Cavaliers Design Team Sets Course for 2013

Friday, September 7th, 2012 - 5:37 PM
By Christopher Lugo

Unmatched, Life-Changing Educational Experience for our Members; Superior, State-of-the-Art Programming and Performance.

That's the charge from leadership as The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps begins its 65th anniversary season in 2013. Supporting this directive and setting the tone for the new year, The Cavaliers are proud to announce the 2013 Design Team, which includes the addition of drill designer Mitch Rogers and program advisor Alan Spaeth.

"The corps' board of directors and leadership are evaluating all aspects of the organization and taking important, positive steps forward," said corps director and president Adolph DeGrauwe. "We look to attract the best and brightest this fall, and as usual, our design team plays a critical role in building the Cavalier brand and experience to do exactly that."

"We're grateful to have a majority of the creative team returning, with some key adjustments moving into the upcoming season," said Scott Koter, who returns for his 15th year as program coordinator. The veteran design team will be meeting in the coming weeks to share inspirations and kickoff the summer program's development process. "Adding the experienced leadership of both Mitch and Alan (Spaeth) to the mix was an important step as we now begin charting the direction of the 2013 Cavaliers."

"I'm thrilled to return home to the corps where I marched, taught for many years, and learned much of what I know of visual design," said Rogers. "Reconnecting with the Cavalier brotherhood and collaborating with such a talented design team, which includes so many old friends and colleagues, makes this opportunity even more exciting."

Mitch Rogers

Rogers is well-known for his instructional, design and consulting experience in the U.S., Japan, Thailand and Singapore, including drill design with the trend-setting Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Marching Band and Aimachi Marching Band and Color Guard of Nagoya, Japan.

Rogers is an alumnus and former instructor of The Cavaliers, including two years as a marching member (1982-1983) and 11 years on staff (1984-1994). Rogers served as visual caption head from 1991 to 1993 and designed the drill in 1994. Rogers was also the Bluecoats drill designer from 2003-2008, and he wrote the drill for The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2007-2010.

Read more about drill designer Mitch Rogers.

Residing in Chicago, Ill., Spaeth is currently the visual designer of Flower Mound HS of Flower Mound, Texas, and Winston Churchill HS of San Antonio, Texas. He is a seasoned marching band and winter guard designer known for his creative, one-of-a-kind productions.

Alan Spaeth

Spaeth's experience also includes design leadership with Lakeland HS, Reeths Puffer HS, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Marching Band, Lincoln-Way East HS, and Lincoln-Way North HS.

"I'm honored to have the opportunity to work together again with some incredibly talented veterans of the activity, as well as with the group of young innovators involved with the corps," said Spaeth. "I am excited to see the unique product this blend of creative minds will develop for The Cavaliers."

Read more about program advisor Alan Spaeth.

Stepping into the role of visual coordinator, long-time instructor and designer Bart Woodley takes on a greater responsibility in this leadership position. "Drawing on his history with the corps and experience with many other world-class ensembles, Bart will help drive cohesion in all aspects of the visual design and instructional program," added Koter.

The corps will also draw on the skill and experience of its returning members of the design team, including visual designer Tommy Allen; percussion composer, arranger and caption supervisor Michael McIntosh; percussion composer, arranger and staff coordinator Alan Miller; brass composer and arranger Drew Shanefield; and visual designer Andrew Toth.

Read more about the full 2013 Design Team on Cavaliers.org.

While the 2013 concept is still in the works, fans are encouraged to keep any eye out for some tastes of what to expect in the near future.

"There's a sense of renewed energy and passion with the team as we head into the winter and build on the rich history and tradition of excellence here at The Cavaliers," Koter said. "Now is the time for prospective and eligible members to make the choice and commit to having an unforgettable Cavalier experience in 2013."

The Cavaliers' 2013 audition and membership information can be found here on Cavaliers.org.

Founded in 1948, The Cavaliers are one of the most successful drum and bugle corps in history, winning 20 national championships, including seven Drum Corps International world championships since 1992. Each summer, 150 male brass, percussion and color guard performers aged 16-22 present a marching music show considered among the most challenging and original in the world.

The group performs at more than 30 competitions across the US and for more than 100,000 fans. Along the way, the young men not only learn about music and performing, but have a life-changing experience based on excellence, teamwork and camaraderie.

The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization sponsored by The Village of Rosemont, Illinois.

Cavaliers.org