Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps
Encyclopedia
The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class (formerly Division I) drum and bugle corps
Drum and bugle corps (modern)
A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, drum corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions...

 based in Concord, California
Concord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...

 and founded in 1957 as a Drum and Bell corps, and is a member corps of Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International , formed in 1972, is the non-profit governing body operating the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for junior corps, whose members are between the ages of 14 and 21. It is the counterpart of Drum Corps Associates which governs senior or all-age drum corps...

. The corps has won more Drum Corps International titles (14) than any other DCI member corps.

Over 450 young people currently participate in The Blue Devils programs, and over 8,000 young people, in 2,000 families, have been served by The Blue Devils organization since being founded in 1957.

Entirely community-funded, the direction of The Blue Devils is guided by volunteer parents and a professional teaching staff, who work closely with the young members. All instruments, instruction, and uniforms are provided to participants who pay an annual participation fee.

History

The Blue Devils (sometimes just "the Devils", "Devs" or "BD") is the most successful corps of the DCI era, with a total of fourteen world champion titles to their name over the four decades of Drum Corps International's existence. At their first DCI finals appearance in 1973, the Blue Devils placed twenty fourth, advancing the next year to ninth and then to third in 1975. In 1976 they won their first DCI title and since have never placed out of the top five corps at finals, the only corps to do so. The Blue Devils have also won more brass, drum, guard, and marching titles than any other drum corps. BD also lays claim to the record of most consecutive percussion titles in the DCI-era, having won the title in 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986, under the direction of Tom Float.

In 1957, Tony and Ann Odello brought the group to the Concord V.F.W. post from the disbanded Martinettes. The Blue Devils' name is derived from the color of the V.F.W. post (blue) and the local landmark, Mt. Diablo (devil). In 1964, Jerry Seawright took over from Tony Odello as manager and turned the group into a full drum and bugle corps (by 1970). Mike Moxley took over from Jerry Seawright as director of the drum corps in 1984. Dave Gibbs, a former marching member/drum major of the Blue Devils, is currently the director of the drum corps (since 1991).

Historically, the Devils have made significant use of jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...

 and Latin
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...

 repertoires, including their famous use of Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich
Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...

's Channel One Suite, as well as such notable charts from the music of Chick Corea
Chick Corea
Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer.Many of his compositions are considered jazz standards. As a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s, he participated in the birth of the electric jazz fusion movement. In the 1970s he formed Return to Forever...

 and Chuck Mangione
Chuck Mangione
Charles Frank "Chuck" Mangione is an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single, "Feels So Good." Mangione has released more than thirty albums since 1960.-Early life and career:...

. As a result of their musical style choices, the Devils are the corps most typically associated with jazz.

In January 2006, the corps debuted BlueView, a video podcast that documents the months preceding the summer competitive season as well as the summer competitive tour. BlueView has been folded into Blue Devils new audio/video media archive page entitled MediaBox.

Awards

The Blue Devils organization has attained numerous International Championships in various performing arts activities, including:
  • 14 International Drum and Bugle Corps Championships - World Class
  • 3 International Drum and Bugle Corps Championships - Open Class
  • 1 World Music Contest
  • 4 Winter Guard International Championship
  • 12 National Team Twirling Championships
  • 6 National Corps Twirling Championship
  • 2 World Team Twirling Championships

Local, National, and International Titles

DCI
Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International , formed in 1972, is the non-profit governing body operating the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for junior corps, whose members are between the ages of 14 and 21. It is the counterpart of Drum Corps Associates which governs senior or all-age drum corps...

 World Champions:
1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982 (undefeated), 1986, 1994 (undefeated), 1996 (tie), 1997, 1999 (tie), 2003, 2007, 2009 (undefeated), 2010 (undefeated)

DCI 2nd Place: 1981, 1983, 1984, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2011

DCI 3rd Place: 1975, 1978, 1985, 1988, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2006

World Music Contest Championship: 2005

WGI
Winter Guard International
Spawning from the organization Drum Corps International , Winter Guard International was founded in 1977. WGI is a visual performing arts organization that hosts regional and national competitions for color guard and indoor percussion ensembles. Contests are held in the U.S...

