1996
Music
Wind and the Lion
Shenandoah
Lincoln Portrait
Awards & Recognitions
DCI Individual and Ensemble Contest:
Auxiliary: Linsey Jackson - 89.00 - 11th
Auxiliary:Stephan Moore - 86.50 - 12th
Auxiliary:Stephanie Moser - 80.00 - 22nd
Soprano: Sean Anderson - 82.00 - 15th(T)
Baritone: Matthew Scott - 78.00 - 13th
Keyboard: Chris Vigneron - 84.90 - 12th
Corps Members
Drum Major: Josh White
Guard Captain: Dianne Harris
From the 1996 DCI Year in Review:
When one of your corps goals is just to complete the season, you know it had to ‘difficult year. Homebound for the first week of tour suffering both financial an administrative problems, it was a miracle the Troopers even made it to Orlando. In fact, Mat Krum, who was given the director mantel just as the competitive season began, believes a high point of the season was just arriving in Orlando. “We made it and, at that point in time, nothing else mattered.”
Four year pit veteran and age-out, Matt Elcock agrees. “If anything, all the controversy this summer helped emphasize the determination of the Troopers. No matter what happened this summer, the corps kept going.”
For years, the highlight of any Trooper show was their signature “sunburst” move. For Krum, it was the key moment even though it was presented in an unconventional way. “We constantly try to blend tradition with a twist to add variety so it’s not expected year to year. On that moment, Krum explained, “It was very emotional with the pastel silks and playing into the very traditional Trooper moment with the off-center sunburst using a refrain from ‘Shenandoah.’ It was an exposed piece, not in your face, but provided good crowd appeal.”
The sense of optimism and “’connect-edness’” could be found in one of the best moments of the touring season, when Casper, Wyoming hosted a show and then invited all competing corps to a get together afterward. “We brought back the show, which hadn’t been around since 1989, and pulled in three local sponsors for what was labeled Wyoming’s biggest pizza party... It was the most inspiring moment to see the all the kids there,” Krum reflected. “We’re lucky that drum corps affords us the opportunity to be kids at heart, but we get wrapped up in so many other things that we forget we’re working for the kids. That night to see members mingle with no pressure of competition to build social bonds and ties was exciting. Especially to see it carried onto the field the next night. It gave me a different perspective, reinforcing a more noble purpose -to promote youth.”
While the 1996 corps was young, Krum confirms the base is strong and many members are planning to return next season. Heads held high, uniforms worn with pride, the Troopers made it to Orlando and lived up to the nickname, “America’s Corps.”
