Latest Bushwacker News!

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Announcing the 2012 Bushwackers Visual Staff and Program Coordinator

Introducing the 2012 Bushwackers Brass Staff

Introducing the 2012 Bushwackers Percussion Staff

2012 Open House and First Rehearsal Announced.

Introducing Adam Street, Staff Coordinator

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Announcing the 2012 Bushwackers Visual Staff and Program Coordinator

December 5, 2011

As the Bushwackers enter their 31st year of providing exceptional drum corps experiences, we are proud to announce our core visual team for 2012 as well as our Program Coordinator. These dedicated individuals take on the key leadership roles and will be working towards filling in the remainder of the visual staff over the coming weeks.

Meet the visual staff at The Bushwackers Open House on Saturday, December 10th. With a great staff, a dedicated administration, top-notch facilities, all that’s missing right now is YOU!!

For more information, please visit www.bushwackers.org.

Marc Sylvester – Program Coordinator
Marc Sylvester has been a tremendous driving force in the drum corps world for over 30 years. His innovative approach to both pushing the creative envelope and making sure the performer is rewarded for their achievement has been an key part of the success of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and their 9 World Championships.

In recognition of Marc's accomplishments, he was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 2001. In addition, he is an adjudicator, marching band consultant, and drill designer. His experience includes working with some of the world's finest winter color guards including the Emerald Marquis and Erte, as well as indoor drumlines such as United Percussion.

Marc actually worked with the Bushwackers in the early 80's while the corps was beginning its 30-year history. Now we are excited to re-unite Marc with the Bushwackers to kick off the next 30!

Brad Donoris - Drill Writer
Brad Donoris has been an educator of the marching arts for over 15 years. While receiving his Bachelor's degree in Music from Rutgers University, Brad began his drum corps career as a member of the Crossmen euphonium line in 1993 & 1994; after which he aged out as a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard in 1995.

Some of Brad's teaching experience includes visual instruction with The Crossmen, The Jersey Surf, Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps, The Magic Drum & Bugle Corps, and United Percussion. He was the visual designer and caption head for the Lehigh Valley Knights Drum & Bugle Corps.

Brad has instructed and designed for many outdoor and indoor ensembles in the northeast, most recently, WGI PSA finalist, (2009), Timber Creek H.S.,(NJ), Quakertown Community High School Marching Band, & Hatboro Horsham High School Indoor Percussion. He is currently the visual designer for the 2009 & 2010 USSBA Group 3 National Champion Rancocas Valley Regional High School.

Kaitlyn Galvin - Color Guard Caption Supervisor
Kaitlyn Galvin returns for her fourth year with the Bushwackers organization, and her first year on staff. She has been a marching member in the Bushwackers color guard since 2009, serving as guard captain in 2011.

Kaitlyn has been involved in various DCI corps throughout the early 2000's and was a member of the Citations 2005 age out class. She was a WGI gold medalist as a member of the 2003 Terpsichore Winter Guard based out of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, and was a participant of the 250 member All Star Color Guard sponsored by YEA! that marched and performed in the 2003 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. She also has had the opportunity to have been taught by some of the leading instructors in the color guard world such as Patty Stetson and Brian Murphy.

Kaitlyn has been instructing and developing guard programs for well over ten years. She began her instructional career as the developer, designer, and instructor of the winter guard program at Marshwood High School, South Berwick, ME. She continued after high school working on staff with the Citations Drum and Bugle Corps, Burlington, MA, followed by five years of instructing, designing and consulting winter guard programs in various high schools around the MA area. She brings to the Bushwackers staff her enthusiasm and passion for the 2012 season.

Kaitlyn currently resides in her home in Maine, and makes the daunting but dedicated trip down to New Jersey every weekend during drum corps season. She holds a BA in Mathematics from Boston University and is currently studying at Northeastern University to achieve her Accounting degree; hoping to complete her studies in the spring of 2012. She currently works as a Property Accountant for a leading owner and developer of Class A office properties, where her focused portfolio is with the company's New York City properties.