 Champions
: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1997, 1999

World Team Twirling Champions: 1983, 1984

DCI Preview of Champions: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

DCI South Champions: 1983, 1987, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

DCI Midwest Champions: 1976, 1982, 1986, 1988, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007

DCI North Champions: 1976, 1994, 1995, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

DCI East Champions: 1978, 1979, 1986, 1988, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010

DCI Mid-America Champions: 1995, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007

DCI Southwest Champions: 1998-1999, 2001, 2007, 2009, 2010

DCI Canada Champions: 1980, 1985, 1990

DCI West Champions: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 2008, 2009, 2010

Drums Along The Rockies Champions: 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010

DCE Champions: 1994

Drum Corps West Champions: 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007

Catholic Youth Organization
Catholic Youth Organization
A Catholic Youth Organization is an organization for young Catholics. Usually each group uses the church for meeting and gathering, although some have their own premises. It was initiated by Bishop Bernard J...

 Champions:
1976, 1978, 1982

World Open Champions: 1976, 1978

U.S. Open Champions: 1979, 1992

Pacific Procession Champions: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006

DCI Open Class Champions: 2009 (undefeated), 2010, 2011

Precision West Champions: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

In 2009, The Concord Blue Devils went undefeated and won their 13th World Championship with a record score (for the corps) of 99.05. This was also the first time an organization won both World and Open Class Championships with the Blue Devils B also going undefeated and winning their 1st World Championship.

In 2010, The Concord Blue Devils and Blue Devils B repeated their 2009 feat by once again winning the World and Open Class championships and the A corps completing back-to-back undefeated seasons, a first in DCI history. The B corps only lost one show in 2010.

In 2011, Blue Devils "B" repeated for a third straight year as Open Class World Champions, narrowly beating the Oregon Crusaders. The Crusaders beat BDB only days before the finals, providing their only loss of the season. In a changed format this year, Blue Devils "B" went on to place 19th at the World Class semifinals, beating out five World Class Corps (Jersey Surf, Cascades, Teal Sound, Mandarins, and Pioneer).

Management and Mission

BD Performing Arts is the corporate entity that manages the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps (also known as the Blue Devils A-Corps). Along with the A-Corps, BD Performing Arts supports the B-Corps, the C-Corps, the Blue Devils Winter Guard program, the Diablo Wind Symphony, and BD Entertainment
BD Entertainment
BD Entertainment is an organization that provides high-energy percussion, dance, and brass entertainment as the fundraising arm of the non-profit Blue Devils organization....

. The Executive Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...

 of BD Performing Arts is David Gibbs. The Board of Directors of BD Performing Arts are:
  • Kit Rodgers - President
    President
    A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...

  • Donna Batchelor - Vice President
    Vice president
    A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...

  • Tom VadeWater - Chief Financial Officer
    Chief financial officer
    The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...

  • Dodie Martz - Secretary
    Secretary
    A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...

  • JoEllen Abate-McEntire, Alumnus
    Alumnus
    An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...

  • Maile Collmer, Alumnus
    Alumnus
    An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...

  • Toby Cummings
  • Jeff DeMello - Alumnus
    Alumnus
    An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...

    , Past President
    President
    A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...

    , Past Secretary
    Secretary
    A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...

  • Rosa Lee Harden - Past President
    President
    A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...

  • Doug Peterson, Alumnus
    Alumnus
    An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...

  • Brian Ripley - Past Vice President
    Vice president
    A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...

  • Brandon Wilson, Alumnus
    Alumnus
    An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...



The Board of Advisers for BD Performing Arts are:
  • John Donovan, Past President
    President
    A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...

  • Todd Tanji, Alumnus
    Alumnus
    An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...

    , Past President
    President
    A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...

  • Phil McArthur
  • John Oppedisano, Alumnus
    Alumnus
    An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...



The Mission of the BD Performing Arts organization is as follows:

Music and the performing arts connect youth with their culture through a common language crossing generational, social, and racial barriers. The activities that a young person pursues influence the type of person he or she becomes. The experience that comes with participation in a performing arts organization builds discipline, character, pride, and self-confidence at a crucial age and forms the springboard to even greater achievements in adulthood.

BD Performing Arts programs permanently enrich the lives of young people through a commitment to youth development and performance excellence while providing enjoyment for our local community and audiences worldwide.

