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Thank you to everyone who came to our Open House on March 1st!! We had a great turn out and are excited about the potential of this year's corps! We would like to see everyone again at our next full corps rehearsal - Sunday, March 15th from 9AM - 6PM at Gahr High School. PERFORM IN THE ROSE BOWL THIS SUMMER WITH CITY SOUND!! www.City-Sound.org

SDCA Texas is announcing the formation of a The Texas All Stars Alumni corps. This will be a parade corps comprised of former members of any corps. The corps will perform at parades around Texas, and is open to anyone who wants to participate. The first performance of the corps will be on May 2, in Corpus Christi Texas(on the Gulf of Mexico), for the Buccaneer Days Night Parade. The Buccaneer Days Night parade, draws approximately 200,000 people, and would be a good way to gain exposure for Drum and Bugle corps in Texas. We are planning a entire weekend of fun for anyone who wants to join us. We are planning to participate in other parades/events, in other parts of the state. if you are interested , send me a private message, for more info.

For the past 2 summers I have marched with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps out of Canton Ohio, and it has changed my life completely. Performing in front of thousands of people and touring the country completely changed who I was as a person. I learned how to push myself beyond my limits and to accept nothing but perfection. Over these summers, the people I had barely known at the beginning of the summers have become my family by the time August rolled around; and that is the family I wish to return to next summer. In order to return to my family next summer, I have to put forth around $2,500-Which is the average price a member of any Drum and Bugle Corps pays. I have already taken care of a majority of those tour fees but I still need some help with the rest of the tour fees and the extra cost associated with marching. (Camp fees, etc.) My Bluecoats family is worth a lot more to me than my tour fees, and I hope that you all can see that and help me by donating. If you want to talk to me about my experience last summer, or need more convincing to donate, don't hesitate to e-mail me! Anything and everything helps! GoFundMe Link: www.gofundme.com/ryan2015 Email: Ryan.j.greco1@gmail.com Six Words, Ryan

Hi everyone! My name is Gabriel Cabrera. I'm a sophomore at Southwestern Illinois College and the University of Kentucky. In addition to being a full time college student, I am an avid fan of marching music, especially DCI. With only 2 years of eligibility left, I figured the only thing better than watching DCI would be to finally take the initiative and join a group for the 2015 season! I'm a clarinet player by trade, but hope to put my brass experience to use by marching tuba for the Colts of Dubuque, IA, in 2015! Being out of the St. Louis area, I have to drive a considerable distance for camps. The five hour drive plus food, camp costs, and overall membership costs will make this close to a $3600 price tag. I do work part time, so I hope to make up as much of the costs on my own as I can. However, I'd appreciate the help all the same. I've already nailed down the first $1000, so I'm already well on my way! If you would like to help me march this summer, please message me through this site, email me at the address below, or go to http://www.gofundme.com/gabedci2015 I hope you'll consider helping me make the most of this amazing opportunity. Thank you, Gabriel Cabrera Email address: gabe.cabrera@gmail.com

Hello! I'm trying to raise enough money so I can march my rookie year with Pioneer. I March baritone with them and the first two camps have been wonderful experiences. Any donation is much appreciated! http://www.gofundme.com/grvs60

