12
7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps Newsletter Vol. 2.1 | May 2015
7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps
NewsletterVol. 2.1 | May 2015
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
Table of Contents
2 TOC
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Jamil Jorge
Erick Mancebo
Derek Sexton
Send us an email and ask to join
our mailing list, ask questions, give
feedback, or to get more involved!
We send regular emails that include
7RAA news, events, newsletters,
events, volunteering opportunities,
and more!
For more information, check out
7thregiment.org! There, you can
find recent news and rehearsal
schedules, staff biographies,
member information, and make
donations to the corps.
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts
Association
P.O. Box 64
New London, CT 06320
Copyright 2015
@7thRegiment
/7thRegiment
7thregiment.org
3 — 7RYPAO Welcome
4 — Show Announcement
5 — Drum Major’s Update
6 — Events / 2015 Schedule
8 — New website
9 — Rookie & Veteran Spotlights
10 — Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Platts
12 — Alumni News
@7thRegiment
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
Welcome from 7RYPAO
The 2014 season was a year of milestones:-7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps completed its 10th competitive season-The corps continued to show its prowess by finishing 5th in Open Class competition-The corps finished strong enough to qualify to compete in World Class preliminaries-In the preliminaries, the corps scored high enough to qualify for World Class Semi Final competition-Tim Rall was awarded Open Class Director of the Year
All of these feats made the 2014 season a year of accomplishments.
During the 2015 season, we will make changes that will build upon what was created during the 2014 season. Foremost, at the corporate level our name has been changed from Surfers Alumni Association to the 7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Organization. The Board has also restructured and expanded the Scholarship Fund to aid members in need. The Board of Directors expects that this will help solidify the identity of the corps with its supporting organization.
At the corps level, there
are several exciting changes. The corps is hoping to expand to over 120 members; Jack Tully will lead the corps as the new Program Coordinator and Kevin Lowery will serve as Brass Caption Head; the corps will add a cymbal line, led by Gene Bennett, to its percussion line; and our new 50 foot trailer will be ready to transport equipment and food on tour.
This year, we are also planning to make our presence in New London more prominent. We plan to perform at Fort Trumbull in association with Sailfest, and our Home show will be expanded to include local high school and performing groups. In this way, the corps can give back to New London some of the support that New London has given to the corps.
These changes will add to the accomplishments of last season to make the 2015 season an even more spectacular year. Please follow us on our redesigned web page at 7thregiment.org as well as on Facebook. I expect that 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps will continue to grow and become a top nationally recognized corps.
3welcome
ARMINDER SINGH 7RYPAO President
Arminder Singh
Paula O’Neil
Albert L. Littlefield
Daisy Johnson
Birse Timmons
Tim Rall
Jim O’Neil
Christina Nadeau
Kerry Valley
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
President Emeritus
Corps Director
Assistant Corps Director
Corps Alumnus Member at Large
Member at Large
7TH REGIMENT YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS
ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps is pleased to announce its 2015 production, ‘The Labyrinth.’ I’m thrilled with how our show is coming together this year, and I think it will provide
a great vehicle for the students to achieve success. Newcomers to the design team Mike Nevin, Brian Murphy and Kevin Lowery have brought some fresh, exciting ideas. Our returning designers Mark Maguire, Jeff Bickford and Eric Schrader have really stepped it up as well.
Our program will explore the twists and turns of a magnificent, confounding and sometimes dangerous maze. In Greek mythology, it is said that the great builder Daedalus constructed a labyrinth that was so bewildering and perplexing he was barely able to escape his own creation. In stories and myths, labyrinths have been presented as an arduous challenge, where the traveler must face trials, frustrations and obstacles along the path. Throughout history, the labyrinth has also been seen as a beautiful piece of art in the elaborate patterns it makes, especially when viewed from above, or it can be used as the framework for a meditative or spiritual journey. The audience will encounter exciting surprises around every turn as 7th Regiment explores ‘The Labyrinth.’
