Phantom Regiment

From DrumCorpsWiki

Phantom Regiment is based out of Rockford, Illinois. The corps is a member of Drum Corps International and they compete within DCI Division I. The director of the Phantom Regiment is Rick Valenzuela.

Contents 1 History 2 The Mission 3 Shows by year 3.1 1970 3.2 1972 3.3 1973 3.4 1974 3.5 1975 3.6 1976 3.7 1977 3.8 1978 3.9 1979 3.10 1980 3.11 1981 3.12 1982 3.13 1983 3.14 1984 3.15 1985 3.16 1986 3.17 1987 3.18 1988 3.19 1989 3.20 1990 3.21 1991 3.22 1992 3.23 1993 3.24 1994 3.25 1995 3.26 1996 3.27 1997 3.28 1998 3.29 1999 3.30 2000 3.31 2001 3.32 2002 3.33 2003 3.34 2004 3.35 2005 3.36 2006 3.37 2007 3.38 2008 3.39 2009 3.40 2010 4 Traditions 4.1 Conductor's Baton 4.2 SUTA 4.3 Corps Song 5 Trivia 6 Sponsors 7 External Links

[edit] History

The Phantom Regiment is drum corps' classical music identity. Phantom is the originator of "all-symphonic pageantry," turning a "classic style into a unique combination of timeless music and world class drum corps." Its treatments of the greats, especially Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, are drum corps classics. Now into the 21st century, the Phantom Regiment continues its past success and strives for new goals.

The organization was originally founded by a VFW post in 1956 as the Rockford Rangers and the Rockford Rangerettes. Soon after, the corps and the all-female Color Guard changed their names to the Phantom Regiment and the Phantomettes.

In 1968, Phantom Regiment re-emerged after a fire and reorganization to field a small competitive corps. Phantom has been a DCI powerhouse since first breaking into the coveted top twelve in 1974. Since then, the corps has placed out of the top five only a handful of times, including winning the silver medal four times. Phantom was an innovator of the story line show, interpreting the classical strains of Spartacus on a 100-yard stage. It wasn't until 1987 that the corps became what it is known as today.

Always true to their classical roots, Phantom has thrilled their audiences with the complexity and grandeur of timeless music and sheer explosive power of modern drum and bugle corps.

In 1996, with the celebration of their 40th year, Phantom Regiment won their first DCI championship. They tied the Blue Devils for first place with a score of 97.40. In 2008, Phantom regiment won their first outright DCI title with a score of 98.125.

Drum and Bugle Corps is an original American art form. The beginning can be traced to veterans organizations such as the VFW and the American Legion, as well as to organizations such as the Catholic Youth Organization. Soldiers returning from World War I celebrated Veterans Day and the Fourth of July by marching in parades to the accompaniment of the drum and the bugle, just as they had during the war. The first two corps in the Rockford, Illinois, area, the VFW Post 342 and the American Legion Post 62, were composed of veterans who were male and members of those particular posts. There have been many drum corps in the Rockford area since that time. By far the most successful has been the Phantom Regiment.

Formed in 1956 by a group of VFW 342 members who wanted to see a competitive drum corps, the group was initially named the Rockford Rangers, with an all-girl color guard to be called the Rangerettes.

Many of the members did not feel the name "Rangers" was appropriate for their corps. Some of the members had been listening to Stetson D. Richmond records and were impressed with a 1952 Leroy Anderson tune the Syracuse Brigadiers had played entitled "The Phantom Regiment." Thus, before the corps had made any public appearances, the corps name was changed to Phantom Regiment, and the all-girl color guard was labelled the Phantomettes.

While the corps was in its developmental stages, a substantial emphasis was placed on the competitive guard aspect of the activity. Almost overnight, the Phantomettes became very successful in their own right. An all-male comp guard made up of members of the Regiment horn line, called the Raiders, also had a brief success story.

