FUSION DESIGN TEAM ANNOUNCED....

[Fusion Core Administration]

FUSION 2013 DESIGN TEAM ANNOUNCED

The completion of another exciting season brings the Core into 2013 having placed 9th in the Open Class Division. As the staff, membership and administration prepares for the 2013 season, Fusion continues to provide memorable drum corps experiences as well as championship caliber music education and color guard/dance performance opportunities to its membership.

Our 2013 production, “Till We Meet Again”, will be an exciting show designed by Al Chez, Brass Supervisor, Chris Bernotas, Brass Arranger/Composer, Gene O’Brien, Brass Caption Head, Mike Durburow, Visual Caption Head/Coordinator, Jaime Holly, Drill Designer, Mike Schmitt, Ensemble Coordinator/Battery Co-Arranger, Pat Vazquez, Battery Co-Arranger/Percussion Caption Head, Mike Wyatt, Front Ensemble Arranger and John Davis, Guard Designer/Caption Head. The show concept and musical selections will be announced separately.

The following is background on each design team member:

Al Chez, Brass Supervisor, is currently touring with “Al Chez & The Brothers of Funk Big Band”, which is his “personal expression in the world of music – all set through the big band style”. Al has been seen and heard every night on "The Late Show With David Letterman” in a 15 year run as the featured trumpet player appearing on both CBS and NBC. Al previously toured or played with Bonjovi, Robert Cray, Tower of Power, Arturo Sandoval, The Young Rascals, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Maynard Ferguson, Eric Clapton and The Dave Edmunds Band, to name a few.

When recently asked why drum corps work is so important to him, Al said “I told you I had the secret! I HAVE FOUND THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH AND IT’S WORKING WITH KIDS!!!” Mr. Chez has been involved with many drum corps over the years beginning in 1969 with The Saints from New Jersey. In the late 70's early 80's Al became a marching member and soloist of The Garfield Cadets. Al has also performed with The Bushwackers and Reading Buccaneers.

After his marching days were over, Chez became a Brass and Visual Instructor. He was part of the team that was instrumental in winning numerous Drum Corps International Championships. Al has also worked with the Brass lines of The Oakland Crusaders, Reading Buccaneers, The Cadets, Crossmen, The Bushwackers, Kingston Grenadiers, Empire Statesmen, and Fusion Core. Mr. Chez also worked for numerous high school bands across the country. Al holds an honorary Masters Degree in music performance. He is an active clinician and speaker throughout the country. In addition, Al is a member of The John P. Stevens Hall of Honors, Drum Corps Buglers Hall of Fame and The Cadets Hall of Fame.

Chris Bernotas, Brass Arranger/Composer, is an active composer and arranger of concert band music. Mr. Bernotas is published with Alfred Music Publishing, Daehn Publications, TRN Music Publishing, Northeastern Music Publications and Bandworks Publications. His music has been performed at the Midwest Clinic and has appeared on J.W. Pepper's Editor's Choice list and numerous state lists. Mr. Bernotas is co-author of the third book in Alfred's revolutionary method Sound Innovations series, called Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development, along with Peter Boonshaft.

Mr. Bernotas holds a BM from William Paterson University and an MAT from Marygrove College. As an instrumental music teacher at Mountain Lakes High School in New Jersey, he conducts the wind ensemble, concert band, pep band, jazz band, and pit orchestra. Mr. Bernotas has served the North Jersey Area Band as President, and Symphonic Band conductor. He has also served on the executive board for the New Jersey School Music Association, Region I, and has worked with the NJ All-State Band as a manager. His accomplishments include writing and arranging music for many drum corps and marching bands throughout the United States. He also adjudicates for marching band competitions and festivals nationwide. His professional affiliations include MENC, ASCAP, NBA, and NJMEA. Mr. Bernotas resides in New Jersey with his wife Cristina and three children. More specifically for drum corps, Chris has written for the Caballeros, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Sunrisers, Carolina Gold, Pheonix, Magic of Orlando, and Fusion Core.

