The Bushwackers

The Bushwackers are pleased to announce the formation of the 28 for 28 Club. What is the 28 for 28 Club? The 28 for 28 Club is a group of supporters who are helping the Bushwackers realize the potential of our 28th season. If you are curious about what this is all about, please click here.

The Bushwackers kicked off their 2009 season in Elizabeth, NJ this past Sunday. The corps was pleased with the turnout, and all attendees were treated to a great day of drum corps. The day began with director Jay Morlot welcoming everyone and discussing the upcoming season and tentative schedule. Bill Woodward, program coordinator, then took the floor to announce the staff and details about our 2009 production "Scenes from a Psychotic Circus" to much applause and "oooh's" and "ahhhh's" from the assembled members. More exciting information about our truly unique twist on this show concept will be released soon! Following the administrative meeting, the corps broke up into sectionals. The percussion, with an extremely large and talented snare turnout, spent the day going through the entire technique program piece by piece. Our 2008 percussion section made huge strides and established themselves as a force in DCA. It was evident to all that they were simply picking up where they left off. This is going to be a fun section to experience this summer for both members and fans alike. The brass section, with their new look staff, received a ton of materials, music, and exercises on which the foundation of the 2009 Bush Brass program will be built. New caption head Chris Kilian took the members through the technique program before dismissing the section into sub-sectionals for the afternoon. The sections then learned a number of concert pieces and chord progressions that you all will hear at various times this summer. The energy and enthusiasm from the members was incredible, and all left feeling great about the show, the line, and the road ahead. The colorguard spent the day in the gym working on dance/body, flag work, and in sub-sectionals working with various pieces of equipment. While the gym was cold, the guard was hot as they worked on basics, learned work, and prepared routines for the end-of-day show and tell session. All of the traits that you've come to know about the Bush Guard were there: professionalism, performance, proficiency. This is a guard that continually strives to set the standard for the activity, and they certainly are up to the challenge again in 2009. The day concluded with a show and tell session. The brass performed two new chord progressions, as well as two concert pieces that they will be performing throughout the year. Everyone was impressed by the quality of sound, energy, and volume of the line. Next up was the drum line, who performed their entire technique program for the corps. Who doesn't love a good drum line?!? All were impressed with how much they accomplished in one day, and excited to have another great drum line in 2009. Finally, the corps moved to the gym to watch the colorguard perform 3 "acts" for us: dance/body, flag, and multiple equipment. It was impressive to see what they were able to put together in just a few short hours. Everyone marveled at their performance and can't wait to see what they'll be contributing to our psychotic circus show. At the conclusion of the day, Jay Morlot announced that the next camp for the corps will be January 3rd and 4th. Location directions and exact times will be announced shortly on our website at www.bushwackers.org. We are still accepting members in all sections, so save the dates and come on down and be a part of a corps that is putting together an incredible show and an amazing summer. Questions? Interested in joining or in more information? Email us at membership@bushwackers.org, or visit our website and fill out our membership form.

The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps is proud to announce the title and theme of their 2009 production: Ladies and gentlemen! "Scenes from a Psychotic Circus" is going to be a drum corps adventure the likes of which have never been seen! Join us as our twisted show comes to town...enter the big top and become mesmerized by our death defying stunts and amazing acrobatic feats! Then, follow us backstage as we explore the "freak show," and life behind the scenes. Finally, you'll have no choice but to give in and become part of the greatest, darkest, and most psychotic show on the planet... The 2009 Bushwackers are proud to present: "Scenes from a Psychotic Circus". More information will be unveiled when the circus comes to town at our annual Open House on November 30th at Elizabeth High School in Elizabeth, NJ! There are openings in all sections, so jump on the circus wagon and come be a part of the show! Directions and all the information you could possibly need is available and easily accessible at the rejuvenated www.bushwackers.org...OR, feel free to email the ring master himself at membership@bushwackers.org. "Scenes from a Psychotic Circus" is going to be a show to remember...we hope that you will be a part of it!

