DCAJan 27, 2017 by Michael Gilley
Drum Corps Associates 2017 Season Is Heating Up
Drum Corps Associates 2017 Season Is Heating Up
As spring approaches, the Drum Corps Associates season is heating up as well. Check out these updates from the DCA's Hawthorne Caballeros, Fusion Core, and Reading Buccaneers.
By Kelly Driscoll
Despite winter's chilly grasp, things are heating up for groups within the Drum Corps Associates circuit. More commonly known as senior corps, these all-age ensembles are havens for age-outs and new marchers alike.
Often less expensive than their DCI counterparts, DCA corps are weekend warriors that compete up until Labor Day, a season that culminates in Rochester, New York, for the DCA World Championships. In recent years, corps such as the Hawthorne Caballeros, Fusion Core, and the Reading Buccaneers have attracted many high school- and college-age members looking for experience before venturing into DCI.
As the winter rehearsal season gets started, prospective members focus on show music, fundamentals, and basic marching techniques. During January and February, corps begin contracting members and setting up their permanent lines.
At this point, corps truly get a sense of the dynamic that will be established during the summer. The Hawthorne Caballeros, nine-time DCA Open Class World champions, have not yet officially released their show title but are encouraged and pleased by the skills of those applying to the corps. Their open house, held on November 26-27, gave members a teaser of the corps' opener and a basic rundown of its show concept. Although their theme is still a secret, the Caballeros are sure to stick to their Spanish roots while adding modern flair.
New Caballeros visual caption head Andrew Hayward has begun the task of developing both marching and dance skill in potential members. Although it is early in the season, he is happy with the progress so far.
On the music side, the brass line has gotten extensive fundamental exercises to build chops and stamina. Arranged by brass caption head John Adcock, the fundamentals book is tricky and designed to increase skill and dexterity.
The Caballeros' new percussion caption head, Mark Monaghan, has also begun contracting members of the drumline and front ensemble. Along with front ensemble coordinator Matt Blood, Monaghan has started the process of building off of last season's percussion section. Taking a break for winter guard, the color guard will hold auditions in April.
In Morris County, New Jersey, Fusion Core have also begun auditions for the 2017 season. Their show, Connexion, will focus on the power of connection in an often disjointed world.
According to corps director Holly Marino, the show will start off disconnected and then "we will connect everything, musically and visually, and these moments will be very powerful." Included in the show music is "Vesuvius" by Frank Ticheli, "The Sound of Silence" by Disturbed, and "Uffe's Woodshop" by Tyondai Braxton.
With new additions to the music and visual staff, Fusion is looking forward to a productive new season. Thanks to the creation of their new winter guard, Fusion's color guard members will be in perfect shape to start their 2017 season when the entire corps gets back together in April. Through their fast-paced new production, Fusion will embody unification and connectivity. Each section plays a key role, also tying in with their theme.
Although dethroned at the finale of the 2016 season, the Reading Buccaneers are ready to get back into action and fight to reclaim their title as DCA champions. In their 60th anniversary show, "Behind the Suit," the Buccaneers will convey the complex emotions felt by each performer as they put on the show of their lives.
This production will feature music by Hans Zimmer, Michael Daugherty, Samuel Barber, and Richard Strauss, as well as original music by Buccaneers designers Mark Lortz, Johnny Trujillo, and Mike Lalli.
Whatever the outcome in September, all three corps are destined to entertain and show the power of senior corps.
Despite winter's chilly grasp, things are heating up for groups within the Drum Corps Associates circuit. More commonly known as senior corps, these all-age ensembles are havens for age-outs and new marchers alike.
Often less expensive than their DCI counterparts, DCA corps are weekend warriors that compete up until Labor Day, a season that culminates in Rochester, New York, for the DCA World Championships. In recent years, corps such as the Hawthorne Caballeros, Fusion Core, and the Reading Buccaneers have attracted many high school- and college-age members looking for experience before venturing into DCI.
As the winter rehearsal season gets started, prospective members focus on show music, fundamentals, and basic marching techniques. During January and February, corps begin contracting members and setting up their permanent lines.
Hawthorne Caballeros
At this point, corps truly get a sense of the dynamic that will be established during the summer. The Hawthorne Caballeros, nine-time DCA Open Class World champions, have not yet officially released their show title but are encouraged and pleased by the skills of those applying to the corps. Their open house, held on November 26-27, gave members a teaser of the corps' opener and a basic rundown of its show concept. Although their theme is still a secret, the Caballeros are sure to stick to their Spanish roots while adding modern flair.
New Caballeros visual caption head Andrew Hayward has begun the task of developing both marching and dance skill in potential members. Although it is early in the season, he is happy with the progress so far.
On the music side, the brass line has gotten extensive fundamental exercises to build chops and stamina. Arranged by brass caption head John Adcock, the fundamentals book is tricky and designed to increase skill and dexterity.
The Caballeros' new percussion caption head, Mark Monaghan, has also begun contracting members of the drumline and front ensemble. Along with front ensemble coordinator Matt Blood, Monaghan has started the process of building off of last season's percussion section. Taking a break for winter guard, the color guard will hold auditions in April.
Fusion Core
In Morris County, New Jersey, Fusion Core have also begun auditions for the 2017 season. Their show, Connexion, will focus on the power of connection in an often disjointed world.
According to corps director Holly Marino, the show will start off disconnected and then "we will connect everything, musically and visually, and these moments will be very powerful." Included in the show music is "Vesuvius" by Frank Ticheli, "The Sound of Silence" by Disturbed, and "Uffe's Woodshop" by Tyondai Braxton.
With new additions to the music and visual staff, Fusion is looking forward to a productive new season. Thanks to the creation of their new winter guard, Fusion's color guard members will be in perfect shape to start their 2017 season when the entire corps gets back together in April. Through their fast-paced new production, Fusion will embody unification and connectivity. Each section plays a key role, also tying in with their theme.
Reading Buccaneers
Although dethroned at the finale of the 2016 season, the Reading Buccaneers are ready to get back into action and fight to reclaim their title as DCA champions. In their 60th anniversary show, "Behind the Suit," the Buccaneers will convey the complex emotions felt by each performer as they put on the show of their lives.
This production will feature music by Hans Zimmer, Michael Daugherty, Samuel Barber, and Richard Strauss, as well as original music by Buccaneers designers Mark Lortz, Johnny Trujillo, and Mike Lalli.
Whatever the outcome in September, all three corps are destined to entertain and show the power of senior corps.