Atlanta CorpsVets

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The Atlanta CorpsVets is an all-age drum and bugle corps that competes in the Drum Corps Associates circuit, and is a 501c3 Not-For-Profit Organization based in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1997 and is one of only two competitive Drum Corps in the state of Georgia.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Founding 1.2 Growth 1.3 Other Performances 2 Philosophy 3 References 4 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Founding

The Atlanta CorpsVets started as a simple idea of Robin and Tracey Wofford and Tom and Janet Walsh in conjunction with American Legion Post #1 in the summer of 1997. The Woffords attended a senior corps show in Wisconsin, and felt the time was right for Atlanta to have its own corps. After returning to Atlanta, Robin created the name "Corpsvets", and the initial outline of the corps was sketched. Robin and Tracey contacted friends and contacts of their drum corps days and began recruiting at a local drum corps event held at Jacksonville State University. The Woffords and Walshes met that night, and collaborated to bring the corps into being. Many signed up for further information, and the first interest meeting was held at Post 1 in late Fall, 1997. The first rehearsal of the corps was in January, 1998, with basics block rehearsals conducted throughout Piedmont Park. The very first performance was at the 1998 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Atlanta.

That summer, the corps boasted a membership of 44 performers, and performed exhibitions at a local DCI competition as well as marched in the [[WSB-TV] Salute 2 America Parade in downtown Atlanta. The final performance that inaugural season was at the Drum Corps Associates Championship in Allentown, Pennsylvania where several members represented the corps in the Individual and Ensemble Competition. Every year since the corps' founding, they have participated in the Atlanta St. Patrick's Day parade, the WSB-TV Salute 2 America Parade^[1] and at the local DCI competitions in Georgia and Alabama^[2]

[edit] Growth

In 1999 the corps grew to 55 members and traveled to the DCA Championships, placing 4th in the mini-corps competition. Growth continued in 2000, with the corps featuring 56 members and placing second at the DCA Championships in the Class A division^[3]. In 2001 the CorpsVets grew to 65 members and won the Class A title at the DCA championships with a record score in that division.^[4][5]

The following year, 2002, the corps grew to 94 members, advanced to the highly competitive Open Class Division of DCA and tied for 11th place at the championships. Competing again in the Open Class Division, the corps passed another milestone by earning an 8th place finish at the 2003 DCA Championships in Scranton, Pennsylvania with a production entitled "The Wild Party."

For the 2004 competitive season, the CorpsVets fielded a production titled, "The Heart of Jazz." During the 2005 Season the Atlanta CorpsVets went from being a Senior corps only, to an all age category corps. During the 2005 Season the CorpsVets put on a show called M.O.D.E. (The Music of Don Ellis) Featuring the songs; Open Wide and Strawberry Soup.

The 2006 CorpsVets Program was called "A Trip to Vegas." The corps placed 9th place at finals that year.

[edit] Other Performances

In addition to competitive performances, the corps has also hosted educational clinics for local high school music students, performed at the 4th of July stage show in Centennial Olympic Park, opened the Southeastern Emmy Awards show, performed the National Anthem for the Georgia Force and the Rome Braves, marched in the Old Soldier's Day Parade in Alpharetta, Georgia, the 4th of July Parade in Decatur, Georgia and the Georgia Mountain Fair Parade in Hiawassee.

[edit] Philosophy

The CorpsVets philosophy is to provide entertaining and crowd-pleasing performances for its members and fans to enjoy. The corps is comprised of a closely-knit, highly-trained membership and staff who work together to create a dynamic, educational, and rewarding experience. Performance, community service, and friendship, are the defining characteristics of CorpsVets, which aims for excellence and leadership in the drum corps activity.

[edit] References

1. ^ Local talent to be in parade (AJC Archive) (2005-07-02). Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
2. ^ JSU hosts Spirit of America Drum and Bugle Corps competition Tuesday evening (Anniston Star Archive) (2006-07-16). Retrieved on 2007-12-04.
3. ^ DCA Class A history (2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-27./
4. ^ CLOSE TO HOME (AJC Archive) (2000-09-09). Retrieved on 2007-12-04.
5. ^ DCA Class A history (2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-27./

[edit] External links

CorpsVets: Official website
Drum Corps Associates
Drum Corps Wiki

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