Gene O’Brien returns to Fusion as Brass Caption Head. Gene has been a music educator in the Massachusetts school district for many years, and is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (Bachelor Science) and University of Massachusetts Lowell (Music Education). Currently Director of Music for the Everett Public Schools, Gene is no stranger to drum corps. His teaching experience includes Carolina Gold Music Arranger/Horn Instructor (2011), Legends of Drum Corps Instructor (Present), Drum Corps International Show/Event Staff (2004-Present), Fusion Core Consultant/Instructor (2010,2012), Carolina Gold Consultant (2010), Rochester Crusaders Brass Caption Head/Show Coordinator (2007-2009), Syracuse Brigadiers Brass Staff (2005), Connecticut Hurricanes DM (1995) and Brass Staff (1996-2000) and Boston Crusaders Brass Staff (1992-1994) to name a few.

Gene said, “I am looking forward to working with the Fusion family again. I have been blessed to learn from some of the best mentors in the activity from the late George Parks, music arranging from Jim Prime, brass pedagogy from Thom Lizotte, musicianship from Thom Hannum, trumpet playing from the late great Walter Chestnut, percussion education from Charley Poole, Drum Corps International event coordination from Tony DiCarlo, Carol O’Brien, motivation and passion from the late Pepe Notaro and Drum Corps Associates Operations Gil Silva, and Ed Denon”.

Mike Durborow, Visual Caption Head/Coordinator, returns after two years with Fusion Core, having a long history in the drum corps activity including DCA and DCI. Mike is a great motivator with his “can do attitude”. Mike began his drum corps career marching with the world acclaimed Muchachos Drum & Bugle Corps in 1967 – 1977, performing as Drum Major in 1977 and in winter guard in 1968 – 1973. He continued on to teach Garfield Cadets in 1979-80. In 1983 Mike joined the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum & Bugle Corps and was Drum Major in 1983-84, and he continued with the corps as Visual Staff 1985 - 1993, Visual Caption Head 1994 – 2005 and Staff Coordinator 2002 – 2005.

Jaime Holly, Drill Designer. Jaime is a full time Drill Designer and Visual Instructor living in Long Beach, CA with his wife Rebekah. He began his marching career in the soprano line of the Concord Blue Devil B Corps in 1989, moving to the World Champion A Corps in 1991 through 1993. He returned to the Blue Team in 1997 where he is currently Drill Writer and Visual Instructor.

Jaime is the Visual Caption Head and Designer for several award winning high schools in BOA and WBA, as well as independent non-profit organizations in DCI, DCA and WGI. Some of the groups he has had the opportunity to work with are: Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, Blue Coats Drum and Bugle Corps, Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, Mystikal Drum and Bugle Corps, Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps, Upland High School, Fountain Valley High School, Mansfield-Legacy High School, Cy-Fair High School, West Broward High School, Azle High School, Rancho Cucamonga High School, Desert Vista High School, Winston Churchill High School, Clovis West High School, James Logan High School, Freelancers Indoor Drumline, Black Knights Indoor Drumline, the El Diamonte Indoor Colorguard, and Fusion Core.

Mike Schmitt, Ensemble Coordinator/Battery Co-Arranger, began his drum corps career serving the roles of marching member, technician, Caption Head, and Arranger at the Hawthorne Caballeros from 1999-2010, earning a world championship in 2003. In 2011, Mike joined the Connecticut Hurricanes as Caption Head and Arranger through 2012.

Mike is heavily involved teaching both marching bands and indoor drum lines. His teaching career began as Caption Head and Arranger for the Parsippany Hills High School (NJ) from 2001-2008. While in this position, his drumline won 4 state drum titles, 4 national drum titles, and 4 overall band championships.

