Fusion Design Team & Caption Heads Announced

[Fusion Core Administration]

Fusion Core has been having a blast entertaining crowds and providing members with memorable experiences.

We are very pleased to announce our Design Team and Caption Heads for the 2014 season.

Our 2014 production will be sure to entertain once again. The 2014 Design Team will be led by Robert Watson, Guard Designer and Caption Head. Team members also include Chris Bernotas, Brass Arranger/Composer, Scott Brown, Brass Caption Head, Mike Durborow, Visual Caption Head, Mike Schmitt, Battery Arranger and Percussion Co-Caption Head, Mike Wyatt, Front Ensemble Arranger, Ralph Marino, Design team member, Al Chez, Design Consultant and new to the Fusion family Ian Flint, Drill Designer. The show concept and musical selections will be announced separately.

The following is background on each Design Team Member and Caption Heads:

Rob Watson, Production Coordinator, Guard Designer/Caption Head, is excited to return to the Core in an expanded role. Fusion Core is also very excited to have Rob return to Fusion for a second season as our Guard Designer/Caption Head and in his new role as Production Coordinator. Fusion’s guard excelled exponentially after Rob joined us in mid-season this year. The end product was one that we were all very proud of.

Throughout his 15-year career, Rob has remained active in the marching arts and education. Many people know him for his work with Emanon Winter Guards: 2013 Caption Head of Emanon A Guard and a show designer of Emanon's 2010 "Seated Perspective" show (WGI IO 6th Place).

Rob has taught and consulted with numerous high school, college, drum corps, marching band and winter guard ensembles all around the country, receiving numerous accolades, with units including Southern Regional HS (NJ) 2003-2008, Middle Township HS, Toms River East HS (NJ) 2009-2012, West Orange HS (NJ) 2011, Washington HS (MO) 2011.

Rob also serves as a national color guard and visual performance adjudicator for US Bands. In 1999, Rob was named among the "Top 10 Performers in the World" by Field & Floor Magazine. Rob resides in Mount Olive, New Jersey and is the Vice President of User Experience for the Advertising Specialty Institute, a leading agency in promotional marketing and advertising.

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. Specifically for drum corps, Chris has written for the Caballeros, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Sunrisers, Carolina Gold, Pheonix, and Magic of Orlando.

Fusion brass members have loved playing Chris’ charts over the last few years and we are very excited to have Chris return to The Core for a third season.

Scott Brown, Brass Caption Head, returns to Fusion for a second season. This year Scott will return as Caption Head. Scott was quoted as saying, "I love having the opportunity to work with such a fine organization and with such quality and talented people." Scott brings a strong knowledge of brass pedagogy to our group having studied Trombone with Tyrone Breuninger of the Philadelphia Orchestra, jazz trombonist Urbie Green and conducting with Claude Pichareau of the Paris Conservatory. Prior to working with Fusion, Scott worked with the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps (2004, 2005, 2006 and 2011), winning DCA's coveted High Brass award in 2006.

When Scott isn't teaching the Core, he is working as the Director of Musical Activities for Northwestern Lehigh Area High School. Scott is an active freelance brass musician performing though out Pennsylvania, New Jersey, NYC, Delaware and Connecticut. He is often found performing with such groups as The Anthracite Brassworks, The Mixolydian Brass, Endless Mountain Brass, Soul, Souled Out, Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax, The Wyoming Valley Civic Orchestra, and others.

Scott holds degrees in Music Education from Wilkes University and The American Band College, and has done post graduate work at The University of the Arts and Villanova University.

Mike Durborow, Visual Caption Head, returns for a fourth season 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 from 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 for the 1983 and 1984 seasons. He continued with the corps as part of the visual Staff from 1985 – 1993. Mike served as visual caption head from 1994 – 2005 and Staff Coordinator 2002 – 2005.

Ian Flint, Drill Designer, joins Fusion for 2014. Ian currently lives in Dartmouth, MA. He works full time for the Dartmouth Public Schools as the district wide brass specialist where he teaches 5th-12th grade group lessons. He also serves as a show designer and visual coordinator for the marching band and indoor percussion ensembles. In the past 7 years the marching band has won 4 USSBA National Championships and the indoor percussion has won 2 WGI World Class Championships.

Ian also works as a drill designer and program coordinator for marching bands and indoor percussion ensembles. He designs for numerous bands along the east coast every season and many of these bands have found success by winning both their state and circuit championships. In the indoor percussion activity Ian has designed for such groups as King Philip Regional HS, Penn State University, Boston University, Westhill HS and Norwalk HS, and all have been WGI Finalist groups.

Ian holds a Bachelors in Music Performance (Tuba) from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and completed a music education certification through the State of Massachusetts. He was a member of The Cadets from 1998-2000 and worked on visual staff with The Cadets from 2004-2007 teaching both the horn line and percussion sections.

Mike Schmitt, Ensemble Coordinator, Percussion Co-Caption Head and Battery 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. Fusion’s percussion took a huge step in 2013 under the direction of Mike Schmitt and he’s very excited to continue on with Fusion for his second Season.

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. Fusion is very excited to have Mike Wyatt return to Fusion for a second season. Drum Corps crowds were often “wowed” by Fusion’s front Ensemble and members excitedly performed Mike’s challenging writing. Mike is also the Band Director at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT.

Ralph Marino, Design Team Member, is new to the Design team but not new to Fusion Core. Ralph is a founding father of Fusion. Ralph started his drum corps career in Los Federales from Brooklyn New York so he could spend time with his father. Ralph has had a long career as a baritone soloist with many corps over the years. He has always been intrigued by the design process, often bringing ideas or musical selections to Fusion’s design team. This year, Ralph is very excited to “officially” be part of the team.

Al Chez, Design Consultant, 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 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 returns to Fusion Core for a third season. 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.

Rounding out the percussion leadership is Omi Battan, Percussion Co-Caption Head/Lead Snare Technician. Omi is very excited to return to Fusion where he will continue to provide the membership with a quality music education that will inspire personal excellence and growth. Omi began his marching career with the University of Connecticut's drum line and the Connecticut Hurricanes in 2009. In 2010, Omi marched DCI with Jersey Surf before marching with the Cadets snare line in 2011. In addition he marched WGI with United Percussion in 2012.

Omi has taught the University of Connecticut drum line and was the Bass Technician for the Connecticut Hurricanes in 2012. He is currently the Assistant Band Director/Percussion Caption Head at Stamford High School in Stamford, CT and is the Percussion Caption Head of the University of New Haven Marching Band. Omi looks forward to continue the corps' fast moving progress and is excited to see what the 2014 season brings.

Fusion would like to thank ALL staff members that have been a part of Fusion Core's history from when our journey began to present as we enter our 8th year of competition. It's been an emotional, fun, exciting ride and you all were a part of our success!!

Additional staff and 2014 Production announcement coming soon!

2014 Membership Interest - Visit us at http://www.fusioncorenj.com/newmembership.html