: •. Amazing Grace •. Freedom by Michael W. Smith •. Now We Are Free (Nelle tue mani) by Andrea Bocelli, from Gladiator (Hanz Zimmer/Lisa Gerrard) •. Freedom Triology by Paul Halley & Theresa Thomason The Hurricanes hope you will celebrate with us the possibilities, realities, and blessings that Freedom can afford. Freedom is a liberating experience that we should never take for granted. 2016 Connecticut Hurricanes Design Team Announcement The Hurricanes are excited to announce their 2016 Design Team! Returning from the 2015 Design Team is Visual Designer Rick Morey and Brass Arranger Matt Krempasky. New to the Hurricanes Design Team in 2016 will be JJ Pipitone as the Percussion Arranger Lennie Machado as the Color Guard Designer. Bob Kogut and Bill Solari are also contributing to the creative process in addition to their roles on the instructional staff. The team is working diligently to put together our 2016 program, Freedom, which will explore the ability to express yourself freely, choose freely, and pursue one’s dreams. The show promises to be a step forward for the Hurricanes and one that will resonate with drum corps fans. Our 2016 Open House is coming up on November 28 from 9AM-3PM and November 29 from 9AM-4PM at Amity Regional High School (25 Newton Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525). You can read more about the designers below! JJ Pipitone – Percussion Arranger JJ Pipitone received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Morehead State University and his Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas. He is currently an adjunct percussion professor at Texas A&M University - Commerce. Before this, he served in the public schools for 16 years as an assistant band director in the Lewisville and Grapevine Independent School Districts in the Dallas Ft. Worth area. In addition to all of the percussion responsibilities from 6th-12th grade, his duties have included Concert Band, Music Theory, Music History, Jazz band, and Musical Theater. JJ has extensive drum corps experience, having marched for 9 years in drum corps all over the country including numerous drum corps in the up-state New York area, the Dutch Boy, the Phantom Regiment, and the Concord Blue Devils. He won the DCI Multi tenor competition in 1989, The PAS Multi Tenor competition in 1990 and placed 2nd at the PAS marimba competition in 1992. As an instructor, JJ taught the World Champion Phantom Regiment in 1995 and 1996. In 1997, JJ was the Caption Head and the Battery Arranger. He went on to teach the Glassmen in 1998 and 1999 and the Crossmen in 2000 & 2001. He also served as Caption Head and Percussion Arranger for the Rochester Crusaders and the Empire Statesmen. JJ’s extensive judging experience has taken him around the globe since 2003. He is honored to be affiliated with Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and Drum Corps International. Lennie Machado – Color Guard Designer Lennie Machado is originally from the Boston area and has been involved in the Color Guard activity for over 20 years. He currently runs L-Mac Designs, a custom design company dedicated to the pageantry arts based out of Everett, MA. In 2014, he was inducted into the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to the activity. Lennie has served as Caption Head and Designer for the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps, Sacred Heart Winter Guard, St. Brendan’s Winter Guard and countless other groups through New England and the US. Lennie will bring his demonstrated and award winning skills to the Hurricanes Design Team this year to help bring the color guard and drum corps as a whole to the next level. Rick Morey – Visual Designer Rick, who lives in Utica, NY with his wife Barbara, has worked in the pageantry activity for several decades as a designer with various winter guards, marching bands and drum and bugle corps and as an adjudicator. Rick established the New Hartford Winter Guard and served as a designer and instructor for them for almost 30 years. He continues to