The drum and bugle corps itself, however, struggled competitively. Fortunes began to improve only when in 1962 the corps bought a set of high quality bugles from the Commonwealth Edison Drum and Bugle Corps. A new brass arranger also sped the growth process. Also in 1962, the original Phantom Regiment Cadets was formed, using the old set of bugles.

In 1963, the Regiment fielded an all-male corps, including the color guard, with mixed results. The all-girl guard returned in 1964 and, with the help of a very successful recruiting drive, the Phantom Regiment, sporting a new set of military uniforms, had its most successful year to date.

The corps' competition color guard, the Phantomettes, was memorialized on vehicle registration stickers by the City of Rockford in 1964.

But just as it looked as if the Regiment was on its way to becoming a championship-caliber corps, a fire in the corps hall took away the corps' home, along with the uniforms and the instruments. The Phantom Regiment tried to field a corps in 1965, but eventually was forced to cancel the season due to lack of finances.

After spending the year-1966 planning their resurgence, a board of directors comprised of former members and staff of the original corps incorporated the Phantom Regiment on Sept. 11, 1967, with the following mission statement:

"To organize, maintain, and operate a musical marching unit, band, color guard, and related activities, and in general, promote and encourage drum and bugle corps activities, parades, concerts, contests, and to further the musical talents and interests of young persons."

The original board of directors could not have imagined that 30 years later their corps would have a budget of well over half a million dollars, nor that Phantom would be competing for the drum and bugle corps world championship.

The reorganized Phantom Regiment began its first season in three years as a small corps that signed its first roster on Jan. 10, 1968. There were 28 charter members.

The first season for the corps included many parades and a few contests. The corps uniform included black pants with a red windbreaker and a black and white vertical stripe on the left side of the windbreaker. The equipment truck was a red step van, the only vehicle the corps owned.

As the years passed, the number of contests grew, the distance traveled in the tour increased, and the Phantom Regiment began to creep up the ladder of drum corps success.

New in 1970 were cadet-style uniforms, including black pants with a white stripe, and a jacket with a diagonal sash of red dividing the black right side from the white left side. White bucks were worn on the feet and new shakos with 12-inch plumes decorated the head. The corps included 40 horns, 24 color guard, 14 drums, 10 rifles and one drum major in 1970, for a total of 89 members.

By 1971, the first hints of Phantom's ultimate classical style were beginning to appear. The 1972 show featured a concert version of "Poet and Peasant Overture," however improbably accompanied by the "Addams Family Theme" as a marching tymp solo!

A sign of the corps' increased confidence was one Friday the 13th in 1971, when three of the corps' busses ran out of gas and their equipment truck caught fire - twice. Yet Regiment still won the evening's contest.

During the fall and winter of the 1974 season every member of the 128-man corps took individual marching and brass lessons. The Phantom Regiment made finals at the Drum Corps International World Championships for the first time in 1974, finishing eighth in Prelims and 11th in Finals. They have been a fixture in the DCI top 12 ever since.

The years between 1967 and 1974 were some of the most exciting in the history of the corps. They were the formative years and defined the style of the Phantom Regiment. Those years saw the growth of the young nucleus of members to a mature world-class drum corps.

In the fall of 1974, a new uniform was conceived, one that would give the Phantom Regiment its long-term identity: long white jackets with a black sash, a two-colored cape with red on the inside and black on the outside, black pants, and the one element that remains today: the pith helmet.

The remainder of the 1970s would be years of rapid advancement for the Regiment as the corps matured to become a contender for the DCI crown. In 1975, the corps placed 10th. In 1976, it placed fourth. And in 1977, 1978 and 1979, the corps placed second, only a tenth or two from becoming World Champion.

During the early 1980s, the Regiment produced some of the most innovative programs ever to grace the field of competition. The corps was well ahead of its time with the 1981 and 1982 productions of the ballet "Spartacus," a project two years in the making. Critically acclaimed and loved by audiences everywhere, the program increased Regiment's fame throughout the world.

