Columbus, Ohio — The Columbus Saints are celebrating their 15th anniversary in 2018 and are excited to announce their new programs. The Saints will provide three unique programs focusing on education, friendship, and competition designed to grow young people into capable and confident adults. Starting in January of 2018, the Youth Performing Ensemble is a community focused drumline for ages 6-18 for those with an interest in drums and dance . The Ensemble has plans to participate in local races, community events, and in HBCU themed drumline events and competitions. Saints Winterguard; competing in Winterguard International and the Ohio Indoor Performance Association, is returning for it’s 3rd season and combines elements of dance and theater, into a unique and competitive activity for those up to age 22. The Saints Drum & Bugle Corps; returning for its 5th season, is a traveling summer competition brass marching unit. For 2018, the corps will apply for membership in Drum Corps Associates (DCA) with plans for summer competitions across the midwest in DCA, Drum Corps International SoundSport, and Mid-American Competing Band Directors Association (MACBDA).
“For our 2017 season, the corps traveled over 4,000 miles competing in shows all across the midwest.” said Le Ron J. Carlton, Executive Director, Saints Performing Arts Inc. “Putting on our most difficult program yet; winning our first percussion trophy, and finalist position in competition, we’re excited to take this next step as an organization. Joining the Drum Corps Associates circuit is a unique opportunity to be able to compete at a high level, while making sure the time commitment and costs are accessible for young people throughout the area. With the addition of our new youth program and expanded winterguard, this will reinforce our community commitment by continuing to provide affordable, local programming, where members can learn, grow and be successful. ”
The Saints Winterguard is currently rehearsing Sundays, and is seeking additional members; age 22 and younger. The Youth Performing Ensemble will begin in mid-January 2018 running in a 6 week cycle of classes, open to ages 6-18, all skill levels. The Columbus Saints Drum & Bugle Corps will hold an audition camp on Dec 9th, 2017, and is open to ages 14 up. The corps will be preparing for their performance season which starts in early June, with plans for multiple weekend events throughout the midwest, and ends at the Drum Corps Associates World Championships in Williamsport, PA over Labor Day Weekend.
For more information on Drum Corps Associates, visit their website at http://dcacorps.org/.
For more information about the Columbus Saints, visit their website at http://www.columbussaints.org/.
For more information about Drum Corps International Soundsport, visit their website at http://soundsport.com/
For more information on MACBDA (Mid-American Competing Band Directors Association, visit their website a http://macbda.com/
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About Drum Corps Associates
Drum Corps Associates has provided tens of thousands of individuals with music education and performance opportunities throughout the United States and internationally. As the nation’s oldest continuously operating drum corps circuit, DCA corps continue to entertain and excite audiences everywhere.
About Columbus Saints Performing Arts Inc
Founded in 2003 as the Saints Drumline, Columbus Saints Performing Arts Inc. of Columbus, OH is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering music education and performance excellence in the marching arts within Central Ohio. The goals of the Columbus Saints organization are to grow participants into exceptional performers on the field, in school, and in life, and to provide a unique experience for performers, volunteers, supporters and fans. For more information, visit http://www.columbussaints.org.
About Drum Corps International SoundSport
SoundSport® seeks to create a world class stage to enable a less time intensive, affordable, inclusive and enjoyable ensemble music making experience worldwide.
A program of Drum Corps International, SoundSport® is designed to provide unique performance opportunities for instrumental music ensembles of all types, in a dynamic environment. The goal is to assist in the creation of – and provide performance opportunities to – local, low cost and entertaining instrumental ensembles which provide a great experience for both the participants and the audience alike! For more information, visit http://www.soundsport.com.
About MACBDA
The Mid-American Competing Band Directors Association (MACBDA), founded in 1972, is one of the few remaining summer high school marching band competition circuits in America. The association includes 6 member bands and consists of two classes of bands, with a range of 20 members to 120 members. For more information, visit http://macbda.com