Mike taught for seven years at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT, as Arranger and Ensemble Director. During this time, Westhill's percussion ensemble won state championships three times, became a WGI finalist in 2012, and won the US Bands Indoor Championships in Group AA in 2012.

During the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Mike was Caption Head and Arranger for Pequannock Township High School in Pompton Plains, NJ. This ensemble won the Best Percussion award at both the US Bands States and National Championships in 2011 and were the US Bands Indoor Champions in Group A in 2012.

In addition to Parsippany, Westhill, and Pequannock, Mike has been involved with a large number of high schools, including Stamford High School, Roxbury High School, Ramapo High School, Morristown High School, Pompton Lakes High School, West Essex Regional High School, Wayne Valley High School and Ramsey High School.

Pat Vazquez, Battery Co-Arranger/Caption Head, has been a marching member of the New York Skyliners, Caballeros, Reading Buccaneers, Crossmen, and the Glassmen. After marching his age out in 2000, Pat has worked with percussion ensembles in both DCI and DCA including the Crossmen, Bushwackers, Caballeros and Fusion Core. He has also taught several high school percussion ensembles in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Michigan and New Jersey competing in WGI, BOA and USBands. Pat is currently the Percussion Caption Head at Pequannock Township High School in Pompton Plains, NJ.

Mike Wyatt, Front Ensemble Arranger, has been active in the marching community for over fifteen years. As a performer, he was a member of the WGI World Class finalist United Percussion, and was also the Front Ensemble Captain for the nine-time world champion Hawthorne Caballeros from 2005 through 2009. As a teacher and arranger, he has worked with the Hawthorne Caballeros, DCI's Raiders, United Percussion, and most recently was Assistant Caption Head and Arranger for the Connecticut Hurricanes. Mike holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies: Percussion Performance from the University of the Arts. In addition to his new role with Fusion Core, he is now also the Band Director at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT.

John Davis, Guard Designer/Caption Head, joins the Core for the 2013 season. John resides in Southern New Jersey outside of Atlantic City. He is the Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction for a small school district in Camden County, New Jersey. Outside of the work day, John is working hard on his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership at Rowan University. In his free time, John is the Visual Caption Head/Drill Designer for the Southern Regional High School Marching Band and Co-Director/Designer of the Winter Guard programs. During John's tenure with the Golden Rams Marching Band and Winter Guard, the program has earned several accolades including: 2010 Cavalcade Liberty Champions, 2011 Cavalcade Liberty Champions, 2011 Group II State Champions, 2011 Group II Chapter I Champions, 2011 Group II Tournament Champions, 2012 State Champions, 2012 Chapter I Champions, 2009 TIA Chapter I Scholastic Novice Gold Medalist, 2009 TIA Tournament Scholastic Novice Silver Medalist, 2010 TIA Chapter I Scholastic Intermediate A Silver Medalist, 2010 TIA Tournament Scholastic Intermediate A Silver Medalist, 2011 TIA Chapter I Scholastic A Silver Medalist, and 2011 TIA Tournament Scholastic A Bronze Medalist. In 2012, Southern Regional High School was fortunate enough to floor competitive Winter Guards in the Novice and Scholastic A classes. The Novice group competed in TIA and was promoted mid-season into the Scholastic Intermediate A Class finishing the season as the 2012 TIA Chapter I Scholastic Intermediate A Silver Medalists and the 2012 TIA Tournament Scholastic Intermediate A Bronze Medalists. The Scholastic A group had a very successful season finishing as the 2012 TIA Chapter I Scholastic A Champions, 2012 TIA Tournament Scholastic A Champions, and 2012 WGI Semi-Finalist. His previous teaching credentials include: Absegami High School, Pitman High School, and Pennsauken High School.

[Jerseyboy]

FUSION 2013 DESIGN TEAM ANNOUNCED

The completion of another exciting season brings the Core into 2013 having placed 9th in the Open Class Division. As the staff, membership and administration prepares for the 2013 season, Fusion continues to provide memorable drum corps experiences as well as championship caliber music education and color guard/dance performance opportunities to its membership.

