Raiders

From DrumCorpsWiki

The Raiders are a junior drum corps based in Wayne, New Jersey, located less than 20 miles from midtown Manhattan. They mostly have competed in DCI Division III their 18-year history, where they are 11 time Finalists, 2001 Silver Medalist, 2005 World Champions, and 2006 Bronze Medalist. From 1993 to 1995, and again in 2007, the corps competed in Division II. The corps finished 6th in Division II with a spot in Finals. In 2008 the corps competed in the new DCI Open Class and finished 9th with another spot in Finals.

Contents 1 History 2 Mission 3 Uniform 4 Techniques 5 Shows by year 5.1 1991 5.2 1992 5.3 1993 5.4 1994 5.5 1995 5.6 1996 5.7 1997 5.8 1998 5.9 1999 5.10 2000 5.11 2001 5.12 2002 5.13 2003 5.14 2004 5.15 2005 5.16 2006 5.17 2007 5.18 2008 6 Traditions 6.1 Corps Songs 6.2 Finals Traditions 6.3 Raideroni 6.4 Post- and Pre-show Traditions 6.5 Rehearsals 6.6 Deaf Camp 6.7 Death Camp Meal Themes 6.8 "They're always ready!" 6.9 "Do you know why?" 7 The Corps Song 8 Trivia 9 External Links

[edit] History

The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1990. Originally meant to be akin to the return of the Bayonne Bridgemen, the corps has since come into its own and its current identity is much unlike the Bridgemen. They mostly competed in Drum Corps East Shows, although they did compete in the US Open Championships, in their inaugural season, 1991. They made their first appearance at the DCI World Championships in Madison, Wisconsin in 1992. The corps competed in Division II the next three years. After a disastrous 1995 season, rumors abounded that the corps would fold. They made a surprising comeback, however, and 1996 would be their breakout season, making Division III Finals for the first time, finishing in seventh place. They would be Drum Corps International Semi or Grand Finalists another 10 times, including winning the bronze medal in 2006, the silver in 2001, losing to the Blue Stars by five hundredths of a point, and finally winning their first DCI Division III Championship in 2005.

Another example of the corps resilience is the 2000 and 2001 seasons. In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd, by then downgraded to a tropical storm, pummeled New Jersey with heavy rains. Lodi, which was the corps's base of operations at the time, was completely flooded. The flooding damaged all of the corps's equipment and left their food truck completely unusable. That following January, then-Executive Director Karen Leffler resigned. The corps was left with badly damaged equipment and was in debt. Although this situation would completely cripple most organizations, the corps still managed a complete season, placing 12th at DCI Division III Prelims. There was much turnover that fall, but even with a corps that was at least 80% rookies, the Raiders still managed to come within five hundredths of a point of their first Division III World Championship the following year.

In 2005, the corps captured their first gold medal in Division III with their show "Jesus Christ Superstar". The Raiders finished with the 2nd highest score in Division III history at the time, an 88.8.

In their 2006 season, The Raiders once again overcame odds to complete a full season. Around mid-April, one bass player and one tenor player quit, as well as the entire snareline with the exception of one member. The drumline cycled through several last-minute fill ins before settling with a 3-member snareline, knocked down from the original 6. The 10 man drumline consisted of 2 veterans. The hornline also lost a lead trumpet early in the season, leaving a rookie to stand in for the position. Members also suffered through a broken down truck and numerous practice cancelations due to lack of housing. In addition, the corps found themselves once again without a drum major. The primary drum major had to leave on a family emergency when a veteran from the previous year filled in the spot until after the corps' Death Camp (week of rehearsals directly preceding tour, where they "work the show to death," hence the name). Even the elements seemed against them when the Raiders were forced to outrun a hurricane while in Canada. However, 2006 proved to be a meetable challenge, as the corps went undefeated and in 1st place until their western tour and finished with a bronze medal in Division III, as well as hornline member Steven Benkhe taking 1st place in Individual and Ensemble competition for mellophone.

In 2007, the corps has decided to return to Division II for the first time since 1995. The Raiders fielded a strong Division II corps of 79 members. The corps finished 6th with an 84.40 and earned a spot in Grand Finals.

[edit] Mission

From the Raiders website: "The mission of the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps is to provide young adults, ages 14 –21, from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, with musical, educational and character-building experiences through the vehicle of the performing arts.

The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps, founded in 1990, is a nationally competitive drum & bugle corps, based in Wayne, NJ. As a non-profit 501c(3) Organization, The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps was founded with one primary goal; to afford any young adult the opportunity to march in a world class drum corps. The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps guarantees an experience to young adults unlike any other in the performing arts. Here they can combine the intellect of artistic and musical virtues with the achievement and excellence of athletic prowess. The benefits of being a Raider transcend competitive success. They build life enhancing skills and self-confidence that will assist them throughout their adult life. They will be better citizens, employees, students, parents, and friends because of all they learn."

[edit] Uniform

• The current Raiders uniform has been in use since 1998. It consists of a blue jacket with a black and white sash from the right shoulder to the left underarm. The members also wear a black shako with a white feather plume. Raiders also wear black pants and plain black marching shoes, as well as white gloves and a set of gauntlets that are white with black trim.