“
4 Show Announcement
”JACK TULLY Program Coordinator
Show Announcement
Long, Long Time Ago from “Pan’s Labyrinth” by Javier NavarreteThe Power Plant from “The Matrix” by Don DavisRue’s Whistle Song from “The Hunger Games” by James Newton HowardBattle Music by David HolsingerRue’s Farewell from “The Hunger Games” by James Newton HowardBurly Brawl from “The Matrix Reloaded” by Juno Reactor and Don Davis
Repertoire
2015 Design Team:
Jack Tully Program Coordinator/ Brass ArrangerMark Maguire Staff Coordinator/ Visual Designer & Caption HeadJeff Bickford Percussion Caption Head/ Battery ArrangerMike Nevin Front Ensemble ArrangerEric Schrader Color Guard Caption HeadKevin Lowery Brass Caption HeadBrian Murphy Program Advisor
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
5Drum Major’s Update
As you may know, the 2015 season has brought much growth to the corps, and in addition to fielding expanded membership in all sections, including 7th’s first cymbal line and international members from Canada and Italy. The corps will be taking
three buses out for tour as well as a full size semi trailer. The 2015 7th Regiment aims to be not only the biggest, but also the best version of 7th Regiment yet.
At April camp, the weather finally allowed the corps to move outside where we put drill to our feet as the opener of our 2015 production, “The Labyrinth,” began to take shape on the field. The design team continues to develop the later parts of our program, workshopping new ideas such as climbing towers comprised of corps members, running through flag obstacles and more to be used in the “obstacle course ”segment of our show.
With the start of weekly rehearsals just around the corner following May Camp on Memorial Day weekend, we prepare for our season to kick into full gear. In just under two months, the 2015 edition of 7th Regiment will be taking the field for the first time this competitive season at Gillette Stadium. And in less than 100 days they will take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for their last performance.
Rise as One.
“
Drum Major’s Update
”DALTON GYORDA Drum Major ‘14-’15
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
6 2015 Performance Schedule | Events
2015 Performance ScheduleJun.14 Bunker Hill Parade Charlestown, MA
Jul 2 DCI Competition Foxboro, MA
Jul 3 DCI Competition Bristol, RI
Jul 4 Fourth of July Parades Hingham, MA
Duxbury, MA
Norwood, MA
Jul 5 DCI Competition Clifton, NJ
Jul 11 Old Home Day Parade East Hampton, MA
Jul 11 Sailfest New London, CT
Jul 12 Family & Friends New London, CT
Performance
Jul 18 DCI Competition Manchester, NH
Jul 19 DCI Competition New Haven, CT
Jul 24 DCI Competition Sheffield, PA
Jul 25 DCI Competition Hamilton, OH
Jul 27 DCI Competition Salem, WI
Jul 29 DCI Competition TBD Northern WI
Jul 31 DCI Competition St. Paul, MN
Aug 1 DCI Competition Forest City, IA
Aug 3 DCI Competition Michigan City, IN
(Open Class Prelims)
Aug 4 DCI Competition Michigan City, IN
(Open Class Finals)
Aug 5 DCI Showcase Indianapolis, IN
Aug 6 DCI Competition Indianapolis, IN
(World Class Prelims)
Aug 7* DCI Competition* Indianapolis, IN*
(World Class Semifinals)
Aug 8 Drumline Battle Indianapolis, IN
Alumni Dinner Event
7th Regiment’s second annual alumni dinner with the corps is coming up this month! This event is
free. Alumni will have the opportunity to:-Enjoy dinner with the current corps
-Catch up with other alumni-Watch rehearsal-Join the 7RYPAO
-Participate in fireside-Enjoy an evening out with other alumni
SATURDAY, MAY 23 2015BENNIE DOVER JACKSON
MIDDLE SCHOOLNEW LONDON, CT
6PM
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
Family & Friends Show
Last year, the free Family & Friends Show brought hundreds of people to the New London High School stadium where we hosted a food drive, sold 7th Regiment merchandise and had exhibition performances from Les Stentors (Quebec), Racine Scouts (Racine, Wisconsin) and 7th Regiment. Details have not been finalized yet, but make sure to mark your calendars for this year’s free show to support the members of 7th Regiment before they leave for their finals tour. Keep a lookout for the Facebook event!
