Blue Knights

From DrumCorpsWiki

The Blue Knights are members of Drum Corps International and they compete within DCI World Class (formerly DCI Division I). They are based in Denver, Colorado. The corps is under the direction of Mark Arnold.

Contents 1 History 2 Misson Statement 3 Ensembles 3.1 Drum and Bugle Corps 3.2 Percussion Ensemble 3.3 Opus 10 3.4 Winter Brass Ensemble 3.5 The Stampede 4 Shows By Year 4.1 2000's 4.2 1990's 4.3 1980's 4.4 1970's 5 External Links

[edit] History

Established in 1958, the Blue Knights are celebrating their 42nd year of providing Denver-area youth the opportunity to develop life skills utilizing the vehicle music. What began as a "parade corps" performing strictly in the Denver-Metro area, quickly grew into a nationally respected organization offering opportunities for youth to learn, travel, and grow through excellence in their "sport". Perennial DCI finalists, the Blue Knights are now recognized internationally for their excellence and innovation in the area of musical pageantry.

Heading into the new millennium the Blue Knights organization has expanded its programs. A drum and bugle corps, two performing percussion ensembles, and an "educational out reach" program are all currently part of the Blue Knights programs. In 1999, the Blue Knights #1 percussion ensemble was crowned the WGI Independent World Marching Champion. Along with the percussion ensembles, the Blue Knights contain "Opus 10" winterguard, and a winter brass ensemble that performs at winter drumline and color guard competitions. The long-range vision of the Blue Knights is to continue this expansion to include a far greater number of youth in its programs.

[edit] Misson Statement

"The goals of the Blue Knights are to further the education and growth toward maturity of young people by providing them the opportunity to participate in a performing musical organization of the highest competitive caliber. The Blue Knights create an environment that encourages self-discipline, develops leadership skills, and enhances self-esteem… where young people can experience the pride of accomplishment through teamwork."

[edit] Ensembles

Since 1958, the Blue Knights have been providing young men and women the opportunity to perform, compete, and and better themselves as members of highly talented performance groups. From humble beginnings as a parade corps, the Blue Knights have grown to offer a year-round program of ensembles for thousands of youth from the Rocky Mountain region and around the world.

[edit] Drum and Bugle Corps

The Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps has established itself as one of the elite groups of its kind in the world. A perennial Drum Corps International finalist, the Blue Knights are renowned in the activity for excellence in symphonic music, intricate visual choreography, and an unwavering commitment to innovation.

Far beyond a high school or college marching band, drum and bugle corps are the pinnacle for marching musicians across the world. The best young brass and percussion performers from all over the globe join with color guards of the highest quality to embark on a grueling national tour with hopes of being crowned the DCI World Champions in August.

For the performers who participate, drum corps becomes a way of life and a fondly remembered part of their youth. Between the thrill of entertaining enormous crowds, touring the country over the course of a summer, the creation of life-long friendships, and the motivation to perfect an intensely challenging show, it is easy to see why passion runs so deep for both the corps and the fans who love and support the activity.

[edit] Percussion Ensemble

For over a decade, the Blue Knights Percussion Ensembles have proven to be among the most innovative and successful groups in the indoor percussion activity. With four WGI World Percussion Championships to their credit, the Blue Knights Percussion Ensembles have solidified themselves as a perennial favorite of both the fans and the judges, wowing audiences with amazing music and spectacular visual programs.

Combining music, marching, and elements of theater, competitive indoor percussion ensembles compete regionally throughout the winter and spring, prior to attending the World Championships in April. The indoor percussion activity has experienced exponential growth over the last 15 years, and the number of ensembles increases every year. The Blue Knights are the longest continually operating Independent Class percussion ensemble in the world, established in 1993.

[edit] Opus 10

Originally founded as Oracle Winterguard, the newly renamed Opus 10 Winterguard joins the Blue Knights family to continue the legacy created during its first eight highly successful seasons.

Honored as the Independent Open Class World Champions in 2002, the winterguard has since become a force in Independent World Class, ranking as high as 4th in 2005 and making finals in every year of competition. Recognized as the premier guard in the Rocky Mountain region, Opus 10 attracts the best performers the area has to offer.

Known for its exemplary body movement skills and its highly artistic design, Opus 10 is poised for another amazing season and will once again be traveling to Dayton, Ohio for the Winter Guard International Championships in April.

The winterguard activity takes the artistry and skill of modern colorguards and sets it in an indoor environment during the winter and spring months. Performing to recorded music, winterguards use equipment and dance skills to captivate and entertain audiences across the globe. The WGI World Championships is among the most fiercely fought spectacles in pageantry arts and the annual event draws hundreds of guards and thousands of spectators from around the world.

[edit] Winter Brass Ensemble

Pioneering an exciting new artform while giving brass musicians an off-season outlet.

[edit] The Stampede

The official stadium drumline of the Denver Broncos football team. Performing in and around INVESCO Field at Mile High for all Broncos home games, The Stampede contributes to the electric game day atmosphere that the team is known for. While performing for tailgaters, in the stands, or from the field, The Stampede entertains thousands of Broncos fans throughout the NFL season.

