Cavaliers Complete Pre-Tour for 2019 Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(ADRIAN, Mich.) – The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps is off to a great start to the 2019 season with their pre-tour at Adrian College. The full corps has been hard at work the past few weeks learning drill and choreography, fine-tuning music phrases and discovering what it means to be a Cavalier.
Prior to joining the corps in Adrian, the color guard spent the week before in Chicago and had the opportunity to work with the incredible team at Visceral Dance Chicago and Nick Pupillo on enhancing their movement skills. The group took a variety of classes ranging from yoga and Pilates to contemporary and ballet to further enhance the fundamental techniques that would propel them forward going into the 2019 season. You can see what they got up to here.
The percussion team made itself at home in Adrian, Mich. while the guard was training in Chicago to learn the 2019 program and get ahead of the curve before the rest of the corps arrived. The battery and front ensemble worked tirelessly to ensure they were set to rehearse with the entire ensemble and prepared to start the summer season with confidence. The remainder of the corps arrived in Michigan a short time later to get to work on the 2019 program.
The Cavaliers had a heartbreaking start to their season with the news of the passing of our founder, Don Warren. The members mourned the loss of their founder and honored his memory with a rendition of their corps song, the first time they performed the song in 2019. Members, staff and alumni shared their heartfelt memories of The Old Man and reiterated the resilient strength of the Cavaliers brotherhood.
The corps performed Rainbow at his burial at St. Joseph Cemetery and honored his legacy with a Celebration of Life at the Summer Send-Off event at the Rosemont Theatre later that evening. The 2019 cast was joined by alumni at every step along the way and sang together in honor of The Old Man, who dedicated his life to the creation of a brotherhood that runs deeper with every generation that passes through.
In true Cavalier fashion, the corps has had its fill of fun between blocks and meal breaks, as seen in our newest video series 48 Questions. Drum Major Jacob Armstrong, Center Marimba Matt Ridge and Guard Member Deonte Majors were the first featured in the Q&A video installments with many more to come as the corps hits the road. Corps members are challenged to answer 48 different questions in one take, ranging from tour state preferences to details about the 2019 program.
The Cavaliers rounded out their pre-tour with a Community Night performance on June 12 to thank the town of Adrian for its hospitality over the last few weeks.
From there, the corps packed up and began their journey to the West Coast. The first time for several members in this part of the country, each housing site was a new experience and sight to behold, though slightly overcast by storms at most every stop. From Nebraska and Wyoming to Utah and Nevada, The Cavaliers finally arrived in California for their first performance of the season at the MidCal Champions Showcase in Clovis, Cali. The corps is set and ready to take the West Coast on a journey to The Wrong Side of the Tracks.
In order to keep up with The Cavaliers once they hit the road this summer, be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Be sure to check back here at cavaliers.org for updates on our photojournalism blog IN FOCUS, details on upcoming events and more.
About The Cavaliers
The Cavaliers were founded in 1948 from Boy Scout Troop 111 by the late Don Warren. One of the most successful drum and bugle corps in history, The Cavaliers have won 20 national championships, including seven Drum Corps International world championships, since 1992.
The Cavaliers provide a variety of life-changing educational and performance programs for young people that go beyond music and performing arts to build personal accountability, excellence, teamwork and camaraderie. Programs include GearWORKS, Cavaliers Indoor Percussion, Chromium Winds, Crystal Lake Thunder and Midwest Connection.
A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps is sponsored by The Village of Rosemont, Ill.