7Events | Family & Friends Show
FRIENDS & FAMILY SHOW:
SUNDAY, JULY 192015
NEW LONDONHIGH SCHOOL
NEW LONDON, CT
Photo: Kerry Valley
Under the leadership of alumna Rachel Timmons, last year’s food drive raised 884 pounds of canned goods that we donated to the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London, Connecticut! This food bank is one of three in the state of Connecticut that distributes goods to over 100 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, childcare centers, community meal sites, and elderly programs throughout throughout New London county. Check out their website here: hwww.uwsect.org/food-center.
We want to exceed last year’s donation, so bring seven canned goods (for 7th!) to the Family & Friends Show to help us give back to our wonderful local community. For questions, email [email protected].
#7for7th Food Drive
DONT FORGET YOUR CANNED
GOODS!
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
8 New Website
7th’s New Website
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out our
new website, 7thregiment.org, recently
redesigned by alumni Erick Mancebo (front
ensemble ‘12) and Ryan Kanner (snare ‘08-
’10), Kerry Valley, Arminder Singh, Tim Rall
and Barbara DeLillo.
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
Rookie SpotlightWhy did you choose to march 7th Regiment?I’ve been wanting to march drum corps since I started college because most of my friends at school marched at different corps. Since this is my age-out year, I thought it would be better late than never to march this summer. I chose 7th Regiment because of a Facebook message Dalton sent to the cymbals at UMass. He said that the corps was trying to march a cymbal line, and I thought I should go for it.
What’s it like being the section captain of 7th Regiment’s first cymbal line?So far, it’s been a little stressful, but a lot of fun. It’s hard to show the other cymbal players the ropes when no ropes existed before. We have an amazing cymbal tech,
Gene, who inspires us to be better, and I’ve been trying to do my best to set a good example for the rest of the line.
What’s the best advice you received from a veteran member?Always put on sunscreen, even if you don’t think you need it.
What are you looking forward to the most this summer?Honestly, I’m looking forward to the experiences I’ll have off the field. The long bus rides, sleeping in gyms, and making friends from all around the world. I’ve been told by many colleagues and teachers that it’s not winning the championship that matters. What matters is the journey you took to get there.
9Rookie & Veteran Spotlight
BIANCA DOONE
HOMETOWN: BILLERICA, MASCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF
MASSACHUSETTS, AMHERSTMAJOR: PUBLIC HEALTH, STATISTICS
SECTION: CYMBALS
HOMETOWN: PLYMOUTH, MASCHOOL: PLYMOUTH SOUTH HIGH SCHOOLSECTION: COLOR GUARDYEARS MARCHED: FRONT ENSEMBLE ‘12-’14, COLORGUARD ‘15CURRENT OCCUPATION: CASHIER AT MARKET BASKET AND PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT FOR AN AUTISTIC CHILD
KATIE ROGERS
Why did you choose to march 7th Regiment?I chose to march 7th Regiment mainly because of my older brother, Nate. His first year was in 2011 and since then, he, my twin sister Allie and I have marched together every year. After spending a summer watching, I knew that was how I wanted to spend my summers and I knew the 7th Regiment could give me the experience I was looking for.
What advice would you give to a rookie member?I thought my first year would be my last. After spending so many days practicing all day and pushing yourself to be the best you can be every rep of every day you are exhausted. But being around so many people that know exactly how you feel and share the same love for the activity that you do just brings you all that much closer. Although some days seem like they’ll never end and you might die of heat exhaustion on the field, it’s worth it and it’s those days that you’ll miss when you get back to New London High School after tour. Although I was happy to be home after my first year, I had no doubt in my mind that I would be back the next year and wished there wasn’t a break between each season. So my advice to rookies would be to stay no matter how much you think you hate the activity or the grueling rehearsals. I guarantee you’ll have a completely different mindset after performing and traveling and just enjoying the people around you.
