7th Regiment Newsletter 1.2

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SEPT.2014

7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps

New London, CTVolume 1.2

7thregiment.org

Volume 1.2 | September 2014

7TH REGIMENT ALUMNI ASSOC.Jamil Jorge President

Jonathan Miller Vice President

Christina Nadeau Secretary

Daniel Topping Treasurer

Rachel Timmons Fundraising

Erick Mancebo Communications

Lauramarie Rahusen Social Media

Bror Okerblom Alumni Relations

Send us an email and ask to join

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feedback, or to get more involved!

We send regulatr emails that include

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and more!

For more information, check out

7thregiment.org! There, you can

find recent news and rehearsal

schedules, staff biographies,

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Surfer’s Alumni Association

Attn: 7th Alumni

P.O. Box 64

New London, CT 06320

[email protected]

Copyright 2014

@7thRegiment

/7thRegiment

7thregiment.org —Tim Rall

Reflections from the Director, Tim Rall

We had great success on the field this year, placing fifth in open class and making semifinals in world class for the first time in our history. We also gained some new fans through our exciting performances in Drumline Battle. 7th Regiment continues to gain the respect of the drum corps community as an up-and-coming force in the activity. As an organization, we have a lot to be proud of. The hard work and diligence of the members and staff has reaped great rewards. We also made great strides behind the scenes with the help of our many dedicated volunteers and supporters. We added a new trailer to our fleet, which alleviated a lot of the congestion on the equipment truck. We purchased a refurbished semi-trailer that will replace the equipment truck next season. The newly established Golf Tournament will prove to be a good fundraiser in the coming years. We gained some “people power” this year also - new volunteers, some in the form of 7th Regiment Alumni, who are essential to the future success of the corps. All in all, it was a great season! We traveled thousands of miles safely, worked together, made lasting friendships, enjoyed some great performances, and had a lot of fun along the way!

Jamil Jorge

Erick Mancebo NEWSLETTER STAFF

7thregiment.org


While it would be impossible to acknowledge every person who has contributed to the organization, the 7th Regiment would like to thank some of its major benefactors of the 2014 season. Thank you for your donations which without, 7th Regiment would not have been able to find such success this year.

Casavant, Mary AnnFraser, SusanHage, MounirJohnson, MartyMarchesiani, PaulMastronunzio, AndrewMcKinney, MartinO’Neil, TimothySingh, ArminderDenison, George GrantsLiberty BankFrank Loomis Palmer FoundationSoutheastern Connecticut Com-munity Foundation

Benefactors:

2015Open House

Register online at 7thregiment.org for the 2015 season! Ages 14-21 are welcome, and no experience is necessary. There will be information sessions for parents and prospective members, and all members will have the opportunity to work with our wonderful staff and perform for each other and parents at the end of the open house! Keep on the the lookout for audition camp dates in December! More information

can be found online at 7thregiment.org.

7thregiment.org

You’re on in five.

Open house. Sunday Nov. 2312-5pm

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, New London, CT

7thregiment.org


2014 Score Report:

June 28th, 2014Jackson, NJ1. 7th Regiment / 55.3002. Raiders / 47.4 June 29th, 2014Lawrence, MA1. Spartans / 61.9002. 7th Regiment / 60.800 July 2, 2014New Haven, CTRained Out July 3, 2014Bristol, RI1. 7th Regiment / 61.3002. Spartans / 60.000 July 5, 2013Lynn, MA1. 7th Regiment / 64.4002. Spartans / 62.400 July 19, 2014Manchester, NH1. 7th Regiment / 75.5001. Spartans / 75.5003. Legends / 72.6004. Racine Scouts / 60.4005. Les Stentors / 60.100 July 24, 2014Johnsonburg, PA1. Spartans / 71.9002. 7th Regiment / 70.3003. Genesis / 69.5004. Legends / 68.7005. Raiders / 62.9006. Coastal Surge / 59.8007. Les Stentors / 51.500 July 26, 2014Paw Paw, MI1. Vanguard Cadets / 73.4002. 7th Regiment / 70.2003. Genesis / 69.850