Lou Randazzo - Visual Caption Supervisor
Lou has been teaching music programs, drum corps, marching bands, and indoor drumlines and color guards for 10 years. He has achieved regional, national, and international success as a performer, designer, and director. As a performer, he was a 3-time medalist and trumpet soloist for the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001-2003 while traveling across North America. He was also "Cadet of the Year" in 2003.

As a designer, Lou has worked with marching bands all over the Northeast, winning championships with Bensalem HS in Bensalem, PA; Pennsbury HS in Fairless Hills, PA; Middle Township HS in Cape May Courthouse, NJ; and Pennsauken HS in Pennsauken, NJ. Other teaching credits include Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington, DE; Deptford HS in Deptford, NJ; Haddonfield Memorial HS in Haddonfield, NJ; Highland Regional HS in Blackwood, NJ; Timber Creek Regional HS in Sicklerville, NJ; and the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps from Mount Holly, NJ. As a member of the visual staff, he helped United Percussion to a WGI Gold Medal and promotion to the Independent World class from 2006-2008.

Lou has been a member of the National Judges Association since 2003, judging marching band, jazz band, and indoor programs across the Northeast. He is also the regional administrator for a marching band circuit in southern New Jersey. He is still active as a performer, clinician, instructor, and designer.

Paulino Jimenez - Visual Technician
Paulino Jimenez is the Visual/Brass Caption head at North Bergen High school since 2009 and was instrumental in building the group into a championship caliber Marching Band. The band took the 2011 TOB chapter 10 group 3a championships this year the first championship in school history. Paulino has also taught at several schools in the NJ/NY area including Brentwood HS 2007 NYSFC Group 3 Champions, W.L Dickinson HS 2008, and Pennsauken HS 2011.

Paulino is from Jersey City, NJ and currently goes to New Jersey City University where he is pursuing a degree in Music Education now in his 3rd year. He is also the first chair Trombone player in the NJCU Symphony of Winds and Percussion. He began his Drum Corps Career in DCI with The Cadets of New York City in 2005, and continued with Vision Elite in 2006. Paulino found his home with the Bushwackers and has marched here since 2006, and was the brass captain in 2011.

When not working with marching bands and drum corps, Paulino serves his country as a Third Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy going on his 5th year of service currently in the Navy Reserve. Paulino is excited to be joining the Bushwackers staff in 2012 and being able to contribute his ideas and energy towards a great season.

The six-time DCA world champion Bushwackers are a competitive all-age drum and bugle corps based in Central New Jersey. We rehearse once a month through the winter and early spring, then perform most weekends throughout the summer. Our members range in age from 14 to 29+, with an average age of about 22. The Bushwackers’ goal is to provide a competitive, affordable, world class drum corps experience to our members that’s educational and fun. To find out more, visit us at www.bushwackers.org.

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Introducing the 2012 Bushwackers Brass Staff

November 25, 2011

As the Bushwackers enter their 31st year of providing exceptional drum corps experiences, we are proud to announce our brass staff for 2012. This dynamic team is composed of music educators and veterans of the marching activity who will provide a world-class brass program.

Meet the brass staff at The Bushwackers Open House on Saturday, December 10th. With a great staff, a dedicated administration, top-notch facilities, all that’s missing right now is YOU!!

For more information, please visit www.bushwackers.org.

Dennis Argul - Brass Arranger and Caption Supervisor
Dennis Argul is no stranger to drum corps or the Bushwackers. Dennis has a long history with the Bushwackers in various capacities, and we are excited to have him be a part of the Bushwacker family once again!

Dennis has been a music educator for over 25 years. He is currently a Master Teacher for the Office of Visual and Performing Arts in the Newark, NJ Public Schools and a freelance low brass musician in the metropolitan area.