Our 2013 production, "Till We Meet Again", will be an exciting show designed by Al Chez, Brass Supervisor, Chris Bernotas, Brass Arranger/Composer, Gene O'Brien, Brass Caption Head, Mike Durburow, Visual Caption Head/Coordinator, Jaime Holly, Drill Designer, Mike Schmitt, Ensemble Coordinator/Battery Co-Arranger, Pat Vazquez, Battery Co-Arranger/Percussion Caption Head, Mike Wyatt, Front Ensemble Arranger and John Davis, Guard Designer/Caption Head. The show concept and musical selections will be announced separately.

The following is background on each design team member:

Al Chez, Brass Supervisor, is currently touring with "Al Chez & The Brothers of Funk Big Band", which is his "personal expression in the world of music – all set through the big band style". Al has been seen and heard every night on "The Late Show With David Letterman" in a 15 year run as the featured trumpet player appearing on both CBS and NBC. Al previously toured or played with Bonjovi, Robert Cray, Tower of Power, Arturo Sandoval, The Young Rascals, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Maynard Ferguson, Eric Clapton and The Dave Edmunds Band, to name a few.

When recently asked why drum corps work is so important to him, Al said "I told you I had the secret! I HAVE FOUND THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH AND IT'S WORKING WITH KIDS!!!" Mr. Chez has been involved with many drum corps over the years beginning in 1969 with The Saints from New Jersey. In the late 70's early 80's Al became a marching member and soloist of The Garfield Cadets. Al has also performed with The Bushwackers and Reading Buccaneers.

After his marching days were over, Chez became a Brass and Visual Instructor. He was part of the team that was instrumental in winning numerous Drum Corps International Championships. Al has also worked with the Brass lines of The Oakland Crusaders, Reading Buccaneers, The Cadets, Crossmen, The Bushwackers, Kingston Grenadiers, Empire Statesmen, and Fusion Core. Mr. Chez also worked for numerous high school bands across the country. Al holds an honorary Masters Degree in music performance. He is an active clinician and speaker throughout the country. In addition, Al is a member of The John P. Stevens Hall of Honors, Drum Corps Buglers Hall of Fame and The Cadets Hall of Fame.

Chris Bernotas, Brass Arranger/Composer, is an active composer and arranger of concert band music. Mr. Bernotas is published with Alfred Music Publishing, Daehn Publications, TRN Music Publishing, Northeastern Music Publications and Bandworks Publications. His music has been performed at the Midwest Clinic and has appeared on J.W. Pepper's Editor's Choice list and numerous state lists. Mr. Bernotas is co-author of the third book in Alfred's revolutionary method Sound Innovations series, called Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development, along with Peter Boonshaft.

Mr. Bernotas holds a BM from William Paterson University and an MAT from Marygrove College. As an instrumental music teacher at Mountain Lakes High School in New Jersey, he conducts the wind ensemble, concert band, pep band, jazz band, and pit orchestra. Mr. Bernotas has served the North Jersey Area Band as President, and Symphonic Band conductor. He has also served on the executive board for the New Jersey School Music Association, Region I, and has worked with the NJ All-State Band as a manager. His accomplishments include writing and arranging music for many drum corps and marching bands throughout the United States. He also adjudicates for marching band competitions and festivals nationwide. His professional affiliations include MENC, ASCAP, NBA, and NJMEA. Mr. Bernotas resides in New Jersey with his wife Cristina and three children. More specifically for drum corps, Chris has written for the Caballeros, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Sunrisers, Carolina Gold, Pheonix, Magic of Orlando, and Fusion Core.