• The Drum Major wears a black jacket as well as black pants, shoes, shako, and plume. The gauntlets have blue trim instead of black. The sash is black and blue instead of white and black.

[edit] Techniques

• The corps marches with rolled heel technique, stepping off with the left foot. The Raiders use a loose version of straight-leg technique.

• The snareline plays with traditional grip, stressing the importance of firm grip on the stick. The tenor line playes matched grip as well. The bassline stresses fulcrum and flow with all strokes, keeping the focal point between the thumb and second knuckle of the index finger while keeping a liberal grip with the other fingers. All members of the drumline are told to play with high velocity and instensity, regardless of dynamic volume.

[edit] Shows by year

[edit] 1991

• Repertoire:
  • Russian Sailor's Dance (from The Red Poppy)
  • Hymn To The Last Whale
  • Victory At Sea
• The corps did not perform at DCI World Championships

[edit] 1992

• DCI Division III
• Repertoire:
  • Victory At Sea
• Placement: 19th
• Score: 54.70

[edit] 1993

• DCI Division II
• Repertoire:
  • Queen
    • Who Wants To Live Forever
    • Flash Gordon
    • Bicycle Race
    • Bohemian Rhapsody
• Placement: 15th
• Score: 69.10

[edit] 1994

• DCI Division II
• Repertoire:
  • Jesus Christ Superstar
    • Overture
    • Heaven On Their Minds
    • I Don't Know How To Love Him
    • Simon Zealotes
    • Superstar
• Placement: 14th

Score: 74.40

[edit] 1995

• DCI Division II
• Repertoire:
  • A Chorus Line
    • I Hope I Get It
    • At The Ballet
    • Music And The Mirror
    • One
• Placement: 11th
• Score: 77.30

[edit] 1996

• DCI Division III Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Sidewalks Of New York
    • East Side, West Side
    • Take The "A" Train
    • Harlem Nocturne
    • Central Park
    • Autumn In New York
    • I'll Take Manhattan
• Placement: 7th
• Score: 79.00

[edit] 1997

• DCI Division III
• Repertoire:
  • It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
  • Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me
  • En Fuego
  • What A Wonderful World
  • Air Mail Special
• Placement: 16th
• Score: 79.50

[edit] 1998

• DCI Division III Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • A Winter Solstice
    • My Favorite Things (from The Sound Of Music)
    • Sometime In Winter
    • O Holy Night
    • Snow
• Placement: 8th
• Score: 81.50

[edit] 1999

• DCI Division III Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Trilogy Of Darkness
    • Complex City
    • Master Of Puppets
    • Jazzhattan Suite
    • Trilogy
    • Stampede
• Placement: 6th
• Score: 84.40

[edit] 2000

• DCI Division III
• Repertoire:
  • Traditions And Innovations
    • Bangkok
    • Wherever I May Roam
    • Piano Concerto No. 2, Mvmt. 1
    • Kashmir
    • Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
    • Terrapin Station
    • Sunrise
    • Fractured Mirror
• Placement: 12th
• Score: 80.75

[edit] 2001

• DCI Division III Silver Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • Pictures At An Exhibition
    • Promenade
    • Gnomus
    • Tuilleries
    • Catacombs
    • The Old Castle
    • The Hut On Hen's Legs
    • The Great Gate At Kiev
• Placement: 2nd
• Score: 88.50

[edit] 2002

• DCI Division III Semi-Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Balance
    • Festive Overture
    • Masque
    • Symphony No. 5, Mvmt IV
• Placement: 8th
• Score: 78.30

[edit] 2003

• DCI Division III Semi-Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Carmina Burana
• Placement: 5th
• Score: 81.50

[edit] 2004

• DCI Division III Finalist
• Repertoire:
  • Adams: A Sound Journey
    • Wild Nights (from Harmonium)
    • Short Ride In A Fast Machine
    • Harmonielehre, Mvmt. III
    • Fearful Symmetries
• Placement: 6th
• Score: 79.650

[edit] 2005

• DCI Division III Champion
• Repertoire:
  • Jesus Christ Superstar
    • Overture
    • Heaven On Their Minds
    • John 19:10
    • Garden Of Gethsemane
    • Simon Zealotes
    • Superstar
• Placement: 1st
• Score: 88.800

[edit] 2006

• DCI Division III Bronze Medalist
• Repertoire:
  • Coast To Coast
    • Awayday
    • Letter From Home
    • Strawberry Soup
• Placement: 3rd
• Score: 80.500

[edit] 2007

• DCI Division II Finalist
• Repertoire
  • West Side Story
    • Prologue
    • I Have A Love
    • Cool
    • One Hand, One Heart
    • Dance At The Gym/Mambo
    • Taunting Scene
    • Tonight
• Plaement: 6th
• Score: 84.400

[edit] 2008

• DCI Open Class
• Repertoire:
  • Deep Blue
    • A Perfect Storm
    • Original Music
• Placement: 9th
• Score: 86.250

[edit] Traditions

[edit] Corps Songs

• Before every performance, members and Director Tom Maiello huddle and sing the corps song, "One More Time," from the movie Sarafina.