The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps is pleased to announce the instructional and design staff for our percussion section. The corps is excited to have such a talented roster of instructors on board to work with our incredible membership. --- The Bushwackers 2009 Percussion Team Includes: Bob Cizmarik - Battery Arranger/Instructor Mike Nevin - Front Ensemble Arranger Chris Perna - Winter Consultant Tim Greene - Battery Instructor Matt Bauer - Front Ensemble Instructor Rob Thatcher - Battery Instructor Sean McReady - Cymbal Instructor Bush Percussion is coming off a top 5 finish at the DCA World Championships and is looking to build upon that momentum. All we need is YOU! Our "Open House and First Rehearsal" of 2009 will be held at Elizabeth High School. Click HERE for more information and directions. There will be more announcements regarding our percussion instructional team in the near future, so keep checking DCP or www.bushwackers.org for details and updates.

The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps is excited to announce that Chris Perna will be returning to the Bushwackers Percussion Team in 2009. --- Chris Perna - Percussion Consultant and Battery Tech Chris Perna will be returning to The Bushwackers for his second season, this year as a Percussion Consultant and Battery Tech. Chris has studied rudimental drumming for over 20 years, having been involved in marching percussion for almost fifteen years, and currently is active as an arranger, teacher, consultant, clinician, and performer in the NY-NJ-CT area of the United States, having been involved with various competitive programs from 1997 - Present. He is proud to be an artist/educator for Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and an independent artist for Dynasty Percussion USA. --- The Bushwackers are currently accepting members for the 2009 season. We're coming off a great 08 season that featured an incredible program and a driven drum corps that built up incredible momentum and finished the season strong. The corps is looking to build on that momentum in 09. If you are looking for a place to march that will teach you, push you, and show you a great time while doing it...the Bushwackers are the corps for you. Visit us on the web at www.bushwackers.org, or simply email us at membership@bushwackers.org. OPEN HOUSE! The Bushwackers will be hosting its annual Open House and First Rehearsal on Sunday, November 30th from 11am-5pm. Registration is $25, and all you have to bring is yourself and an instrument (if possible). There are no audition requirements for the Bushwackers except for heart, desire, and determination. Come spend the day with us and see what we're all about. Directions to Elizabeth High School – Edison House in Elizabeth, NJ can be found on the web by clicking HERE. Any questions? Email us at membership@bushwackers.org or fill out our online form at www.bushwackers.org

The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps is delighted that Bob Cizmarik and Mike Nevin will be working together in 2009 as Bushwackers Percussion Arrangers. --- Bob Cizmarik - Percussion Arranger (battery) This will be Bob Cizmarik’s third season with the Bushwackers and his second as Battery Percussion Arranger. Bob’s writing reflects his personality and is characterized by creativity and good sense. His skills and versatility were evident in his arrangements for the 2008 Bushwackers production of “Gypsodic!”, and we are thrilled that he will be with us again in 2009. After aging out with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 1999, Bob went back to Ohio, this time on percussion staff for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. He has since been involved with various junior and all-age drumcorps, high school, college, and independent outdoor and indoor percussion groups. Bob Cizmarik is currently Director of Percussion for the highly ranked and nationally respected Upper Darby High School Marching Band and Indoor Drumline in Drexel Hill, PA. Mike Nevin - Percussion Arranger (pit) The Bushwackers are excited that Mike Nevin will be joining us as Pit Percussion Arranger. Mike Nevin is an internationally recognized percussion composer, arranger, adjudicator and clinician. Since completing his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education at Montana State University and his Masters of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Northern Colorado, Mike has gone on to become the arranger and instructor for many award-winning ensembles. Included in that extensive list are four-time WGI Independent World Class Champion, Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble, two-time Winter Guard International Concert Class Champion, Gateway High School, the 2003 DCI Champion Concord Blue Devils, and the All-Japan Marching Band Champion, Renaissance Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps based in Tokyo, Japan. As a performer, Mike has been playing percussion for over 30 years and began playing professionally at age 15. He now enjoys working as a freelance percussionist, performing on a wide range of instruments including steel pan and tabla, his current specialties. While living in Denver, Mike was a member of Pan Jumbies Steel Band, playing tenor and guitar pan. He is featured on Pan Jumbies’ two albums, Say it with Pan and Jam it With You. Mike and his wife, Angela, currently live in Lansdowne, PA where he currently works as an arranger/instructor with United Percussion and Upper Darby High School as well as Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble and several other fine ensembles from around the country. --- The Bushwackers are currently accepting members for the 2009 season. We're coming off a great 08 season that featured an incredible program and a driven drum corps that built up incredible momentum and finished the season strong. The corps is looking to build on that momentum in 09. If you are looking for a place to march that will teach you, push you, and show you a great time while doing it...the Bushwackers are the corps for you. Visit us on the web at www.bushwackers.org, or simply email us at membership@bushwackers.org. OPEN HOUSE! The Bushwackers will be hosting its annual Open House and First Rehearsal on Sunday, November 30th from 11am-5pm. Registration is $25, and all you have to bring is yourself and an instrument (if possible). There are no audition requirements for the Bushwackers except for heart, desire, and determination. Come spend the day with us and see what we're all about. Directions to Elizabeth High School – Edison House in Elizabeth, NJ can be found on the web by clicking HERE. Any questions? Email us at membership@bushwackers.org or fill out our online form at www.bushwackers.org.