Dennis is very active as a Brass Arranger and clinician for Drum and Bugle Corps, and has worked with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps of Allentown, PA, the Connecticut Hurricanes of Shelton, CT, the Govenaires of St. Peter, MN, the Carolina Gold of Rocky Mount, NC, the Sunrisers of Long Island, NY. the Caballeros of Hawthorne, NJ and the High Country Brass of Denver, CO.

He also serves as a composer, arranger, clinician and adjudicator for various marching bands throughout the United States.

Ken Korlishin - Brass Caption Head
Ken Korlishin is the director of bands at Montville township high school since 1998 and has developed the band program from the ground up to a highly successful award winning ensemble. His band took top honors at the 2011 USSBA National Championships in Annapolis, MD.

Ken has marched with the cabelleros in 1998, and was a brass technician with the Reading Buccaneers in both the 2009 and 2010 season.

Ken is originally from Green Pond, NJ, and graduated from Morris Knolls High School. He attended Elon University where he was the Principal Euphonium in his college wind ensemble, and he graduated Cum Laude with a BS in music education.

Ken brings a fresh perspective to both the Bushwackers and to DCA, and is looking forward to providing the highest class of brass instruction while giving the members the best drum corps experience possible. He is excited to continue the 30-year tradition of excellence the Bushwackers have been known for, and to help the corps propel to the next level for the next 30

Chris Hawkins - Brass Technician
Chris Hawkins has been with the Bushwackers since 2006, taking last year off, serving many roles from marching member, backfield conductor, and staff member. He began his drum corps career with Magic of Orlando in 1995, and also marched with The Cadets of Bergen County in 1999. Chris' teaching experience includes Mt. Olive High School (1997-1999), Pioneer (2002), JP Stevens High School (2006-2007), and most recently with Rancocas Valley High School (2008-present) who won the USSBA Group III Open National Championships in 2009 and 2010.

Chris graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2000 with a BM in Music Education, and continued his education at Indiana University, earning a MM in bass trombone performance in 2004. He has performed with the New World Symphony (Miami, FL), the Terre Haute Symphony (IN), Akron Symphony (OH), the Philharmonia a Vent Wind Orchestra (IN), and the Indiana University Wind Ensemble, which included a performance at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. His teachers include Peter Ellefson, M. Dee Stewart, and Donald Harwood.

Tom Bowitz - Brass Technician
Tom Bowitz became involved in the marching band activity 23 years ago as a member of South Brunswick High School Marching Band. His Drum Corps career started in 1991 with the New York Skyliners and has since played with the Lambertville Volunteers Drum and Bugle Corps as a percussionist, and then mellophone and lead trumpet for the Reading Buccaneers, and most recently on the brass staff for the Bushwackers.

Tom’s teaching career began right out of high school as a percussion consultant to Allentown High School. In 1995, he became the Assistant Band Director and Percussion Arranger for Pittston Area High School. His arranging and teaching career has continued to include schools like Allentown High School, Bermudian Springs High School, Perkiomen Valley High School, Shamokin Area High School, Blue Mountain High School, and he is currently the Percussion Arranger, Assistant Marching Band Director, and Director of indoor percussion at Northwestern Lehigh High School. He is also a member of the National Judges Association since 1996.

Tom is very excited to return to the Bushwackers for a second year as a member of the staff and looks forward to continuing the tradition of education and excellence that the Bushwackers have been known for.

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Introducing the 2012 Bushwackers Percussion Staff

November 13, 2011

As the Bushwackers enter their 31st year of providing exceptional drum corps experiences, we are proud to announce our percussion staff for 2012. These talented and hard working individuals are already busy putting together a wonderful percussion program that will challenge our members and delight our fans. Meet the percussion staff at The Bushwackers Open House on Saturday, December 10th. With a great staff, a dedicated administration, top-notch facilities, all that’s missing right now is YOU!! For more information, please visit www.bushwackers.org.