be very active as a visual designer for championship marching bands in New York, New Jersey and New Mexico, as well as for the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights. He also had the privilege to design the 2014 Super Bowl Pre-Game featuring the combined Syracuse University and Rutgers University bands. He has had a longtime involvement in both DCI and DCA as a designer, program coordinator and consultant. His DCI affiliations have included Pioneer, Magic of Orlando and the Colts. In DCA, Rick has designed for the Steel City Ambassadors, 5-time DCA Champion Syracuse Brigadiers, Empire Statesmen and Windsor Regiment. Rick is also honored to have been inducted into the Mid-York Color Guard Circuit Hall of Fame, the New York State Field Band Conference Hall of Fame and the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame, where he serves as Chair of the Visual Screening Committee. As an adjudicator, Rick has judged for DCI, DCA, WGI, US Bands and BOA, as well as numerous marching band contests across the country. A past President of the New York Federation of Contest Judges, Rick has also served as a clinician in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. A retired high school counselor who was named New York State Counselor of the Year in 1996, Rick now works in the pageantry activity on a full time basis. Matt Krempasky – Brass Arranger Matthew F. Krempasky’s writing career began with the Reading Buccaneers in 1983, and has since expanded to drum and bugle corps, college and university bands, and high school ensembles from around the world. He wrote for the Bucs from 1983-1987, the Caballeros from 1988-1991, the Spirit of Atlanta from 1997-1999, and, most notably, for the Crossmen drum and bugle corps from 1986-1994, helping to return the Crossmen to DCI finalist status as well as helping them to their highest place finish in the history of the corps (6th place, 1992). He is has been elected to three different Drum & Bugle Corps Halls of Fame - the Reading Buccaneers (2006), the Pennsylvania Drum and Bugle Corps (2011), and the Crossmen (2012). Mr. Krempasky holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA and is currently the band director at Somerville (NJ) High School. He is a frequent performer and recording artist in the tri-state area on both trumpet and trombone. He has also studied computing and education at Columbia University’s Teachers College. In 1998, he was selected as the New Jersey Master Music Teacher by the New Jersey Music Educators Association. Since 1990, he has been a proud member of Mensa, the international IQ society.
  5. We will only be doing Manchester By-The-Sea and Wakefield.....then competing in The Beanpot Invitational at night!
  6. After an exciting end to the 2014 season, coupled with the kick off of 2015 this past weekend, the Hurricanes are excited to announce our 2015 Program. Tonight, join the Hurricanes as we hit a few of the City’s hippest “After Hours” clubs, on a Saturday night to remember! Hearing Brian Setzer’s dramatic ballad, “Since I Don’t Have You”, coming from a place just down the street, we set the adventure in motion. Our evening blasts to life in a high-octane jazz club where “Nutville”, one of our favorite big band productions, begins. Killer horn riffs and relentless energy deliver the wild ride of this Buddy Rich classic. We need a breath of air and escape outside, only to catch the plaintive sounds of “Harlem Nocturne” echoing from a smoky club down the block. Thinking we might catch a break, we're in for a big surprise when the band suddenly lights up the joint with “Jump, Jive and Wail”, Louis Prima’s dynamite up-tempo hit. Jammed with driving drums, pulsing rhythm, and dynamic horn moments, this iconic swing tune leaves us exhausted. But just as we're ready to leave, the haunting, dramatic “Since I Don’t Have You” begins to weave its spell again. The bold, textured, familiar melody welcomes the dawn, capping off a night of entertainment and emotion, cruising the jazz scene “After Hours”.