What do you think about this year’s show?From what I’ve heard and seen so far of this year’s show I am definitely excited to be a part of it. Each year I love the show that is put together, but I truly think this one will be my favorite. Although the show seems like a difficult one, with the numbers we now have and the work ethic that the members are bringing, I think we can achieve all that the staff is expecting from us. With ideas and music coming from “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “The Matrix” and “Hunger Games,” it is a show filled with intensity and action that I believe our members will be able to portray passionately.
What are you looking forward to the most this summer?Although it is my fourth season with the corps, it is my first as a member of the color guard. For the past three years, I was a part of the front ensemble, but with a gymnastics background and having performed with the color guard at my high school for a few seasons, I wanted to try it here. The switch from the front ensemble to color guard was a bit scary because of my lack of experience in guard, but I knew I would be given the opportunity and instruction to improve greatly. I definitely have my work cut out for me, but I am eager to try something new and can’t wait to see what the corps can accomplish this year.
Veteran Spotlight
Alumni Spotlight
Why did you choose to march 7th Regiment?I started marching with 7th before I even really knew anything about the marching arts. One day, Rachel Timmons (colorguard ‘05-‘11) just walked into our history class and asked me if I wanted to join 7th Regiment. I didn’t even really know what I was saying yes to, but I am very glad I did.
Can you recall one of your least favorite memories?My least favorite drum corps memory would be
from 2009, the summer that I didn’t march. My dad told me that I had to work full time to help pay for college meaning that drum corps was out of the question.
It was the day before DCI finals, if I am remembering correctly, and I got a text message saying that for the first time in history of the corps 7th had made finals and would be performing at Lucas Oil Stadium. I was on my way to work and I just started crying at a stop light.
7th was such a big part of my identity and I felt so heartbroken that I wouldn’t be able to share this moment of corps history and celebrate with my RegiFamily. I was super proud of what the corps was able to accomplish that year. But still to this day, not marching in 2009 is one of my biggest regrets.
Can you recall one of your favorite memories?The most vivid one however was in 2010, coming
back after my year off I was so humbled. 7th had a different mentality after going to finals and I had to step up my game. I was no longer a super vet and found myself back at square one preparing for my age out year. One rehearsal day on tour I was really tired and everything hurt, but the guard kept getting called out for not performing.
All I could think was: “How can you expect me to perform right now? It’s 95 degrees out, I don’t remember when our last water break was, my feet are going to fall off, I am absolutely going to die.” We were running through F to the End over and over, but that’s when I realized that this is exactly what drum corps is about. That this whole activity is about how you handle those stressful/challenging situations.
I decided that this day would not be the end of me, but rather it would be fun and exciting! I huddled up the back flag line and we decided to theme each rep, we performed dragon face, fish face, frowny face and any other random thing we could think of.
JENNIFER PLATTS
HOMETOWN: EAST LYME, CTEDUCATION: JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY: B.S MARKETINGNORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, M.ED EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIPSECTION: COLORGUARDYEARS MARCHED: 2005-2008, ‘10CURRENT OCCUPATION: RESIDENCE HALL DIRECTOR AT UCONN
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
10 Alumni Spotlight
We were laughing so hard, psyched to do every rep and perform every new face. I know it is corny, but I don’t think I have ever walked off a practice field more confident of the hard work I did on that day.
Has marching in 7th Regiment affected other aspects of your life?
Yes. The lessons I have learned from my staff and fellow members has shaped me into exactly who I am today.
When I graduated high school I thought that would be it for me. I was OK accepting a minimum wage job for the rest of my life. But drum corps taught me to always strive for more than I was capable of, more than I ever thought possible.
When I was in graduate school, so many times I thought about how it was too hard or I maybe I could just throw a mediocre paper together, but I know from
7th that the only person I would be cheating in those situations would be myself.