Rob Thatcher – Percussion Arranger/Caption Supervisor
Rob Thatcher started his drum corps career in 1993 with the Bushwackers as a quad player and had the good fortune to learn from some of the best quad players "in the business," and has now set his sights on giving some of that knowledge back to current corps members. Rob was a performing member of the Bushwackers from 1993 to 1995, and again from 2005 to 2008, and a perfoming member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 1996. From 1999 to 2001, he held the position of Percussion Caption Head and Arranger for the New York Skyliners. Rob also worked with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps as a technician in 2002, and then took the lead role as Percussion Caption Head in 2003.

Rob has arranged and/or instructed for a host of bands in the NJ/PA/MD area, including Old Bridge High School, Linden High School, Immaculata High School, Rutgers University Marching Band, Liberty High School (MD), and Pittston Area High School (PA).

By focusing on providing a quality experience for each of his students, Rob has achieved success in creating quality programs. He hopes to continue this tradition with the Bushwackers.

Mike Rabinowitz – Percussion Caption Head
Mike Rabinowitz returns in an expanded role as Percussion Caption Head for the Bushwackers in 2012. Mike first came to the Bushwackers in 2008 as a snare drummer, and became the section leader of the drumline in 2009. Mike joined us as a staff member in 2010, bringing passion for the activity and a wealth of knowledge gathered over a storied tenure in the marching arts.

As a performer, Mike has been involved with the Sunrisers (1994-96), Crossmen (1997-98), The UMass Minutemen Marching Band (1996-1998), Blue Knights (1999), Blue Knights Indoor (2000), and was a featured performer in Blast! in 2002 and 2003. The exposure to cutting edge percussion educators such as Thom Hannum, Ralph Hardimon, Colin McNutt, and Paul Rennick, and the variety of approaches to playing and teaching has molded Mike into the player and educator he is today. Mike is excited for the opportunities that 2012 holds, and is committed to building upon the foundation laid in years past.

Colin Bell – Front Ensemble Arranger
Born and raised in Old Bridge, NJ, Colin began drumming in Scottish bagpipe bands with his family at the age of 10. After graduating from Old Bridge High School, he obtained his BA in Music Education from Kean University. During his time at Kean, Colin was a snare drummer in the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001-2003.

An arranger for several NJ marching bands and indoor percussion ensembles, Colin is currently a percussion arranger and instructor at Old Bridge High School. He is an elementary instrumental music teacher at Wall Central Elementary School. He also teaches drum set and marching percussion lessons privately and within the School of Rock franchise. Colin tours regularly with reggae/rock band Echo Movement.

Eric Carr – Quad Technician
Eric's drum corps career first began in 2007 with the Bushwackers. It was there were he was able to acquire many of the skills needed to be successful as a player, marcher, and teacher.

Eric marched two seasons with Jersey Surf in 2008-2009, and completed his age-out with Carolina Crown in 2010, as tenor section leader. Eric also marched four seasons of WGI with United Percussion from 2008-2011, being tenor section leader in his last three years. Eric competed in the DCI tenor Individual & Ensemble competition in 2009, receiving 2nd place. Eric also competed in PASIC tenor Individual & Ensemble competition in 2009 and 2010, receiving 3rd in 2009 and was the 1st place, world champion in 2010.

"I am so excited to finally be teaching at the drum corps level!", said Eric after hearing he will be teaching Bush quads.

Eric has much teaching experience with local high school marching bands and indoor percussion ensembles. He has worked with Deptford, Highland, Washington Township, and Pitman high schools. Eric will also be helping out with United Percussion's tenorline in their upcoming season. Eric gives private lessons to several students in the area, as well.

Eric is currently a full-time student at Rowan University, majoring in music education. Aside from creating the "My Hertas" video (as seen on youtube) Eric spends much of his time practicing classical percussion, teaching, and writing.

