Green, Sullivan, VanDoren To Lead Blue Stars’ 2008 Brass

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The Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps is pleased to announce the appointment of Bradley Kerr Green and the return of Frank Sullivan and Donnie VanDoren to lead its brass program in 2008.

"We are tremendously excited about the brass and music team assembled for 2008," said Blue Stars Executive Director Brad Furlano. "Our brass program has been building and growing over the past few years, and 2008 is no exception. Green, Sullivan, and VanDoren all bring a wealth of experience and talent to the corps, and will provide our members – and fans – a season to remember."

Bradley Kerr Green has been appointed brass caption head for the 2008 season. Brad began his drum corps career as a euphonium player for the Cadets of Bergen County in 1995. He aged-out as Drum Major for The Cadets in 1998, where the corps earned its seventh DCI World Championship title and Brad was presented with the Jim Jones Leadership award.

From 1999 to 2004 Brad was a member of the theatrical production Blast! serving as conductor, trombonist, and euphonium performer. From 2001-2004 he was the brass supervisor/manager for the Broadway, Anaheim, and National Touring casts of BLAST.

In 2004 Brad assumed the role of Brass Caption Head for the Blue Knights drum and bugle corps, assisting in bringing the corps back into the top 10. In 2006 he joined the brass staff for the Santa Clara Vanguard drum and bugle corps; he then assumed the role of Assistant Brass Caption Head in 2007, where the corps returned to the top 5.

Brad has served as an instructor, adjudicator, and arranger/composer for marching bands and drum and bugle corps across the United States. From 1995 to 1999, he completed course work for Music Education at the University of North Texas. Currently, Brad resides in New York City, where he is completing his studies in Liberal Arts from The New School University.

“I am honored and extremely excited to be given the opportunity to work with the Blue Stars. The corps is saturated with some of the finest instructors, designers, and administrative staff the activity has to offer. The progress of the corps has been inspirational as an outside observer, and I look forward to the continued advancement of that progress.”

Frank Sullivan will arrange the Blue Stars’ 2008 program. Sullivan was a member of the Star of Indiana organization from 1991 to 1993 and both a member and instructor with Star of Indiana’s Brass Theater from 1994 to 1997. In 1998 he joined The Cadets’ on Brass Staff, eventually assuming the Brass Caption Head role there in 1999.

Away from the drum corps activity, Frank graduated from Indiana State University in 1996 with a degree in Music Education and was a band director in Indiana from 1997 to 2001. From 2001 to 2004 Sullivan toured with the BLAST, serving as a performing soloist, the music manager, and the artistic supervisor. In 2004 he composed the program for Boston Crusaders. Since then he’s been hard at work creating Inspire Music and Entertainment Productions, an arranging company based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Frank has been the Blue Stars’ arranger since their return to Division I in 2006.

Donnie VanDoren is returning to the Blue Stars as Head Program Consultant and Brass Advisor. VanDoren is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Casting Director for Mason Entertainment Group, creators of the theatrical show BLAST and the new show MIX (Music in Extreme).

VanDoren has many years of experience in the drum and bugle corps activity. From 1980 to 1984 he was the Brass Caption Head with the Garfield Cadets, helping the corps win its first two world championships in 1983 and 1984. In 1985, VanDoren served as the Brass Caption Head with the Casper Troopers, placing 9th at DCI Finals.

VanDoren was the Brass Caption Head at the Star of Indiana in 1986, and from 1988 to 1993, helping the corps win the world championship in 1991. From 1994 to 1998, Donnie served as Brass Theater’s Music Manager, and helped the organization transition into the BLAST production that has been touring the US and abroad since 2001. BLAST is the recipient of both an Emmy and a Grammy.

In 1997 and 1998 VanDoren was the Brass Caption Head with The Cadets. He’s an inductee of The Cadets Hall of Fame, The Star of Indiana Wall of Fame, and the DCI Hall of Fame.

"This is a very exciting time for the Blue Stars and all who are connected," said VanDoren. "The corps has gotten stronger each of the past 2 years, and this year will be no exception. For me, 2008 marks year 3 of a 5-year program to return the corps to their place as perennial finalists in Division I. This journey is going to be a memorable one for those individuals who choose to travel this path with us, and I see 2008 as another opportunity for the Blue Stars to continue its efforts to strengthen its relationship to the audience."

Auditions for the 2008 Blue Stars will be held November 23, 24, and 25 in Indianapolis, Indiana; and December 1 in Minneapolis, MN. For more information on becoming a part of the Blue Stars, visit www.bluestars.org.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 26th, 2007. Filed under DCI World.