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The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps have announced their 2016 Production, “Corner of the Sky”. Skyliners’ Opening Statement is “Corner of the Sky” as performed by the Jackson 5 on their 1973 album, Skywriter. The song was written by Stephen Schwartz as part of the musical, Pippin. When Pippin first hit Broadway in the 1970s, everyone was humming this iconic song, including Michael Jackson. The 1970’s pop style engaged audience, while the meaningful lyrics, such as the words, “Every man has his daydreams; Every man has his goal”, featured Pippin singing about how he wants to find where he belongs. Certainly, the Skyliners will lead the audience on a journey throughout the show. The Skyliners’ Opener, "Mr. Blue Sky", is by British rock group, Electric Light Orchestra. From their 1977 album, Out of the Blue, the song was played as a wake-up call to astronaut Christopher Ferguson on Day 3 of STS-135, the final mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was performed live as part of the 2013 Children in Need Rocks and Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park 2014 concerts. The song's arrangement has been called "Beatlesque", due to its similarity to certain Beatles songs. ELO itself was formed due to the desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones. Anyone who knows their scores and keyboard parts, can appreciate that they achieved these goals. The ballad, "Goodbye Blue Skies", is from Pink Floyd’s 1977 album, The Wall. Stressed out by power struggles and creative differences, Pink Floyd were near the breaking point when they created this, the greatest album of their career. The dark themes throughout this piece include betrayal, breakdown and collapse. Out of the emotional wreckage came one of rock’s greatest milestones, although Pink Floyd suffered as a result. A journey would not be complete without challenge and struggle. "Lean On" by Major Lazer and "Storm", part of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, will come together as this year’s Percussion feature. Released in the 2015 Peace Is the Mission studio album, “Lean On” features DJ Snake and MØ. The genre is noted as Moombahton, which is a fusion genre of house music and reggaeton that was created by American DJ and producer Dave Nadaanother in 1997. Characteristics of moombahton include a thick and spread-out bass line, dramatic builds, a two-step pulse, and quick drum fills. In September 2015, 'Lean On' was named by Spotify as the most globally streamed song of the summer. Natalie Cole’s "Orange Colored Sky" takes us in another direction. Also recorded by her father, Nat King Cole with Stan Kenton's orchestra, it is a popular song written by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein and published in 1950. Its popularity is clear, based on the number of stars who recorded this piece and the decades it has remained popular - Danny Kay, Doris Day, Burt Ward with Frank Zappa, Michael Bublé, and Lady Gaga, to name a few. In 2013, a modified version of this melody was part of a Weight Watchers commercial. Its upbeat jazz style with quick rhythmic flurries and lines captures the listeners no matter who performs it. While the Skyliners’ Closer reprises "Corner of the Sky" by Jackson 5, do not expect a simple repeat of the Opening Statement. The Skyliners will stay somewhat true to the individual songs’ styles, but they will be instilling our own Skyliners style to each song too. As Larry Carbonell put it, “I can't WAIT to see what our arrangers do with this show!’ Come out to The Skyliners’ Open House. It will take place: Saturday, November 28, 2015 ~ 10:00 - 6:00 P.M.; Registration 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. More information to come soon. Keep up-to-date with us via our website, http://www.marchsky.org, join the Skyliners 2016 Interest Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/971700419546930. For more information, please contact Adam Burdett at info@skylinersdbc.org

The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps have announced their 2016 Production, “Corner of the Sky”. Skyliners’ Opening Statement is “Corner of the Sky” as performed by the Jackson 5 on their 1973 album, Skywriter. The song was written by Stephen Schwartz as part of the musical, Pippin. When Pippin first hit Broadway in the 1970s, everyone was humming this iconic song, including Michael Jackson. The 1970’s pop style engaged audience, while the meaningful lyrics, such as the words, “Every man has his daydreams; Every man has his goal”, featured Pippin singing about how he wants to find where he belongs. Certainly, the Skyliners will lead the audience on a journey throughout the show. The Skyliners’ Opener, "Mr. Blue Sky", is by British rock group, Electric Light Orchestra. From their 1977 album, Out of the Blue, the song was played as a wake-up call to astronaut Christopher Ferguson on Day 3 of acSTS-135, the final mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was performed live as part of the 2013 Children in Need Rocks and Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park 2014 concerts. The song's arrangement has been called "Beatlesque", due to its similarity to certain Beatles songs. ELO itself was formed due to the desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones. Anyone who knows their scores and keyboard parts, can appreciate that they achieved these goals. The