The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps is proud to announce the finalization of our 2009 Brass Team. --- Key Poulan - Brass Arranger Key Poulan will return for his second season as the Bushwackers Brass Arranger in 2009. Key is one of the most popular and successful arranger/composers for bands and drum corps in the business today. In addition to the Bushwackers and various other corps, Key is also the brass composer and arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard. He writes for many marching bands around the world, and has several concert band compositions to his credit. Key brings a great wealth of knowledge and talent to the Bushwackers, and the corps is excited to have him on board for yet another year. "Having Key back on board is a huge deal for us," said caption head, Chris Kilian. "It doesn't get a whole lot better than Key. His work, his resume, his music all speaks for itself. We're lucky to have him on our team!" Chris Kilian - Brass Caption Head Chris Kilian was announced as the new Bushwackers Brass Caption Head on 9/22/08. You can read that release by clicking HERE. The Bushwackers are excited to have Chris at the helm of the Bush Brass program. Jeff Bittner - Brass Instructor The Bushwackers are pleased to announce the addition of Jeff Bittner to the 2009 Brass Team. Jeff will serve on the instructional staff with an emphasis on upper brass. Jeff has been with the Bushwackers for 3 seasons, including as a member of the 2006 World Champion Brass Section. His marching experience includes the Hawthorne Caballeros, the Cadets of Bergen County, and the world champion Syracuse Brigadiers. Jeff received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from William Paterson University and received a Master’s Degree in Music Performance from Ithaca College. He is a public school music educator in New Jersey and is well sought after as a clinician and consultant for concert and marching bands in the North Jersey area. Chris Hawkins - Brass Instructor The Bushwackers are pleased to announce the addition of Chris Hawkins to the 2009 Brass Team. Chris will serve on the instructional staff with an emphasis on low brass. Chris has been with the Bushwackers for 3 seasons, including as a member of the 2006 World Champion Brass Section. In addition to the Bushwackers, his marching experience includes Magic of Orlando and the Cadets of Bergen County. His teaching credits include Pioneer and many bands in the NJ/PA region. Chris is an exceptional musician and a well sought after clinician, consultant, and trombonist. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from The College of New Jersey and his Master's Degree in Music Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at the University of Indiana. "I am excited to have Bittner and Hawkins on board," said Chris Kilian. "Their years of involvement in the activity along with their exceptional education and superior musicianship make this brass team something special. They're also a lot of fun to be around, so we're all looking forward to a fun summer building a championship-caliber brass program together with our members." --- The Bushwackers are currently accepting members for the 2009 season. We're coming off a great 08 season that featured an incredible program and a driven drum corps that built up incredible momentum and finished the season strong. The corps is looking to build on that momentum in 09. If you are looking for a place to march that will teach you, push you, and show you a great time while doing it...the Bushwackers are the corps for you. Visit us on the web at www.bushwackers.org, or simply email us at membership@bushwackers.org. OPEN HOUSE! The Bushwackers will be hosting its annual Open House and First Rehearsal on Sunday, November 30th from 11am-5pm. Registration is $25, and all you have to bring is yourself and an instrument (if possible). There are no audition requirements for the Bushwackers except for heart, desire, and determination. Come spend the day with us and see what we're all about. Directions to Elizabeth High School-Edison House in Elizabeth, NJ can be found on the web by clicking HERE. Any questions? Email us at membership@bushwackers.org or fill out our online form at www.bushwackers.org

Are you interested in being a Bushwacker in 2009? We want to make sure you can get information about our November 30 Open House and all the other exciting happenings at Bush. And, we’d like to hear from you if you are interested in being a part of the 6 time DCA Champion Bushwackers as we embark on what already looks to be a very exciting 28th season in DCA. Here is the e-mail address to use if you have questions: bushbrass@gmail.com Or, you can click on this link if you’d simply like to fill out a contact form: http://bushwackers.org/index.php?pid=4 And, as always, you can click on http://www.bushwackers.org to get to the front page of our website for any and all information about the Bushwackers.