The corps that is recognized today began in 1987. After a difficult 10th-place finish in 1986, the corps took a fresh new approach. Michael Cesario inspired a dramatic new look, with new all-white uniforms more closely resembling costumes. This new look and approach led to three years of substantial improvement, culminating in 1989 with a second-place finish and the second highest score ever, 98.4.

In 1989, the corps joined the Kansas City Symphony on stage in a performance of "Elsa's Processional to the Cathedral" so powerful that a newspaper reviewer felt he might never recover.

The 1990s proved to be a time of continued success and evolution, as in 1995 when the uniforms changed again. The same style was continued, but the color became black.

The 1993 show, featuring "Estancia," "Fire of Eternal Glory," and "Death Hunt," was a crowd-pleaser throughout the season and won Phantom a tightly contested third-place finish at DCI Championships in Jackson, Miss. They had finished a "disastrous" eighth in 1992.

In 1996, the goal and dream of everyone involved with the organization over the past 30 years came true. Fielding the show "Defiant Heart: The Music of Dmitri Shostakovich", Phantom Regiment tied the Concord Blue Devils for its first DCI World Championship win. The corps performed Shostakovich's Fourth Ballet Suite, First Symphony (Second Movement), and Fifth Symphony (Fourth Movement). The corps' uniforms featured the now-famous "Defiant Heart" patch on the chest of the uniform jackets, left-side.

The 1997 show, "The Ring", featured powerful Wagnerian music from "The Ring": Hagen's Call to the Clan, Magic Fire Music, Hammerring of the Ring, and Die Gotterdammerung. The Corps finished 4th place at DCI Finals.

In 1998, Phantom Regiment performed "Songs from the Eternal City . . . The Music of Rome", featuring: Roman Carnival Overture, the balled Un Bel Di from the opera "Madame Butterfly", as well as the Pines of the Villa Borghese and the Pines of the Appian Way, both movements from the Pines of Rome. The corps placed 8th at DCI Finals.

The 1999 show was titled "Tragedy and Triumph" and featured Tchaikovsky's Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Symphony's. For the second year in a row, the corps placed 8th place at DCI Finals.

The 2000 Phantom Regiment began moving in a different and upward direction. The organization hired Michael Klesch (former Drum Major of Garfield Cadets) to write the brass book. Klesch brought a different sound to the powerful Phantom Regiment brass line, as well as an updated overall sound for the corps. Another modification that year was the Phantom Regiment uniform.

The corps took on a new look in 2000 with another Michael Cesario-inspired uniform. The all-black was replaced by tan jackets and white pants with a red baldric. The traditional Phantom Regiment helmets remained, but were now white and constructed of a different, lighter material (the black helmets had been a heavy fiberglass material). That year, Conductor Andre "Tommy" Feagin earned the Jim Jones Leadership Award, which is presented to one DCI World and Open class drum major each year.

The 2000 show was titled "The Masters of Mystique - The Dawn of Modern Music" and featured Jeux, Petrouchka, Transfigured Night, and the Rite Of Spring. The corps' placement at DCI Finals broke out of the two-year rut and finished in 7th place.

The 2001 Phantom Regiment continued to improve and evolve with the show "Vituoso". The program repertoire featured a fun and challenging lineup of music including the Finale from Concerto For Orchestra (5th Movement), Game of Pairs also from Concerto For Orchestra (2nd Movement), and concluding with the ever famous Festive Overture. The brass line of the corps, always among the largest in DCI, featured fourteen mellophones that year--two more than the usual line of 12. The 2001 Corps continued strengthening its place at finals, breaking back into the Top 6 and finishing in 6th place at DCI Finals.

Much of the Phantom Regiment Organization's resurgence in the early 2000s is credited to the leadership of Board President Tim Farrell and Program Coordinator Dan Farrell, as well as the PR Corps Director Patrick Seidling.

Additionally, it should be noted that the dedication of the corps members also kept the organization going. Many of the Phantom Regiment members, having joined as early as 1996 & 1997, as well as those that became members in 1998 & 1999, continued to return to the organization for the 2000 & 2001 seasons and beyond. Had these crucial veteran members not continued to return to march for the corps they believed in, as well as the new members that joined along the way, the Phantom Regiment might not be the corps that it is today.

