Fusion Core PR

Fusion Core is excited to make it's debut on March 3rd in Hoboken New Jersey for the St. Patty's Day parade. If you have not been able to make it down to a practice and are curious what we're all about, come to Hoboken!!!! I can't believe I'm going to say this, but.......................................I'm excited for a parade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just kidding, some parades are a blast!!! I know the one in San Francisco this weekend should be great, sounds like a lot of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, for all you East Coasters this weekend, come check us out!!!!!!!!!! :)

Since Fusion Core practices every other weekend, this rehearsal was extremely important. Due to school closings on Monday, getting the school we've been practicing at was not possible. However, one of our board members and brass caption head performs periodically at that theatre and was able to get us the facility after calling numerous places outside of this area. This WAS NOT a deliberate move on the part of Fusion Core to sabatoge anybody. This was a chance to continue with the program. We have meetings on Sunday with a possible sponsor and a place we can call home in Morris County, NOT in Dover, and that's all it is. We know that sometimes things are perceived differently and put out there just to make it controversial, but the simple fact of the matter is, we just want to do drum corps and that's all we're doing.

Fusion Core has been off to a really great start. We have finished the opener and will be cleaning it up this weekend. We DO have horns and horn players, that helps :P !!! We could use some more drummers, pit and guard. This Saturday we will be practicing from 10:00 - 8:00. Go to www.fusioncorenj.homestead.com for rehearsal information and directions. Colorguard rehearsal will also resume this weekend, so those of you who are not in winterguard come on down. For anyone in winterguard...........GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!! This weekends dinner entree is spaghetti and meatballs with salad and rolls (just have to put that in there for all you hungry guys!!!!) Come down and spend the day with Fusion Core. WE'LL be glad you did!!!!!

Both, thanks for clarifying.

FUSION CORE ^OO^

Just to clarify, we are looking for a main and an assistant. The drum Majors will take on different job roles, other than just conducting. The drum major has many responsibilities for their drum corps. Chris has offered to come in whenever he's available and work with whoever the majors are. Looking forward to continuing on the 17th.

So often I bump into someone or talk to someone who says "I would love to be in drum corps, but I can't march or play anything", well here's your chance. Fusion is also recruiting support crew, cooks, grant writers and anything else you can/want to do if you can't/don't want to march. I was highly impressed with some of the corps SUPPORT CREWS last year. We sometimes forget that behind some of these GREAT shows, there's a GREAT support crew. We always had a GREAT support crew, just small, which I have to give them a lot of credit because they worked that much harder. There's plenty to do all season long. If your a GRANT WRITER and can either write grants for us or teach one of us how, please contact us. Please contact fusioncoredirect@gmail.com for more information.

Fusion Core is very excited to announce it's first annual Open House on January 6th at the Mine Hill American Legion Post #391 from 9:45 - 6:00 pm. This is not an audition but rather an open invitation to anyone who wishes to see what Fusion Core is all about. Please come by to check out the new corps, make some new friends, meet our staff and see for yourself what it’s all about! After lunch, rehearsal will follow from 1:00 until 6:00. We will also be discussing our upcoming DRUM MAJOR auditions. We will have a guest award winning drum major on the voting panel (keep your eyes out for more information)!!! For more information, visit our website at www.fusioncorenj.homestead.com. WHEN: Saturday, January 6, 2007. Registration begins at 9:45. WHERE: American Legion Post 391, Mine Hill, NJ (Directions Below) TIMES: 9:45 - 6:00 DIRECTIONS: From Long Island: Take the LIE West to the Cross Island Parkway North (ex 31 N). Cross over the Throgs Neck Bridge and merge onto the Cross Bronx Expressway. Cross over the GWB and merge onto I-80 West. Take exit 35A, turn RIGHT onto Ramp towards Dover. Stay straight onto CR-661 (Mt Hope Ave). Turn right onto US-46. Turn right onto Pine Street. Right onto Maple Avenue.Southern Jersey (Metro Philly): Take NJ Turnpike North to exit 10 (287 North). Take the Route 206 North exit (ex 22B). Merge onto I-80 East. Merge onto CR-631 S via EXIT 28 toward RT-10 / LEDGEWOOD / US-46 E / LK HOPATCONG. Stay on US-46 East. Turn left on Central Avenue and then Right onto Maple Avenue. Southern Jersey (Coastal): Take Garden State Parkway North to the RT-440 exit- EXIT 127- toward I-287. NJ-440 S becomes I-287 N. Keep LEFT to take I-287 N toward I-78 W. Merge onto US-206 N via exit 22B. Merge onto I-80 East. Merge onto CR-631 S via EXIT 28 toward RT-10 / LEDGEWOOD / US-46 E / LK HOPATCONG. Stay on US-46 East. Turn left on Central Avenue and then Right onto Maple Avenue. From Upstate New York:Take I-87 South to exit 15 (I-287). At exit 41B, take ramp onto I-80 towards I-80 / Del Water Gap. Take exit 35A, turn RIGHT onto Ramp towards Dover. Stay straight onto CR-661 (Mt Hope Ave). Turn right onto US-46. Turn right onto Pine Street. Right onto Maple Avenue.Northern Pennslvania: Take I-84 East to I-380 South to I-80 East. Take exit 28 onto CR-631 towards RT-10 / US-46 E / Ledgewood / Lk Hopatcong. Merge onto US-46. Left on Pine Street. Right onto Maple Avenue. P.S: WE WILL ALSO BE UNVEILING THE 2007 SHOW!!!! :)