The 6 time DCA World Champion Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce the appointment of Chris Kilian to the position of brass caption head. A twelve year veteran of the corps, Chris is excited to take the reigns and help to continue the tradition of excellence and quality that are trademarks of the "Bush Brass" approach. Chris began his tenure with the Bushwackers in 1996 and remained as a marching member, drum major, staff member, and administrator through the 2007 season. He was the assistant brass caption head in 2006, the year the corps brought home the High Brass award at the DCA World Championships. Chris was the program coordinator and brass arranger for the Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Corps in 2008, helping the corps advance to the Class A finals in only their second year of existence. He is looking forward to coming back and teaching the drum corps he conducted as drum major for 9 years...the Bushwackers. "I'm thrilled to be coming home as the new brass caption head of the Bushwackers," said Chris. "I'm looking forward to jumping in head first at the brass clinic on September 28th and getting down to the business of building a championship caliber brass section and drum corps. I've learned a lot from the great brass teachers we’ve had at Bush, and I can't wait to bring that knowledge as well as some serious energy and fire to the corps." Outside of drum corps, Chris is an active freelance music arranger, instructor, and clinician for drum majors and other student leaders. He studied composition at West Chester University and is both a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and an Eagle Scout. As always, please visit http://www.bushwackers.org for any and all information about the Bushwackers.

The Bushwackers are pleased to announce that the Open House and first official rehearsal of the Bush 2009 season will be held at Elizabeth High School (Elizabeth, NJ) on Sunday November 30 from 11am to 5pm. The Bushwackers extend their sincere thanks to Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendant Pablo Munoz and Supervisor of Facilities Marlene Abitanto for making this excellent facility near several major highways in eastern central NJ available to us. The Bushwackers are also eagerly anticipating the first of two Brass Master Classes to be held a bit north of Elizabeth in Ridgefield Park, NJ on Sunday September 28. The second Master Class will be on October 26. The Brass Master Classes are open to anybody (young, old, or both) who may be interested in playing some music just for fun and education (with no fees or commitments). Current members, alumni, and friends will be there, and we hope you can be there, too. Please go to http://www.bushwackers.org for more information about the Open House or the Master Classes or anything else about the Bushwackers.

The Bushwackers are excited to announce that we will be holding Brass Master Classes in Ridgefield Park, NJ this autumn. We invite all brass players (young and old) to spend an afternoon or two working with the talented and experienced Bushwacker Brass staff and playing good music. There will be no fees, no pressure, no commitments, and nothing to fill out except an optional contact information card. Instruments will be provided, although you are welcome to bring your own horn. Many Bushwacker members and alumni will be attending, and this is a great chance for prospective members to check things out, but we also want people who have no intention of ever marching with the Bushwackers to attend. The idea is simply to get a whole bunch of brass players together to learn and have fun. There will be something for everybody at the Brass Master Classes. If you haven’t played in a while and feel like playing, the Master Classes will be perfect for you. If you’d like to work on your chops or other things, we’d love to help you work on them. If you are curious about how we do things at Bush, you will experience how we do things. If you and some friends would like to have a chance to play together for a change (or old time’s sake), this is a great opportunity to do that. The Brass Master Classes will be held on Sunday September 28 and Sunday October 26 from 12 – 5pm at the Elks Lodge in Ridgefield Park, NJ. Directions and other information about the Brass Master Classes will be posted at http://www.bushwackers.org (and will also be posted here at a later date). You can also get more information by writing to director@bushwackers.org.

