2001
Music
Outdoor Overture
El Salon Mexico
Down a Country Lane
Chorale and Shaker Dance
Awards & Recognitions
Represented Wyoming in the Presidential Inaugural Parade, Wshington, DC
DCI Individual and Ensemble Contest:
Perc. Ensemble: Troopers 1 - 80.00 - 8th
Brass Ensemble: Troopers - 64.50 - 17th
Keyboards: Dan Darrah - 90.75 - 17th
Corps Members
Drum Major: Daniel Perkins
From the 2001 DCI Championship Program:
Troopers started the year representing Wyoming in the 54th Presidential Inaugural Parade, an uncommon tribute for a unit that typically performs only during the summer. But “uncommon” and “tribute” are words that best describe the entire year experienced by America’s Corps,” which has chosen to honor Aaron Copland, “America’s Composer,” on the 100th Anniversary of his birth.
Tribute to an Uncommon Man not only pays homage to Copland, but to the corps’ late founder, Jim Jones, as well, as the show is dedicated to the ideals he espoused during his decades-long association with the corps. A collage of Copland’s most familiar themes coalesces into An Outdoor Overture, capturing the ruggedness of the American wilderness and the American can-do spirit. A journey south-of-the-border in El Salon Mexico explores the pride and festivity of the Mexican people, while the hymn-like chorale of Down a Country Lane lauds the traditional values of small town America. .One of the most famous of all American melodies is The Gift to Be Simple, the inspiration for John Zdechlik’s Copland-esque Chorale and Shaker Dance, intertwined with Copland themes. Raising a boisterous voice of enthusiasm, the work caps the homage to Copland and Jones with celebratory proclamation of love and respect for the “simple gifts” left behind by two most unique and dedicated American originals whose presence helped make the nation a better place.
Casper Troopers Day
In 1957, after an earlier experience of listening to the sounds of a drum and bugle contest in Chicago, James E. Jones founded the 54 member Casper Drum and Bugle Corps, now known as the Troopers.
Over the decades, the Troopers have evolved into a nationally competitive drum corps that has logged thousands of miles as representatives of Wyoming.
The Troopers represent the romantic era of the Old West by performing in uniforms consisting of a hat with crossed sabers, dark blue jackets with brass buttons and yellow kerchiefs, which are replicas of the garments worn by the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry in 1865, when Lt. Caspar Collins died in an Indian battle near present-day Casper, Wyoming.
In the past 44 years, the Troopers have won 11 international championships and have consistently been among the top 20 drum corps in the world.
The Troopers are the only drum and bugle corps in the state of Wyoming, and therefore offer a rare opportunity for some of our most talented young people to participate in this unique learning experience.
FOR THESE SIGNIFICANT REASONS I, JIM GERINGER, Governor of the State of Wyoming, do hereby proclaim July 13, 2001, to be
“CASPER TROOPER DAY”
in Wyoming, and urge all the citizens of Wyoming to support, appreciate and enjoy the Troopers who provide a positive and healthy experience for all who participate.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the Governor of Wyoming to be affixed this 2nd day of July 2001.
JIM GERINGER - Governor