Fusion Core is pleased to announce the appointment of Colorguard Designers/Caption Heads Larry Trimble and Steve Raysor. They will be assisted by Kerri Steppe, Guard Assistant Instructor. Matt Spatz is joining the Instructorial staff as a Brass Instructor, and Adam Kalnick will be Battery Coordinator for Fusion Core’s inaugural 2007 season. Larry Trimble has been Color Guard Coordinator for the Pennsbury High School Marching Band in Fallsington, PA from 1999-2003. Since 2003, Larry has been the color guard designer for the Souderton Area High School Marching Band and Souderton Forté Indoor color guard. He has also been a performing member of the 1999 Reading Buccaneers horn line, the 2001 Harrisburg Westshoremen color guard, the 2002 Reading Buccaneers color guard, and the 2003 and 2004 New York Skyliners color guards. In addition to his drum corps career, Larry was also a member of “THE GUARD” indoor color guard from 2001-2004. Stephen Raysor is extremely excited to be working with Fusion Core this season. In 1993, Stephen worked with Pennsbury High School Marching Band, and since 2003 he has been a Guard instructor at Souderton Area High School (in Souderton, PA) for both their indoor and outdoor programs since December 2003. Steve’s marching experience includes the Reading Buccaneers’ 2002 color guard, and the New York Skyliners’ 2004 color guard. Kerri Steppe began her color guard career in 1997 while attending Pocono Mountain High School, and continued until she graduated in 2000. She has marched with the New York Skyliners in 2003, 2004 and 2006, and performed with Fusion Winter guard 2005 and 2006. Kerri taught Pocono Mountain East high school 2002 – 2004, Huntington High School in 2005, and is currently teaching the Hicksville High School Color Guard and Fusion Winter Guard. Matt Spatz is currently Associate Director of Bands and Brass Specialist for Millburn High School, Millburn, NJ and is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Music Education degree at Boston University. He has been affiliated with marching bands and competitive drum corps for the last ten years, but also brings with him a wealth of diverse teaching and performance experience. Matt is a Professional Freelance Trumpet and French Horn Player, Clinician, and Instructor. His performances experience includes appearances with many artists and ensembles including the Army Rhythm and Blues Ensemble, Paquito D'Rivera, and Bella Fleck and the Flecktones. He is a Trumpet Instructor for The Eastern Conservatory of Music and Arts, and a member of North Jersey School Music Association, Music Educators National Conference and International Trumpet Guild. We warmly welcome Matt to Fusion Core! Adam Kalnick has been involved in drum & bugle corps and marching band activities on and off for 18 years. He was the tech for Spectra Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991, and marched tenors and snare for the Sunrisers from 1992-95. Last season (2006) Adam was the Snare Tech for Sun. Adam was the Percussion Tech for Northern Burlington County Regional High School for the 2004 and 2005 seasons, and was a consultant for 2006. He was also a consultant for South Brunswick High School Marching Band in 2006. Come down to Fusion Core’s Open House on January 6th to check out the wonderful show that the Design Team has already put together for our 2007 season, and to meet our staff. Go to our website for updated information, and directions: http://fusioncorenj.homestead.com or contact Holly Marino, Director at fusioncoredirect@gmail.com.