ballad, "Goodbye Blue Skies", is from Pink Floyd’s 1977 album, The Wall. Stressed out by power struggles and creative differences, Pink Floyd were near the breaking point when they created this, the greatest album of their career. The dark themes throughout this piece include betrayal, breakdown and collapse. Out of the emotional wreckage came one of rock’s greatest milestones, although Pink Floyd suffered as a result. A journey would not be complete without challenge and struggle. "Lean On" by Major Lazer and "Storm", part of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, will come together as this year’s Percussion feature. Released in the 2015 Peace Is the Mission studio album, “Lean On” features DJ Snake and MØ. The genre is noted as Moombahton, which is a fusion genre of house music and reggaeton that was created by American DJ and producer Dave Nadaanother in 1997. Characteristics of moombahton include a thick and spread-out bass line, dramatic builds, a two-step pulse, and quick drum fills. In September 2015, 'Lean On' was named by Spotify as the most globally streamed song of the summer. Natalie Cole’s "Orange Colored Sky" takes us in another direction. Also recorded by her father, Nat King Cole with Stan Kenton's orchestra, it is a popular song written by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein and published in 1950. Its popularity is clear, based on the number of stars who recorded this piece and the decades it has remained popular - Danny Kay, Doris Day, Burt Ward with Frank Zappa, Michael Bublé, and Lady Gaga, to name a few. In 2013, a modified version of this melody was part of a Weight Watchers commercial. Its upbeat jazz style with quick rhythmic flurries and lines captures the listeners no matter who performs it. While the Skyliners’ Closer reprises "Corner of the Sky" by Jackson 5, do not expect a simple repeat of the Opening Statement. The Skyliners will stay somewhat true to the individual songs’ styles, but they will be instilling our own Skyliners style to each song too. As Larry Carbonell put it, “I can't WAIT to see what our arrangers do with this show!’ Come out to The Skyliners’ Open House; it will take place: Saturday, November 28, 2015 ~ 10:00 - 6:00 P.M.; Registration 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. More information to come soon. Keep up-to-date with us via our website, http://www.marchsky.org, join the Skyliners 2016 Interest Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/971700419546930. For more information, please contact Adam Burdett at info@skylinersdbc.org

The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps have announced their 2016 Production, “Corner of the Sky”. Skyliners’ Opening Statement is “Corner of the Sky” as performed by the Jackson 5 on their 1973 album, Skywriter. The song was written by Stephen Schwartz as part of the musical, Pippin. When Pippin first hit Broadway in the 1970s, everyone was humming this iconic song, including Michael Jackson. The 1970’s pop style engaged audience, while the meaningful lyrics, such as the words, “Every man has his daydreams; Every man has his goal”, featured Pippin singing about how he wants to find where he belongs. Certainly, the Skyliners will lead the audience on a journey throughout the show. The Skyliners’ Opener, "Mr. Blue Sky", is by British rock group, Electric Light Orchestra. From their 1977 album, Out of the Blue, the song was played as a wake-up call to astronaut Christopher Ferguson on Day 3 of acSTS-135, the final mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was performed live as part of the 2013 Children in Need Rocks and Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park 2014 concerts. The song's arrangement has been called "Beatlesque", due to its similarity to certain Beatles songs. ELO itself was formed due to the desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones. Anyone who knows their scores and keyboard parts, can appreciate that they achieved these goals. The ballad, "Goodbye Blue Skies", is from Pink Floyd’s 1977 album, The Wall. Stressed out by power struggles and creative differences, Pink Floyd were near the breaking point when they created this, the greatest album of their career. The dark themes throughout this piece include betrayal, breakdown and collapse. Out of the emotional wreckage came one of rock’s greatest milestones, although Pink Floyd suffered as a result. A journey would not be complete without challenge and struggle. "Lean On" by Major Lazer and "Storm", part of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, will come together as this year’s Percussion feature. Released in the 2015 Peace Is the Mission studio album, “Lean On” features DJ Snake and MØ. The genre is noted as Moombahton, which is a fusion genre of house music and reggaeton that was created by American DJ and producer Dave Nadaanother in 1997. Characteristics of moombahton include a thick and spread-out bass line, dramatic builds, a two-step pulse, and quick drum fills. In September 2015, 'Lean On' was named by Spotify as the most globally streamed song of the summer. Natalie Cole’s "Orange Colored Sky" takes us in another direction. Also recorded by her father, Nat King Cole with Stan Kenton's orchestra, it is a popular song written by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein and published in 1950. Its popularity is clear, based on the number of stars who recorded this piece and the decades it has remained popular - Danny Kay, Doris Day, Burt Ward with Frank Zappa, Michael Bublé, and Lady Gaga, to name a few. In 2013, a modified version of this melody was part of a Weight Watchers commercial. Its upbeat jazz style with quick rhythmic flurries and lines captures the listeners no matter who performs it. While the Skyliners’ Closer reprises "Corner of the Sky" by Jackson 5, do not expect a simple repeat of the Opening Statement. The Skyliners will stay somewhat true to the individual songs’ styles, but they will be instilling our own Skyliners style to each song too. As Larry Carbonell put it, “I can't WAIT to see what our arrangers do with this show!’ Come out to The Skyliners’ Open House; it will take place: Saturday, November 28, 2015 ~ 10:00 - 6:00 P.M.; Registration 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. More information to come soon. Keep up-to-date with us via our website, http://www.marchsky.org, join the Skyliners 2016 Interest Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/971700419546930. For more information, please contact Adam Burdett at info@skylinersdbc.org

The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps have announced their 2016 Production, “Corner of the Sky”. Skyliners’ Opening Statement is “Corner of the Sky” as performed by the Jackson 5 on their 1973 album, Skywriter. The song was written by Stephen Schwartz as part of the musical, Pippin. When Pippin first hit Broadway in the 1970s, everyone was humming this iconic song, including Michael Jackson. The 1970’s pop style engaged audience, while the meaningful lyrics, such as the words, “Every man has his daydreams; Every man has his goal”, featured Pippin singing about how he wants to find where he belongs. Certainly, the Skyliners will lead the audience on a journey throughout the show. The Skyliners’ Opener, "Mr. Blue Sky", is by British rock group, Electric Light Orchestra. From their 1977 album, Out of the Blue, the song was played as a wake-up call to astronaut Christopher Ferguson on Day 3 of acSTS-135, the final mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was performed live as part of the 2013 Children in Need Rocks and Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park 2014 concerts. The song's arrangement has been called "Beatlesque", due to its similarity to certain Beatles songs. ELO itself was formed due to the desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones. Anyone who knows their scores and keyboard parts, can appreciate that they achieved these goals. The ballad, "Goodbye Blue Skies", is from Pink Floyd’s 1977 album, The Wall. Stressed out by power struggles and creative differences, Pink Floyd were near the breaking point when they created this, the greatest album of their career. The dark themes throughout this piece include betrayal, breakdown and collapse. Out of the emotional wreckage came one of rock’s greatest milestones, although Pink Floyd suffered as a result. A journey would not be complete without challenge and struggle. "Lean On" by Major Lazer and "Storm", part of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, will come together as this year’s Percussion feature. Released in the 2015 Peace Is the Mission studio album, “Lean On” features DJ Snake and MØ. The genre is noted as Moombahton, which is a fusion genre of house music and reggaeton that was created by American DJ and producer Dave Nadaanother in 1997. Characteristics of moombahton include a thick and spread-out bass line, dramatic builds, a two-step pulse, and quick drum fills. In September 2015, 'Lean On' was named by Spotify as the most globally streamed song of the summer. Natalie Cole’s "Orange Colored Sky" takes us in another direction. Also recorded by her father, Nat King Cole with Stan Kenton's orchestra, it is a popular song written by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein and published in 1950. Its popularity is clear, based on the number of stars who recorded this piece and the decades it has remained popular - Danny Kay, Doris Day, Burt Ward with Frank Zappa, Michael Bublé, and Lady Gaga, to name a few. In 2013, a modified version of this melody was part of a Weight Watchers commercial. Its upbeat jazz style with quick rhythmic flurries and lines captures the listeners no matter who performs it. While the Skyliners’ Closer reprises "Corner of the Sky" by Jackson 5, do not expect a simple repeat of the Opening Statement. The Skyliners will stay somewhat true to the individual songs’ styles, but they will be instilling our own Skyliners style to each song too. As Larry Carbonell put it, “I can't WAIT to see what our arrangers do with this show!’ Come out to The Skyliners’ Open House will take place: Saturday, November 28, 2015 ~ 10:00 - 6:00 P.M.; Registration 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. More information to come soon. Keep up-to-date with us via our website, http://www.marchsky.org, join the Skyliners 2016 Interest Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/971700419546930. For more information, please contact Adam Burdett at info@skylinersdbc.org

