The Wrong Side of The Tracks Meets DCI World Championships
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(INDIANAPOLIS) - With a brief return to their pre-tour home in Adrian, Mich., The Cavaliers put in the work the last days of tour before Drum Corps International World Championships.
The corps celebrated the end of the season with the traditional Boo Party, sponsored by the Cavalier Alumni Association. It was at this event that the members received their show gears to adorn their corps necklaces. Following this and the rehearsal days focused on putting the finishing touches on the show, the corps packed up one last time and headed to Indianapolis for their final performances of “The Wrong Side of the Tracks.”
Following two stellar performances, the 50 age outs from The Cavaliers joined the age outs from other corps Friday evening at the annual Age Out Ceremony. Members were given their age out pins from members of the DCI Hall of Fame and celebrated alongside age outs from other corps on the field.
Scholarship recipients recognized prior to the Age Out Ceremony and included the inaugural recipient of the Don Warren Community Service Scholarship. Blue Knights drum major Daniel Belcher was the first recipient of the Don Warren Community Service Scholarship, which was presented by Don Warren’s daughter and granddaughter, as well as by Cavalier Alumni Association president Ryan Ling. Junior officer Shane Barnes was recognized at the scholarship ceremony as the recipient of the Marching Music Health and Wellness Project Scholarship, which recognizes a current DCI performer who aspires to work as a health, wellness or safety practitioner.
The Cavaliers completed their 2019 season with one final run under the lights of Lucas Oil Stadium. With a quick change into their traditional greens, the corps received their highest score of the season and their best final score since 2011 at full retreat, a 95.400. After breaking ranks, members celebrated the end to an incredible season, including a third place finish in the brass caption.
Age-outs and award recipients were recognized the following morning at the annual Awards Brunch Sunday morning. Matt Ridge and Justin Beaman received the Yamaha Award, two scholarships presented by the Yamaha Corporation to one member of the Brass section and one member of the Percussion Section who displays outstanding musical ability and is planning to pursue a degree in Music Education.
The Fred J. Miller Award, which is presented to a member of the color guard section who exemplifies both exceptional leadership and a passionate approach to performance, was awarded to Austin Weekley.
The final awards of the banquet were chosen by the members themselves. Tyler Gandee was presented the Rookie of the Year Award, which recognizes an individual who displays significant motivation, a positive work ethic and will be a tremendous Cavalier. Jacob Armstrong received the Cavalier of the Year Award, the highest honor a corps member can receive. The person whom this is awarded is identified by the members as someone who exemplifies, in every way, the true essence of being a Cavalier.
With the end of the banquet came the official end to the 2019 season. As the corps looks back on 2019 fondly, they look forward to an even more incredible 2020 season. Dare to dream and sign up for your audition experience TODAY at audition.cavaliers.org.
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.