The 2002 Phantom Regiment again moved in a new direction with the hiring of J.D. Shaw as the new brass music arranger. J.D.'s vision for the "sound" of Phantom began that year with the show "Heroic Sketches: The Passion of Shostakovich", featuring the Tenth Symphony (Second Movement), Piano Concerto No. 2 (Second Movement), Piano Concerto No. 2 (First Movement), and concluding with the powerful Seventh Symphony (Fourth Movement). The corps continued climbing the placement, finishing in 5th place at DCI finals.

In 2003, the uniform style changed back to a modern interpretation of the 1987 uniform design: white top, pants, and shoes; black sequined baldric and gauntlets; and black gloves. After a long swing through the West in 2003 -- the show was aptly named "Harmonic Journey" -- the corps finished the season in 4th place, with a score of 94.75. Director Patrick Seidling earned the Dr. Bernard Baggs Award for Outstanding Leadership and Conductor David Simon earned the Jim Jones Leadership Award.

The 2004 show was a departure for the traditionally classical corps, as they presented "Apasionada 874," a performance dedicated to the charm of the tango. The theme encouraged much emoting and passion by the horn line, not to mention a graceful tango across the field by 12 contras. On Finals night, Phantom took 5th place, with a score of 93.575. Conductor Kara Hoeflinger earned the Jim Jones Leadership Award.

Phantom took the stage in 2005 with the program "Rhapsody," based on the George Gershwin works "Rhapsody In Blue" and "An American In Paris." It was the first time since the 1960s that the color guard included a male. This addition to the color guard, while controversial among traditionalists, lead to an enriched and evolved Phantom Regiment, increasing the ability to "tell a story" as they are most famous for doing. The 2005 Regiment took the bronze medal on Finals night, finishing in 3rd place with a score of 96.825. The corps also won the Spirit of Disney award for award for design creativity, innovation and performance excellence, a first in corps history.

For 2006, its 50th Aniversary, Phantom returned to its classical repertoire, this time playing on the theme of "Faust," the age-old story of the battle of good and evil. It played Prokofiev's "Scythian Suite" as the opener, an incredibly emotional "Ave Maria" as its ballad (Biebel version), which featured the entire trumpet line wielding baritones for the "monk effect", and finished it off with Corigliano's "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra" and a stirring closer of Mahler's "Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (The Resurrection)," along with quotes from Phantom Phavorites such as "Fire of Eternal Glory" and "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral."

To further the emotion of the story, the uniforms were slightly altered mid-season to fit the storyline: all the capes were changed to white, and one side of the corps' baldrics was the familiar black sequins, but were flipped to solid white baldrics after Margeruite's resurrection during the Mahler. Also, as with last year, the color guard featured male characters: six this time, one as Faust, one as the Devil, and the others as Mephistopleles. The show was a crowd favorite, taking 2nd place with a score of 96.850, just passing the Blue Devils on Finals night.

The 2006 Phantom Regiment percussion line proved to be the key to Regiment's highest Finals placing since 1996's shared championship with the Blue Devils as the Phantom percussion took the Fred E. Sanford High Percussion award, with a score of 19.7 out of a possible 20.

In late August 2006, Rick Valenzuela was named to the newly created position of executive director of Phantom Regiment.

The 2007 Phantom Regiment program was appropriately titled "On Air", and featured the music Vespertine Formations by Christopher Deane, 1000 Airplanes on the Roof by Philip Glass, Flower Duet from Lakme by Leo Delibes, Suggestion Diabolique by Sergei Prokofiev, and Firebird by Igor Stravinsky. The corps finished in 4th place at DCI finals, held at the Rose Bowl in California--a first in DCI history.

