The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps
Encyclopedia
The Cadets are a Drum Corps International
World Class (formerly Division I) drum and bugle corps
based in Allentown, Pennsylvania
. They are sponsored by Youth Education in the Arts (YEA!).
(1927) and have one of the most extensive histories of any drum and bugle corps active today. They initially were sponsored by the Holy Name parish and were called the Holy Name Cadets. The Holy Name parish would not sponsor the corps in the 1958 American Legion Finals so the corps competed as the Garfield Cadets. The name of the corps was changed officially to the Garfield Cadets as Holy Name parish ceased their relationship with the corps. Many years later, the corps' name changed to Cadets of Bergen County and eventually simply to The Cadets.
They hold several distinctions, being one of the few charter corps of DCI who have attended every championship held, being the only World Class (formerly Division I) corps to step off on the right foot, as well as being the second most successful corps in the DCI circuit with ten world champion titles over three decades. The Cadets have moved their headquarters from Garfield, New Jersey, to Bergenfield, and then to Allentown, PA, where the DCI Eastern Classic is held. The corps is known for risky high-tempo drill, and unique and controversial moves such as using vocals throughout an entire show.
ten times, in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1998, 2000 (undefeated), 2005, and 2011. The three consecutive victories from 1983-1985 were the first "three-peat" in DCI history, and is the only corps to do so without including a tie for the title with another corps. The corps has also placed second six times (1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2007) and third five times (1982, 1996, 2002, 2003, and 2009).
In 2005, The Cadets won all caption awards as well as all sub-caption awards.
The Cadets share the world record for the highest score in DCI history with a score of 99.150 with The Cavaliers
(2002) for their 2005 show "The Zone: Dreamscapes in Four Parts with a Door,"
, performing the closer from their show and a special "band on the run" routine with comedian Bill Irwin
. In 1986 they performed for President Ronald Reagan
at the Statue of Liberty
Ceremony in New York City
. The Cadets marched in the Inauguration Parade for President Barack Obama
in Washington, D.C.
on Jan. 20, 2009.
s have remained virtually unchanged since the late 1930s except for a major, although temporary, change in 1958 and part of 1959. For the 1958 VFW Nationals the Cadets copied the Scout House uniforms with white shorts, golf style of shirt, and Aussie type hat because Holy Name Parish could not or would not allow the use of the Cadet uniforms for the 1958 Nationals. Through part of 1959, the Cadets marched with shorts and then returned to the typical style Cadet uniform in late 1959.
The corps frequently revisits the music that has won fans over in the past, such as Ron Nelson's Rocky Point Holiday
. At the same time, the corps is a pioneering force in the evolution of Drum Corps as an art form. This was especially so during the early 1980s when the corps championed liberal use of asymmetric
marching formations, including the famous "Z-Pull" by lauded drill designer George Zingali. The corps director, George Hopkins, has continued to express his desire that the drum corps activity evolve, with proposals to integrate non-brass instruments, electronic music, and similar musical reforms.
The corps' 2011 championship program, "Between Angels and Demons", was at first met with uncertainty from fans and alumni due to a pre-season announcement of a uniform change that was deemed necessary to communicate the program's theme. When the 2011 uniforms were revealed as the same exact Cadet-Style as previous years, but with half of the corps colored creme and the other half maroon, it became clear that the change was minor and temporary. The 2011 program and its uniform design proved highly effective, due to ingenious integration of contrasting colors on the field by longtime drill designer Jeff Sacktig.
, Ernesto Lecuona
, and The Young Persons' Guide To The Orchestra), the corps frequently revisits the music of Leonard Bernstein
. Having once again featured his work in the 2009 season, The Cadets have used Bernstein music in four of their ten championship shows, and in total have had nine shows in the DCI circuit featuring Bernstein's works. Among these are performances of music from West Side Story, Candide, Mass
, Jeremiah, On the Waterfront
, Wonderful Town
, Fancy Free and Concerto for Orchestra. They have also performed music by John Adams
, Aaron Copland
, David Holsinger
, Gavin Greenaway
, Johan de Meij
, Philip Sparke
, Jan van der Roost
, Björk
, Bernard Herrmann
, John Williams and Frank Ticheli, as well as original compositions by long time arrangers Jay Bocook
(Brass), Tom Aungst (battery, front ensemble 1989-2008) and Neil Larivee (front ensemble since 1994-2008).