Gene O'Brien returns to Fusion as Brass Caption Head. Gene has been a music educator in the Massachusetts school district for many years, and is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (Bachelor Science) and University of Massachusetts Lowell (Music Education). Currently Director of Music for the Everett Public Schools, Gene is no stranger to drum corps. His teaching experience includes Carolina Gold Music Arranger/Horn Instructor (2011), Legends of Drum Corps Instructor (Present), Drum Corps International Show/Event Staff (2004-Present), Fusion Core Consultant/Instructor (2010,2012), Carolina Gold Consultant (2010), Rochester Crusaders Brass Caption Head/Show Coordinator (2007-2009), Syracuse Brigadiers Brass Staff (2005), Connecticut Hurricanes DM (1995) and Brass Staff (1996-2000) and Boston Crusaders Brass Staff (1992-1994) to name a few.

Gene said, "I am looking forward to working with the Fusion family again. I have been blessed to learn from some of the best mentors in the activity from the late George Parks, music arranging from Jim Prime, brass pedagogy from Thom Lizotte, musicianship from Thom Hannum, trumpet playing from the late great Walter Chestnut, percussion education from Charley Poole, Drum Corps International event coordination from Tony DiCarlo, Carol O'Brien, motivation and passion from the late Pepe Notaro and Drum Corps Associates Operations Gil Silva, and Ed Denon".

Mike Durborow, Visual Caption Head/Coordinator, returns after two years with Fusion Core, having a long history in the drum corps activity including DCA and DCI. Mike is a great motivator with his "can do attitude". Mike began his drum corps career marching with the world acclaimed Muchachos Drum & Bugle Corps in 1967 – 1977, performing as Drum Major in 1977 and in winter guard in 1968 – 1973. He continued on to teach Garfield Cadets in 1979-80. In 1983 Mike joined the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum & Bugle Corps and was Drum Major in 1983-84, and he continued with the corps as Visual Staff 1985 - 1993, Visual Caption Head 1994 – 2005 and Staff Coordinator 2002 – 2005.

Jaime Holly, Drill Designer. Jaime is a full time Drill Designer and Visual Instructor living in Long Beach, CA with his wife Rebekah. He began his marching career in the soprano line of the Concord Blue Devil B Corps in 1989, moving to the World Champion A Corps in 1991 through 1993. He returned to the Blue Team in 1997 where he is currently Drill Writer and Visual Instructor.

Jaime is the Visual Caption Head and Designer for several award winning high schools in BOA and WBA, as well as independent non-profit organizations in DCI, DCA and WGI. Some of the groups he has had the opportunity to work with are: Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, Blue Coats Drum and Bugle Corps, Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, Mystikal Drum and Bugle Corps, Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps, Upland High School, Fountain Valley High School, Mansfield-Legacy High School, Cy-Fair High School, West Broward High School, Azle High School, Rancho Cucamonga High School, Desert Vista High School, Winston Churchill High School, Clovis West High School, James Logan High School, Freelancers Indoor Drumline, Black Knights Indoor Drumline, the El Diamonte Indoor Colorguard, and Fusion Core.

Mike Schmitt, Ensemble Coordinator/Battery Co-Arranger, began his drum corps career serving the roles of marching member, technician, Caption Head, and Arranger at the Hawthorne Caballeros from 1999-2010, earning a world championship in 2003. In 2011, Mike joined the Connecticut Hurricanes as Caption Head and Arranger through 2012.

Mike is heavily involved teaching both marching bands and indoor drum lines. His teaching career began as Caption Head and Arranger for the Parsippany Hills High School (NJ) from 2001-2008. While in this position, his drumline won 4 state drum titles, 4 national drum titles, and 4 overall band championships.

Mike taught for seven years at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT, as Arranger and Ensemble Director. During this time, Westhill's percussion ensemble won state championships three times, became a WGI finalist in 2012, and won the US Bands Indoor Championships in Group AA in 2012.

During the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Mike was Caption Head and Arranger for Pequannock Township High School in Pompton Plains, NJ. This ensemble won the Best Percussion award at both the US Bands States and National Championships in 2011 and were the US Bands Indoor Champions in Group A in 2012.