THE FINAL STRETCH!! The Bushwackers traveled to the drum corps town of Kingston, New York this past weekend as the beginning of the August push got underway. It was a perfect night for a drum corps show with temperatures in the mid 70's and our largest 2008 corps to date on the field of competition. The tuba line is now full with 5 players, and the hornline as a whole played with much more confidence than in previous shows. The guard was awesome as to be expected, earning 2nd place in the guard caption (not for long), and the percussion section "smoked" a job and set what we hope is the "pace" for the rest of the season. We are all confident that our goals for 2008 WILL be achieved. This weekend will find the Bushwackers in Scranton, PA rehearsing at our "old" rehearsal site of past years: The Southside Sports Complex. The ghosts of past Bushwacker corps will be present wishing the 2008 corps a bit of "good luck" that day while we prepare to "kick it up a notch" that evening in the recently refurbished Scranton School Stadium. We're looking forward to being in one of our favorite cities and seeing lots of dear friends. With a few more people joining us to fill the remaining baritone spots this weekend, we are all anticipating a great performance this weekend paving the way to West Haven and finally Championships in Rochester, New York over the Labor Day weekend. It’s August, and it’s the Bushwackers favorite time of year!!!! And, as always, please visit http://www.bushwackers.org for any and all information about the Bushwackers.

This past weekend the Bushwackers once again traveled to Pennsylvania for our 2nd consecutive appearance at the Pennsylvania Pride Parade in Harrisburg. After the morning parade in which the Bushwackers were well received, we traveled to Chambersburg, PA for an intense 3 1/2 hour rehearsal and a performance before a packed house of enthusiastic drumcorps fans. This week’s performance was dramatically better than our performance the week before. The corps and show are starting to gel now, and we are excited about working hard and making that August "push" that has become a distinguishing characteristic of the Bushwackers. This coming weekend finds the Bushwackers back home in Ridgefield Park for a weekend of extensive rehearsals as we gear up for our performance in Kingston, NY on August 9th. We love to perform, but our staff and members are excited about what we will be able to accomplish with all that additional rehearsal and bonding time. On Friday night the guard will rehearse at our Harrison, NJ site while the brass and percussion sections rehearse at our Ridgefield Park, NJ site from 7:30-10pm. And then all sections will all be at Ridgefield Park from 10am-9pm on Saturday and from 10am-5pm on Sunday. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello! And, as always, please visit http://www.bushwackers.org for any and all information about the Bushwackers.

The summer season is well underway now, and after a slower start than usual, the Bushwackers are finally finding our groove with our 2008 production "Gypsodic!". This past weekend in Clifton proved that the corps can and will continue to compete with the best corps in DCA. Once again, the Bush guard will be competing for top honors at the DCA Championships, and a recent surge of experienced recruits has helped fill the last brass and percussion spots. At this time the brass line still has two or three spots to fill, and the percussion battery has still has one tenor spot to fill, but the show that our designers envisioned is starting to grow into what we planned: a unique show that is fun and interesting and 100% “drumcorps”…..and filled with the quality that people have come to expect from the Bushwackers. The corps welcomed Bill "Woody" Woodward to the percussion staff this past weekend. Bill is a long-time Bushwackers performer and teacher who is well known for his work with drumcorps, bands, and indoor groups. We are thrilled to have him working with us again this season. Also new this past weekend for the corps was the new 32-foot trailer custom built for us by All Pro West of Mechanicsburg, PA., finally putting the theft of all our equipment this past Spring behind us for good. This coming weekend finds the corps traveling to Lewisburg, PA on Saturday for the “Cavalcade of Champions” show and to West Milford, NJ on Sunday for the Raiders DCI show. Please come see us and get in on the fun of “Gypsodic!”. And, as always, please visit http://www.bushwackers.org for more news and information about the Bushwackers.

This weekend the 27th edition of the Bushwackers hits the field in Bayonne, New Jersey at the Tournament of Stars presented by the Bridgemen! Saturday morning the Bushwackers will travel to New Castle, Delaware for the Separation Day parade in downtown New Castle. The corps plans to be back in Ridgefield Park by early afternoon for rehearsal and then down to nearby Bayonne for the Tournament of Stars that evening to present our 2008 production "Gypsodic!". It’s been a “crazy” spring for the Bushwackers since losing every piece of equipment in a trailer theft, but Saturday night the corps will take the field completely outfitted with new equipment and a new determination to succeed! We look forward to this weekend and the beginning of the 2008 drum corps season. Hope to see you in Bayonne!!! The corps has a few spots to fill in the low brass section. If interested visit http://www.bushwackers.org or come find us either in New Castle or Bayonne this weekend.