  7. Bobby Jones.....the Bizzle Jizzle.....talk about a well deserved honor. Very happy for you, my friend!
  8. The Connecticut Hurricanes are excited to announce the addition of WGI Director of Percussion and Hall of Fame member Mark Thurston to the position of Percussion Arranger for the 2015 season. Mark began his drum corps career as a snare drummer with the Royaleers Drum & Bugle Corps in his hometown of Utica, NY. In the early 70’s, he became a member of the Yankee Cadets and in 1976, he joined the Avant Garde Drum & Bugle Corps from Saratoga Springs, NY. From 1979 to 1982 he marched in the Crossmen’s snare line. After his age-out, he was asked to join their percussion staff and went on to serve as their Percussion Caption Head and Arranger from 1984 to 1996. In 2003, he was elected to the Crossmen Hall of Fame. Mark joined WGI Percussion in 1996, first as an adjudicator and then as the Percussion Educational Director in 1997-1998. Since 1999, he has been the Percussion Director and has been recognized as a driving force behind the significant growth of the indoor percussion activity. He has been a marching percussion artist and clinician for Zildjian cymbals since 1985. The Zildjian-Mark Thurston scholarship has been presented to WGI percussionists since 2010. He was elected to the WGI Hall of Fame in 2006. In addition to his work with the Crossmen, Mark’s drum corps experience includes arranging and instructing the Spirit of Atlanta (DCI), the Westshoremen (DCA) and most recently, the Reading Buccaneers (DCA). The Bucs won the DCA championship in 2012, 2013 & 2014 when he served on their staff in the role of Program Consultant and Music Ensemble Supervisor. They also took the DCA percussion title in 2012 & 2014. He was a Drum Corps Associates (DCA) percussion/music adjudicator from 2005 to 2011. In 2006, he also served as a Drum Corps International (DCI) percussion adjudicator. Mark Thurston is a highly regarded percussion clinician and educator. Adding to his memberships in the Crossmen and WGI Halls of Fame, Mark was inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2014, recognizing his many contributions to the Drum Corps activity. A resident of Limerick, PA, Mark currently teaches percussion at Spring-Ford High School in Royersford, PA.
  9. The Connecticut Hurricanes are pleased to announce their 2015 Percussion Caption Head. Mr. G. James Miller holds a Master of Science Degree from Full Sail University (2011), a Master of Arts Degree in Music from Columbia University Teachers College (1985), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from William Paterson College (1983). Mr. Miller has served in many of the tri-state area schools as an educator, writer, and clinician for over thirty five years. His writing credits include percussion ensemble works performed by many colleges, universities and high schools. Mr. Miller's exercises and ensemble works have been published and distributed world-wide by Premier Percussion, as well as authoring two books on percussion technique and several articles published in trade magazines. Mr. Miller has composed for and taught many drum and bugle corps such as the Skyliners (NY), Hurricanes (CT), Westshoremen (PA), Chieftains (PA), Bridgemen (NJ), the Star of Indiana (IN), and most notably the Bushwackers (NJ) - who were awarded the "Best Percussion" award at the DCA World Championships for five consecutive years. He has performed with the Hawthorne Muchachos, Fantasia III, and has earned a DCI High Percussion award with the Bayonne Bridgemen Drum & Bugle Corps. He is also currently on call staff of the Bridgemen Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Bridgeport PAL Drum Corps. G. James Miller has been a finalist for the Teacher of the Year award in Stratford CT, where he is currently employed (since 1986) as the Director of Music at Frank Scott Bunnell High School. At Bunnell he directs the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, the National Champion Indoor Drumline and the thirteen time Connecticut State Champion Marching Band. Additionally, Mr. Miller is an adjunct ECE Professor at the University of Connecticut.
  10. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The Connecticut Hurricanes are pleased to announce the addition of Matt Krempasky to their 2015 creative team in the role of Brass Arranger. Matthew F. Krempasky's writing career began with the Reading Buccaneers in 1983, and has since expanded to drum and bugle corps, college and university bands, and high school ensembles from around the world. He wrote for the Buccaneers from 1983-1987, the Hawthorne Caballeros from 1988-1991, Spirit of Atlanta from 1997-1999, and most notably, the Crossmen from 1986-1994. While writing for the Crossmen, he helped the corps return to DCI finalist status and helped them reach the highest placement in the history of the corps (6th in 1992). He has been elected to the Hall of Fame for three different corps: The Reading Buccaneers in 2006, the Pennsylvania Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011, and the Crossmen in 2012. Mr. Krempasky holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA. He is a frequent performer and recording artist in the tri-state area on both trumpet and trombone. He has also studied computing and education at Columbia University's Teachers College. In 1998, he was selected as the New Jersey Master Music Teacher by the New Jersey Music Educators Association. Since 1990, he has been a proud member of Mensa, the international high IQ society. Matthew is currently serving as the band director at Somerville (NJ) High School and looks forward to working with the 2015 Connecticut Hurricanes.