Fusion Core is very happy to announce Larry Trimble and Stephen Raysor as Color Guard Co Designers/Caption Heads. Larry Trimble had been Color Guard Coordinator for the Pennsbury High School Marching Band from 1999-2003. Since 2003, Larry has been the color guard designer for the Souderton Area High School Marching Band and Souderton Forté Indoor color guard. Larry has also been a member of the 1999 Reading Buccaneers horn line, the 2001 Harrisburg Westshoremen color guard, the 2002 Reading Buccaneers color guard, and the 2003 and 2004 New York Skyliners color guard. Along with drum corps, Larry has been a member of “THE GUARD” indoor color guard from 2001-2004. Stephen Raysor is extremely excited to be working with Fusion Core this season. In 1993, Stephen worked with Pennsbury High School Marching Band. Steve has been a guard instructor at Souderton Area High School for both their indoor and outdoor programs since December 2003. Steve’s marching experience includes the Reading Buccaneers 2002 color guard and the New York Skyliners 2004 color guard. Larry and Steve will be assisted by Kerri Steppe (aka Newlander :P ). Kerri started color guard in 1997 while attending Pocono Mountain High School and continued until she graduated in 2000. She also marched with The Skyliners in 2003, 2004 and 2006 and with Fusion Winter guard 2005 and 2006. Kerri taught Pocono Mountain East High School 2002 – 2004, Huntington High School in 2005 and is currently teaching Hicksville High School along with Fusion Winter guard once again. Welcome once again Larry, Steve and Kerri!!!!!

How's the weather in Texas in February? Warm? Does anyone know how long a drive it is from New York? SOunds like a fun mid-winter road trip!! I have a few friends from Texas who say that it's the next best thing next to New Orleans!!!!

Willy Carmona is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College of Pennsylvania. He has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Trumpet Performance and Jazz Performance. He was a principal cornet in the concert band and lead trumpet/soloist in the jazz band, both for three years. Willy began his professional career at the age of 15 performing with various Latin groups in the North Jersey area. He continues to freelance with Latin and jazz groups in the Tri-state area. Willy also does some studio work. Most of Willy's performance time is dedicated to playing trumpet, congas, and bongos with Concepto Diferente and the rock fusion band, Java. Willy is in his fifth year teaching at Dover High School; he is Director of the Dover High School marching Tiger Band. Willy has taught nine years total in the Dover School District, beginning his career in Middle School. The Marching Band has grown from 50 members to 110 members since he has taken over the program. Willy also directs the Concert band, pit orchestra and 2 jazz bands.

