Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps
Encyclopedia
The Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps is an Open Class DCI drum and bugle corps
from San Antonio, TX that won the Drum Corps International
Division III World Championship in 2002. Since that championship, the corps posts a consistent track record of finals placements for every year the corps has attended the DCI World Championships.
Emerging from the darkness in 2000, the drum corps first appeared on the drum corps scene by successfully participating in the DCI Summer Music Games "Texas Tour". Virtually unknown in 2001 to many in the drum corps community, Revolution began with the goal of a limited competition tour, but based on the caliber of members and their desire to achieve, pushed them all the way to a 9th place finish in Division III at DCI World Championships in Buffalo, NY. Obscure no more, Revolution came out with Celestial Mysticisms in 2002, featuring the music of Ballet Sacra and Montage to capture the DCI World Championship for Division III in Madison, Wisconsin, in its first-ever finals performance. Without the support of other DCI member organizations, volunteer instructors, sponsors and the dedication and selfless support of the people of San Antonio, Revolution would not have exceeded 2002 programming goals.
Looking to continue the momentum, Revolution continued to grow with record attendance at audition camps for the 2003 season with hundreds of young people trying out for what has become "Texas' Corps". The show, Explorations, was an journey of thought-provoking human emotions that pushed the members to their limits. It was truly a summer that few will forget where Revolution took 6th place in its first-ever appearance in Division II, again as a Division II/III Finalist.
Unlike previous years, the year 2004 was marked with many challenges with the eventual decision to go inactive. The decision to not tour was made in the best interests of the members and the organization's future. The drum corps was re-organized and set to return to the field in 2005 with a new look.
The Revolution Drum & Bugle Corps was reorganized in 2005 with a new educational staff, new uniforms designed specifically for the drum corps and the goal to make a successful return to DCI. Despite being inactive the previous year, the drum corps membership (90% rookies) came from all over the state of Texas and surrounding states. The 2005 production was titled Expressions of Emotion which illustrated a wide range of moods and feelings through five movements. This banner year was topped with a 4th place finish as a Division III Finalist.
In 2006, the drum corps achieved several milestones, most notably producing a DCI I&E Champion oboe/clarinet soloist as well as a trombone Silver Medal soloist. The show production of Bulgarian Celebration featured folk and dance music as well as an artistry complementing this historic European nation. The corps Once again represented the Lone Star State as a Division II/III Finalist earning the silver medal.
The 2007 season marked the beginging of a New era for this young group. With an organizational focus more on pushing the members farther educationally, many strides were achieved throughout the summer. Performing a show entitiled "Tres Maestros", the corps was once again able to achieve a Division II/III Finalist placement with a demanding show. The 2008 season saw the advent of the new "open" class in DCI and Revolution once again placed in finals with a program many stated harkened back to our championship quality. During the 2009 10th anniversary season Revolution has proven to be a perennial finalist and a true force in DCI Open Class competition. We will continue to grow and represent the best of today's youth in the growing art of the marching music arena. We are REVOLUTION!
-We are in Love
-Drifting
-Just Kiss Me
-With Imagination
2001 - "Landscapes"
-Grand Canyon Fanfare
-Rocky Point Holiday
-Promise of Living
-Chorale and Shaker Dance
2002 - "Celestial Mysticisms" (DCI Div III World Champion)
-Ballet Sacra
-Montage
2003 - "Exploration" (DCI Div II 6th Place Finalist)
-Connotations
2004 - (Inactive)
2005 - "Expressions of Emotion" (DCI Div III 4th Place Finalist)
- The Hands of Fate Pt. 1
- The Hands of Fate Pt. 2
- Skyboat
- Main Credits (Waterworld)
2006 - "Bulgarian Celebration" (DCI Div III Silver Medalist)
-Kaval Sviri
-Zajeno Se Gyuro
-Sednalo E Djore Dos
-Atmadja Duma Strahilu
-Svatba
2007 - "Tres Maestros" (DCI Div III 4th Place Finalist)
-La Doma from Estansia
-Danza Del Trigo from Estansia
-Libertango
-Sensamaya
2008 - "el.e.va.tion" (DCI Open Class 8th Place Finalist)
-The Gravel Road
- Harmonium
- First Contact
- Concerto Fantasy for two Timpanist and Orchestra
2009 - "ElementALL" (DCI Open Class 6th Place Finalist)
-Heat of the Day
-August's Rhapsody
-To Tame the Perilous Skies
-Simple Gifts
2010 - "Fade to Black" (DCI Open Class 4th Place Finalist)
-Liberty by Steve Vai
-Uprising by Muse
-The Motive Revolution by Eric Whitacre
-Turbine by John Mackey
-Symphony #5 in C Minor by Gustav Mahlar
-Tarentella from Ethel by Phil Kline
In 2002, the color guard stole Ruby from the hornline. As a joke, the color guard bought another rubix cube and broke it into pieces. The pieces were put on necklaces for the guard to wear. Ruby was eventually returned to the hornline. The guard continues to wear necklaces with pieces of a rubix cube.