Ross Chu – Front Ensemble Technician
After graduating Tenafly High School, Ross Chu decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from Penn State University where his primary teachers were Dan Armstrong and Gifford Howarth. During his time there, he participated in many music ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Philharmonic Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Mallet Ensemble, and Marching Blue Band. He also won several performance awards including the Golumbic, Beene, Atherton and Brewster Scholarships. Ross is also a recipient of the Performers Recognition Award based on a recital he performed with works by Keiko Abe, Eric Ewazen, Guy Gauthreaux, Claude Debussy, and Joseph Schwantner.

After his time at Penn State, Ross enrolled at Rutgers University for a Master of Music in Percussion Performance degree. His primary teachers at Rutgers were She-e Wu, Joseph Tompkins, and Markus Rhoten. He participated in Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and the Afro-Cuban Ensemble. He held teaching assistant responsibilities for the Rutgers University Marching Band where he shared instructing and arranging duties for the drumline, and the Rutgers Concert Band where he was the percussion coordinator and guest conductor. His degree recital included works by Askell Masson, J. S. Bach, Maki Ishii, Pius Cheung, and Andrew Thomas.

Ross has been the pit instructor and arranger for the Edison High School Marching Band and the Edison HS Indoor Drumline since 2009 and Northern Valley Regional HS- Demarest Marching Band since 2011 where his students consistently achieve high levels of performance and musicianship. He was a pit member and in-line technician of the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps in the 2011 season and is looking forward to the 2012 season!

James Hagan – Front Ensemble Technician
James Hagan has been involved in drum corps as a performer and/or instructor for sixteen years, and has been teaching high school and independent ensembles as a front ensemble instructor or caption head for 18 years. Some of the groups James’ has performed with as the timpanist include the Westshoremen (1996 High Percussion and DCA Champions), the Reading Buccaneers (High Percussion 1998-2000), the Empire Statesmen, the Hawthorne Caballeros (2003 DCA Champions), and the Harrison Bushwackers.

James has been a front ensemble technician for Franklin High School, Shikallemy High School, Lower Dauphin High School (2001 TIA A Class Champions), Aftermath Percussion (2001 TIA Independent Open Champions & WGI Independent A Bronze Medalist), Haverford High School, and Chesapeake Indoor Percussion (2011 TIA Independent A Champions). He has also served as the Percussion Caption Head for the 2007 Hatboro-Horsham High School, and most recently served as a percussion consultant for Liberty High School. He also served as the front ensemble technician for the 2005 Hawthorne Caballeros and the 2011 Windsor Regiment. James is happy to be back with the Bush family, and can’t wait to get started this year!!

Jayson Hart-Smith – Bass Technician
Jayson Hart-Smith is the Bass Technician for the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps. His drum corps experience started in 2005 with the Bushwackers and continued through the 2010 season. He spent his first year in the Front Ensemble, playing Auxiliary Percussion, and moved on to bass drum for the remaining 5 seasons of his tenure.

Jayson has also been a performing member in other world class organizations. During the summer of 2011, Jayson had the privilege to march his age out with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle corps. He was also a member of United Percussion from 2010-2012 in the WGI circuit. Jayson currently teaches with Dallastown Area High School in south central Pennsylvania and is a full time student at York College of Pennsylvania.

Sean McReady – Cymbal Technician
Sean McReady began his marching career at Phoenixville Area High School in Phoenixville, PA. Upon graduation, he joined The Bushwackers, as well as the West Chester University Marching Band. He also went on to march with the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps.

Sean's teaching career began at the same time as he joined the Bushwackers, taking over as Phoenixville's Cymbal Tech in 1996. Since then he has taught several award winning programs in Southeastern PA and New Jersey.

Sean joined the Bushwackers percussion staff in 2000, marching and teaching until 2004, when he joined the visual staff for the Lehigh Valley Knights. He returned to the Bushwackers in 2005 as a member of the horn line, then resumed his usual role with the percussion staff in 2006 and has been there ever since.

When not with the Bushwackers, Sean is the drummer for the band McReadyRocK, out of Philadelphia, PA.

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The Bushwackers Announce Their 2012 Open House and First Rehearsal.

