Location Tempe, AZ Founded 2001 Championship titles 2006 (Division II) | Division World Class Director Mark Richardson Active from 2001 | |
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Uniform Black tailcoat w/silver buttons
White shirt w/wing collar
Vest & necktie (colors change w/show theme)
Black pants
Black shoes & socks
Black shako w/silver trim & plume (color changes w/show theme) Similar Pacific Crest Drum and Bugl, Oregon Crusaders Drum and, Les Stentors Drum and, Colt Cadets Drum and, Blue Devils C Drum and Bugl Profiles | ||
The academy drum and bugle corps 2016 unchained melody
The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps (also known as "The Academy") is a World Class (formerly Division I) competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Tempe, Arizona. The corps is a member of Drum Corps International (DCI).
Contents
History
In 2001, a group of people gathered in the Phoenix, Arizona area with the intent of starting a drum and bugle corps (D&B). They formed the Board of Directors of the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts, a non-profit organization with the goal "...of enhancing the culture of music, dance, and the performing arts in Arizona." They then formed The Academy Brass & Percussion Ensemble, which made numerous local appearances during the summers of 2001–03, including at the D&B competition the organization sponsors, the Southwest Corps Connection.
In the summer of 2004, the corps added a color guard, changed the name to The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, and entered the field of competition. Marching a short season of only four weeks and six shows in Arizona and California, the corps was undefeated in Division II. The next year, the corps expanded its boundaries, performing in 10 shows, including Drums Along the Rockies, in Denver, and was again undefeated in Division II. 2006 was The Academy's most successful season. The corps appeared in shows in seven states, including the DCI Division II/III World Championships in Madison, Wisconsin, where the corps capped their third undefeated season with the Division II title.
In 2007, The Academy moved into Division I (now World Class) competition. That was their most successful season in the class, until 2016, finishing 11th at the DCI World Championships.
The Academy assembled a 100+ member brass, percussion, and auxiliary ensemble of members and alumni that performed outside University of Phoenix Stadium prior to the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIX and at the NFL Experience, "an interactive theme park of all things football," during the week of January 25–February 1, 2015.
In 2016, The Academy had their most successful season since moving to World Class, placing in the top 12 at all three DCI regionals. At the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis, The Academy placed 11th, becoming the first corps to make its Finals debut since the Seattle Cascades in 2002,
Sponsorship
The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps is sponsored by the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts, a 501 (c)(3) musical organization that has a Board of Directors, corps director, and staff assigned to carry out the organization's mission of, "...building great people through great performances." The Executive Director is Mark Richardson. In addition to the drum and bugle corps, the Arizona Academy also sponsors The Academy Winter Youth Guard and the The Academy Summer Youth Guard, two introductory color guard activities; and Phenom a SoundSport® performance ensemble.
Gold background indicates DCI Championship; pale blue background indicates DCI Class Finalist; pale green background indicates DCI semifinalist.