• The corps listens to "Right Now" by Van Halen just before leaving their bus for every show. Select members, usually drum majors or age outs, will perform an impromptu dance to the first half of the song.

• Since 2001, while marching back to the equipment truck after most performances, members will sing themes from the video game Super Mario Bros., and since 2002 they have been singing the "chain gang" song.

[edit] Finals Traditions

• The corps has a traditional Thanksgiving dinner the night before their preliminary competition every year. The dinner is meant to symbolize appreciation towards the staff and members, as well as respect towards previous seasons who never made it past prelims.

• During Finals week, the corps holds a "Rookie Talent Night," as well as "Story Night," where the corps director and staff re-tells the history of the corps to all the members.

[edit] Raideroni

• A recurring meal, this has been a tradition for several years. Dubbed "Raideroni," it consists of ground beef, pasta sauce, and leftovers from the past few days. Raideroni is traditionally served with Raider Blue Gatorade.

[edit] Post- and Pre-show Traditions

• Just before warming up prior to a show, the drumline does 27 jumping jacks and performs what is reffered to as a "clap party.".

• When leaving each show, the corps sings traditional chants and songs passed down from previous years, beginning with a call-and-response based piece entitled "We're outta here!" This is followed by "The Progression" or "Ya Ho!", a pirate themed chant. Several others songs may or may not be sung. The songs originated from previous events and are occasionally used as inside jokes from one member to another.

[edit] Rehearsals

• The corps always rehearses with matching attire. Traditionally the brass and drumline will both have plain white shirts and different colored shorts, respective to their own sections. In death camp, the color guard has a new theme for each day of practice.

[edit] Deaf Camp

• Since 2002, the Raiders' "death camp" (a week of intensive, all-day rehearsals directly before leaving for tour, where they "work the show to death") has been held at the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf in Trenton, New Jersey. Because of the facility's main use, the camp has been affectionately renamed "Deaf Camp."

[edit] Death Camp Meal Themes

• During death camp, the support staff perpares a differently themed meal for every day. Themes range from "Mardi Gras" to "South Of The Border", as well as "Winter Wonderland" and "Happy Birthday" themes.

[edit] "They're always ready!"

• Just before beginning the show, when the announcer asks "Drum Major(s), is your corps ready?" a fan member, usually Joseph Kay, father of a color guard member and member of the support staff since 1999, will almost always reply "They're always ready!"

[edit] "Do you know why?"

• A standing cry at rehearsals and pre-show hype, this tradition started around 2006. Instructors will often end speeches with "This is the greatest corps in the world, and do you know why?" with which the corps responds back "Because we're the f___ing Raiders!" This is an inside joke and there is no cursing in uniform.

[edit] The Corps Song

The primary corps song, "One More Time", is sung in uniform by the corps members moments before taking the field. The song is used to influence and motivate the members, as well as bond and unify the corps. Members are inspired to remember all the effort that was put into the show to get them up to that point. The lyrics are as follows.

Don't look back / Don't be scared / We've got dreams and we're still young / Just think about how far we've come /

Think of all / We have shared / It's a wonder we survived / But here we are and we're alive /

Can we hold on, hold on? / Take a moment to celebrate / Now before we are gone / Take a moment to celebrate /

There's music in the wind / Let's dance one more time / There's a rhythm deep within / Let's dance one more time /

One more time / Sing a song / There's a power in our voices / Hopeful and strong /

Years from now / Somewhere down the line / We'll remember and we'll all sing / One more time

[edit] Trivia

• The Raiders are the first corps to use music of heavy metal band Metallica. In their 1999 show, Trilogy of Darkness, they featured the song "Master of Puppets."

• In 2001, the Raiders used homemade tenor drums during "The Old Castle."

• In 2006, the drumline discovered a large wooden log in their downtime during a rehearsal. The members dubbed it "Jamie", and the log was stored on the equiptment truck. There is no explanation to the connection (or if one exists) between "Jamie" and the bassline instructor, Jamie Szeinberg.

• In 2007 while running one morning, the Drumline discovered a severed foot (fake, of course) laying on the side of the road. They called it "a-foot" in reference to the many upbeat pickups in the show that the caption head would repeatedly demonstrate using the vocal "a-foot." The foot remains on the Raiders food truck.

• In 2007, Dave Caravella joined the brass/visual staff. Since sometime during that season, it has become popular within the hornline to quote him due to his enthusiasm and unusual interjections. An example of one of these quotes is "If you're fit, you'll have tits." ('fit' referring to feet in time and 'tits' referring to tongues in time)

• As of 2007, there have been 7 marriages as a result of meeting while being part of the Raiders Family.

George & Terri (Holmes) Lavelle, John & Cheryl (Philhower) Gillick, Shawn & Kathy (Czap) Leffler, Todd & Elise (Zimber) Bestreski, John & Erin (Osenenko) Porcaro, Steve & Cindi (Brito) Rodrigues, Joe & Ivanna (Gutierrez) Pepek

[edit] External Links

• Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps official web site