  11. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The Connecticut Hurricanes are excited to announce the appointment of Rick Morey to the position of Visual Designer for the 2015 season. Rick, who lives in Utica, NY with his wife Barbara, has worked in the pageantry activity for several decades as a designer with various winter guards, marching bands and drum and bugle corps and as an adjudicator. Rick established the New Hartford Winter Guard and served as a designer and instructor for them for almost 30 years. He continues to be very active as a visual designer for championship marching bands in New York, New Jersey and New Mexico, as well as for the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights. This year he was privileged to design the 2014 Super Bowl Pre-Game featuring the combined Syracuse University and Rutgers University bands. He has had a longtime involvement in both DCI and DCA as a designer, program coordinator and consultant. His DCI affiliations have included Pioneer, Magic of Orlando and the Colts. In DCA, Rick has designed for the Steel City Ambassadors, 5-time DCA Champion Syracuse Brigadiers, Empire Statesmen and Windsor Regiment. Rick is also honored to have been inducted into the Mid-York Color Guard Circuit Hall of Fame, the New York State Field Band Conference Hall of Fame and the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame, where he serves as Chair of the Visual Screening Committee. As an adjudicator, Rick has judged for DCI, DCA, WGI, US Bands and BOA, as well as numerous marching band contests across the country. A past President of the New York Federation of Contest Judges, Rick has also served as a clinician in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. A retired high school counselor who was named New York State Counselor of the Year in 1996, Rick now works in the pageantry activity on a full time basis. We also want to take this time to thank Jamey Thompson for his services over the last 7 seasons. The time, talent, and effort Jamey put forth was instrumental in getting the Hurricanes into the top 4 in 5 consecutive seasons (2008-2012). We wish Jamey the best of luck in his future endeavors!
  12. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The Connecticut Hurricanes are excited to announce the appointment of Carl Ruocco to their administrative team. Carl will be assuming the role of staff coordinator for the 2015 season. Carl has a long and influential career in the marching arts activity as a member, an instructor and an administrator. Primarily a percussion arranger and instructor in his early career, Carl moved on to lead the operational concerns of many DCI corps serving in the capacity of tour director, assistant director, director, program coordinator and staff coordinator. Notable corps included The Colts, Star of Indiana, The Crossmen, Spirit of Atlanta, Jersey Surf and the Santa Clara Vanguard. His DCA involvement is just as impressive and includes service to the New York Skyliners, The Westshoremen, and The New York Skyliners Alumni. Most recently, he served as staff coordinator for The Reading Buccaneers who won 8 DCA World Championships during his tenure. Carl has an extensive adjudication background and has judged the Drum Corps International World Championship three times and the Drum Corps Associates World Championship twice. He’s also provided numerous clinics and consultations to bands and drum corps throughout the United States. Carl is well known and respected among his peers in the drum corps community as evidenced by his induction to the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame (2001), the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2003), the New York Skyliners Hall of Fame (2006), the Crossmen Hall of Fame (2011) and the Reading Buccaneers Hall of Fame (2011). A resident of Mt Laurel, NJ, the Hurricanes welcome Carl to Connecticut and look forward to working with him in 2015!