In addition to Parsippany, Westhill, and Pequannock, Mike has been involved with a large number of high schools, including Stamford High School, Roxbury High School, Ramapo High School, Morristown High School, Pompton Lakes High School, West Essex Regional High School, Wayne Valley High School and Ramsey High School.

Pat Vazquez, Battery Co-Arranger/Caption Head, has been a marching member of the New York Skyliners, Caballeros, Reading Buccaneers, Crossmen, and the Glassmen. After marching his age out in 2000, Pat has worked with percussion ensembles in both DCI and DCA including the Crossmen, Bushwackers, Caballeros and Fusion Core. He has also taught several high school percussion ensembles in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Michigan and New Jersey competing in WGI, BOA and USBands. Pat is currently the Percussion Caption Head at Pequannock Township High School in Pompton Plains, NJ.

Mike Wyatt, Front Ensemble Arranger, has been active in the marching community for over fifteen years. As a performer, he was a member of the WGI World Class finalist United Percussion, and was also the Front Ensemble Captain for the nine-time world champion Hawthorne Caballeros from 2005 through 2009. As a teacher and arranger, he has worked with the Hawthorne Caballeros, DCI's Raiders, United Percussion, and most recently was Assistant Caption Head and Arranger for the Connecticut Hurricanes. Mike holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies: Percussion Performance from the University of the Arts. In addition to his new role with Fusion Core, he is now also the Band Director at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT.

John Davis, Guard Designer/Caption Head, joins the Core for the 2013 season. John resides in Southern New Jersey outside of Atlantic City. He is the Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction for a small school district in Camden County, New Jersey. Outside of the work day, John is working hard on his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership at Rowan University. In his free time, John is the Visual Caption Head/Drill Designer for the Southern Regional High School Marching Band and Co-Director/Designer of the Winter Guard programs. During John's tenure with the Golden Rams Marching Band and Winter Guard, the program has earned several accolades including: 2010 Cavalcade Liberty Champions, 2011 Cavalcade Liberty Champions, 2011 Group II State Champions, 2011 Group II Chapter I Champions, 2011 Group II Tournament Champions, 2012 State Champions, 2012 Chapter I Champions, 2009 TIA Chapter I Scholastic Novice Gold Medalist, 2009 TIA Tournament Scholastic Novice Silver Medalist, 2010 TIA Chapter I Scholastic Intermediate A Silver Medalist, 2010 TIA Tournament Scholastic Intermediate A Silver Medalist, 2011 TIA Chapter I Scholastic A Silver Medalist, and 2011 TIA Tournament Scholastic A Bronze Medalist. In 2012, Southern Regional High School was fortunate enough to floor competitive Winter Guards in the Novice and Scholastic A classes. The Novice group competed in TIA and was promoted mid-season into the Scholastic Intermediate A Class finishing the season as the 2012 TIA Chapter I Scholastic Intermediate A Silver Medalists and the 2012 TIA Tournament Scholastic Intermediate A Bronze Medalists. The Scholastic A group had a very successful season finishing as the 2012 TIA Chapter I Scholastic A Champions, 2012 TIA Tournament Scholastic A Champions, and 2012 WGI Semi-Finalist. His previous teaching credentials include: Absegami High School, Pitman High School, and Pennsauken High School.

[AlbionNY Drum Line]

legit!

[CorpsBuff]

Congrats Schmitt and Wyatt... two of the best percussive minds and best drum corps people I know.

[Jerseyboy]

Congrats Schmitt and Wyatt... two of the best percussive minds and best drum corps people I know.

[hardcoremello]

We're extremely excited to have both Mike's join the team!! It's like Christmas for Fusion

[Jerseyboy]

We're extremely excited to have both Mike's join the team!! It's like Christmas for Fusion

Chez , Jaime Holly

, Dubrow , Bernotas.

NOT BAD FUSION.