4. Legends / 67.5005. Raiders / 61.5506. Coastal Surge / 59.3507. Les Stentors / 55.600 July 29, 2014Troy, MI1. Vanguard Cadets / 74.8502. Genesis / 72.3003. 7th Regiment / 71.2504. Legends / 67.7005. Raiders / 63.6006. Coastal Surge / 60.050 August 2, 2014Avon Lake, OH1. Vanguard Cadets / 77.5252. Genesis / 74.4503. 7th Regiment / 73.4754. Legends / 70.2755. Raiders / 65.5256. Coastal Surge / 63.4757. Les Stentors / 59.650 August 4, 2014Michigan City, INOpen Class Prelims1. Blue Devils B / 80.8252. Vanguard Cadets / 80.0503. Spartans / 76.8754. Genesis / 75.9255. 7th Regiment / 75.2756. Gold / 73.7257. Music City / 72.8258. Legends / 72.4009. Raiders / 67.90010. Colt Cadets / 65.17511. Coastal Surge / 64.57512. Les Stentors / 60.85013. Racine Scouts / 58.85014. Blue Saints / 50.075 August 5, 2014Michigan City, INOpen Class Finals1. Blue Devils B / 82.6502. Vanguard Cadets / 81.6503. Genesis / 77.900

4. Spartans / 77.0255. 7th Regiment / 75.6006. Gold / 74.1257. Legends / 73.6758. Music City / 72.9759. Raiders / 69.10010. Colt Cadets / 66.00011. Coastal Surge / 65.02512. Les Stentors / 61.275 August 7, 2014Indianapolis, INWorld Class Prelims17. Oregon Crusaders / 81.05018. Blue Devils B / 80.80019. Pacific Crest / 79.37520. Vanguard Cadets / 79.30021. Mandarins / 77.75022. Jersey Surf / 75.55023. Genesis / 75.17524. Spartans / 74.47525. 7th Regiment / 72.35026. Cascades / 72.25027. Music City / 71.57528. Gold / 71.25029. Legends / 71.00030. Pioneer / 68.850 August 8, 2014Indianapolis INWorld Class Semi-Finals15. Blue Devils B / 82.32516. The Academy / 81.87517. Spirit of Atlanta / 81.55018. Vanguard Cadets / 80.20019. Oregon Crusaders / 80.10020. Pacific Crest / 78.90021. Mandarins / 78.15022. Jersey Surf / 75.80023. Genesis / 74.07524. Spartans / 74.05025. 7th Regiment / 71.475 Final Caption Scores25. General Effect / 28.2523. Visual Proficiency / 15.1025. Visual Analysis / 13.9025. Color Guard / 13.70

25. Visual Total / 21.3522. Music Brass / 15.0025. Music Analysis / 14.6025. Music Percussion / 14.1524. Music Total / 21.875 August 6, 2014Indianapolis, INDCI Performer’s Showcase(Formerly I&E Competition)

Snare – Philip Andrews1. Blue Devils / 96.502. Blue Devils B / 93.003. Blue Devils B / 92.504. Blue Devils / 92.005. Madison Scouts / 90.006. Madison Scouts / 89.007. Blue Devils B / 88.508. Troopers / 83.509. Troopers / 82.5010. Racine Scouts / 81.5011. 7th Regiment / 80.50 Dance – Meena Khayami1. Blue Knights / 97.002. Blue Devils B / 96.003. 7th Regiment / 95.64. Jersey Surf / 94.505. Blue Devils B / 93.006. Blue Devils B / 91.507. Oregon Crusaders / 90.008. Pioneer / 83.509. Blue Saints / 77.50 Vocal Ensemble – Major 7th(Cedar Hayes, Yovana Karakitukova, Maddy Ventresca, Michael Vita, Ryan Jobe, Jonathan Bailey, Michael Zajac)1. Blue Devils / 97.002. 7th Regiment / 95.63. Madison Scouts / 93.804. Blue Stars / 91.00 August 9, 2014SoundSport IndianapolisDrumline BattleIndianapolis, IN

This year, Drum Corps International decided that all corps would be judged on world class sheets, all the while maintaining the world and open class distinctions. This predictably showed lower starting scores for open class corps, as well as “inflated” scores when compared to world class counterparts. Nevertheless, 7th Regiment showed steady

improvement throughout the season, finishing fifth in Open Class Championships and, for the first time in corps history, earning the well deserved twenty-fifth performing slot at World Class Semifinals! The 7th Regiment organization is also proud to say that the brassline earned its highest scores ever, placing 3rd in Open Class and 22nd in World Class!