November 4, 2011

In cooperation with the Princeton Day School, The Bushwackers proudly announce their Open House and First Rehearsal for the 2012 season. The date is Saturday, December 10th, beginning at 9:00 AM and ending at 5:00 PM. The day will kick off with an informational meeting, including the presentation of the 2012 competitive field show. Refreshments will be served prior to the informational meeting, so plan on getting there early – the homemade baked goods tend to go FAST!

The Open House will then become the first Bush rehearsal for the 2012 season! Music (not just warm-ups, either – show music will be taught!) and visual rehearsals are scheduled, so please be prepared with:

Brass instruments (the corps’ instruments tend to get handed out quickly)
Mouthpieces
Drum sticks/mallets
Rifles/sabers
Gloves
Water
Pen/pencils
Comfortable footwear and clothes
A hearty appetite – the corps will be serving lunch!

The registration fee is $35.00 if you register at the Open House. For a very limited time, the Bushwackers are offering a $10.00 discount to all those who pre-register at our website. Please click here for more information and to pre-register: Pre-Register For The 2012 Bushwacker Open House!

The discounted registration fee offer expires on November 16, 2011, so act now!!

The Princeton Day School is located at 650 Great Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. The Princeton Day School is convenient to all major highways in central New Jersey. For those planning on using public transportation, it’s 15 minutes from the Princeton Junction NJT station. Please click here for detailed directions: 650 Great Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 - Google Maps

"The Princeton Day School is excited about being able to provide facilities for the Bushwackers," said Events Coordinator Christopher Devlin. "This collaboration is in line with our mission of supporting education, music, and arts opportunities for youth and we look forward to nurturing a long-term relationship with them."

"The Bushwackers are privileged to be able to practice at the Princeton Day School.", said Bushwackers Director Bob Gupta. "The abundance of quality facilities - including three gyms and several fields all secluded in a private campus - will provide the optimal setting for every type of rehearsal the corps will need."

The Bushwackers are looking forward to welcoming everyone on Saturday, December 10th. With a great staff, a dedicated administration, top-notch facilities, all that’s missing right now is YOU!!

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Introducing Adam Street, the new Staff Coordinator for the Bushwackers

October 31, 2011

The Bushwackers are pleased to introduce our latest staff addition: Adam Street is our new staff coordinator.

Adam grew up in the marching activity, with his father being a brass instructor for drum corps as well as a high school band director. He started marching in 1992 with the General Butler Vagabonds, and has since marched in Pioneer, Grey Knights, Rochester Crusaders, and Reading Buccaneers. As a marching member, Adam was known as a jack-of-all-trades, marching tenors, bass drum, pit, cymbals, baritone, and mellophone.

Adam has been teaching marching band, indoor percussion and winter guard for the past 15 years. Currently, he is the Assistant Marching Band Director and Director of Indoor Programs at Blue Mountain High School. As a renowned percussion arranger and drill designer, he has worked from coast to coast. Some of the programs he has worked with include Avonworth, Shaler Area, East Allegheny, Mars, Nanticoke, Greater Johnstown, West Allegheny, Elkins, North Schuylkill, Dallas Area, Carrick, and Indio High Schools. He was also the Assistant Director and Show Designer for Level 7 Percussion from Westerville, Ohio.

He is currently an educational artist for Remo Drumheads, 2 Cool Percussion, and Vater Drumsticks as well as a member of the National Judges Association.

Bob Gupta, the Bushwacker’s director, said, “The staff coordinator position for the Bushwackers is one that requires handling multiple responsibilities and people at the same time, while transitioning between operational to creative roles. Adam's broad experience in the marching world makes him an ideal choice for this role as he's either performed in, instructed, or designed every section of a drum corps.”

The Bushwackers are the six-time DCA World Champions. Preparations for the 2012 season are well under way as the corps again prepares to enter DCA’s top tier of competition in our 31st year of existence. Stay tuned for more news and announcements over the coming weeks as exciting things are being planned for the 2012 Bushwacker season!