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...
World Class (formerly Division I) drum and bugle corps
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...
based in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
. They are sponsored by Youth Education in the Arts (YEA!).
History
Founded in 1934 in Garfield, New Jersey, The Cadets are the third oldest continually operating drum and bugle corps next to the Racine ScoutsRacine Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps
The Racine Scouts - formally the Racine Explorer Scouts - based in Racine, Wisconsin, are the oldest continually competitive Drum Corps in North America. Beginning in November 1927 as the Boy Scout of America Troop 15 of the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, the Racine Scouts are the oldest musical...
(1927) and have one of the most extensive histories of any drum and bugle corps active today. They initially were sponsored by the Holy Name parish and were called the Holy Name Cadets. The Holy Name parish would not sponsor the corps in the 1958 American Legion Finals so the corps competed as the Garfield Cadets. The name of the corps was changed officially to the Garfield Cadets as Holy Name parish ceased their relationship with the corps. Many years later, the corps' name changed to Cadets of Bergen County and eventually simply to The Cadets.
They hold several distinctions, being one of the few charter corps of DCI who have attended every championship held, being the only World Class (formerly Division I) corps to step off on the right foot, as well as being the second most successful corps in the DCI circuit with ten world champion titles over three decades. The Cadets have moved their headquarters from Garfield, New Jersey, to Bergenfield, and then to Allentown, PA, where the DCI Eastern Classic is held. The corps is known for risky high-tempo drill, and unique and controversial moves such as using vocals throughout an entire show.
DCI Placement
The Cadets have been DCI Division I World ChampionsDCI Division I World Champions
At the end of the summer season, Drum Corps International World Class corps compete to earn the title of DCI World Class Champion . The championships consist of 3 rounds—Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals—held on the first or second Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of August...
ten times, in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1998, 2000 (undefeated), 2005, and 2011. The three consecutive victories from 1983-1985 were the first "three-peat" in DCI history, and is the only corps to do so without including a tie for the title with another corps. The corps has also placed second six times (1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2007) and third five times (1982, 1996, 2002, 2003, and 2009).
In 2005, The Cadets won all caption awards as well as all sub-caption awards.
The Cadets share the world record for the highest score in DCI history with a score of 99.150 with The Cavaliers
The Cavaliers
The Cavaliers may refer to:*The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps*J. Frank Wilson and The Cavaliers*The Sensations, a group initially known as The Cavaliers...
(2002) for their 2005 show "The Zone: Dreamscapes in Four Parts with a Door,"
Other Performances
In addition to DCI performances, The Cadets were guests at the 1996 Summer Olympics1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
, performing the closer from their show and a special "band on the run" routine with comedian Bill Irwin
Bill Irwin
William Mills "Bill" Irwin is an American actor and clown noted for his contribution to the renaissance of American circus during the 1970s. He is known for his vaudeville-style stage acts, but has made a number of appearances on film and television and won a Tony Award for a dramatic role on...
. In 1986 they performed for President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
at the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
Ceremony in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The Cadets marched in the Inauguration Parade for President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on Jan. 20, 2009.
Tradition and Innovation
The corps can clearly trace its roots back to its founding. Its uniformUniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
s have remained virtually unchanged since the late 1930s except for a major, although temporary, change in 1958 and part of 1959. For the 1958 VFW Nationals the Cadets copied the Scout House uniforms with white shorts, golf style of shirt, and Aussie type hat because Holy Name Parish could not or would not allow the use of the Cadet uniforms for the 1958 Nationals. Through part of 1959, the Cadets marched with shorts and then returned to the typical style Cadet uniform in late 1959.
The corps frequently revisits the music that has won fans over in the past, such as Ron Nelson's Rocky Point Holiday
Rocky Point Holiday
"Rocky Point Holiday" is a composition for wind ensemble by Ron Nelson. Nelson's first major work, it was written in 1966 on a summer vacation in Rocky Point, Rhode Island as a commissioned piece for the University of Minnesota's band's Russian tour. The piece was premiered by The University of...
