DMCK

The Bushwackers held a one day POWER REHEARSAL this past Saturday in Ridgefield Park and, for the second consecutive camp, welcomed quite a few new members into the fold. All sections saw... [Click here to read the entire article]

Yeah, it was good to see you guys there as well. Tons of kids and two great drum corps there to give them information. Looking forward to the season...

The Bushwackers just wrapped up a great weekend at the TIDA/NJA Indoor Championships in Wildwood, NJ. We had tons of kids and staff stop by our booth to check things out. We saw lots of good friends, made even more friends, and had a productive weekend on all fronts. Our staff even commondeered an ice cream shop where they met for a couple of hours about show programming and scheduling for the next month or so. Of course, when you're talking to so many people over the course of 3 days, you hear lots of things that you never knew before....sometimes even about your own corps :). For the record, we would like to confirm that The Bushwackers are not only alive and well, but also that we will be fielding an Open Class drum corps as we have since joining DCA 28 seasons ago. 2009 is going to be a very strong and special year for one of DCA's most unique and successful drum corps, and we're looking forward to giving you all a program that you will remember for years to come. The corps is in the process of putting together a very intricate show that's not only the kind of challenging program that you've come to expect from The Bushwackers, but one that is fun and entertaining for the fans and members. We received a lot of positive feedback after last year's "Gypsodic" program. "Scenes from a Psychotic Circus" will feature even more recognizable melodies and will be a visual marvel that you won't soon forget. Come see us at a future show. Our entire summer schedule is now available at www.bushwackers.org. FINALLY... We are still accepting members in all sections. Spots are really starting to fill up, so if you're interested...now is the time to jump on board. The corps will be rehearsing this Saturday, May 9th from 10am-8pm in Ridgefield Park, NJ. For more information, email me at membership@bushwackers.org or just check out www.bushwackers.org for all the details. We look forward to seeing you there as we continue to work on our 2009 program, "SCENES FROM A PSYCHOTIC CIRCUS!"

A spectacular weekend for the Bushwackers, indeed. Not only did we have a bunch of new members come out, but they were hyping, talented, and ready for the heat! This show is going to be incredible. I'm looking forward to standing in front of it all season long. The whole corps really has its act together, and it's really something special to be a part of. Hey...if you're hungry for some drum corps, you seriously should consider coming out and jumping in on May 9th. We're having a one day power rehearsal (we have off May 10th for Mother's Day), and it would be a great opportunity for you to really experience what this thing is all about. I've been a Bushwacker for 13 years now, and this is going to be a truly special year for the corps. Oh, and you won't even be the only new person! We saw a lot of new faces this weekend, and more are coming. Jump in and let's have a fun summer being really good and having a really good time.

Definitely! I'm really looking forward to working with Jason this summer on what is going to be a visual and musical extravaganza for the Bushwackers!

The Bushwackers are pleased to announce the addition of Jason Pliska to the 2009 staff in the position of Visual Caption Head. Jason brings a wealth of marching, instructing, design, and judging experience to the Bushwackers, and we couldn't be happier to entrust such an important caption to him. He is currently the director of the Triton High School "Free Spirit" Winterguard and the program coordinator/designer for the Matawan High School Marching Band. His past design/instructional experience includes many high school marching band and winterguard programs in the region as well as Carolina Gold and the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps. Upon hearing of Mr. Pliska coming on board, drill designer Steve Rinda said, "Jason is a great guy that is extremely talented. He is going to be an awesome addition to the team. The corps is in really good hands!" Jason Pliska joins a talented cast of caption heads, designers, and staff at the Bushwackers. A full list of staff and their bios are available on our Staff Page. --- The six time DCA World Champion Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps is a weekend only, all-age drum and bugle corps based in North Jersey. We are currently accepting members in all sections and invite everyone to attend our rehearsals this coming weekend: April 25 & 26. Our brass, drum line, and front ensemble sections will be rehearsing in Ridgefield Park, NJ on Saturday from 10-8 and on Sunday from 10-5. The color guard will be rehearsing at Edison High School at the same times. Directions to both and more information can be found at www.bushwackers.org. If you have the desire, we have a spot for you.