September 28, 2015. The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps announce the appointment of the following 2016 Creative Management and Design Staff. CREATIVE DIRECTOR - David Bruni and PROGRAM COORDINATOR - George D Mattis III. BRASS ARRANGER - Joey Pero; BATTERY ARRANGER - Teddy Mascari; PIT ARRANGER - Ryan Reed; and VISUAL DESIGNER - Thomas Sparling. Creative Director David Bruni was Empire Statemen’s Assistant Director, drum major and Show Coordinator from 1983 to 2013. Under David’s leadership, from 1988 through 2013, the Empire Statesmen never finished below 4th (except 6th in 2012). They won the DCA Championship in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 2004. Dave has worked with numerous marching bands and is currently judging indoor percussion and marching bands. The Skyliners are thrilled to welcome David Bruni to our team. George D. Mattis III, Program Coordinator, started his drum corps marching career with the New York Skyliners in 1983. He marched Sky in ‘83, ‘84, and ‘85 (after DCI), and Bush in ‘86 & ‘88. George was fortunate to march in the Spirit of Atlanta’s winning high Color Guard in 1985 and 1987. His drum corps teaching experience began in 1989 and includes the New York Skyliners, Raiders, and Bushwackers. George's winter guard teaching experience includes Winter Sky (the Skyliners’ winter guard), Pegasus (1985 Silver Medalist in WGI and 1986 Open class finalist), and many HS programs around New York. Currently, George designs drill and teaches color guard for Hunterdon Central HS, Elizabeth HS., Chatham HS, and Ridge HS. Joey Pero, Buglers Hall of Fame Member and virtuoso master of the trumpet in the jazz and classical genres, is returning as Brass Arranger. He is currently a featured performer with the world premiere of the musical ‘The Bandstand’. According to a report by the New York Post’s Michael Riedel, “Broadway’s next hit could be ‘Bandstand’.” Joey has also performed with Jersey Boys and at the Composers Showcase in Las Vegas. A student of the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, Maynard Ferguson hired him to play second chair on his Big Bop Nouveau Band Tour. Joey was the DCA Soprano Individual Champion in 2000, 2001 & 2002, and has performed with drum corps such as the Genesee Quest, Ghost Riders, Empire Statesmen and the performance ensemble, The Edge. For the Skyliners, Joey’s focus will continue to be on entertainment and bringing performers’ performances to that next level, while designing an exciting and dynamic brass show. Ted Mascari is joining the Skyliners as Battery Arranger. He has been involved in all aspects of percussion since 1980, and has directed and arranged for marching band and indoor percussion programs in New York for 25 years. Ted is considered one of the top marching percussion minds in Upstate New York. Most recently he served as the Director and Music Designer for Victor High School Percussion, a NYSPC/WGI Scholastic A percussion ensemble finalist, from 2006-2014, winning four State Championships. Ted's drum corps instructional career began in 1993 with the Syracuse Brigadiers, then Rochester Crusaders from 1994-1996. Percussion Coordinator, Arranger and Consultant for the Empire Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps from 1997-2012, he has also worked as percussion advisor with the Kidsgrove Scouts since 2012, DC United Kingdom and DC European Champions. Ryan Reed is a percussion specialist from the Northeast Ohio area and the Skyliners’ 2016 Front Ensemble Arranger. He is Director of Percussion at New Philadelphia High School (2015 WGI PSCO Silver Medalist) and Carrollton High School. For the fourth year Ryan is on the Matrix World staff; he is joining Matrix Open this year. Ryan was on the Front Ensemble Staff one year each at Empire Statesmen, Glassmen, and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps; two years with Notre Dame Indoor Percussion Ensemble, and three years with Capital City Percussion. Ryan received a B.M. in Music Education from Kent State University where he studied percussion with Ted Rounds. He was a front ensemble member of Matrix Percussion from 2006-2008, Empire Statesmen in 2007 and 2009, and the Glassmen in 2008. In addition to teaching, Ryan is the front ensemble arranger for OCC Indoor Percussion and serves as a designer/arranger for Downbeat Percussion, a percussion entertainment and design company, both based out of Syracuse, New York. He is extremely excited to join the Skyliners for the upcoming 2016 season. Tom Sparling, Visual Designer, graduated from Miami University in 2009 with degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, Music Composition and a minor in Arts Management. Thomas marched bass drum with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2006), and Rhythm X (2006-2009). Since graduation he has served as a percussion instructor at William Mason HS, Centerville HS, Bellbrook HS, and Kettering Fairmont HS; and Percussion Director at Northmont HS, and La Salle HS, where he currently teaches. He has taught privately since 2005, and has instructed the Glassmen (2012), Matrix Indoor Percussion (2013-present), and The Madison Scouts (2015-present). In addition to teaching, Thomas spends much of his time as a visual designer for bands and percussion groups in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and Italy. The Skyliners are excited to be working with these outstanding Creative Managers and Designers to bring the Skyliners to the next level in DCA for 2016. The Skyliners’ Open House will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more announcements! Keep up-to-date with us via our website, http://www.marchsky.org, join the Skyliners 2016 Interest Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/971700419546930. For more information, please contact Adam Burdett at info@skylinersdbc.org.