. At the same time, the corps is a pioneering force in the evolution of Drum Corps as an art form. This was especially so during the early 1980s when the corps championed liberal use of asymmetric
Asymmetry
Asymmetry is the absence of, or a violation of, symmetry.-In organisms:Due to how cells divide in organisms, asymmetry in organisms is fairly usual in at least one dimension, with biological symmetry also being common in at least one dimension....
marching formations, including the famous "Z-Pull" by lauded drill designer George Zingali. The corps director, George Hopkins, has continued to express his desire that the drum corps activity evolve, with proposals to integrate non-brass instruments, electronic music, and similar musical reforms.
The corps' 2011 championship program, "Between Angels and Demons", was at first met with uncertainty from fans and alumni due to a pre-season announcement of a uniform change that was deemed necessary to communicate the program's theme. When the 2011 uniforms were revealed as the same exact Cadet-Style as previous years, but with half of the corps colored creme and the other half maroon, it became clear that the change was minor and temporary. The 2011 program and its uniform design proved highly effective, due to ingenious integration of contrasting colors on the field by longtime drill designer Jeff Sacktig.
Repertoire
While The Cadets have not been grounded in one traditional genre (in recent years shows have included the music of Jethro TullJethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, Ernesto Lecuona
Ernesto Lecuona
Ernesto Lecuona y Casado was a Cuban composer and pianist of Canarian father and Cuban mother, and worldwide fame. He composed over six hundred pieces, mostly in the Cuban vein, and was a pianist of exceptional quality....
, and The Young Persons' Guide To The Orchestra), the corps frequently revisits the music of Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
. Having once again featured his work in the 2009 season, The Cadets have used Bernstein music in four of their ten championship shows, and in total have had nine shows in the DCI circuit featuring Bernstein's works. Among these are performances of music from West Side Story, Candide, Mass
Mass (theatre)
MASS is a musical theatre work composed by Leonard Bernstein with text by Bernstein and additional text and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy, it premiered on September 8, 1971, conducted by Maurice Peress. The performance was part of the opening of the John F...
, Jeremiah, On the Waterfront
On the Waterfront
On the Waterfront is a 1954 American drama film about union violence and corruption among longshoremen. The film was directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. It stars Marlon Brando, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint, Lee J. Cobb and Karl Malden. The soundtrack score was composed by Leonard...
, Wonderful Town
Wonderful Town
Wonderful Town is a musical with a book written by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Leonard Bernstein...
, Fancy Free and Concerto for Orchestra. They have also performed music by John Adams
John Coolidge Adams
John Coolidge Adams is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer with strong roots in minimalism. His best-known works include Short Ride in a Fast Machine , On the Transmigration of Souls , a choral piece commemorating the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks , and Shaker...
, Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
, David Holsinger
David Holsinger
David R. Holsinger is an American composer and conductor writing primarily for concert band. Holsinger is a graduate of Hardin-Central High School in Hardin, Missouri, Central Methodist University, the University of Central Missouri, and the University of Kansas...
, Gavin Greenaway
Gavin Greenaway
Gavin Greenaway is a music composer and conductor. He is the son of Roger Greenaway.Educated at Strode's College and Trinity College of Music. He started working with his father before leaving school...
, Johan de Meij
Johan de Meij
Johannes Abraham de Meij is a Dutch conductor, trombonist, and composer, best known for his Symphony No. 1, nicknamed "The Lord of the Rings" symphony.- Biography :...
, Philip Sparke
Philip Sparke
Philip Sparke is a British composer and musician. He is noted for his concert band and brass band music.- Music for Winds :* 1973/1976 Gaudium* 1975 The Prizewinners for Brass-Band* 1978/1995 Fantasy for Euphonium...
, Jan van der Roost
Jan Van der Roost
Jan Van der Roost is a Belgian composer.Van der Roost was educated at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven , and followed further studies at the Royal Conservatory in Ghent and the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp. Since 1984 Van der Roost is a professor of counterpoint and fugue at the...
, Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, Bernard Herrmann
Bernard Herrmann
Bernard Herrmann was an American composer noted for his work in motion pictures.An Academy Award-winner , Herrmann is particularly known for his collaborations with director Alfred Hitchcock, most famously Psycho, North by Northwest, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo...
, John Williams and Frank Ticheli, as well as original compositions by long time arrangers Jay Bocook
Jay Bocook
Jay Bocook is a professional composer and arranger, and also the Director of Athletic Bands at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. He was born in Maryville, Tennessee in 1953 and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University in 1975, and went on to receive a Master of...
(Brass), Tom Aungst (battery, front ensemble 1989-2008) and Neil Larivee (front ensemble since 1994-2008).
Shows by year (DCI era)
| Year | Theme | Repertoire | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | "No More War" | Mars (from The Planets) / Rule Britannia (from King of Jazz) / Sinfonians: Tension and Conflict / Yankee Doodle / Greensleeves / Children's Dance (from Merry Mount Suite) / Amazing Grace / Jupiter (from The Planets) / Fanfare, Chorale, and Finale / A Mighty Fortress | 78.450 | 13 |
| 1973 | ? | Sinfonians / Give it One / A Mighty Fortress / Procession of Bacchus (from Sylvia) | 72.000 | 13 |
| 1974 | "Semper Myalgia" | The Seak Hawk / One Tin Soldier / Parade of the Toy Soldiers / In the Mood / Lullaby of Broadway / Avenue C / Alexander's Ragtime Band / Alabama Jubliee / Sunshine On My Shoulder | 75.150 | 19 |
| 1975 | ? | Hall of the Mountain King / Fanfare for the Common Man / Lincoln Portrait / Anything Goes / Avenue C / In the Mood / Tiger Rag / Alexander's Ragtime Band / What are you Doing for the Rest of Your Life? / Romeo and Juliet | 80.550 | 11 |
| 1976 | ? | Prelude 3rd Act Lohengrin / Pieces of Dreams / Echano (from Children of Sanchez) / The Elks' Parade / This is My Country / Yankee Doodle | 82.450 | 14 |
| 1977 | ? | Rite of Spring / Primal Scream / Star Trek / Pieces of Dreams / Echano / I Don't Know How to Love Him (from Jesus Christ Superstar) | 78.150 | 12 |
| 1978 | ? | Advance of the Sponges / Left Bank Express / Pieces of Dreams / Echano / Strawberry Soup / I Don't Know How to Love Him | 79.050 | 14 |
| 1979 | ? | Carmina Burana / Chump Change / Children of Sanchez / Echano / I Don't Know How to Love Him | 76.750 | 16 |
| 1980 | ? | One Voice / Evening Concert / Fernando's Fantasy / Fire Dance / The Elks' Parade / Through Eyes of Love | 76.450 | 10 |
| 1981 | ? | Adventures in Time / Egyptian Danza / Fire Dance / The Elks' Parade / Pieces of Dreams | 89.400 | 7 |
| 1982 | ? | Piano Concerto in F / Rocky Point Holiday / Cuban Overture | 92.250 | 3 |
| 1983 | ? | Rocky Point Holiday / In Nomine Patris (from Bernstein's Mass) / Almighty Father (from Bernstein's Mass) / Sanctus (from Bernstein's Mass) / Agnus Dei (from Bernstein's Mass) / God Said (from Bernstein's Mass) / De Profundis, part 2 (from Bernstein's Mass) / Simple Song (from Bernstein's Mass) | 94.400 | 1 |
| 1984 | ? | Selections from West Side Story | 98.000 | 1 |
| 1985 | ? | Jeremiah Symphony / Overture to Candide / Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide) | 98.400 | 1 |
| 1986 | ? | "On the Waterfront" in 3 Parts and Christopher Street (from Wonderful Town) | 95.600 | 4 |
| 1987 | "Appalachian Spring" | Appalachian Spring | 97.900 | 1 |
| 1988 | "Third Symphony" | Third Symphony (Aaron Copland) | 96.100 | 4 |