[edit] Shows By Year

[edit] 2000's

2008

• DCI World Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Knight Reign
    • Cloudburst
    • Turbine
    • Jeux D'eau
    • Amazing Grace
• Position: 9th
• Score: 88.250

2007

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Dark Dances
    • Piano Concerto No. 1
    • Symphony No. 10
• Position: 8th
• Score: 90.275

2006

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Dark Knights
    • Piano Concerto, Op. 38
• Placement: 7th
• Score: 90.125

2005

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Rerpertoire:
  • A Midsummer Knight's Dream
• Placement: 10th
• Score: 88.225

2004

• DCI Division I Finalist
  • A Knight's Tale
• Placement: 10th
• Score: 87.600

2003

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Primary Colors
    • Kaval Sviri
    • Izpoved
    • Prologue
• Placement: 13th
• Score: 85.35

2002

• DCI Division I Semifinalist
• Repertoire:
  • Fear and Trembling, featuring the music of Dmitri Shostakovich and Samuel Barber
    • Piano Concerto No. 1, Op.35
    • Piano Concerto, Op. 38
• Placement: 13th
• Score: 85.50

2001

• DCI Division I Semifinalist
• Repertoire:
  • Blue Toons
    • Cartoon
    • An American in Paris
    • Black Market Juggler
• Placement: 14th
• Score: 83.90

2000

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Colors of Brass and Percussion
    • Movement 1 (from Montage)
    • Movement 3 (from Montage)
    • A Time For Love (from The Essence of Time)
    • A Time For Hate (from the Essence of Time)
    • A Time For Peace (from The Essence of Time)
• Placement: 6th
• Score: 92.00

[edit] 1990's

1999

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Trittico for Brass Band
  • Partita for Band
• Placement: 7th
• Score: 92.50

1998

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Masters of the Symphony
    • Allegro (from Symphony No. 10)
    • Symphony No. 6: Pathetique
    • Largo (from New World Symphony)
    • Symphony No. 9
• Placement: 9th
• Score: 89.50

1997

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Prelude (from Ben Hur)
  • Overture to Ben Hur
  • The Battle (from Ben Hur)
  • Lithe Girl, Brown Girl (from The Lovers)
  • Father In Heaven (from Prayers of Kierkegaard)
• Placement: 9th
• Score: 88.20

1996

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Music of Ron Nelson
    • Rocky Point Holiday
    • Sonoran Desert Holiday
• Placement: 12th
• Score: 80.70

1995

• DCI Division I Semifinalist
• Repertoire:
  • Legacy
    • Introduction
    • Main Theme
    • Adagio
    • Fugue
    • Finale
• Placement: 13th
• Score: 81.30

1994

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Trittico for Brass Band
• Placement: 7th
• Score: 88.40

1993

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • The Next Generation
    • Battle of the Mutara Nebula (from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
    • Clear All Moorings (from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
    • Star Trek VI Suite
    • Little Green Men
• Placement: 10th
• Score: 85.00

1992

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Portraits of Aaron Copland
    • Billy the Kid
    • Corral Nocturne
    • Red Pony
    • Chorale and Shaker Dance
• Placement: 9th
• Score: 90.00

1991

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Savannah River Holiday
  • Outdoor Overture
  • Aspen Jubilee
• Placement: 9th
• Score: 87.70

1990

• DCI Open Class Semifinalist
• Repertoire:
  • Chichester Psalms
  • Offertory (from Mass)
  • I Go On (from Mass)
  • Sanctus (from Mass)
  • Agnus Dei (from Mass)
• Placement: 13th
• Score: 85.40

[edit] 1980's

1989

• DCI Open Class Semifinalist
• Repertoire:
  • March (from A Moorside Suite)
  • Puchinello
• Placement: 16th
• Score: 81.20

1988

• DCI Open Class Semifinalist
• Repertoire:
  • March (from A Moorside Suite)
  • Divertimento For Band
  • Pie Jesu (from Requiem)
  • March (from Suite No. 1 for Military Band)
• Placement: 17th
• Score: 78.60

1987

• DCI Open Class Semifinalist
• Repertoire:
  • Savannah River Holiday
  • Ritual Fire Dance (from El Amor Brujo)
  • Requiem
• Placement: 22nd
• Score: 73.40

1986

• DCI Open Class
• Repertoire Unknown
• Placement: 27th
• Score: 68.70

1985

• DCI Open Class
• Repertoire:
  • A Pirate's Tale
• Placement: 31st
• Score: 68.20

1984

• DCI Open Class Semifinalist
• Repertoire:
  • If You Could Read My Mind
  • Sweet Inspiration
  • Trilogy
  • Magician
  • Ain't No Mountain High Enough
  • I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
• Placement: 22nd
• Score: 70.70

1983

• DCI Open Class
• Repertoire Unknown
• Placement: 31st
• Score: 51.70

[edit] 1970's

1977

• DCI Open Class
• Repertoire:
  • Somewhere (from West Side Story)
  • Jet Song (from West Side Story)
  • Tonight (from West Side Story)
  • I Get Crazy
  • Hill Where The Lord Hides
  • Evergreen (from A Star Is Born)
  • Maria (from West Side Story)
• Placement: 47th
• Score: 57.90

1976

• Repertoire:
  • Battle Of Britain
  • Hill Where The Lord Hides
  • Battle Hymn Of The Republic
  • Feelings

1975

• DCI Class A
• Rerpertoire Unknown
• Placement: 11th
• Score: 48.15

[edit] External Links

Blue Knights: Official Website Opus10: Official Website

This article is a stub. You can help DrumCorpsWiki by expanding it.