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Drum Corps Clinic - Dutch Style!
Dutch Boy Drum Corps will be hosting a brass, percussion and color guard clinic at L'Anse Creuse High School.
Don't pass on this great opportunity to get a taste of what Open Class drum corps is all about. Sit back and watch, or jump right in the line - we cater to all.
Don't miss out on this rare opportunity!
Location: L'Anse Creuse High School
38495 L'Anse Creuse Road
Harrison Township, MI
48045-3483
Dates: May 3 & 4, 2008
Time: Registration begins for Saturday and Sunday
begins at 9am
Cost: $25Students interested in playing horn and concert percussion or participate in color guard/visual performance are welcome to participate in our practice sessions.
For students interested in joining us for the summer, the following positions are open within our corps:
-Drum Major
-Horn - all sections
-Concert Percussion - Keyboard Players, Tympani, Rack
Player (similar to a set drum)
-Color GuardIf you have any questions regarding our drum corps clinic please contact Will Lee at dbdrill@gmail.com. Students interested in participating in our summer program are invited to attend the entire weekend. Contact Emile Mclean if you require specific information on participating the entire weekend.
See attachments for more information.
Note: Horn players and drummers are encouraged to bring their own instruments in case of a shortage.
Dutch Boy will be performing to at the local TELUS
Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday, June 1, 2008.Dutch Boy encourages all friends, family and alumni to
help support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
by visiting www.jdrf.ca/walk and joining the TELUS
Walk to Cure Diabetes. This event provides an
excellent opportunity to raise awareness about
juvenile (Type 1) diabetes, raise much needed funds to
continue essential JDRF funded research programs and
is a great way for corporations and families to get
out for a day of fun and fitness.
Raising funds for the TELUS Walk is very easy as
everyone knows someone with diabetes. Ask friends,
relatives, co-workers, and suppliers to pledge through
their efficient and secure on-line fundraising tool at
www.jdrf.ca/walk.
The Waterloo walk will take place at Laurel Creek
Conservation Area on Sunday, June 1, 2008, beginning
at 10am.
Although Dutch Boy enjoys the support of its fans,
attendance to this event is limited to people who are
participating in the TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes only.
So if you want a ’08 Dutch Summer Preview, visit
www.jdrf.ca/walk and join us on the walk to help cure
diabetes.
Dutch Boy Proudly Unveils New Corps Logo
The Dutch Boy Drum and Bugle Corps are proud to unveil their new corps logo. We are very happy with the new logo and want to thank alumnus, Dan Biemann, for designing it. The logo is comprised of Canada's insignia, the red Maple Leaf, and the Dutch Boy stylized "D", waving it's curves through the leaf points. It gives us a new look while staying true to our roots and traditions.
Audition Camp: February 29 to March 1, 2008
Location: Victoria Public School, 135 Gibbons Ave, Goderich, ON
Time: Bus Departs Kitchener Best Buy 6:30 pm - Arrive Victoria School 8:15pm
Cost: New Members $50 - Returning Members $25Limited Positions still available:
Pit Line - expanding 2 keyboards, 1 tippani
2nd Drum Major - willing to train
Horn Line - looking to grow brass sections so if you want to play horn come on out
Drum Line - last opportunity Audition Camp
Color Guard - auditions will be held after WGI at the April 25-27 campIf you cannot make the camp accepting auditions via email: stevemeikle@dutchboydrumcorps.com
Additional Information Contact: Sylvia Greschner, Business Manager, 519-208-0112, dutchboydrumcorps@rogers.com
Here's your chance to be part of Dutch Boy for 2008 ...
Audition Camp
December 14 - 16
Gibbons St, Goderich, ON
Cost $50 ($25 for registration & $25 for camp fees)
Registration 8pm in Goderich
There will be a bus leaving from the Best Buy on Fairway Rd. Kitchener at 6:30pm
For more information contact corps office 519-742-8031Press Release - November 1st, 2007
We are pleased to announce that Joe Shuker has joined our 2008 design staff as percussion caption head and battery writer. Joe brings to Dutch Boy 20 years of marching percussion experience and a lot of enthusiasm to take the program to the next level. Joe grew up in the area marching with Ridge Raiders and Kiwanis Kavaliers. He then moved on to The Cavaliers where he aged out in 2001 after 5 years of marching with them. Joe placed second twice at individuals on solo snare. He currently consults with Northcoast Academy’s indoor drumline and is a Dynasty endorsing artist. We are very excited to have Joe on our staff and part of our design team. Joe is replacing Bruce McCarthy, who at this time due to other commitments is unable to dedicate the time necessary to achieve our goals. We would like to thank Bruce for everything he did for Dutch Boy and look forward to his new position as a consultant.