Show Summary (1971-2011)

Year Position Score Show
1971 Theme from Lawrence of Arabia - Ninth Symphony (Ode to Joy) - America The Beautiful - Big Spender (from Sweet Charity) - Stoney End - Shadow of Your Smile (from The Sandpiper)
1972 Strike Up the Band (from Strike Up the Band) - Ave Maria - Venus - The Man I Love - I Got Rhythm (from Girl Crazy) - Day in the life of a Fool
1973 24 66.100 Chant and Jubilo * Jupiter (from The Planets) - Ave Maria - This Could Be the Start of Something Big - Miserlou - Caravan - Morning of the Carnival
1974 9 79.150 Chant and Jubilo - Porgy and Bess - Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor - Clouds - Feel of a Vision - Touch of Venus - Lady Sings the Blues
1975 3 88.600 Space Shuttle - Love's Been Gone So Long - What Is Hip - Squibb Cakes - Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor - Chase the Clouds Away - Feel of a Vision
1976 1 92.700 Channel One Suite - Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor - Chase the Clouds Away
1977 1 92.050 Channel One Suite - Spanish Fantasy - Gonna Fly Now (from Rocky)
1978 3 91.200 Chicago III Suite - Spanish Fantasy - Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor
1979 1 93.550 Chicago III Suite - La Suerte de Los Tontos (from Cuban Fire Suite) - Pauper in Paradise - My Heart Belongs to Me
1980 1 90.600 New York Fantasy - Ya Gotta Try - Pegasus - Free (from Chicago III Suite) - La Suerte de Los Tontos - Pauper in Paradise - Dindi
1981 2 93.700 New York Fantasy - Ya Gotta Try - La Danse du Bonheur - One More Time Chuck Corea - Johnny One Note (from Babes in Arms) - Dindi
1982 1 95.250 T.O. - Pegasus - Paradox - One More Time Chuck Corea - People Alone (from The Competition)
1983 2 93.800 T.O. - Everybody Loves the Blues - Paradox - One More Time Chuck Corea - A New Beginning
1984 2 97.900 Bacchanalia - Latin Implosion - Karn Evil 9 - La Fiesta - Like A Lover
1985 3 97.100 Liferaft Earth - Trilogy - Karn Evil 9 - Piano Concerto No. 1 - First Circle
1986 1 98.400 Channel One Suite - Chick Corea Suite (Conquistador - Spanish Fantasy)
1987 4 94.400 Fanfare For The New - Harlem Nocturne - Echidna's Arf - Free - Spanish Dreams
1988 3 96.300 Happy Days Are Here Again - Old Black Magic - Goodbye Yesterday - Since I Fell For You
1989 4 95.900 Ya Gotta Try - If We Were In Love (from Yes, Georgio) - Allegre - Johnny One Note (from Babes in Arms)
1990 4 95.300 Selections from Tommy - Selections from Tommy
1991 5 93.800 Conversations in Jazz - Commencement (from Adventures in Time) - Bird and Bela in B Flat (2nd Movement) - Bird and Bela in B Flat (3rd Movement)
1992 4 95.400 Big, Bad and Blue - Someone's There - El Congo Valiente (from Cuban Fire Suite) - Fuego Cubano (from Cuban Fire Suite) - La Suerte de Los Tontos (from Cuban Fire Suite) - When a Man Loves a Woman
1993 4 95.100 A Don Ellis Portrait - Open Wide - Great Divide - Chain Reaction - Strawberry Soup - Niner-Two
1994 1 98.400 My Spanish Heart - Spanish Fantasy Part I - Night Streets - Day Danse - My Spanish Heart - Spanish Fantasy Part 4
1995 3 96.700 Carpe Noctem - Buleria (from Jazz Pana) - Conquistador - Coronation of the Dead Queen (mvt 4 of The Legend of Alcobaca) - Ines (Second Movement of The Legend of Alcobaca) - No Heroes - Commencement (from Adventures in Time) - Caribe (from One More Once) - Day Danse - Dom Pedro's Revenge (5th Movement of The Legend of Alcobaca)
1996 1 (tie) 97.400 Club Blue: A Gangster Chronicle - Children's Hour of Dream - Desi - Tess' Theme (from Dick Tracy) - Trouble (from Mission Impossible)
1997 1 98.400 As Time Goes By . . . - Casablanca - Bangkok - A Night in Tunisia - As Time Goes By
1998 3 97.700 One Hand, One Heart—Music from Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky and West Side Story by Bernstein - Romeo and Juliet - West Side Story
1999 1 (tie) 98.400 Rhythms...At the Edge of Time - Estancia Ballet (Rhythm 1 - Afrocuban/Malambo) - Powerhouse: Rhumba for Orchestra (Rhythm 2 - Rhumba) - Powerhouse: Rhumba for Orchestra (Rhythm 3 - Samba) - Adios Nonino (Rhythm 4 - Tango) - Unchained Melody (Rhythm 5 - Jazz) - The Dirty Boogie (Rhythm 6 - Swing)
2000 3 96.900 Methods of Madness - A Night Piece For Orchestra..Prelude & Blues (from Taxi Driver) - Prelude (from On Dangerous Ground) - Prelude (from Psycho) - Scene d' Amour (from Vertigo) - The Wild Ride (from North By Northwest)
2001 2 97.600 Awayday Blue - Awayday - Fantasy Variations (on George Gershwin's Second Prelude for Piano)
2002 2 97.300 Jazz: Music Made in America - Ragtime - I Got Rhythm (from Girl Crazy) - Fascinating Rhythm - House of the Rising Sun - Channel One Suite
2003 1 98.800 Phenomenon of Cool - Concierto de Aranjuez - Take Five - Blue Rondo A La Turk - Unsquare Dance
2004 2 98.525 The SummerTrain Blues MIX - The Ghost Train Tryptich - Summertime (from Porgy and Bess) - Take the 'A' Train - Calling the Indians Out
2005 4 95.250 Dance Derby of the Century - Redline Tango - Brother Can You Spare A Dime - Prelude Fugue and Riffs - On the Town - In Wartime
2006 3 96.550 The Godfather, Part BLUE - Selections from The Godfather
2007 1 98.000 Winged Victory - Bird and Bela in B Flat (2nd Movement) - Celebrare Celeberrime - Introduction to Rite of Spring - Pegasus - Firebird Suite - The Kiss
2008 2 98.100 Constantly Risking Absurdity - Main Theme from Sweeney Todd - Phrygian Gates - Bach Invention - Serenada Schizophrana - Pianos - I Will Wait For You - The Untouchables
2009 1 99.050 1930 - Get Happy - Happy Days Are Here Again - Playing Love - Piano Variations - Rialto Ripples - I Got Rhythm (from Girl Crazy) - Piano Concerto in F Amazon - Caravan - Rhapsody in Blue
2010 1 98.900 Through a Glass Darkly - City of Glass Suite - Conflict - Mirage - Trajectories - Incident In Jazz - Laura - La Suerte De Los Tontos
2011 2 97.800 The Beat My Heart Skipped - A House Is Not a Home - Summer of 77 - Walk On By - One Less Bell To Answer - Woman - I Say A Little Prayer - Wives And Lovers - God Give Me Strength