That's right...the time has come to put away the winter clothing, shed the shackles of being a drum corps inside (it's like being a caged animal that needs to get out!) and start bringing SCENES FROM A PSYCHOTIC CIRCUS to life! The circus begins this weekend, April 25-26 for ALL MEMBERS! The brass, pit, and battery will be in the usual lot in Ridgefield Park while the guard will be rehearsing at Edison High School. Directions to both are available by going to our Schedule Page and clicking on the appropriate links. It's really easy. Rehearsal will be from 10am-8pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday at both locations. Members should bring appropriate dress for any weather contingency. PLEASE WEAR SNEAKERS AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING FOR MOVEMENT. This does NOT include jeans. Sandals, boots, etc are not permitted when we're moving because they will cause injury. For those not familiar with the Bushwackers, the following: The six time DCA World Champion Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps are a weekend only, all-age drum and bugle corps based in the state of New Jersey. We accept members of any age or ability level that has the desire to be one of the best in the world at what you do...drum corps. We are an Open Class corps that is the home to a world class percussion section, the 2006 DCA world champion brass line, and the 2006 and 2007 DCA world championship winning color guard. Some people may say, "Well shoot. There's no way I could be a Bushwacker." Wrong. Our philosophy of "Quality" is integrated into everything we do, and to achieve the "Quality" we seek, our program is based around education and a positive culture in which anyone can learn to be a productive member of the corps. That includes woodwind players and folks with limited marching experience. At the same time, we will challenge even the most seasoned of veterans. Our staff isn't just full of a bunch of guys with degrees, although we have plenty. Our staff has tons of collective drum corps experience. We get it. We know what you want out of your drum corps experience because we've all been there, and we want the same things. We want to be great. We want to have fun doing it. We want to work. We want to be a part of something greater than ourselves. We want to feel good about what we're spending all this time and money doing. We get it. Try it. Come on out to a rehearsal and experience first hand what it's like to be a Bushwacker. This weekend seems like a good opportunity to do that! April 25-26. Make it happen! Questions? Think you can't afford to march or have other issues to deal with? I can help you if you talk to me. membership@bushwackers.org

Tomorrow's the day! Heard a chunk of the closer today, and it's going to be awesome! Psychotic circus indeed! Check the website (www.bushwackers.org) for details. Hope to see you there!

yeah, and that's just a teaser. the features (not included in the clip) are stupidly cool. can't wait to hear the closer and the intro!

Rehearsals, Parties, Parades...Oh My! Welcome to March, everyone! Spring is just a couple weeks away, but you'd never know it by the snow that got dumped on most of us this past week. Regardless of the weather, it's still full steam ahead for The Bushwackers as we near the end of our spring season! Read more by clicking here...

I will most certainly sing that version for you, Dan. Don't get me wrong, folks...I'm not begging for members. We're just looking to expand and share this awesome show and experience with as many folks as possible. In a perfect world, we'd all have too many members. In the meantime...back to the the purpose of the thread here...JOIN BUSH! :)!!!!!!

The Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps held two camps over two consecutive weekends in February. We've seen a lot of new faces and we've learned a lot of music. The brass is through about 3/4ths of the show, while the percussion has been hard at work on the technique program and the first half of this year's production, "Scenes from a Psychotic Circus." The color guard welcomed a lot of new faces last weekend at their first rehearsal of 2009. The guard looks great, as usual, and is ready to get out there and compete. We all can't wait for May!!! Join their facebook group! Heck, join the corps' facebook group too while you're at it. The corps is still looking for folks to fill out the brass section. We still have some scattered openings in the percussion section (namely the pit, but other sections as well) and in the color guard...but brass is our most pressing need at this point in time. We're looking to expand this section from what we had in 2008, and welcome all with the desire to learn, work, and achieve to come out and give it a try. Our capable staff doesn't care if you've been playing for years, months, or are even a woodwind player. We'll work with anyone who wants to be a Bushwacker (and always have). The Bushwackers have a great track record with converting woodwind players into excellent brass players. In fact, two of our current staff members and several past drum majors and brass captains have been converted woodwind players. Desire, drive, and a good work ethic are what's needed. If you have that, and you like to have fun...come on down. The Bushwackers will meet again on March 21st at the Garfield VFW Post from 10am-5pm. Come. Check it out. You'll dig it. Following our rehearsal, we'll be having a St. Patrick's Day/karaoke jam celebration at the VFW. Again, come. Meet the members and staff. Enjoy drum corps and the friendships and bonds it fosters. On Sunday the 22nd the corps will be traveling to Holyoke, MA to participate in the country's oldest St. Patrick's Day parade. Members are required to go, but if you're interested in spending the weekend with the corps and really want a sense for what it's like to be a Bushwackers...this is a good way to find out. Contact us and we'll make sure you have all of the information you need. Can't make it that weekend? Well...we have another camp weekend with a parade on Sunday the very next weekend (3/28-3/29). You can't lose. Haven't marched in years? Never marched? Just aged out and have the bug but think "senior corps" is lame? Got a million reasons why you can't march this summer? You CAN do this. Let us help you make it happen.

Hi, Ed. It's most likely that you're having that issue because of the version of whatever media player you have on your machine. Make sure you have the latest version and try again. If anyone else has issues I'll look into it a bit further.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps Release a Teaser of Their 2009 Production: "Scenes from a Psychotic Circus" Garfield, NJ Wednesday, February 4, 2009 Straight from the mind of composer Key Poulan, our 2009 production entitled "Scenes from a Psychotic Circus" has begun to take shape. In an unusual move for the normally quiet and secretive corps from North Jersey, the Bushwackers have decided to release a clip of the MIDI sounds of the first two pieces of the show: "Circus Normalus," and "Death Defying Feats." The clip and a brief synopsis of the storyline can be found on the corps' website at http://www.bushwackers.org/media/teaser.html. The Bushwackers plan to unveil even more of the 2009 show at their next rehearsal weekend, February 14-15 in Garfield, NJ. The corps is still accepting members in all sections and invites everyone to attend this important camp. The corps prides itself on providing a world-class, championship-caliber drum corps experience at an affordable rate and with a weekend only schedule. If you are looking to take that "next step in marching music" regardless of experience, the Bushwackers can be contacted via their website at http://www.bushwackers.org/member/form.html or through email at membership@bushwackers.org. -------------------- The 6 time DCA World Champion BUSHWACKERS DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS are a weekend only, all-age drum corps from North Jersey with members from all over the region. The 2009 season has begun, and we have a killer show, a world-class staff, and an amazing membership base. ALL WE NEED IS YOU! For more information on the Bushwackers, visit our website at www.bushwackers.org. Take your next step in marching music. Join the Bushwackers.

The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps is pleased to announce the return of the "Bush Bugle!" The newsletter has taken many forms over the years (paper, website, etc). Now, we can deliver all the latest updates, tidbits about the corps, and other special "perks" directly to your email inbox! We'd love to add you to our mailing list. If you're a Bushwackers fan, alumnus, or just like following drum corps, fill out the easy form on our website to "opt in. http://www.bushwackers.org/bushbugle/ --- The corps has had 3 extremely successful and exciting camps so far this season, and we're gearing up for our next meeting the weekend of February 14-15 in Garfield, NJ. We are still looking for a few members in each section, so come on out! The show is phenominal, and we're eating through notes at breakneck speed. Take the step...be a Bushwacker in 2009. Information on our next camp can be found at http://www.bushwackers.org/events/bushwack...al-schedule.php

we'll have a music teaser coming soon. :) keep your eyes on www.bushwackers.org!

Congratulations to Lauren and Emily. Welcome to the "fraternity".