Aged-Out Drum Major featured at DCI.ORG
This is a picture that was taken at the DCI Divisions II & III preliminary competition at the 2006 World Championships in Madison, Wis.
Pictured is Christine Newman, 2006 and present drum major for the Dutch Boy. She is very excited to be returning as drum major of one of Canada's best drum and bugle corps. Entering her second year as drum major, Christine joins Dutch Boy from Arkansas.
Next is Owen Kappler-Thompson, a member of the Cadets of Dutch Boy (prep band to the junior drum corps) who came on the road as "Kenny." Since we were performing the music of the “South Park,” cartoon last season, the design team decided to add Kenny to our show.
Pictured last is me. I celebrated my 22nd birthday and aged out of the drum corps activity. I am currently the administrative assistant for the drum corps and I still travel to places where the drum corps goes.
I would like to thank Dutch Boy Corps Director Steve Meikle for allowing me to be the drum major of the corps and all the staff: Nick, Keith, Dave, Jason, Bruce, Roo, Rob, Jamie, Andrea, Leigh, Lianne and Angela for all your support during the year. I look forward to working with you guys this summer and in the future.
I would also like to thank Josh Coit—another ageout—for being out on the field helping me out a lot. And finally to all of the support staff and my friends in the drum corps: You guys rock, and I will never forget you. Once Dutch, always Dutch!March Camp... Once again Dutch Boy vs. Mother Nature
Dutch Boy had a great camp in March. Although bad weather kept us from going to Goderich with some quick work by the office we were able to secure some local facilities to enable us to continue with day rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday. Many thanks to those families who housed our out-of-town members; what would we have done without you. The hornline finished the show and were able to ensemble everything except the closer with the pit. There was 19 brass at camp and we are still looking for another 5 brass to fill out our ranks. The battery also had a great camp with a turnout of 5 snares 3 tenors and 6 bass drums. Due to the fact their was an influx of members from some Michigan recruiting we did, the learning process was a little slower so as to allow the new members, who brought a lot of talent, to read through the charts the battery already new. The battery is now poised to learn their feature at next camp and then finish the show with the closer through April. We are almost set with the battery and next camp will be our final cuts. The front ensemble also had a great camp and is looking for 2 more keyboard players and then they will be set. We also learned one minute of colour guard work to the opener with the guard that isn’t marching winterguard at this time. Our audition camp for guard will be after W.G.I. Championship on April 27 to 29 and we are excited to say that it looks like we are able to march 20 to 24 guard for this summer and all being very talented. It seems like Dutch Boy is right on schedule to complete the show by the beginning of June. If you are interested in membership info to fill the last spots available in the corps please contact us at stevemeikle@dutchboydrumcorps.com .
Dutch Boy invades WGI Regional
On February 24, 2007. 4 Members of the Dutch Boy Drum and Bugle Corps travelled to Troy, Michigan on a recruitment trip at the WGI Indoor Drumline Regional Competition. The 4 members included two snare players, Darren Milani and Cody Cook along with two of the Drumline staff, Caption head Rob Summers and Tenor Tech Tim Milani (also Vice President of the Drum Corps).
Over the years Dutch Boy has not been successful on their numerous attempts to recruit members but this day was different. “I went to Michigan with the mind set that I was not going to expect any great outcome to this recruiting event but with high hopes” Said Tim. At the beginning of the day it was looking as if there wasn’t going to be much recruitment but after a couple of performances everything changed. Suddenly the Dutch Boy table was overwhelmed by interested members from all across Michigan thirsting for information an eager to sign up on the information list.Michigan is not a new word in the “Dutch” dictionary, with member Scott “Scatt” Oliver a tenor player for the Dutch Boy Drumline, and previous members Tim Lukens and Katie Mulka, Dutch Boy is just strengthening the already strong tie between Canada and Michigan.
"We took 50 Dutch Boy pamphlets about our information but because of the number of people interested in what we were about, we had to make a stop at a Kinko’s down the street to make 50 more copies” Said Darren. In total there were approximately 90 pamphlets taken that night and on top of this, there were many others who had signed up without even taking a pamphlet. “This was a very successful weekend for Dutch Boy!” Says summers.
We are looking for brass players and selected battery and pit positions and have already had a number of people interested in auditioning for positions.
Unfortunately most of the Indoor Drumline members who signed up will not be able to attend this weekend’s camp (March 2nd to March 5th ) but with April and May camps just around the corner Dutch Boy is looking forward to seeing many new faces from our Michigan family!