September 28, 2015. The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps announce the appointment of the following 2016 Creative Management and Design Staff. CREATIVE DIRECTOR - David Bruni and PROGRAM COORDINATOR - George D Mattis III. BRASS ARRANGER - Joey Pero; BATTERY ARRANGER - Teddy Mascari; PIT ARRANGER - Ryan Reed; and VISUAL DESIGNER - Thomas Sparling. Creative Director David Bruni was Empire Statemen’s Assistant Director, drum major and Show Coordinator from 1983 to 2013. Under David’s leadership, from 1988 through 2013, the Empire Statesmen never finished below 4th (except 6th in 2012). They won the DCA Championship in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 2004. Dave has worked with numerous marching bands and is currently judging indoor percussion and marching bands. The Skyliners are thrilled to welcome David Bruni to our team. George D. Mattis III, Program Coordinator, started his drum corps marching career with the New York Skyliners in 1983. He marched Sky in ‘83, ‘84, and ‘85 (after DCI), and Bush in ‘86 & ‘88. George was fortunate to march in the Spirit of Atlanta’s winning high Color Guard in 1985 and 1987. His drum corps teaching experience began in 1989 and includes the New York Skyliners, Raiders, and Bushwackers. George's winter guard teaching experience includes Winter Sky (the Skyliners’ winter guard), Pegasus (1985 Silver Medalist in WGI and 1986 Open class finalist), and many HS programs around New York. Currently, George designs drill and teaches color guard for Hunterdon Central HS, Elizabeth HS., Chatham HS, and Ridge HS. Joey Pero, Buglers Hall of Fame Member and virtuoso master of the trumpet in the jazz and classical genres, is returning as Brass Arranger. He is currently a featured performer with the world premiere of the musical ‘The Bandstand’. According to a report by the New York Post’s Michael Riedel, “Broadway’s next hit could be ‘Bandstand’.” Joey has also performed with Jersey Boys and at the Composers Showcase in Las Vegas. A student of the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, Maynard Ferguson hired him to play second chair on his Big Bop Nouveau Band Tour. Joey was the DCA Soprano Individual Champion in 2000, 2001 & 2002, and has performed with drum corps such as the Genesee Quest, Ghost Riders, Empire Statesmen and the performance ensemble, The Edge. For the Skyliners, Joey’s focus will continue to be on entertainment and bringing performers’ performances to that next level, while designing an exciting and dynamic brass show. Ted Mascari is joining the Skyliners as Battery Arranger. He has been involved in all aspects of percussion since 1980, and has directed and arranged for marching band and indoor percussion programs in New York for 25 years. Ted is considered one of the top marching percussion minds in Upstate New York. Most recently he served as the Director and Music Designer for Victor High School Percussion, a NYSPC/WGI Scholastic A percussion ensemble finalist, from 2006-2014, winning four State Championships. Ted's drum corps instructional career began in 1993 with the Syracuse Brigadiers, then Rochester Crusaders from 1994-1996. Percussion Coordinator, Arranger and Consultant for the Empire Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps from 1997-2012, he has also worked as percussion advisor with the Kidsgrove Scouts since 2012, DC United Kingdom and DC European Champions. Ryan Reed is a percussion specialist from the Northeast Ohio area and the Skyliners’ 2016 Front Ensemble Arranger. He is Director of Percussion at New Philadelphia High School (2015 WGI PSCO Silver Medalist) and Carrollton High School. For the fourth year Ryan is on the Matrix World staff; he is joining Matrix Open this year. Ryan was on the Front Ensemble Staff one year each at Empire Statesmen, Glassmen, and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps; two years with Notre Dame Indoor Percussion Ensemble, and three years with Capital City Percussion. Ryan received a B.M. in Music Education from Kent State University where he studied percussion with Ted Rounds. He was a front ensemble member of Matrix Percussion from 2006-2008, Empire Statesmen in 2007 and 2009, and the Glassmen in 2008. In addition to teaching, Ryan is the front ensemble arranger for OCC Indoor Percussion and serves as a designer/arranger for Downbeat Percussion, a percussion entertainment and design company, both based out of Syracuse, New York. He is extremely excited to join the Skyliners for the upcoming 2016 season. Tom Sparling, Visual Designer, graduated from Miami University in 2009 with degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, Music Composition and a minor in Arts Management. Thomas marched bass drum with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2006), and Rhythm X (2006-2009). Since graduation he has served as a percussion instructor at William Mason HS, Centerville HS, Bellbrook HS, and Kettering Fairmont HS; and Percussion Director at Northmont HS, and La Salle HS, where he currently teaches. He has taught privately since 2005, and has instructed the Glassmen (2012), Matrix Indoor Percussion (2013-present), and The Madison Scouts (2015-present). In addition to teaching, Thomas spends much of his time as a visual designer for bands and percussion groups in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and Italy. The Skyliners are excited to be working with these outstanding Creative Managers and Designers to bring the Skyliners to the next level in DCA for 2016. The Skyliners’ Open House will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more announcements! Keep up-to-date with us via our website, http://www.marchsky.org, join the Skyliners 2016 Interest Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/971700419546930. For more information, please contact Adam Burdett at info@skylinersdbc.org.

September 28, 2015. The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps announce the appointment of the following 2016 Creative Management and Design Staff. CREATIVE DIRECTOR - David Bruni and PROGRAM COORDINATOR - George D Mattis III. BRASS ARRANGER - Joey Pero; BATTERY ARRANGER - Teddy Mascari; PIT ARRANGER - Ryan Reed; and VISUAL DESIGNER - Thomas Sparling. Creative Director David Bruni was Empire Statemen’s Assistant Director, drum major and Show Coordinator from 1983 to 2013. Under David’s leadership, from 1988 through 2013, the Empire Statesmen never finished below 4th (except 6th in 2012). They won the DCA Championship in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 2004. Dave has worked with numerous marching bands and is currently judging indoor percussion and marching bands. The Skyliners are thrilled to welcome David Bruni to our team. George D. Mattis III, Program Coordinator, started his drum corps marching career with the New York Skyliners in 1983. He marched Sky in ‘83, ‘84, and ‘85 (after DCI), and Bush in ‘86 & ‘88. George was fortunate to march in the Spirit of Atlanta’s winning high Color Guard in 1985 and 1987. His drum corps teaching experience began in 1989 and includes the New York Skyliners, Raiders, and Bushwackers. George's winter guard teaching experience includes Winter Sky (the Skyliners’ winter guard), Pegasus (1985 Silver Medalist in WGI and 1986 Open class finalist), and many HS programs around New York. Currently, George designs drill and teaches color guard for Hunterdon Central HS, Elizabeth HS., Chatham HS, and Ridge HS. Joey Pero, Buglers Hall of Fame Member and virtuoso master of the trumpet in the jazz and classical genres, is returning as Brass Arranger. He is currently a featured performer with the world premiere of the musical ‘The Bandstand’. According to a report by the New York Post’s Michael Riedel, “Broadway’s next hit could be ‘Bandstand’.” Joey has also performed with Jersey Boys and at the Composers Showcase in Las Vegas. A student of the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, Maynard Ferguson hired him to play second chair on his Big Bop Nouveau Band Tour. Joey was the DCA Soprano Individual Champion in 2000, 2001 & 2002, and has performed with drum corps such as the Genesee Quest, Ghost Riders, Empire Statesmen and the performance ensemble, The Edge. For the Skyliners, Joey’s focus will continue to be on entertainment and bringing performers’ performances to that next level, while designing an exciting and dynamic brass show. Ted Mascari is joining the Skyliners as Battery Arranger. He has been involved in all aspects of percussion since 1980, and has directed and arranged for marching band and indoor percussion programs in New York for 25 years. Ted is considered one of the top marching percussion minds in Upstate New York. Most recently he served as the Director and Music Designer for Victor High School Percussion, a NYSPC/WGI Scholastic A percussion ensemble finalist, from 2006-2014, winning four State Championships. Ted's drum corps instructional career began in 1993 with the Syracuse Brigadiers, then Rochester Crusaders from 1994-1996. Percussion Coordinator, Arranger and Consultant for the Empire Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps from 1997-2012, he has also worked as percussion advisor with the Kidsgrove Scouts since 2012, DC United Kingdom and DC European Champions. Ryan Reed is a percussion specialist from the Northeast Ohio area and the Skyliners’ 2016 Front Ensemble Arranger. He is Director of Percussion at New Philadelphia High School (2015 WGI PSCO Silver Medalist) and Carrollton High School. For the fourth year Ryan is on the Matrix World staff; he is joining Matrix Open this year. Ryan was on the