I was planning on trying out for cavaliers in the future and was wondering if I can use my TAMA by Kanstul Mellophone. They are different than most mellos in the way that they have a full horn kicker and not individual valves, they sound different than your everyday mello, and they're smaller and different looking but only when at a carry, the bell looks just like a yamaha or king from the front. this may cause some differences in appearance the corps may not like but I'm not sure. If someone could help me on this issue, it would be appreciated greatly, thanks. I own no rights to the picture posted.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's noticed this trend, but I was watching the "Best DCI Moments of 2012" recently, and I was struck by the surprising lack of cohesion in many of the brass arrangements. It's almost as if a lot of the shows are just "hit - transition - hit - transition - hit - transition - hit" in structure. I'm not saying that they don't contain complete musical ideas, but the arrangers are being fairly unoriginal and cliche'd. I also think that they're not being patient with the music, allowing it room to breathe and stretch its limbs. I'm primarily a brass person, so I can't really comment on pit and battery arrangements, but I have a fair amount of experience with music arranging and transcription; what I've seen of good arrangements has taught me that there are many intermediate shades between loud/bombastic and quiet/subtle. Yet these arrangers just can't grasp that. And what's really puzzling is that many of these arrangers have proven themselves to be skilled in those respects - adding variety to music and using orchestrational techniques to bring interest and meaning to the music. For example, Michael Klesch, currently with Crown and a few others, arranged brilliantly for Garfield in 1985 and 1987 ('85 is my favourite arrangement for drum corps ever), preserving the source music's spirit and vitality while compressing them into 13 and 11 minutes respectively. Scott Boerma, still with Scouts after all these years, really brought out the aggression of Madison's hornline, while still making it musical and keeping the integrity of the sources. Is it that they and the many other arrangers working today just don't care? Or is it that they must bow to the will of the visual team and stretch and shape their music to rigidly fit the drill and guard? If any of you can shed some light on this phenomenon, I'd appreciate it.

SouthSong is a grassroots, all-age drum and bugle corps based in the Northeast Alabama/Southeast Tennessee/Northwest Georgia region. Our surplus proceeds will be going to low income, at risk music programs and those in the process of rebuilding across the area, as Alabama(particularly) has been cutting band programs for financial reasons for the last several years. We are hosting auditions March 1, 2015 at Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville, AL at 12pm CST. We are hopeful for a great turnout and an exciting journey for this area seeing its first ever DCA Corps. You may find our facebook page at www.facebook.com/SouthSongMusic Our show this year is entitled, "Death Metal Symphony," which feature the clashing duality of classical symphony and heavy metal rock as these genres duke it out for the prize of getting to finish the show. We are excited to bring our own taste of the South to DCA and hope to show the world of DCA what Alabama musicians are made of! Best of luck to all DCA Corps this year, and we wish you all the best of luck with your season!

These Woodwind and Brass Sections are located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is an indoor and marching independent unit. We are looking for both Woodwind and Brass wind Caption Heads and for both Woodwind and Brass wind Instructors (Christian preferred) full-time or part-time. Pay and opportunity for year-round position. Our season is year-round for practices, performance events/shows, parades, and competitions. Must have College or BOA or WGI or Drum and Bugle Corps or DCI or DCA experience Instructors needed for the following Wood Wind and Brass divisions: Alumni Woodwind and Alumni Brass – Ages – 23 to 60 A Woodwind and A Brass – Ages 16 to 22 B Woodwind and B Brass – Ages 11 to 15 C Wood Wind and C Brass – Ages 5 - 10 Practice is Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Please call Ron Thorpe at 423-462-2059. Please send resume to rwyouthgospel@hotmail.com. Our Mission: Helping young people build a foundation of principles through religious counseling, activities, and the marching brass and woodwind instrument arts. Our Vision: · Teaching, practicing, and performing marching brass and woodwind music · Helping young people build a relationship with Christ Jesus · Furthering the knowledge of the brass and woodwind instrument arts · Cultivating leadership potential through a Christ-like character development · Growing the organization through a complete dedication to developing the full potential of all our members and building a strong, vibrant alumni network Our Core Values: · Integrity, Community, Brass and Woodwind Instrument Artistry, Respect, and Excellence: These core values are grounded in the belief that using marching brass and woodwind instrument arts across the curriculum will allow students to succeed academically and realize the myriad of choices that life holds for them. Our students and teachers will be valuable contributors to a community of brass and woodwind instrument artists, students, and educators. · Young People's Giftedness: We are committed to promoting the maximum utilization of youth’s marching brass and woodwinds instrument arts talents and gifts to serve God's redemptive purpose. · Servanthood: We are above all, servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. We create an environment of generosity and compassion that is responsive to the needs of those we serve.