In 2008, the goals and dreams of all Phantom Regiment members, alumni, instructional staff, support staff, and fans once again came true. Regiment's program, "Spartacus", won 1st place at DCI finals. This truly marked a historical occasion for the corps, as it was their first outright win in the history of the corps and Drum Corps International. Phantom once again took home the Fred E. Sanford High Percussion award, the High General Effect award, and the Spirit of Disney Award for the second time. "Spartacus" featured the music: Ein Heldenleben by Richard Strauss, Various selections from Spartacus by Aram Khachaturian, Toccata from Piano Concert No. 1 by Alberto Ginastera, Dance of Ecstasy from Danses Fantastiques by Loris Tjeknavorian, and Battlefield from KA (Cirque Du Soleil) by Rene Dupere.

The 2008 show quickly became a crowd favorite throughout the summer, with the emotionally gripping tale of Spartacus, his fellow slaves, and his precious love. Especially on Finals Night, it was clear that Phantom Regiment's Spartacus touched the hearts of the entire Drum Corps community and fans. The energy and ecstatic shouts of "Regiment" and "I AM SPATACUS" filled the stadium in Bloomington, IN throughout Finals Week. As scores were announced on Finals Night (August 9, 2009), a tense excitement could be felt in the air. Brandt Crocker, the "official voice of DCI", began announcing the top six corps' and throughout the stadium, the crowd continued getting quieter and quieter. "In fifth place...fourth place...third place" was announced, and the intensity continued growing. Mr. Crocker then announced "Recieving the Silver medal tonight, with a score of 98.1....9, 8, point 1.....(long pause).....BLUE DEVILS". The crowd erupted in a massive explosion of celebration, as Phantom Regiment was just deemed the winner of 2008 DCI Finals. The real surprise came with the announcement of Phantom's score: 98.125--the closest margin EVER in DCI history between first and second place finalists.

[edit] The Mission

The Phantom Regiment is a youth organization dedicated to the development of self-esteem and self-reliance. It encourages team work, sportsmanship, civic pride and contributions of one's personal best to a group effort. These lessons are learned through a musical and marching activity in which there is a blending of the arts and athletics.

[edit] Shows by year

1. REDIRECT Expand list

[edit] 1970

• Repertoire:
  • Traces
  • It's A Long Way To Tipperary
  • My Buddy (I'll See You In My Dreams)
  • Over There
  • Camelot
  • If I Would Ever Leave You (from Camelot)
  • Alabama Jubilee

[edit] 1972

• Competed in Drum Corps International
• Repertoire (partial):
  • Poet And Peasant Overture
  • Theme from The Addams Family
• Placement: 23rd
• Score: 64.40

[edit] 1973

• Competed in Drum Corps International
• Repertoire:
  • Night On Bald Mountain
  • The Lord's Prayer
  • MacArthur Park
  • Poet And Peasant Overture
  • Light Cavalry Overture
  • Jubilance
• Placement: 14th
• Score: 74.70

[edit] 1974

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Festive Overture
  • Symphony No. 5
  • Poet And Peasant Overture
  • Night On Bald Mountain
  • Romeo And Juliet
  • Les Preludes
• Placement: 11th
• Score: 76.25

[edit] 1975

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • American Overture
  • Hungarian Dance No. 5
  • Barber Of Seville
  • An American In Paris
  • Pilgrim's Chorus (from Tannhauser)
• Placement: 10th
• Score: 81.30

[edit] 1976

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Finale (from Symphony No. 7)
  • Symphony No. 6
  • Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
  • An American In Paris
  • Pilgrim's Chorus (from Tannhauser)
• Placement: 4th
• Score: 87.75

[edit] 1977

• DCI Open Class Silver Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • New World Symphony
  • Piano Conerto No. 1
  • Pagliacci
  • Flight Of The Bumblebee
  • Ode To Joy
• Placement: 2nd
• Score: 90.30

[edit] 1978

• DCI Open Class Silver Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • Firebird Suite
  • The Rite Of Spring
  • Petrouchka
  • Danse Infernale
  • Scherzo A La Russe
  • Piano Concerto In A Minor
  • Flight Of The Bumblebee
  • Ode To Joy
• Placement: 2nd
• Score: 91.45

