Rosemont Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps has new leaders

At the recent dedication of a bronze statue in memory of Rosemont Mayor Donald E. Stephens, members of the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps processed by the image of their former sponsor, with hats in hand.

The larger-than-life mayor had stepped in to sponsor the drum corps nearly 35 years ago when it nearly shut down after struggling during the 1970s to keep pace with the rapidly-evolving art form.

It proved to be beneficial for both parties.

Within four years, the Cavaliers moved from being in 10th place in national competition to a top three finisher in 1986. They went on to win their first championship in 1992, an accomplishment they would repeat six more times over the next 14 years.

In doing so, they helped put Rosemont's name on the map.

However, once again the corps finds itself regrouping. It has been 10 years since the group's last title, and last year the Cavaliers finished in ninth place at the Drum Corps International competition in Indianapolis.

Since then, the organization has hired a new leadership team, led by a trio of former Cavaliers. Chris Lugo is executive director, Mark Ackerson is director and Joe Roach, a Prospect High School graduate, is assistant director and indoor percussion director.

They all had input on designing this season's new competition program, "Propaganda," which they describe as fan-friendly and powerful.

Its music selections are dramatic and complex. They open with a pair of marches before transitioning into the haunting "Elegy for Dunkirk" from the movie "Atonement." The show closes with the difficult and exuberant "Lollapalooza" by John Adams.

"Last year was a challenging year; it was our lowest finish since the 1980s," says Lugo, who marched with the corps from 2002-2005. "We needed to re-energize the organization from top to bottom, to a championship level.

"To do that, we know we have to be very progressive," Lugo adds, "and push the boundaries."

This year's corps includes 150 marching members - all men - from 15 different states, Belgium, Canada and Japan. Lugo says most are involved in college marching band or concert band programs, and many are music education majors.

None of the marching members are paid. They do it for the love of the music ­- and the experience. That said, it's a grueling summer, traveling across the country for competitions all the way through mid-August when the Drums Corps International competition takes place in Indianapolis.

The Cavaliers are run as a nonprofit organization, with support from the village. The Cavalcade of Brass coming up Saturday evening in Lisle is their biggest fundraiser, although paid appearances also offset some of the expenses.

At the statue dedication earlier this month, corps members played "America the Beautiful" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," which has been a corps tradition for 65 years.

According to the Cavaliers' website, the corps began playing "Rainbow" in 1951, just as members were making a climb into national prominence. The uplifting sentiments of its lyrics have resonated with corps members ever since.

Consequently, this year's corps leadership hopes that as in the music, "dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true."

Catch a performance

What: Cavalcade of Brass

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2

Where: Benedictine University Sports Complex, 5700 College Road, Lisle

Cost: $20

Details: <a href="http://www.cavaliers.org">www.cavaliers.org</a>