Now that the holidays are over, its time to get back to drum corps! Our first camp of 2015 is coming up in just over a week. We will continue work on our program "A Roman Legion's Tale." We will be getting a first read of our second part "Mars (from the Planets)." We are looking for members in all sections. When: Saturday, January 17, 12:00-6:00pm Sunday, January 18, 11:00am-5:00pm Where: Sacred Heart Parish Center 1061 Springfield St., Agawam, MA 01030 For more information, visit our website or Facebook page. Join the Legion!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 11, 2015. The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps is proud to announce their Brass Staff for the 2015 season. They have expanded staff in all sections to build upon the successes of last season. BRASS. With Brass Arranger Joey Pero designing their 2015 field show, the Skyliners promise an exciting, entertaining, and crowd pleasing show that will bring the corps to another level! The Skyliners are excited to welcome back Scott Carey as Brass Caption Head, and to announce Ryan Lamoreaux’s new position of Assistant Brass Caption Head. Doreen Sandor, Bob Fizette, Kevin Davenport, Rachel Ewaniuk, and Adam Helker will be Skyliner Brass Technicians. Scott Carey received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Susquehanna University in 1990. He has pursued additional studies at Villanova University, and through the University of The Arts of Philadelphia, where he studied with Quincy Hilliard, Jerry Nowak, Ed Sueta, and Denis DiBlasio. An educator for 23 years, Scott has been the band director at Shikellamy High School for fifteen years. For seven years previously Scott held the positions of Band Director, Choir Director, Play Director, and Instrumental Music Supervisor at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School, Shamokin. He taught general music, instrumental and vocal classes. At the same time he also held the posts of Assistant Marching Band Director at Selinsgrove HS, Marching and Music instructor and Drill designer for Mifflinburg HS, Marching and Music Instructor for Shikellamy, Drill Designer for Lewisburg HS, and Assistant Marching Instructor for the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps. Scott remains active as a performer, composer, and arranger. He has performed with the Reading Pops Orchestra, Susquehanna Valley Chorale, Unico Band, Pottstown Band, Centerport Band, Bucknell University Orchestra, Seasoned Sounds, the Milton Community Band and for musicals for the Rockwell Theater, Warrior Run HS, Selinsgrove HS, Conrad Weiser HS, Milton HS, and Mifflinburg HS. Scott performs in Director Jazz and Concert Bands during District and Region Band Festivals and String ensembles at District Orchestra Festivals. His original compositions have been performed at Diocesan Chorus and Jazz Festivals. Ryan Lamoreux is a 2008 graduate of Hazleton Area High School. He holds an Associates Degree in music recording from Luzerne County Community College. Ryan has worked as an assistant band director for the Greater Nanticoke Area Marching Band since 2010. In 2008, Ryan marched with the Reading Buccaneers. He also performs with ensembles throughout the NEPA region including the Scranton Brass Orchestra, Wilkes University Civic Band, Wyoming Valley Band, and the Hazleton Liberty Band. Ryan is currently on staff with the Wilkes University Marching Colonels. Doreen Sandor is thrilled to return to Sky’s Brass staff for 2015. Her drum corps teaching career spans 40 years. A New York Skyliner Lifetime Member, Doreen is also Assistant Director. Doreen joined the Skyliners in the Fall of 1979, when women were first welcomed into the corps’ horn line. She has been the Skyliners’ Brass Caption Head, Assistant Brass Caption Head, Brass Instructor, Assistant Drum Major, Assistant Director, Secretary, and Director of PR/Publicity. Doreen has played Mellophone, French Horn, Soprano, in the pit, and marched in the Championship American Section. In 2007, she played in the New York Skyliners Mini-Corps and played Mellophone with the 2012 and 2013 New York Skyliners Alumni Corps. Doreen has also been Brass Caption Head, arranger and/or instructor for corps in numerous Associations, including DCA, DCI, Garden State Association, Nassau Suffolk Association, British Youth Band Association (BYBA) and DCUK, and has arranged music for and/or taught corps and brass lines in the States and in England (DCUK). These corps include the Skyliners, Lehigh Valley Chieftains, Conquest Alliance (1986 and 1987 DCUK Champions), N. Y. Chinese Crimson Kings, St. Joseph’s Brigade, and St. Matthias “Blue Max” to name a few. Doreen was part of Kidsgrove Scouts’ staff when they competed in DCA in 2012. She holds a B.A., Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in Flushing, New York and teaches Elementary General Music and 4th & 5th Grade choruses in an upstate New York State school district. Bob Fizette returns to the Skyliners’ brass staff for his 14th season as a Skyliner. For most of Bob’s drum corps career he has played lead soprano, been a soloist, and taught. He marched with the Wind Gap Blue Eagles in 1979. In 1980, Bob played lead soprano and a solo for Avant Garde from Saratoga Springs, New York; they finished in the Top 25 in DCI. Bob has taught brass/marching at the Troy Volunteers (NY) for 1982 - 1983 DCI seasons and brass/drill design for Targets Drum & Bugle Corps 2007 -2009. He marched with the Reading Buccaneers from 1981 – 1990, and was brass instructor from 1987 – 1992. Solos include "Rainmaker", "Wind Machine", “Nutville", "Cuban Overture", "Shostakovich's Symphony #5", "Captain from Castille," "Batman" and "Pie Jesu." Bob was a trumpet soloist with the College of St. Rose Jazz Band in 1981 - 1982. He taught brass at Lehigh Valley Chieftains in 1998, and joined the New York Skyliners in 1999. Skyliner solos include: “It’s Alright With Me”; “God Bless The Child”; “I Want More”, “Last Tango”, “I Have Dreamed/We Kiss in The Shadows”; “Prelude, Fugue and Riffs”; “Skyfire Tango”; a duet in “Bohemian Rhapsody”; Feeling Good/Blue Skies”, “It Ain’t Necessarily So”, and the ‘four notes’ at the Finale. He performed with the 2007 New York Skyliners Mini-Corps, the Skyliners Street Corps, and joined the New York Skyliners Alumni Corps for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, playing lead and some solos. Bob is an Assistant Director of the Skyliners, and is proud to be part of the team that brought the Skyliners back onto the field of competition. Kevin Davenport has played brass instruments for the past 24 years, 16 of them playing Baritone/Euphonium. He attended Mansfield University as a Music Therapy major from 2000-2003. While at Mansfield, Kevin played in the Pride of Pennsylvania Mansfield University Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab Band, and Tuba Euphonium Ensemble. In 2001, Kevin joined the Army Reserves 78th Army Band in Fort Dix, NJ, where he was a Euphonium Bandsman and also played trombone for their jazz band from 2001-2003. Kevin brings 13 seasons of experience marching and teaching Marching Band at Northwest Area, Dallas Area High Schools and Mansfield and Bloomsburg Universities. In 2010 and 2011 Kevin served as the Drill Technician for the Dallas Area Marching Band; he wrote all drill and visuals in 2011 while working with the brass section. Kevin went to Bloomsburg to continue his studies toward a degree in Music Education at Bloomsburg University. Rachel Ewaniuk has a Bachelors of Music Degree from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. She majored on trumpet in Music Education and Music Technology, and marched four years with the Spirit & Pride of Pennsylvania Marching Band. Rachel was a featured soloist in her senior year, and auditioned into the elite Concert Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Brass Band. She was also a member of the symphonic band, jazz lab band and trombone choir. Rachel has spent the last three summers marching lead trumpet with the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps from Princeton, NJ. In the 2012 and 2013 seasons, she was a featured soloist and in the 2014 season she was in a featured small ensemble. Rachel is 4th to 6th Grade Band Director at the Lehigh Valley Academy in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She also teaches private instrumental lessons through The Lesson Center in Coopersburg and Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. Adam Helker currently attends the University of Maryland, working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Physics Education, with a minor in Music. He was a Lead Trumpet for Cadets 2 in 2013, Lead Trumpet for the Bluecoats in 2014, and returned to Cadets 2 in the post-DCA season to play Lead Trumpet with Cadets 2. As a member of the UMBC Wind Ensemble, Adam has participated every semester he has been a student at UMBC. For the past two years, he has served as the ensemble’s principal trumpet. Keep up-to-date with us via our website, http://www.MarchSky.org and the Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/skylinersdbc . For more information, please contact Adam Burdett at info@MarchSky.org.

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