Previous to 2005, the corps self-implemented rules regarding the member jackets. As a show of respect for the corps, the jackets were to never touch the ground, never be worn during rehearsal, and always folded neatly. As well, the corps last day of rehearsal was reserved for "horn appreciation day." This is where the corps members would march a basics block with different equipment, often learning to appreciate the advantages of their own instrument or weapon.
In 2008, the Hornline began singing a song that would be played from a members phone. The song would always be sung at any random moment and other members of the Hornline would join in. The song was preferably sung on the bus for enjoyment or during breaks. At first the rest of the corp would be annoyed by the song but after a while they didn't seem to mind because the corps began to become closer to each other that the song meant a lot to most of them. The Hornline still sings it till this day. The song is "Dont wanna miss a thing" by Aerosmith.
The corps song is Simple Gifts, an old Shaker Hymn and is sung before and after shows, and to mark any other special occasion.
' Tis a gift to be simple
' Tis a gift to be free
' Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be
And when we find ourselves in a place just right
' Twill be in the valley of love and delight
When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed
To turn, turn, 'twill be our delight
' til by turning, turning, we'll come 'round right
Drum and bugle corps (modern)
A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, drum corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions...
from San Antonio, TX that won the Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International , formed in 1972, is the non-profit governing body operating the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for junior corps, whose members are between the ages of 14 and 21. It is the counterpart of Drum Corps Associates which governs senior or all-age drum corps...
Division III World Championship in 2002. Since that championship, the corps posts a consistent track record of finals placements for every year the corps has attended the DCI World Championships.
History
Revolution Drum & Bugle Corps, was founded to serve the musical youth in San Antonio and surrounding areas with a summer activity filled with positive reinforcement, musical instruction, and leadership building skills. John Rodriguez, native San Antonian, founded this non-profit organization in 1999 as a musical exhibition group. Interest in the program increased rapidly, thrusting Revolution out of humble beginnings to becoming a Drum Corps International World Champion. In 2004 The Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps expanded it base to cover additional winter programs and now operates as the Revolution Youth in Performing Arts Parent organization.Emerging from the darkness in 2000, the drum corps first appeared on the drum corps scene by successfully participating in the DCI Summer Music Games "Texas Tour". Virtually unknown in 2001 to many in the drum corps community, Revolution began with the goal of a limited competition tour, but based on the caliber of members and their desire to achieve, pushed them all the way to a 9th place finish in Division III at DCI World Championships in Buffalo, NY. Obscure no more, Revolution came out with Celestial Mysticisms in 2002, featuring the music of Ballet Sacra and Montage to capture the DCI World Championship for Division III in Madison, Wisconsin, in its first-ever finals performance. Without the support of other DCI member organizations, volunteer instructors, sponsors and the dedication and selfless support of the people of San Antonio, Revolution would not have exceeded 2002 programming goals.
Looking to continue the momentum, Revolution continued to grow with record attendance at audition camps for the 2003 season with hundreds of young people trying out for what has become "Texas' Corps". The show, Explorations, was an journey of thought-provoking human emotions that pushed the members to their limits. It was truly a summer that few will forget where Revolution took 6th place in its first-ever appearance in Division II, again as a Division II/III Finalist.
Unlike previous years, the year 2004 was marked with many challenges with the eventual decision to go inactive. The decision to not tour was made in the best interests of the members and the organization's future. The drum corps was re-organized and set to return to the field in 2005 with a new look.
The Revolution Drum & Bugle Corps was reorganized in 2005 with a new educational staff, new uniforms designed specifically for the drum corps and the goal to make a successful return to DCI. Despite being inactive the previous year, the drum corps membership (90% rookies) came from all over the state of Texas and surrounding states. The 2005 production was titled Expressions of Emotion which illustrated a wide range of moods and feelings through five movements. This banner year was topped with a 4th place finish as a Division III Finalist.