Written by: Darren Milani (Drumline Section Leader 07)
News Article from Goderich Signal Star
Dutch Boy marches into town, sets up camp
By Dominique Milburn
Signal-Star Staff
Wednesday February 07, 2007With an unofficial summertime goal of swimming in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Dutch Boy Drum and Bugle Corp (DBDBC) makes the average sleepover camp look a little bland.
But that’s precisely what the DBDBC plan to do during the toasty 2007 season, and program director Steve Meikle is inviting all area residents to find out more. Once a month, the Kitchener-based DBDBC conducts educational weekend camps in Goderich, where he has found a welcoming host at Victoria Public School.
“We’re looking for people to come and see what we’re about,” said Meikle. “We offer higher-level education in music and performance for youth aged 13 to 19.”
And what they’re all about, said Meikle, is a first-rate musical experience. He describes the corp as similar to a marching band, but with a more dedicated approach to education and performance. They practice weekly during rehearsals in Kitchener between the Goderich camps, which were introduced in part to recruit new members.
“The DBDBC had established contacts in Goderich, who were a part of the program in the past and who made it easy to locate the practice space at Victoria for us,” said Meikle.
“Goderich is a friendly, nice community that cares about educating kids, and the school has opened itself to us to hold our camps,” said Meikle.
The educational camps run from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon. Meikle said that the hard work and dedication shown by DBDBC members is something to be taken in first-hand, and is opening the doors to community members who would like to drop in and take a look around.
“We’ve been working on getting flyers up around town that tell people to stop in Fridays after 8 p.m. or after noon on Saturdays,” said Meikle. “I think people will be really impressed. Most people, even adults don’t accomplish in a week what these students accomplish in one weekend.”
According to Goderich resident Katrina Bos, whose son recently became a member of the corp, the opportunity to travel and learn a number of new skills was an attractive part of the program.
“My son joined last month and he basically walked in never having held any instrument or read any music. They’re teaching him straight from the beginning,” she said. “It’s a phenomenal thing.”
Throughout the summer months, the DBDBC compete and performs throughout Canada and the United States. The musicians, made up of the drum and horn lines, along with the Colour Guard dance, flag, rifle, and saber spinners, put on approximately 45 to 50 performances each year. Bos said that the performances are very much like Super Bowl half-time shows, complete with all the bells and whistles, save a few famous celebrities or wardrobe malfunctions.
“We travel all summer-- June 15 to Aug. 15. There are 35 performances right there, and then we have others through the winter,” said Meikle, adding that along with musical talent, members of the corp learn important life skills at the same time.
“The biggest thing we do is kind of subliminal. It’s life skills,” he said. “Because we do travel for six weeks in a row in the summer, members are responsible for themselves. They learn time management, self discipline and team building while traveling.”
The corp is currently working towards their summer trek through Canada and the United States, before their arrival in California for a world-wide competition.
“Victoria school has been great to us. We’re looking to put on a performance in March at the school to try to raise money for the entire school system,” he said. “It’s a way to give back to the community. We’re still coordinating it, but in some way we hope to raise money to give back.”
For more information on the DBDBC, contact Meikle at 1-519-742-8031, or visit www.dutchboydrumcorps.com.February Camp...White outs on the way home
We had a great camp again in February although on Sunday we made the decision to leave early from Goderich as the highways surrounding us kept getting closed due to white out conditions. The drive home was completed successfully thanks to our great drivers and our bus company (Cherrey Bus Lines) who committed to sending us a bus. The music progressed to where we are within minutes of being completed but unfortunately do to weather we lost our ensemble time on Sunday so we all look forward to this Saturday at Sunnyside Public School to put it together. A great camp means that all that were present worked hard to achieve this. My thanks go out to everyone. Keep up the great work. Our next camp will be March 2/3/4 also in Goderich. On another note our cymbal order arrived this week so we would like to thank Sabian for their continued support.
Press Release: Celebrating 30 Years ...
Dutch Boy Drum Corps is coming off of their best year since they were a Division 1 finalist back in the early 1990’s. 2006 proved to be very exciting for the corps, entertaining thousands with their rendition of South Park. They had the opportunity to win most of their competitions and became a semi-finalist for their second straight year placing 7th at the D.C.I. World Championships in Madison, Wisconsin.