I had to put in the work to get the results, even if it meant I didn’t get to go out or get a lot of sleep.If you could give advice to this year’s age-outs, what would you tell them?
Put your phone away…. Seriously put the thing down. It’s great for pictures and Snapchat or whatever, but do you really want to spend an entire season on your phone when you are surrounded by a bunch of totally awesome people?
Talk to them, get to know them, like, really know them, make inside jokes (they are just as funny even if you don’t post them all over Facebook).
Trust me when I say I still remember everything about my first season like it was yesterday and that was before smart phones and social media existed.
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
11Throwback/Miscellaneous
Throwback Photo7th Regiment performs
their 2008 show, “Mexican
Landscapes,” in the DCI
Open Class Semi-Finals
held in Michigan City,
Indiana. It was their first
appearance in semi-finals
competition, having placed
17th out of 23 corps that
year with a final score
of 78.375. Many alumni
would mark this as the
year when the corps
really began to grow into
the organization that it is
today.
Drum corps is a costly activity and 7th Regiment does its best to keep its costs low for its members. To make a donation, click on “support” at www.7thregiment.org to donate to the corps, the scholarship fund, or sponsor a member. You can also give by signing up for United Way, IGive, or amazonsmile and choosing “7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Association.” A certain percentage of your online purchases will be donated to 7th Regiment, and signing up is free!
Donate/Volunteer!The corps is always
looking for extra hands!
Volunteers are needed
to help cook, serve
and cleanup food,
drive on tours, work the
merchandise booth, sew
uniforms and many other
odd jobs required daily
while rehearsing and on
tour. If you’re interesting
in volunteering, contact
12Alumni News
Alumni NewsAndrew Dressler (battery ‘08, front ensemble
‘09-’10) is graduating from Hofstra Law School
this May with his juris doctor and will be taking the
bar exam this July. Afterwards, he will be moving to
Miami to start as an assistant state attorney with the
Miami-Dade State Attorney Office. Currently, Andrew
composes and arranges for West Milford High School
in New Jersey. He composed their indoor percussion
show last year which won first place in the US Bands
Class 1A Indoor Percussion Championships.
Jamil Jorge (tuba ‘10-’11, drum major ‘12) was awarded a Master’s
Travel Grant from the Graduate College at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign to conduct fieldwork throughout the United States
on black drum & bugle corps. He will present his research for the first
time this June during the Social Science Research Council Summer
Conference for Mellon Mays Graduate Students.
Bobby Langan (baritone
‘07-’10) began a Ph.D. program
in biochemistry this year at the
University of Washington. He will also
be teaching on the visual staff this
summer with the Seattle Cascades
Drum & Bugle Corps.
Erick Mancebo (front ensemble
‘12) will be receiving bachelor’s
degrees from Pace University in
New York, NY this May in English
Language and Literature, Marketing,
and Graphic Design. He has accepted
a post-grad position in Providence,
Rhode Island.
Bror Okerblom (baritone ‘08-
’11, ‘13, brass technician ‘14) will be
graduating in May with bachelor’s
degrees in Music Education and
Euphonium Performance.
Dori Sawyer (Langton), aka Dorky Doodle, (color guard
instructor, ‘08-’12), recently married Christian Sawyer in April of 2015
(who she claims secretly helped her choreograph the 2012 show).
Attending the wedding were color guard alumni Caitlin Kenny (color
guard ‘08-’12), Lesley Snay (color guard ‘10, ‘12), and instructor Dana
Saccomano (color guard instructor ‘06-’12). Dori’s mom, who used to
make costumes and flags for the corps, made the wedding dress!
Rachel Timmons (color guard ‘05-’11) will begin
her fourth year externship at Carle Hearing Services
in Urbana, Illinois this June to finish out the last
portion of her graduate career in audiology.
Do you have something to share? If you are a member of the 7th Regiment or Surfers alumni
community, let us know! We love to keep our community updated on engagements, marriages,
kids, new jobs, internships, awards, education, graduation, big moves, photos, stories, or whatever
you might think of! Email [email protected].
