Cavaliers Congratulate DeGrauwe Legacy Award Recipients & Honorary Cavaliers!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(ROSEMONT, Ill.) — This past weekend during our 2020 Cav-A-Thon, Back On Track, the recipients of the Adolph DeGrauwe Legacy Award and Honorary Cavaliers were presented. The Legacy award was presented to Michael Gaines and Bruce Tietgen and the newly named Honorary Cavaliers were Dr. Brenda Brak and Dr. Michael Vaughn!
MICHAEL GAINES
For 25 years, Michael was a part of The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. After performing for 4 years, he spent the next few years choreographing for the color guard, and lending a hand to the drill design when needed. Beginning in 1998, he became the sole drill designer and Visual Coordinator for the 1998 to 2011 seasons. He was on the design team for all 7 of their Drum Corps International World Championship titles.
In his time with the Corps he established The Cavaliers as the standard for the next evolution of visual design for not just DCI, but by extension for the entire marching arts activity. During this period of incredible achievement and despite his many successes both inside and outside of The Cavaliers, he has always been an example for generations of Cavaliers to aspire to and continues to offer his support and love the organization whenever an opportunity arises. He has truly left a positive Legacy on The Cavaliers that embodies the principles of the Adolph DeGrauwe Legacy Award and is deserving of this honor.
BRUCE TIETGEN
Bruce Tietgen was a snare drummer during the Corps’ formative years in the mid-1950s and guided it to the first national championship as our drum major in 1957. His leadership qualities caused Don Warren to recruit him into the management ranks during the championship decade of the 1960s, seeing him rise to Executive Vice President by the early 1970s. He continued to be a source of guidance to subsequent drum majors, marching members, corps managers, and Don Warren himself through many years. Upon his passing several years ago, he bequeathed the Corps its largest donation in history – almost $100,000.
Shortly before his death, a large group of snare drummers gathered in his honor for one last round of paradiddles with him in the center. The group spanned almost 60 years of alumni. There was not a dry eye in the room as Bruce struggled, but succeeded, in leading us all one last time. He remains the standard that all drum majors strive to achieve.
DR. BRENDA BRAK
In appreciation for your many years of service and commitment to The Cavaliers organization and its principles. For your many years as a doctor, healer, Board of Directors member, leader, teammate, collaborator and your dedication and sacrifice; For the contributions to leading and developing the Cavaliers Medical Group into the standard of the activity and for being a positive representative of The Cavaliers as a leader on the DCI Drum Corps Medical Project; For your passion to always being the medical conscience of The Cavaliers and our priorities on the health and safety of our most important assets, our members;
For these outstanding contributions we honor you with the title: HONORARY CAVALIER
DR. MICHAEL VAUGHN
In appreciation for your many years of service and commitment to The Cavaliers organization and its principles. For your many years as a volunteer, leader, teammate, collaborator and your dedication and sacrifice; For the contributions to the growth of the CPI road team, for being a valued part of the administrative team and as the Tour Manager and as the Corps Director of The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps; For your passion to the mission, history and traditions of The Cavaliers and keeping our priorities on developing the leadership qualities of our most important assets, our members;
For these outstanding contributions we honor you with the title: HONORARY CAVALIER
Thank you for your continued support of The Cavaliers and for being amazing representatives of our organization. Your examples are the epitome of what it means to be a Cavalier. Welcome to the club and congratulations!
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 Arts, Performance & Education Inc. is sponsored by the Village of Rosemont, Ill.