In 2006, the drum corps achieved several milestones, most notably producing a DCI I&E Champion oboe/clarinet soloist as well as a trombone Silver Medal soloist. The show production of Bulgarian Celebration featured folk and dance music as well as an artistry complementing this historic European nation. The corps Once again represented the Lone Star State as a Division II/III Finalist earning the silver medal.
The 2007 season marked the beginging of a New era for this young group. With an organizational focus more on pushing the members farther educationally, many strides were achieved throughout the summer. Performing a show entitiled "Tres Maestros", the corps was once again able to achieve a Division II/III Finalist placement with a demanding show. The 2008 season saw the advent of the new "open" class in DCI and Revolution once again placed in finals with a program many stated harkened back to our championship quality. During the 2009 10th anniversary season Revolution has proven to be a perennial finalist and a true force in DCI Open Class competition. We will continue to grow and represent the best of today's youth in the growing art of the marching music arena. We are REVOLUTION!
Past Programs
2000 - The Musical Styling's of Harry Connick Jr.-We are in Love
-Drifting
-Just Kiss Me
-With Imagination
2001 - "Landscapes"
-Grand Canyon Fanfare
-Rocky Point Holiday
-Promise of Living
-Chorale and Shaker Dance
2002 - "Celestial Mysticisms" (DCI Div III World Champion)
-Ballet Sacra
-Montage
2003 - "Exploration" (DCI Div II 6th Place Finalist)
-Connotations
2004 - (Inactive)
2005 - "Expressions of Emotion" (DCI Div III 4th Place Finalist)
- The Hands of Fate Pt. 1
- The Hands of Fate Pt. 2
- Skyboat
- Main Credits (Waterworld)
2006 - "Bulgarian Celebration" (DCI Div III Silver Medalist)
-Kaval Sviri
-Zajeno Se Gyuro
-Sednalo E Djore Dos
-Atmadja Duma Strahilu
-Svatba
2007 - "Tres Maestros" (DCI Div III 4th Place Finalist)
-La Doma from Estansia
-Danza Del Trigo from Estansia
-Libertango
-Sensamaya
2008 - "el.e.va.tion" (DCI Open Class 8th Place Finalist)
-The Gravel Road
- Harmonium
- First Contact
- Concerto Fantasy for two Timpanist and Orchestra
2009 - "ElementALL" (DCI Open Class 6th Place Finalist)
-Heat of the Day
-August's Rhapsody
-To Tame the Perilous Skies
-Simple Gifts
2010 - "Fade to Black" (DCI Open Class 4th Place Finalist)
-Liberty by Steve Vai
-Uprising by Muse
-The Motive Revolution by Eric Whitacre
-Turbine by John Mackey
-Symphony #5 in C Minor by Gustav Mahlar
-Tarentella from Ethel by Phil Kline
Traditions
Previous to the corps inactive status, the hornline had a rubix cube affectionately known as "Ruby." The season would begin with the mixed up rubix cube, representing the show. As the season progressed, the hornline worked on both the show and the rubix cube, eventually ending the season with all pieces of the show and Ruby into perfect place.In 2002, the color guard stole Ruby from the hornline. As a joke, the color guard bought another rubix cube and broke it into pieces. The pieces were put on necklaces for the guard to wear. Ruby was eventually returned to the hornline. The guard continues to wear necklaces with pieces of a rubix cube.
Previous to 2005, the corps self-implemented rules regarding the member jackets. As a show of respect for the corps, the jackets were to never touch the ground, never be worn during rehearsal, and always folded neatly. As well, the corps last day of rehearsal was reserved for "horn appreciation day." This is where the corps members would march a basics block with different equipment, often learning to appreciate the advantages of their own instrument or weapon.
In 2008, the Hornline began singing a song that would be played from a members phone. The song would always be sung at any random moment and other members of the Hornline would join in. The song was preferably sung on the bus for enjoyment or during breaks. At first the rest of the corp would be annoyed by the song but after a while they didn't seem to mind because the corps began to become closer to each other that the song meant a lot to most of them. The Hornline still sings it till this day. The song is "Dont wanna miss a thing" by Aerosmith.
The corps song is Simple Gifts, an old Shaker Hymn and is sung before and after shows, and to mark any other special occasion.
And when we find ourselves in a place just right
When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed
To turn, turn, 'twill be our delight
Directors
-
- Executive Director & Founder John Rodriguez 1999-Current
- John Rodriguez 1999-2000
- Doug McCarroll 2001-2002
- John Rodriguez 2003-2004
- GM Kuzma 2005-2006
- David Wesley Roberts 2007-2008
- John Rodriguez 2009-2010
- Antonyo P. Monita 2011-