Sponsors

The Blue Devils Organization is sponsored by Sticktape.com, Guardtape.com, Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark is a Houston, Texas-based American drumstick company owned by founder Herb Brochstein. It is a widely known stick company generally played in drum set, drum and bugle corps and concert bands.-History:...

, DSI, FJM, Planet Waves, Evans drum heads, Super Drill Masters, MEINL, HALFTIME MAGAZINE, TESORO, Roland
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...

, Zildjian, Pearl Corporation
Pearl Drums
Founded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...

, Adams, and King
King Musical Instruments
King Musical Instruments was a musical instrument manufacturing company located in Cleveland, Ohio.The company was founded as the H.N. White Company in 1893 by Henderson White, an engraver and instrument repairman. White designed a trombone for Thomas King, a local player...

.

The Blue Devils Organization has just recently partnered with the Pearl Corporation and Adams Concert Percussion after spending 10 years with Dynasty USA
Dynasty USA
Dynasty USA is a manufacturer of marching brass and percussion instruments based in the United States, and is one of the last remaining manufacturers of valved bugles pitched in G. Key consumers are drum and bugle corps, such as Phantom Regiment, Glassmen, and Revolution....

. The Pearl Corporation and Adams Concert Percussion is the world-wide leading manufacturer of drums and is highly represented throughout Drum Corps International community. Along with the Pearl Corporation the Blue Devils Organization has also partnered up with Conn-Selmer, Inc
Conn-Selmer
Conn-Selmer, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of concert band, marching band, and orchestral instruments. It is a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments and was formed after Steinway bought musical instrument manufacturers The Selmer Company and C.G. Conn.-Founding:In the late 1800s,...

. Also after being apart of Dynasty USA for the past 10 years, beginning in the fall the Blue Devils will be playing on King Ultimate Marching Brass. King brass instruments hold an abundant amount of history, and is also a large supporter of the Drum Corps Community.

External links

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