Cavaliers' leader parts with corps
The longtime director of the Rosemont Cavaliers, the most decorated drum and bugle corps in the nation during the last decade, has stepped down.
After leading the all-male corps to world prominence, including five world championships in the past eight years, Jeff Fiedler is hanging it up on the brink of the Cavaliers' 60th season.
"There is no good time, but then there's clearly no better time," said Fiedler, 48, on Friday. "I wanted to walk away with the corps set for this year -- especially this year, with its 60th anniversary."
Consequently, Fiedler said, he stayed with the organization through last year, helping with auditions in November and making plans for this season's first rehearsal camps.
His last day was Jan. 18, the same day as the first official camp of the new season got under way in Rosemont.
"It's a huge loss," said Don Heitzman of Park Ridge, a Cavaliers board member. "He has led the corps to much success. He's been a forceful leader, with a quick mind, who has represented the organization with class. But he's left us in good shape."
Fiedler, who lives in Chicago, has been a member of the Cavaliers since 1973, when he joined its cadet corps. He played in the baritone section in 1975 and ultimately served as drum major for the 1979 and 1980 seasons. He joined the summer instructional staff in 1981.
Heitzman pointed to the corps' strong membership, its competitive reputation -- it finished third at last year's Drum Corps International world championships -- and instructional staff that are all still in place.
Alumni members of the Cavaliers posted their surprise at the move on the Cavaliers' Web site.
"I think I can safely say that every guy that marched with the Cavaliers under Jeff's direction has the utmost respect for him," said Brian Spicer of Arlington Heights, who played in the Cavaliers drum line from 1998 through 2000.
"He's such a great mentor -- caring, smart, intense -- and his work ethic is unbelievable," Spicer added.
"One phrase that he often repeated is, 'Maintaining the status quo is moving backward.'"
Corps officials named Bruno Zuccala as the new director. He has been a member of the Cavaliers' instructional staff since 1985, including as Fiedler's assistant for the last 12 years.
Similar to Fiedler, who was a teacher and administrator at St. Francis de Sales High School in Chicago during the off season, Zuccala is an administrator in the Seneca Valley School District in Zelienople, Pa.
Fiedler says he is considering expanding his role as a consultant to high schools, colleges and other drum corps, helping to choreograph and tighten their drills.