7thregiment.org


Age-out Spotlights

I learned to play trombone so that I could join the UConn Marching Band. The UCMB included many 7th Regiment members and alumni who impressed me with their perseverance, camaraderie, and spirit, as well as their stellar marching skills. I was simultaneously intrigued and baffled by their love for an organization that rehearsed non-stop in the punishing heat. But, once I finally got to see a drum corps show in person (New Haven, 2013), I got a sense of the appeal behind the activity, and with that came the realization that I only had one more summer of eligibility to do it myself.

Next thing I knew, I was in a crowded band room full of brass players attempting to match pitch with a drone for what I can only assume was the first time since August. However, the bitter taste of a December brass line was soon replaced with the tremendous improvement we felt by the end of the weekend. As the winter camps continued, I felt my playing and my physical condition improve, and I also sensed the increased energy level of the group, but I was still underwhelmed by the whole experience. Playing whole notes, running back to my set, being criticized for minor infractions . . . is that what drum corps is all about? But as spring turned into summer and

Glen UllmanRedding, CTUniversity of Connecticut, Music Education with Viola ConcentrationBaritone, 2014 “Rook-Out”

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the corps began living together, I felt a change not just in our playing ability, but in our sense of purpose. With each performance, we felt a greater need to iron out the details of our show and put out a product that is highly effective all the time. With that goal in mind, rehearsals became less of a grind and more of an opportunity. And as we walked into the stadium for the last time knowing exactly how our show was going to turn out, we knew we had achieved our goal for the season.

This year, I am continuing at UConn as a graduate student in education, and I am also a trombone section leader in marching

band. My experience with 7th Regiment has completely changed my approach to rehearsals. Instead of worrying so much about my own technique, music, and drill, I now devote more energy to building a cohesive team and helping the less experienced members gain confidence, just as the older members did for me not long ago. 7th Regiment gave me the teaching tools to help lead the section, along with the confidence to know that anything is possible with enough physical and mental effort. I wish the members of 7th Regiment the best of luck as they build the best corps yet in 2015!

7thregiment.org


Age-out Spotlights (cont.)

I spent three summers marching with 7th Regiment. Each summer was a growing experience. Three years ago, I joined 7th Regiment as a weird, quiet kid who was nervous about just being himself. Three years later, I’m still weird, but I’m less afraid to express myself and I’ve really come out of my shell. I’ve become part of a great family that I get to be around for years

to come. More importantly, 7th Regiment taught me to push my limits, and that I can do anything I set my mind to. Outside of 7th Regiment, I study Computer Science at Western Connecticut State University and I work at my local Big Y. Because of 7th, I’ve applied the lessons to my schoolwork and my job, with outstanding results.

Kyle ConradNew Milford, CTWestern Connecticut State University, Computer ScienceTrumpet, 2012-2014

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I started marching 7th Regiment in 2010 and since then, I have been in love with the program. And

after 5 years of marching, 7th made history which I am very proud to say I was a part of.

They have been my rock, my powerhouse and the only place where I felt like I truly belong. I’ve learned many life lessons with this corps and I know I’ll always have a connection and

a lifelong friendship with the people I marched with side by side. This corps has made a huge contribution towards who I am today and it has definitely shown me that limitations are only mental; that I DO have the strength to do “one more rep.” I’ll always have this sisterhood and brotherhood with me forever, wherever life may take me. “For we shall rise as one, my corps, our regiment.”

Yovana KarakitukovaSouth Portland, MEUniversity of Southern Maine, Elementary EducationColorguard, 2010-2014

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7thregiment.org


Age-outSpotlights (cont.)

The time spent at 7th Regiment was probably one of the most constructive ways I could’ve spent my summers. Before I even marched with the Regiment I had done marching band in high school and absolutely loved it. I do have to make a shout out to my older brother, however, because without him I might never have done drum corps. One day he was flipping through the channels and came across what she thought was marching band on the TV. He immediately popped a tape into the VCR and started recording because he knew I liked marching band so much. Turns out what he actually recorded was my first experience watching drum corps. I wanted to learn more about the activity and after doing so I searched online for drum corps in the immediate area that I could possibly have a shot at joining. One of the drum corps that stood out to me was the 7th Regiment, and I found out all the information that I could before attempting to join.

That’s how it all started, and this past season was a culmination of everything that I had been working on for the past six years. And now looking back at it all, the tour fees were such a miniscule detail. The valuable friendships, relationships, and life lessons learned simply because of this activity severely outweigh all of the

Michael VitaNew Milford, CTCentral Connecticut State University,Music Education with Trumpet ConcentrationTrumpet, ‘09-’14, Trumpet Section Leader‘10-’14, First Ever 7th Regiment Screamer (‘14)

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money that I dished out to be a part of this organization.