2007 is proving to be even better. They had their first rehearsal in September and had a 100% return rate of local members, minus their two age outs Josh Coit & Adam Billings. They already had 2 performances in October for the Bavarian Festival Oktoberfest, held in Kitchener/Waterloo, and 1 performance for R.I.M. (Research In Motion), in which they received great accolades. They also performed in the Canadian Thanksgiving Day Parade on October 9th, which was televised nation wide.
The first camp for the 2007 season, was held on October 20/21/22, in which the horn line and pit were able to perform the first minute of the 2007 show. The second camp, which is their audition camp, will be held on December 8/9/10, in the Kitchener area. This year is going to be exciting for the membership, as Dutch Boy will swim in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, performing in Bristol, Rhode Island and Pasadena, California. They plan on staying a few extra days after the championships in California to enable the members and families the opportunity to enjoy the west coast.
This year Dutch Boy has brought back the Cadets of Dutch Boy program and has started recruiting for them with great success. This allows the youth of the community aged 9-14 to begin their Drum Corps experience. They feel this is the best way to stay competitive in Drum Corps International and hope to have the Cadets of Dutch Boy competing in the near future within their region.
Most of the 2007 design team is the same with Nick Klawitter, Bruce McCarthy and David Wicken arranging the brass, percussion and front ensemble in that order. Leigh Hadjis is back designing the colour guard. “We are proud to announce that Jason Logue has signed on as program coordinator and Will Lee as our drill writer” says Steve Meikle corps director.
The rest of the staff includes:
Brass - Nick Klawitter, Keith Bilinsky, Dave Hipperson, Sheldon Walters
Percussion – Scott Clark, Tim Milani, Rob Summers, Jim Pratt, Tom Preece
Front Ensemble – David Wicken, Andrea Hume
Marching – Will Lee, Josh Coit, Trischa Greschner, Kyle Nealy
Guard – Leigh Hadjis, Lianne Stumpf, Angela Klawitter, Trissa Cushing
Christine Newman is returning for her second year as drum major and they are proud to introduce Sean Filice as their second drum major for the 2007 season. Sean was a snare drummer entering his third year with the corps and will share the drum major duties with Christine.
Dutch Boy is proud to introduce their 2007 summer show.
Dutch Boy Presents.... 2007: A Space Odyssey The corps will blast off on an intergalactic adventure using some popular space themed music and visual concepts. Watch out for Star fields and black holes. See you in outer space.A complete song list will follow soon.
Dutch Boy and the Northstar Youth Organization are celebrating their 30th anniversary and if you are interested in being a part of the strong Dutch Boy heritage please go to their web site, which just had a recent face lift. www.dutchboydrumcorps.com
Dutch Boy is very excited about 2007 and competing in Pasadena, California. They want to grow to 79 members this year and still have some positions available as follows:
2 keyboard spots available to march 10 in the pit
2 snare spots available to march 6 snares
1 tenor and 1 bass drum spot to march 4 and 5
4 guard spots to march 24
10 horn spots to march 28December 8th - 10th
Victoria Public School
135 Gibbons Street
Goderich, ON.(Corner of Gibbons Street and Britannia Rd. Goderich)
Directions from Kitchener...
Take Hwy #8 from Kitchener to Goderich
at third light in Goderich turn left (Britannia Rd)
1st street past the second stop sign turn left (Gibbons Street)
School on left hand side parking at the end of the school.
Directions From Michigan...
Take Hwy #21 North (From Port Huron)
Follow to Goderich at 2nd light turn Left (Britannia Rd. Still #21)
Go through 2 stop signs
First Street on Left is Gibbons Street
School on left hand Side
In what should have been a rebuilding year, no one's pre-season predictions would have picked Dutch Boy (12B/13FP/8PP/12G/ 2DM) to reclaim the honor of Canada's finest competitor. But there is some fine teaching taking place in Kitchener, ONT, these days. A corps of diverse age level delivered a performance of such maturity today, the kids even looked two years older than a week ago. Horns bend pitches in their second selection, a higher-level skill difficult to control. Sectionalized drill was quite effective, spotlighting sharp drill execution which obtained a fourth place ranking in the performance caption.
This Sunday night September 10th, from 6:00-8:00pm, Dutch Boy is having their ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE, at the Mill-Courtland Community Center on the corner of Mill & Stirling Streets in Kitchener.
If you are between the ages of 14-20, why not come out and see what the corps is all about.
We have openings in all sections: brass, percussion and colour guard and promise to give you an experience you will never forget.
If you can't make it to this OPEN HOUSE and would like to be part of the 2007 DUTCH BOY DRUM CORPS, just email our corps director Steve Meikle at stevemeikle@dutchboydrumcorps.com