| 1989 | "Les Misérables" | I Dreamed A Dream / At the End of the Day / Look Down / On My Own / Attack on Rue Plumet / Bring Him Home / One Day More / At the Barricades | 95.600 | 5 |
| 1990 | "Undiscovered Bernstein" | Overture to Candide / Mass / Somewhere (from West Side Story) / Fancy Free Ballet | 97.700 | 1 |
| 1991 | "ABC's of Modern American Music" | Short Ride in a Fast Machine / Letter From Home / Prelude Fugue and Riffs | 93.700 | 6 |
| 1992 | "To Tame the Perilous Skies" | To Tame the Perilous Skies | 97.000 | 2 |
| 1993 | "In the Spring, At the Time When Kings Go Off to War" | In the Spring, When Kings Go Off to War / Ballet Sacra / On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss | 97.400 | 1 |
| 1994 | "West Side Story" | Dance at the Gym / Mambo / Cool / Prologue/Rumble / A Boy Like That / Tonight / Finale | 97.700 | 2 |
| 1995 | "An American Quintet" | The Reivers / Born on the 4th of July / Blowing Off Steam (from Far and Away) / Swing, Swing, Swing (from 1941) / Land Race (from Far and Away) | 97.200 | 2 |
| 1996 | "The American West" | The Promise of Living (from Tender Land) / Tulsa: A Portrait in Oil / Gunfight (from Billy the Kid) / Hoedown (from Rodeo) / Happy Ending (from the Red Pony) | 96.900 | 3 |
| 1997 | "Celebration" | Celebration / Year of the Dragon | 97.600 | 2 |
| 1998 | "Stonehenge" | Stonehenge / Canterbury Chorale | 98.400 | 1 |
| 1999 | "The Big Apple" | The Big Apple (Symphony No. 2) / Theme from City of Angels | 96.400 | 4 |
| 2000 | "We are the Future" | Selections from Millennium Celebration | 97.650 | 1 (Tie) |
| 2001 | "Juxtaperformance" | Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra / Moondance / Vide Cor Meum (from Hannibal) / Farandole | 97.600 | 2 (Tie) |
| 2002 | "An American Revival" | Times Square (from On the Town) / The Place Where Dreams Come True (from Field of Dreams) / Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy / New York Memories / America the Beautiful | 96.750 | 3 |
| 2003 | "Our Favorite Things" | Fanfare and Allegro / Malaguena / Rocky Point Holiday | 97.100 | 3 |
| 2004 | "Living With the Past" | Aqualung / Living With the Past / Thick as a Brick / Bouree / Locomotive Breath / Songs from the Wood / Mother Goose / Cross-eyed Mary | 95.600 | 4 |
| 2005 | "The Zone: Dreamscapes in Four Parts with a Door" | Twisted Nerve (from Kill Bill) / Liquid / Overture to a New World (from Dancer in the Dark) / Cvalda (from Dancer in the Dark) / Vertigo / False Mirrors | 99.150 | 1 |
| 2006 | "Volume 2: Through the Looking Glass" | History Repeating / White Rabbit / Pollock / Original / I am Your Shadow / Diaspora Dances (from Concerto for Orchestra) | 93.075 | 5 |
| 2007 | "This I Believe: Truth, Value, and the Personal Experience Called Drum Corps" | Symphonic Movement / Blue Shades / Adiemus / Cantata IV | 97.025 | 2 |
| 2008 | "...and the pursuit of happiness" | An American Elegy / Simple Gifts / Nitro / Round Four / Vesuvius | 94.750 | 5 |
| 2009 | "West Side Story 2009: Conflict and Resolution" | Rumble / Prologue / A Boy Like That-I Have A Love / Cool / Tonight | 97.200 | 3 |
| 2010 | "Toy Souldier" | Procession of the Nobles / The School for Scandal - Overture / Prelude to Act II and Maypole Dances from Merry Mount Suite / Children's Dance (from Merry Mount Suite) / Dance of the Tumblers / March of the Toys (from Babes in Toyland) | 95.100 | 5 |
| 2011 | "Between Angels and Demons" | Angels in the Architecture / 160 BPM (From Angels And Demons) / Doxology / Amazing Grace | 98.350 | 1 |
| 2012 | "12.25" | Carol of the Bells/ O'Christmas Tree |