7th Regiment
Drum & Bugle Corps
Newsletter
Vol. 2.1 | May 2015
2
TOC
Table of
Contents
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Jamil Jorge
Erick Mancebo
Derek Sexton
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
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
[email protected]
Copyright 2015
/7thRegiment
@7thRegiment
@7thRegiment
7thregiment.org
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
welcome
3
Welcome from
7RYPAO
ARMINDER SINGH
7RYPAO President
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.
7TH REGIMENT YOUTH
PERFORMING ARTS
ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE BOARD
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 Newsletter | May 2015
4
Show Announcement
Show Announcement
“
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.’
JACK TULLY
Program Coordinator
Repertoire
”
Long, Long Time Ago from “Pan’s Labyrinth” by Javier Navarrete
The Power Plant from “The Matrix” by Don Davis
Rue’s Whistle Song from “The Hunger Games” by James Newton Howard
Battle Music by David Holsinger
Rue’s Farewell from “The Hunger Games” by James Newton Howard
Burly Brawl from “The Matrix Reloaded” by Juno Reactor and Don Davis
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
2015 Design Team:
Jack Tully
Program Coordinator/
Brass Arranger
Mark Maguire
Staff Coordinator/
Visual Designer & Caption
Head
Jeff Bickford
Percussion Caption Head/
Battery Arranger
Mike Nevin
Front Ensemble Arranger
Eric Schrader
Color Guard Caption
Head
Kevin Lowery
Brass Caption Head
Brian Murphy
Program Advisor
Drum Major’s Update
Drum Major’s
Update
5
“
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.
DALTON GYORDA
Drum Major ‘14-’15
”
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
6
2015 Performance Schedule | Events
2015 Performance Schedule
Jun.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
Alumni Dinner
Event
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*
SATURDAY, MAY 23 2015
BENNIE DOVER JACKSON
MIDDLE SCHOOL
NEW LONDON, CT
6PM
Indianapolis, IN*
(World Class Semifinals)
Aug 8 Drumline Battle
Indianapolis, IN
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
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
Events | Family & Friends Show
7
Family & Friends Show
Photo: Kerry Valley
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!
#7for7th Food Drive
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].
FRIENDS & FAMILY
SHOW:
SUNDAY, JULY 19
2015
NEW LONDON
HIGH SCHOOL
NEW LONDON, CT
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 & Veteran Spotlight
9
Rookie Spotlight
BIANCA DOONE
Why 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.
HOMETOWN: BILLERICA, MA
SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF
MASSACHUSETTS, AMHERST
MAJOR: PUBLIC HEALTH, STATISTICS
SECTION: CYMBALS
Veteran Spotlight
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.
HOMETOWN: PLYMOUTH, MA
SCHOOL: PLYMOUTH SOUTH
HIGH SCHOOL
SECTION: COLOR GUARD
YEARS MARCHED: FRONT
ENSEMBLE ‘12-’14, COLORGUARD
‘15
CURRENT OCCUPATION:
CASHIER AT MARKET BASKET AND
PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT FOR
AN AUTISTIC CHILD
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.
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
10
Alumni Spotlight
Alumni
Spotlight
JENNIFER PLATTS
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.
HOMETOWN: EAST LYME, CT
EDUCATION: JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY: B.S MARKETING
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, M.ED EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
SECTION: COLORGUARD
YEARS MARCHED: 2005-2008, ‘10
CURRENT OCCUPATION: RESIDENCE HALL DIRECTOR AT UCONN
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 Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
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.
Throwback/Miscellaneous 11
Throwback Photo
7th 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.
Donate/Volunteer!
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!
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
[email protected].
7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Newsletter | May 2015
Alumni News 12
Alumni News
Andrew 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.
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.
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!
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].