[edit] 1979

• DCI Open Class Silver Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • Symphony No. 3
  • Malambo (from Estancia)
  • Piano Concerto In A
  • In The Hall Of The Mountain King (from Peer Gynt)
  • March Of The Dwarfs
  • Elsa's Procession To The Cathedral (from Lohengrin)
• Placement: 2nd
• Score: 92.75

[edit] 1980

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Russian Easter Overture
  • Romany Life
  • Polovetsian Dances (from Prince Igor)
  • Masquerade Overture
  • Carmen Overture
• Placement: 5th
• Score: 88.45

[edit] 1981

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Spartacus
    • Triumph Of Rome
    • Gladiator Fight
    • Dance Of The Rebels
    • Prelude To Battle
    • Battle
    • Sunrise And Apotheosis
• Placement: 5th
• Score: 90.85

[edit] 1982

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Spartacus
    • Triumph Of Rome
    • Slave Dance
    • Gladiator Fight
    • Mourning And Uprising
    • Prelude To Battle
    • Battle
    • Sunrise And Apotheosis
• Placement: 4th
• Score: 92.15

[edit] 1983

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Serenade For Strings
  • Cossack Dance
  • Dance Neopolitan
  • 1812 Overture
• Placement: 4th
• Score: 91.45

[edit] 1984

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Scythian Suite
  • Armenian Dances
  • Triptych
  • 1812 Overture
• Placement: 4th
• Score: 95.60

[edit] 1985

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Symphonie Fantastique
• Placement: 8th
• Score: 90.10

[edit] 1986

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Canrival Overture
  • Aborada Del Gracioso
  • Sir Lancelot
  • Merlin The Magician
  • Resurrection Symphony
• Placement: 10th
• Score: 85.00

[edit] 1987

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Songs for the Winter Palace
  • Swan Lake
  • The Nutcracker
• Placement: 5th
• Score: 94.30

[edit] 1988

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Romeo and Juliet
• Placement: 6th
• Score: 93.50

[edit] 1989

• DCI Open Class Silver Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • New World Symphony
• Placment: 2nd
• Score: 98.40

[edit] 1990

• DCI Open Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Dreams Of Desire
    • Fourth Movement (from Symphony No. 3)
    • The Elephant (from Carnival of Animals)
    • Finale (from Carnival of Animals)
    • Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah)
• Placment: 4th
• Score: 95.30

[edit] 1991

• DCI Open Class Bronze Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • Phantom Voices
    • Nessun Dorma (from Turandot)
    • Pagliacci
    • Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah)
• Placement: 3rd
• Score: 95.40

[edit] 1992

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • War and Peace
    • Marche Slave
    • La Marseillaise
    • 1812 Overture
• Placement: 8th
• Score: 91.50

[edit] 1993

• DCI Division I Bronze Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • The Modern Imagination
    • The Landworkers (from Estancia)
    • The Wheat Dance (from Estancia)
    • Danza Final (from Estancia)
    • The Fire Of Eternal Glory (from Novorossik Chimes for Orchestra)
    • Death Hunt (from On Dangerous Ground)
• Placement: 3rd
• Score: 96.20

[edit] 1994

• DCI Division I Bronze Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • Songs for a Summer Night
    • Ritual Fire Dance (from Estancia)
    • Suite Bergemeuse (Clair De Lune)
    • Talking Drums (from White Witch Doctor)
    • North By Northwest
    • Death Hunt (from On Dangerous Ground)
• Placement: 3rd
• Score: 96.20

[edit] 1995

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Adventures Under a Darkened Sky
    • Symphonic Dances
    • Variation 18 (from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini)
    • Piano Concerto
    • Caprice Bohémien
• Placement: 5th
• Score: 94.10

