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Conquistadors Drum & Bugle Corps Announcements


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Taken From WBNG-12 Action News - Binghamton, NY

www.wbng.com

The Conquistadors Drum & Bugle Corps based in Johnson City, NY is in the process of putting together a performance ensemble for 2012 and is making some huge decisions to make the dream a reality.

Corps director Harry Eldridge states “We are doing something completely unheard of to drum and bugle corps. We will be including woodwind instruments in our ensemble. This ensures that all musicians in the area have an equal chance to participate in this project, not just brass and percussion players.”

To those unfamiliar with the activity, drum corps uses only various bugles or other brass instruments such as trumpets, horns, baritones and tubas and does not typically include such instruments as saxophones, flutes, and clarinets. The ensemble will resemble more of a marching band in the early stages. Eldridge also goes on to state “We will eventually be phasing out woodwind instruments. We hope that our teaching staff can educate woodwind players on brass and percussion instruments as every member is valuable to the group. The corps cannot go into competition circuits with woodwinds however so it important to get members trained in the areas that we need to fill. For now we hope to do some local parades and raise money and awareness about the group before going into our phasing process.”

The group is looking for any interested members to visit their website at www.conquistadors.webs.com and fill out a membership application. There are no age requirements to participate, just basic knowledge of music and your chosen instrument.

In addition, the corps has decided on the first field show. The show will be entitled “The Mask of Zorro” and contain music from the motion picture. Audio samples of the show are also available on the corps website.

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Before anyone goes off the deep end and mails me anthrax or something please note that the woodwind move is not a plot to destroy drum corps :smile:

Here is an excerpt from our website:

"Woodwinds?! I Thought This Was Drum Corps!!

Before you freak out, yes it is drum corps. Just from a different angle. We know what drum corps is and our staff has come from some of the very greatest corps in history. The fact of the matter is, we need to start somewhere. The group is in a very dormant area for drum corps and it is going to take some time to get established. For the time being, we are going to put together a performance ensemble to raise money and awareness. From there we will start to educate our members on brass instruments and hopefully convert most of our woodwinds over and retain our membership. Don't worry, we are not out to destroy drum corps as you know it. By the time we go into competition we will be playing only bugles. Yes, bugles."

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Before anyone goes off the deep end and mails me anthrax or something please note that the woodwind move is not a plot to destroy drum corps :smile:

Here is an excerpt from our website:

"Woodwinds?! I Thought This Was Drum Corps!!

Before you freak out, yes it is drum corps. Just from a different angle. We know what drum corps is and our staff has come from some of the very greatest corps in history. The fact of the matter is, we need to start somewhere. The group is in a very dormant area for drum corps and it is going to take some time to get established. For the time being, we are going to put together a performance ensemble to raise money and awareness. From there we will start to educate our members on brass instruments and hopefully convert most of our woodwinds over and retain our membership. Don't worry, we are not out to destroy drum corps as you know it. By the time we go into competition we will be playing only bugles. Yes, bugles."

An interesting approach, Harry; I hope it works out well for you - and that it doesn't take too long to make the transition to all brass.

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snip

... The fact of the matter is, we need to start somewhere. The group is in a very dormant area for drum corps and it is going to take some time to get established.

....snip again...

By the time we go into competition we will be playing only bugles. Yes, bugles."

Hey...whatever it takes...... transfer of skills is a legitimate technique used in many sports.

Good luck !

Joe

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Thanks for the support guys. I was really expecting a barrage of negativity with regards to our decision but it's good that everyone seems to see the logic in it!

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