  13. Hurricanes Announce 2015 Executive Director and Corps Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Coming off an 8th place finish at the DCA World Championships and our 60th Anniversary Season, the Hurricanes are excited to announce that Pete Propfe will return as the Corps Director. “My goal is to lead the Hurricanes back to prominence,” Pete said when asked about the 2015 season. “2014 was a good start and the upcoming season looks very promising. I am looking forward to working with everyone to achieve that goal.” Rich Warga will serve as the Executive Director in 2015. On his current appointment by the Hurricanes Board of Directors, Rich said, “I am excited to take on the new position of Executive Director of the Hurricanes for the 2015 season. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for the Hurricanes. We are putting together an amazing staff and I know that the corps is moving in the right direction. I am looking forward to working closely with corps director Pete Propfe and the rest of the management team.” More announcements are forthcoming, so stay tuned! See the bios for Pete and Rich below. Pete Propfe, Corps Director Pete started his drum corps career with the CT Vagabonds Drum and Bugle Corps (Torrington, CT) from 1969 – 1971 playing baritone and soprano. In 1972-73 Pete played lead soprano for the Oxford Explorers and 1st soprano for the Skyliners from 1974-75. He played with various small drum corps in CT and MA from 1976-79. From 1980-88, Pete helped reorganize the CT Vagabonds and was the director from 1983-88. Pete came to the Hurricanes in 1989, after playing mellophone in the SKyliners in 1988. He has been with the corps ever since, taking on numerous roles including member, soloist, personnel manager, assistant director, and director. He is a member of the Hurricanes Hall of Fame. Rich Warga, Executive Director Rich Warga has been contributing to the Drum & Bugle Corps community as a performer, instructor, adjudicator and administrator for more than 50 years. His participation dates back to his days as a horn player in the Bridgeport (CT) PAL Cadets. He then joined the ranks of the New York Skyliners, first as a baritone player, then as a soprano horn player and later as assistant drum major. During his tenure with the Skyliners, he also assisted with drill design and instruction. It was here that he began his administrative career as assistant director. He is also the founder, charter member and first director of the Skyliners Alumni Drum Corps. Rich served on the marching staff and design team of several junior corps including the Kingston Indians, Westchester Horizons, The Fairfield Colonnades Drum Corps and winter guard, Avant Guard, The Bridgeport Golden Buccaneers, Milford Shoreliners and the Garfield Cadets. He was also business manager and served on the board of directors for the Bayonne Raiders. Rich continued his drum corps career performing with the Hawthorne Caballeros. Starting back on the field as a brass player, he once again found his passion for teaching and served on their visual staff. He is proud to have been part of the staff for both the Skyliners and the Caballeros when they won DCA championships. Crossing back over to the administrative side of drum corps, Rich became assistant business manager of the Hawthorne Caballeros in 2003 and became treasurer in 2009. He was a member of their administrative team and served on their board of governors until he “retired” in 2011. In 2009, Rich was recognized for his contributions to the drum corps community and was elected to both the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Drum Corps Hall of Fame. Being an alumnus of Connecticut drum corps, Rich joined and still performs with The Park City Pride Combined Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps. He is also their business manager. Retirement from drum corps in 2011 ended a few short months later when Rich assumed the role of business manager for Fusion Core in 2012, and in 2013 came to serve on the board of directors of the Connecticut Hurricanes. In 2014, he became the business manager and treasurer.
  14. Tickets are now available Fanfare 2014, which will be held on August 23, 2014 at the venerable Kennedy Stadium in Bridgeport, CT. Visit the Fanfare page on the CTHurricanes website for more information on this exciting DCA competition, which takes place the week before the World Championships in Rochester! For questions or concerns, contact Bob Bradley at rbradley@yorklab.com or (203)912-0900.
  15. The Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps is excited to announce our 2014 production, “Always Greener.” Symbolically utilizing the corps colors; the brass, percussion and award-winning color guard will take the audience on a blossoming journey to celebrate our 60th Anniversary! Visually and musically, the viewer will witness the figurative and literal growth of a tiny flower bud, and its triumphant bloom into a beautiful, colorful perennial flower returning year after year – just as the corps has continually blossomed within our drum corps community over the past 60 years. Musical Selections Include: “The Promise of Living” “Merry Mount Suite” “Children’s Suite” “Variations on a Theme For Youth” “Make Our Garden Grow” with recurring melodies of “They Call the Wind Mariah” & “Magnificent Seven”
×
×
  • Create New...