As our Journey begins, Fusion Core is thrilled to announce the design team for its inaugural 2007 season. Fusion Core’s staff coordinator is Eddie Bopp. Eddie Bopp has been involved in drum corps circuits for thirty years, and his instructional experience includes being on the Visual Staff of the Cranford Patriots, Fatardo, Bushwackers, and the N.Y. Skyliners, where he was also staff coordinator. He is also the Director of the Fusion Color Guard and has been on staff with The Patriots and The Colonial Brigade Color Guards. Eddie’s band experience includes Boonton High School, and Jefferson Township High School. In addition to teaching, Eddie Bopp has also judged for the Metro American and National Judges associations. The following design staff members have been working with Eddie Bopp to design the 2007 show. Izzy Delgado is very excited about being the drill designer and visual caption head for Fusion Core during their first season on the field. He spent his marching days in the horn lines for both the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps and the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps. Upon aging out from the Raiders in 2000, he joined their visual staff in 2001 and went on to become the visual caption head in 2003 and 2004. Currently, Izzy is the program coordinator and visual designer for the Sayreville HS Marching Band and their Winter Guard, each of which has won a circuit championship during his tenure. Izzy is also the drill designer for the Spirit of Newark Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition, he has served as drill designer and visual caption head for the New York Skyliners Drum and Bugle Corps, was the drill designer for the Vision Elite Drum and Bugle Corps, and also designed drill for several high school marching bands in New Jersey, such as Whippany Park HS and Lakewood HS. Izzy is currently on the design staff for the Fusion Color Guard and Genesis of Matawan Winter Guard, and was on the design staff for the Raiders Winter Guard. He also serves on the Mid Atlantic Indoor Network Task Force and is a Visual Adjudicator for the US Scholastic Band Association. Ben Schwartz joins Fusion Core as Percussion Arranger and Caption Head. He has worked as a Music Educator and percussion arranger throughout New Jersey over the past 6 years, and is currently the Co-Director of Bands at Elizabeth High School. Ben studied percussion and drum-set with such percussion notaries as She-e Wu, Dennis Delucia, Tommy Igoe, and Bernard Purdie. Further, Ben has also arranged music and instructed for several high school marching bands in New Jersey such as Hightstown, Union, Governor Livingston, Lakewood, Sayreville, and Elizabeth. Ben’s marching career includes time with the Bayonne Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps (1997 and 1998), the West Chester University Golden Rams Marching (1998 and 1999), and the Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2006. While with the Sunrisers Ben won the Drum Corps Associates’ (DCA’s) "Drum-set" Individual competition in Rochester, NY. Willie Carmona joins Fusion Core as Brass Caption Head. Willy Carmona is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College of Pennsylvania. He has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Trumpet Performance and Jazz Performance. He was a principal cornet in the concert band and lead trumpet/soloist in the jazz band, both for three years. Willy began his professional career at the age of 15 performing with various Latin groups in the North Jersey area. He continues to freelance with Latin and jazz groups in the Tri-state area. Willy also does some studio work. Most of Willy's performance time is dedicated to playing trumpet, congas, and bongos with Concepto Diferente and the rock fusion band, Java. Willy is in his fifth year teaching at Dover High School; he is Director of the Dover High School marching Tiger Band. Willy has taught nine years total in the Dover School District, beginning his career in Middle School. The Marching Band has grown from 50 members to 110 members since he has taken over the program. Willy also directs the Concert band, pit orchestra and 2 jazz bands. . Brass Arranger Rick Wygant’s drum corps career started thirty years ago with Fantasia III junior corps in Little Falls, New Jersey. Upon leaving Fantasia III, Rick marched with the Garfield Cadets (1983 – 1988). The Garfield Cadets were crowned DCI Champions four out of the five years Rick marched with the them (1983, 1984, 1985, and 1987.) Rick’s drum corps teaching experience began when he was brass instructor for the Crossmen (1989 – 1993) and as a Brass Consultant with the Reading Buccaneers (1992.) He was also the Brass arranger for Westshoremen (1994), arranged the brass book for the New York Skyliners (2006), and has been the Brass Arranger/Music Director for the highly successful Jersey Surf (1995 to present.) Rick also brings to Fusion Core over 20 years of experience arranging for various New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland marching bands. In addition to teaching and arranging for drum corps, Rick has been a band director at Parsippany High School (1989 – 1994) and now currently in the Stroudsburg Area School District (1994 to present.) Color Guard Designer and Caption Head Announcement coming soon. Come down to Fusion Core’s Open House on January 6th to check out the wonderful show that the Design Team has already put together for our 2007 season. Go to our website for updated information and directions: http://fusioncorenj.homestead.com or contact Director Holly Marino at fusioncoredirect@gmail.com for more information.

We would like to announce the birth of Fusion Core All Age Drum and Bugle Corps. New Jersey’s newest choice in All Age Drum Corps. Come join us at our open house on January 6th from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, location TBA as our “Journey Begins”. Staff and show announcements will be made in the coming days. For more information, please visit us at Fusion Core website or contact Holly Marino, Director, at fusioncoredirect@gmail.com For so many of us, drum corps is our passion. Yet in today’s busy world, we also need to balance our passion with our every day lives. How do we do that? Well, Fusion Core wants to do it for you. We have put together a program that will enable you to enjoy drum corps, be competitive and yet spend time with your family. We truly believe in the old adage “practice smarter, not harder”. “By committing yourself to getting the job done and giving it your all, you can have the best of both worlds” said Executive Director Ralph Marino. Come be a part of something new and exciting in 2007!