Wow, you ain't kiddin'! Every instrument in the line has plenty of meat to keep them satisfied! ...and dark! Wow. The opener is very cool, introducing the listener to the whole "circus" theme...but part 3, "Death Defying Feats" is just about the coolest thing I've been a part of. It's dark, aggressive...think Elfman meets Cirque. ...and Key swears that the show is supposed to get darker from here! Our "Psychotic Circus" is really starting to take shape...and this is a theme that has something for everyone. We just know you're all going to enjoy it.

You WERE there! ...and it was a great time! More news to come!

It has been awesome, Mary. We've put music together as an ensemble earlier than most years, we're finished with a sizable chunk of show (musically of course), and we're welcoming new people every camp. If you're interested in checking us out, this weekend (the 17th and 18th) would be a good time to make that happen. If you want more information, or just want to interact with some current members of the corps, check us out at the following locations on the web: http://www.bushwackers.org (the official corps website where you can easily link to our online forums) http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=84871860077 (our offical 2009 Facebook group) http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=47895156458 (our "facebook event" for this weekend's rehearsal) http://www.myspace.com/bushwackersdbc (our official Myspace page) We're all over the web, folks. This is a corps that means business, and we want you on board. If you have questions, we have answers. If you have schedule/financial/transportation issues but you would like to be a Bushwacker, we have solutions... ...but unless we hear from you we can't help you make your drum corps dreams a reality. membership@bushwackers.org or fill out our online form at http://www.bushwackers.org/member/form.html Hope to see you all this weekend. Yes...ALL of you. :)

We used the IYM mello and tuba mouthpieces at Fusion last year, and they really helped open up our sound. We'll be using the IYM "Larry Kerchner" mellophone mouthpieces with the Bushwackers this season. I have no experience with the baritone mouthpieces except that I know it takes some adjusting. Not a big deal. I find that the IYM's help a great deal on stuffy horns...especially on mellophones. Certain brands of mellophones are stuffy by nature, and sometimes manufacturers will come out with a series or model of horn that's stuffier and doesn't project as well as another series they make. I have found that their mouthpieces help to counteract that. I suggest purchasing them through the Cavaliers website or through the Bushwackers website.

The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps are pleased to be able to announce our 2009 winter/spring rehearsal schedule: click here! --->2009 BUSHWACKERS REHEARSAL SCHEDULE<--- click here! While the corps is pleased with the Garfield VFW facility where the majority of the camps are currently scheduled to be held, the administration is currently working on securing an alternate site for some of the dates listed. So, please continue to check the schedule as the winter progresses. As always, if you have any questions on the schedule or on how to join the Bushwackers, you can do so by emailing us at membership@bushwackers.org, or by filling out the form on our website. This is going to be a very cool year for the corps. If you're a current member, please be on time to the rehearsals and prepared. If you're considering joining, our next rehearsal on January 17th and 18th at the Garfield VFW is the perfect time to check us out and jump right in. The entire corps, from top to bottom, is completely dedicated to putting out a challenging program that is absolutely going to blow the stands down. This is a fresh, new approach for us and we're very much looking forward to sharing it with the world in just a few short months. Come be a part of something special.

Just a few days away, folks! There's a lot to be done at this camp, and we'd love to have you there to be a part of it. Start the new year right with a great show, great people, and great drum corps! See you there!

The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps will continue work on their 2009 program "Scenes from a Psychotic Circus" on January 3rd and 4th in Garfield, NJ. This two day camp for all brass and percussion members will be held at the Garfield VFW Post. Click here for directions to the Garfield VFW Post. Rehearsal will begin at 10am on Saturday and at 12pm on Sunday. This rehearsal is open to everyone, so if you're thinking about marching this summer...this is a great opportunity for you to check us out, play in the line, and see what the 2009 Bushwackers are all about. Kick off the new year they way you should...with DRUM CORPS! For more information visit www.bushwackers.org or email us at membership@bushwackers.org. This is going to be a special year for the corps with an aggressive, cool show, a spectacular instructional staff in place, and great returning members. Be a part of something you can truly be proud of...BE A BUSHWACKER.