For six years I always asked myself why people got so emotional at the end of the season. What was it that made people get so upset, cry, and not let each other go? I couldn’t understand it. And each year when I would watch the age-outs go through everything mentioned above, I would always wonder if I was ever going to feel the same way when it came to that point. The next thing I knew, I was kneeling in the last set of the closer of my age-out year and I was bawling my eyes out. I had truly left everything out on the field, I had done everything that was expected of

me. I had used all of my training that my fantastic instructors had given me for six years. The emotion that I felt after our final performance of the season is going to be a feeling that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I am truly blessed to have been part of the something so amazing, and I know that this organization will continue to thrive, get bigger, get better, and continue to force the world and all who question it know who the 7th Regiment is.

I love you all, and thank you so much for the best moments of my life.

My Corps, Our Regiment.


Open Class Director of the Year

We would like to congratulate our Director, Tim Rall, on being chosen Outstanding Director of the Year by his fellow Open Class Directors.

Tim’s Dedication to 7th Regiment is reflected in all aspects of the corps. On any given day, Tim can be found building new shelving for equipment, helping prepare a meal, working with instructional

staff or encouraging a member. His willingness to listen to new ideas to help mold the corps for the future while maintaining the feel of a traditional corps contributes to the overall success of the corps. Our

gratitude for the endless volunteer hours he has dedicated to bring our corps to where we are today in our 11th season is immeasurable. Tim’s

love of drum corps and the many young people whose lives he has touched can be seen in the love, admiration, and respect that former

and current members have for him. It was best said by members before 2014 Open Class Championships, “We love you Mr. Rall!”

7thregiment.org


#7for7th Food Drive

The #7for7th food drive, held during the family & friends show in July, was a major success! We collected

884 lbs of canned goods and donated them to the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London, CT. Thank you to everyone who

contributed, and we look forward to next years food drive! Same time, same place!

All are invited to celebrate 7th Regiment’s most successful season yet!

When: October 19, 2014Time: 1:00 pm - 6:00 pmLocation: Port ‘N Starboard (Ocean Beach Park)

1125 Ocean Ave.New London, CT 06320

Cost: $25/Person

Free to 2014 members in good financial standing

RSVP: October 9, 2014(860) [email protected]

Payment: via Paypal (7thregiment.org) or Checks made payable to “SAA”

Mailing address:Surfers Alumni AssociationPO Box 64New London, CT 06320

2014 Banquet!

Ray Fallon Jr. has been with the 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps since 2009, and has decided to step down after the 2014 season . For five of the six years Ray spent

with the corps, he served as brass caption head, bringing the brass line to its 2014 all-time high 3rd place finish in open class competition. Before 7th, Ray marched trumpet

with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps (Boston, MA) from 1995-1999 & 2001-2004 (nine years!), and afterwards became a visual instructor of his home corps from 2008-2010. Currently, he is continuing his education in music at the University

of Massachusetts Boston. Ray Fallon has been a fundamental piece to the growth and success of the 7th Regiment, and we are honored to have him as part of our family.

From Ray Fallon, Brass Caption Head


uring the summer of 2008, I was on staff for the Boston Crusaders, a corps that I

had called home for much of my childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. On staff with me that summer was one of my closest friends from my marching days, Steve Lyons. Steve and I would often talk on the bus and during our free time about the work he was doing as show coordinator for this up-and-coming group from New London. After that season, Steve asked for my help in the development of the 7th Regiment. I jumped at the opportunity to contribute, mainly because it gave me the opportunity to teach brass playing. Little did I realize that what was birthed from those initial conversations with Steve would be six years of an amazing relationship to an organization that became another family of mine.

I remember my first rehearsal in 2009 like it was yesterday, most notably the sight of the sign on the school notifying me that people were not joking around about the name of the school. The drum corps showed a lot to me that year, first by not making any excuses for itself being young and small, but also for enduring the pain of losing a great staff member and friend in Andrew Gerke. That corps pushed relentlessly and wore AG on its sleeves with great pride and respect. It’s fair to say that I fell in love that year.