Front Ensemble Staff one year each at Empire Statesmen, Glassmen, and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps; two years with Notre Dame Indoor Percussion Ensemble, and three years with Capital City Percussion. Ryan received a B.M. in Music Education from Kent State University where he studied percussion with Ted Rounds. He was a front ensemble member of Matrix Percussion from 2006-2008, Empire Statesmen in 2007 and 2009, and the Glassmen in 2008. In addition to teaching, Ryan is the front ensemble arranger for OCC Indoor Percussion and serves as a designer/arranger for Downbeat Percussion, a percussion entertainment and design company, both based out of Syracuse, New York. He is extremely excited to join the Skyliners for the upcoming 2016 season. Tom Sparling, Visual Designer, graduated from Miami University in 2009 with degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, Music Composition and a minor in Arts Management. Thomas marched bass drum with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2006), and Rhythm X (2006-2009). Since graduation he has served as a percussion instructor at William Mason HS, Centerville HS, Bellbrook HS, and Kettering Fairmont HS; and Percussion Director at Northmont HS, and La Salle HS, where he currently teaches. He has taught privately since 2005, and has instructed the Glassmen (2012), Matrix Indoor Percussion (2013-present), and The Madison Scouts (2015-present). In addition to teaching, Thomas spends much of his time as a visual designer for bands and percussion groups in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and Italy. The Skyliners are excited to be working with these outstanding Creative Managers and Designers to bring the Skyliners to the next level in DCA for 2016. The Skyliners’ Open House will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more announcements! Keep up-to-date with us via our website, http://www.marchsky.org, join the Skyliners 2016 Interest Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/971700419546930. For more information, please contact Adam Burdett at info@skylinersdbc.org.

September 28, 2015. The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps announce the appointment of the following 2016 Creative Management and Design Staff. CREATIVE DIRECTOR - David Bruni and PROGRAM COORDINATOR - George D Mattis III. BRASS ARRANGER - Joey Pero; BATTERY ARRANGER - Teddy Mascari; PIT ARRANGER - Ryan Reed; and VISUAL DESIGNER - Thomas Sparling. Creative Director David Bruni was Empire Statemen’s Assistant Director, drum major and Show Coordinator from 1983 to 2013. Under David’s leadership, from 1988 through 2013, the Empire Statesmen never finished below 4th (except 6th in 2012). They won the DCA Championship in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 2004. Dave has worked with numerous marching bands and is currently judging indoor percussion and marching bands. The Skyliners are thrilled to welcome David Bruni to our team. George D. Mattis III, Program Coordinator, started his drum corps marching career with the New York Skyliners in 1983. He marched Sky in ‘83, ‘84, and ‘85 (after DCI), and Bush in ‘86 & ‘88. George was fortunate to march in the Spirit of Atlanta’s winning high Color Guard in 1985 and 1987. His drum corps teaching experience began in 1989 and includes the New York Skyliners, Raiders, and Bushwackers. George's winter guard teaching experience includes Winter Sky (the Skyliners’ winter guard), Pegasus (1985 Silver Medalist in WGI and 1986 Open class finalist), and many HS programs around New York. Currently, George designs drill and teaches color guard for Hunterdon Central HS, Elizabeth HS., Chatham HS, and Ridge HS. Joey Pero, Buglers Hall of Fame Member and virtuoso master of the trumpet in the jazz and classical genres, is returning as Brass Arranger. He is currently a featured performer with the world premiere of the musical ‘The Bandstand’. According to a report by the New York Post’s Michael Riedel, “Broadway’s next hit could be ‘Bandstand’.” Joey has also performed with Jersey Boys and at the Composers Showcase in Las Vegas. A student of the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, Maynard Ferguson hired him to play second chair on his Big Bop Nouveau Band Tour. Joey was the DCA Soprano Individual Champion in 2000, 2001 & 2002, and has performed with drum corps such as the Genesee Quest, Ghost Riders, Empire Statesmen and the performance ensemble, The Edge. For the Skyliners, Joey’s focus will continue to be on entertainment and bringing performers’ performances to that next level, while designing an exciting and dynamic brass show. Ted Mascari is joining the Skyliners as Battery Arranger. He has been involved in all aspects of percussion since 1980, and has directed and arranged for marching band