[edit] 1996

• Drum Corps International World Champion (shared with the Blue Devils)
• Repertoire:
  • Defiant Heart: The Music of Dmitri Shostakovich
    • Fourth Ballet Suite
    • Second Movement (from Symphony No. 1)
    • Fourth Movement (from Symphony No. 5)
• Placement: 1st (tie)
• Score: 97.40

[edit] 1997

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • The Ring
    • Hagen's Call To The Clan (from Götterdämmerung)
    • Magic Fire Music (from Die Walküre)
    • Hammering Of The Ring (from Das Rheingold)
    • Götterdämmerung
• Placement: 4th
• Score: 94.20

[edit] 1998

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Songs from the Eternal City...The Music of Rome
    • Roman Carnival Overture
    • Un Bel Di (from Madame Butterfly)
    • I Pini Di Villa Borghese (from )Pini di Roma
    • I Pini Della Via Appia (from Pini di Roma)
• Placement: 8th
• Score: 90.40

[edit] 1999

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Tragedy and Triumph
    • Symphony No. 4
    • Symphony No. 5
    • Symphony No. 6
• Placement: 8th
• Score: 91.20

[edit] 2000

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • The Masters of Mystique - The Dawn of Modern Music
    • Jeux
    • Petouchka
    • Transfigured Night
    • Rite Of Spring
• Placement: 7th
• Score: 90.65

[edit] 2001

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Virtuoso
    • Finale (from Concerto for Orchestra)
    • Game Of Pairs (from Concerto For Orchestra)
    • Festive Overture
• Placement: 6th
• Score: 91.90

[edit] 2002

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Heroic Sketches: The Passion of Shostakovich
    • Second Movement (from Symphony No. 10)
    • Second Movement (from Piano Concerto No. 2)
    • First Movement (from Piano Concerto No. 2)
    • Fourth Movement (from Symphony No. 7)
• Placement: 5th
• Score: 92.40

[edit] 2003

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Harmonic Journey
    • Canon In D
    • Sanctus
    • Wild Nights (from Harmonium)
    • The Lord's Prayer (from King of Kings)
    • Ostinato (from Mikrocosmos)
• Placement: 4th
• Score: 94.75

[edit] 2004

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Apasionada 874
    • Buenos Aires Hora Cero
    • La Muerte Del Ángel
    • Oblivion
    • Imagenes 676
    • Adios Nonino
    • Tres Minutos Con La Realidad
• Placement: 5th
• Score: 95.375

[edit] 2005

• DCI Division I Bronze Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • Rhapsody
    • Rhapsody In Blue
    • An American In Paris
• Placement: 3rd
• Score: 96.825

[edit] 2006

• DCI Division I Silver Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • Faust
    • Scythian Suite
    • Ave Maria
    • Piano Concerto
    • Resurrection Symphony
• Placement: 2nd
• Score: 96.850

[edit] 2007

• DCI Division I Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • On Air
    • Vespertine Formations
    • 1,000 Airplanes On The Roof
    • Flower Duet (from Lakmé)
    • Suggestion Diabolique
    • Firebird Suite
• Placement: 4th
• Score: 94.850

[edit] 2008

• Drum Corps International World Champion
• Repertoire:
  • SPARTACUS
    • Spartacus
    • Ein Heldenleben
    • Battlefield (from KA)
    • Dance of Ecstasy from (Danses Fantastiques)
    • Toccata (from Piano Concerto No. 1)
• Placement: 1st
• Score: 98.125

[edit] 2009

• DCI World Class Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • The Red Violin
    • The Red Violin
    • Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Paganini
    • Paganini Variations
    • Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
    • Caprice XXIV Paganini
    • Paganini Variations
• Placement: 9th
• Score: 89.900

[edit] 2010

• Recipient of Fred G. Sanford Award for Best Percussion (1st Place-Percussion)
• Repertoire:
  • Into the Light
    • The New Moon in the Old Moon's Arms
    • Band of Brothers: Suite Two (Instrumental)
• Placement: 6th
• Score: 93.150

[edit] Traditions

[edit] Conductor's Baton

Every year, an integral part of Phantom Regiment's performance is the dramatic act of the primary conductor removing his or her baton from its sheath located on the back of the uniform.