The following season I became Brass Caption Head. As Brass Caption Head, my overarching goal was to create a culture that all involved could flourish as musicians and be accountable to each other as teammates. I was responsible for putting the best possible educators in front of the students at all times, for always having a plan that would set our students up for effective rehearsal and peak performances, and for always showing up and always personally

giving my best energy and effort to reciprocate my expectations of our members and fellow staff. I never stopped trying to grow as a leader or musician during my time with 7th and found that while I was working to make each member the best version of themselves, the organization allowed me to continually find something within myself that I didn’t know was there.

It became a tradition of ours at the end of every season to spend some of our final moments together reflecting on our favorite moments of the year. This was always a difficult task because I was proud of not just our successes but also with our growth through the tough times. There are amazing memories that are cemented in my memory that stand out though: The corps coming together and singing “Chester” together for the first time following the passing of Andrew Gerke; being there with the corps when it was announced we made Open Class Finals for the first time; watching the 2010 corps practice the finale of the show for the first time at 208 bpm and thinking, “Are we freakin’ nuts?”; and then watching the corps take that moment and own it for the next four months; rehearsing the end of the closer in the pouring rain late at night in 2011, then hearing one of my favorite judges scream into her tape recorder in glee the next day when we nailed that moment; feeling frustrated around March in 2012 because our brass numbers in three months had dwindled from the mid 40’s to low 20’s, then watching the people that remained at music ensemble that Saturday night absolutely on fire and thinking to myself that I needed to quit my moping and embrace an amazing opportunity; watching that same corps perform with complete control in torrential downpour at the family day performance; watching that brass line of 21 do a mixed encore performance

with the 64 member SCVC brass line, asking them afterwards if they felt small out there, then informing them that they had just beaten that behemoth line in brass; seeing the larger 2013 group suit up in their beautiful new uniforms for the first time, all while tackling a show of great demand and maturity, being told by my peers after our show announcement in 2014 that Alexander Nevsky could only be pulled off by a world class line, then watching our little corps electrify audiences all summer long, with our little brass line bursting into the top 3 in Open Class and our drum corps making World Class Semi-Finals; wind sprints.

2014 will go down as an important and historic year for 7th Regiment for a multitude of reasons, but something that was not lost on me as likely the most important development was the growth and development of the 7th Regiment Alumni Association. The common link between every successful drum corps that has endured the times is an alumni base that finds a way to stay involved and give back. Seeing our young alumni energize and affect motion throughout the season was a powerful sign for great days ahead. I hope everyone reading this finds a way to stay connected and invested to the future of an amazing organization. While my time as Brass Caption Head came to an end at the end of the season, all I can do is look back at my time with 7th with great pride and forward to the future with incredible excitement. I’m incredibly grateful to Steve Lyons, Tim Rall and the SAA for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of this, to our staffs for always raising the bar, and to our members for always inspiring me. We all laid the groundwork for this organization to grow and thrive.

Never Stop Rising as One!

D

7thregiment.org


MiscellaneousInterested in Volunteering?

Consider donating to the Corps!

During the off-season, 7th Regiment is looking for volunteers to help with the interior building of the new semi-trailer. No experience is necessary, just some dedicated, hard-working hands!

The corps is also looking for alumni and veteran volunteers to help with recruitment during the fall marching band season. If you’re available on Saturday nights and don’t mind the chill air, please consider taking part in the 7th’s recruitment table during high school marching band competitions throughout Connecticut.

If you want to volunteer in either of these capacities, please contact [email protected]

Drum corps is a costly activity and 7th Regiment does its best to keep costs low for its members. To make a donation, click on “support/donate” on www.7thregiment.org and donate to the corps, the scholarship fund, the fuel budget, or sponsor a member.By signing up for IGive or Amazon Smile via “Surfer’s Alumni Association,” a certain percentage of your online purchases can be donated to 7th Regiment. Signing up is free!

Alumni News!Christina Nadeau ‘12-’13 has taken the position of band director at New London High School in New London, CT.

Jennifer Platts ‘05-’07, ‘10 has become a new residence hall director at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT.

Jani Springer ‘05-’08 has recently become the new athletic trainer at Bulkeley High School in Hartford, CT.

Do you have something to share?If you are a member of the 7th Regiment or Surfers community and have something to share, let us know! We would love to keep our community updated on engagements, marriages, kids, new jobs, awards, education, graduations, big moves, photos, stories, and whatever you might think of! Email [email protected].

7th Regiment Newsletter 1.2

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