and indoor percussion programs in New York for 25 years. Ted is considered one of the top marching percussion minds in Upstate New York. Most recently he served as the Director and Music Designer for Victor High School Percussion, a NYSPC/WGI Scholastic A percussion ensemble finalist, from 2006-2014, winning four State Championships. Ted's drum corps instructional career began in 1993 with the Syracuse Brigadiers, then Rochester Crusaders from 1994-1996. Percussion Coordinator, Arranger and Consultant for the Empire Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps from 1997-2012, he has also worked as percussion advisor with the Kidsgrove Scouts since 2012, DC United Kingdom and DC European Champions. Ryan Reed is a percussion specialist from the Northeast Ohio area and the Skyliners’ 2016 Front Ensemble Arranger. He is Director of Percussion at New Philadelphia High School (2015 WGI PSCO Silver Medalist) and Carrollton High School. For the fourth year Ryan is on the Matrix World staff; he is joining Matrix Open this year. Ryan was on the Front Ensemble Staff one year each at Empire Statesmen, Glassmen, and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps; two years with Notre Dame Indoor Percussion Ensemble, and three years with Capital City Percussion. Ryan received a B.M. in Music Education from Kent State University where he studied percussion with Ted Rounds. He was a front ensemble member of Matrix Percussion from 2006-2008, Empire Statesmen in 2007 and 2009, and the Glassmen in 2008. In addition to teaching, Ryan is the front ensemble arranger for OCC Indoor Percussion and serves as a designer/arranger for Downbeat Percussion, a percussion entertainment and design company, both based out of Syracuse, New York. He is extremely excited to join the Skyliners for the upcoming 2016 season. Tom Sparling, Visual Designer, graduated from Miami University in 2009 with degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, Music Composition and a minor in Arts Management. Thomas marched bass drum with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2006), and Rhythm X (2006-2009). Since graduation he has served as a percussion instructor at William Mason HS, Centerville HS, Bellbrook HS, and Kettering Fairmont HS; and Percussion Director at Northmont HS, and La Salle HS, where he currently teaches. He has taught privately since 2005, and has instructed the Glassmen (2012), Matrix Indoor Percussion (2013-present), and The Madison Scouts (2015-present). In addition to teaching, Thomas spends much of his time as a visual designer for bands and percussion groups in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and Italy. The Skyliners are excited to be working with these outstanding Creative Managers and Designers to bring the Skyliners to the next level in DCA for 2016. The Skyliners’ Open House will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more announcements! Keep up-to-date with us via our website, http://www.marchsky.org, join the Skyliners 2016 Interest Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/971700419546930. For more information, please contact Adam Burdett at info@skylinersdbc.org.

I didn't see a thread for this show, to be hosted by the Hurricanes (and the Bridgeport Police Activities League) this Saturday. Here is the website. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. The venue is John F. Kennedy Stadium, which Google tells me is on U.S. Rte. 1 (North Ave.) between Park Ave. and Main Ave. in Bridgeport, CT (zip 06606). There are three corps performing in exhibition: Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Connecticut Alumni Park City Pride And six in competition: Hurricanes Caballeros Kidsgrove Scouts Sunrisers Skyliners Excelsior The site doesn't say, but presumably those are in reverse performance order--and probably with the exhibition corps following. According to the seating chart, as of today, 218 of the 320 reserved seats (@ $15) have sold. No indication on how the general admission seats (@ $10) are selling. I am curious about the notation reading "Candadians order 14, 7 8". I won't be there, but I look forward to news from anyone who is.

The Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps announced that the organization has extended Director Larry Carbonell’s term through the end of the 2017 season. Larry Carbonell was instrumental in revitalizing the Skyliners Drum Corps in May 2013, and leading the corps back onto the field of DCA competition in 2014. The Skyliners are celebrating their 70th Anniversary this year. The corps has showed growth – in experience and numbers – as they prepare for the 2015 DCA season. 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 those interested in marching this summer, it is not too late! Contact Adam Burdett at info@MarchSky.org.