[edit] SUTA

At a certain point during everyday rehearsals, the members of Phantom Regiment are initiated into the corps family. Part of this initiation is the sharing of several key concepts that the corps has long held. Among these are individual section traditions, and the famous full corps "slogan," SUTA.

Many ideas have been given in speculation over SUTA's supposed meaning. Some think of it as an acrostic of sorts, while others try to identify its characteristic as a word or statement said in pop culture or the study of the origin of the word itself. Two popular ideas held by fans is that it spells out a statement of defiant enthusiasm and contains vulgarity - which obviously would reflect poorly on the corps, it's members, and staff. Others believe in the theory that it started in the 70s after the lyrics to the popular Queen song "Another One Bites the Dust".

Many parents and fans have been led to believe that it is an acronym signifying "STRENGTH, UNITY, TOGETHERNESS, ALWAYS!" This explanation, while true to the esprit de corps found in the Regiment, can hardly account for the defiant enthusiasm heard in the voices of those who give the cry.

Either way, fans will remain speculative as the Regiment's SUTA remains a highly mysterious drum corps artifact.

[edit] Corps Song

The corps does not have an official corps song, however, three pieces have served that role over the years: "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral from Lohengrin" by Richard Wagner "Fire of Eternal Glory" by Shostakovich "Amazing Grace" Traditional

[edit] Trivia

• In 2009 the corps broke the record for the biggest fall of a world champion when they dropped from 1st in 2008 to 9th in 2009

• Corps Colors: White, Black and Red. 2000-2002 PR went back to it's roots with white pants, black/red baldric, and khaki Jacket. This was in reference to the Rudyard Kipling book (The Lost Legion) describing the British-Indian army (dressed in khaki and white) that was lost for days only to re-appear through a foggy mist, becoming a phantom regiment.

• Before taking the position at PR, Pat Seidling was corps director of Southwind.

• The 2001 corps members, having placed in the esteemed "Top 6" were excited not only for the Finals placement, but because the corps' Finals performance would be featured in the DCI Finals DVD. DCI began producing Finals in DVD format in 2000, but only for the top 6 corps. The mantra of the 2001 members (besides "Get Better Every Day") was "FINALS DVD!" However, in 2001, DCI began featuring the entire Top Twelve Finalist performances. Regardless, it made for an interesting motivation!

• The tuba lords Pat Sheridan and Sam Pilafian work with the corps and PR was the first corps to adopt 'The Breathing Gym' method.

• The plumes on the pith helmets are genuine ostrich feathers.

• Jim Wren was the primary brass arranger for 32 consecutive years (68-99).

• Nine-time DCM (Drum Corps Midwest) Champions.

• In their 33 (1974-2006) consecutive DCI Championship Finals appearances, Phantom Regiment has an average finish of 4.9th place.

• The only corps with a longer consecutive record is Santa Clara Vanguard, and Regiment is tied with Blue Devils for the 2nd longest run of finals apearances.

• Scored above a 90 all but 5 of those 33 years.

• Placed in "Top 6" 25 of 33 years.

• Placed in "Top 4" 17 of 33 years.

• Has taken 2nd place 5 times.

• Has won the DCI title twice. The first win came in 1996, tying with the Blue Devils. The second (and first-outright win) came in 2008.

• Phantom Regiment has never placed 12th at DCI Finals.

• The Phantom Regiment organization featured a cadet corps from 1965-1999 (also known as the Forest City Rangers in '67 and the Phantom Legion in the '90s) and a pre-cadet training corps in the late '80s.

[edit] Sponsors

• King Ultimate Marching Brass
• Remo Drumheads
• Dynasty Percussion
• Rockford Register-Star
• Zildjian cymbals
• PG Display, Merchandising Services
• Beef-A-Roo
• Innovative Percussion

[edit] External Links

• Phantom Regiment: Official website
• DCI Telecast Intro
• DCI Introductory Video from Tour of Champions