#dcafitsyourlife

[sunriserscorps-blog]

FRONT ENSEMBLE COORDINATOR ANNOUNCED

We are proud to introduce Caleb DeGroote as our Front Ensemble Coordinator for 2017. Mr. DeGroote, originally from Canandaigua, NY, is currently a resident of Washington, D.C. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Political Science from Binghamton University and a Master of Arts in Diplomacy from Norwich University.

Caleb started his teaching career with Naples High School in New York, where he stayed for seven seasons. He left the program as their assistant director after sixteen first place finishes in competition. While at Naples and earning his B.A., Caleb co-founded the Midlakes High School Percussion Ensemble.

From there, he has gone on to direct, teach, arrange, and consult at a total of 12 different high schools, encompassing 16 different extra-curricular programs over 27 competitive seasons. His scholastic ensembles have competed in WGI, BOA, USBands, TOB, NYSFBC, and NYSPC.

In 2008, he joined the Rochester Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, playing timpani and marimba with them under the tutelage of Rick Rogers. In 2009, he marched vibraphone with Citations, earning a DCI Open Class bronze medal. In 2010, Caleb joined the Empire Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps as an in-line tech, playing marimba. In 2011 he moved into the front ensemble lead role, where he remained for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Following this, Caleb accepted a position with Windsor Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps as their Percussion Caption Head for the 2014 DCA season. For the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Caleb taught Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Corps’ front ensemble.

He is also currently the front ensemble arranger and program designer with Clearview High School Marching Band, the President and a performing member of Rockville Brass Band and a percussionist with the Capital Pride Symphonic Band.

Caleb is a teacher at E. L. Haynes Public Charter High School, where teaches Music Composition and directs the Percussion Ensemble.

Caleb is proud to be a sponsored educator with Innovative Percussion, Inc. and a sponsored artist with Soultone Cymbals, Inc.

He is looking forward to bringing his experience to Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps’ front ensemble this season and looks forward to helping to push the corps to the next level.

[sunriserscorps-blog]

10/23/16 - LONG ISLAND SUNRISERS ANNOUNCE RUDY GOWERN AS PERCUSSION CAPTION HEAD

Our off-season personnel moves continue to add significance and excitement to an already impressive team. Today, we are pleased to announce Rudy Gowern as our Percussion Caption Head. And as we welcome Mr. Gowern to the Sunrisers family, we also would like to thank Mr. Mike Rabinowitz for his tireless efforts over the last few years. Mr. Gowern attended the University of Massachusetts and Jacksonville State University for Music Education. He currently holds the position of Director of Sales and Business Development for Inspire Arts & Music, the parent company for the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps. Before joining the Inspire team, He has held the position of Sales and Marketing Manager at the CrownSTORE, District Sales Manager at Dynasty USA, Director of Product Marketing, Marching Arts for Conn-Selmer, Inc., Marketing Product Manager for the Pearl Corporation, and Assistant Director of Education and Artist Relations for Vic Firth, Inc. Rudy Gowern has been involved in the marching arts activity since 1977. As a performing member throughout 15 seasons he marched with the Heightsman, the Citations, St. Anthony's of Revere, the Boston Crusaders and the 1993 Star of Indiana World Championship percussion section. Mr. Gowern’s DCI teaching experience includes the Magic of Orlando, the Citations, the Boston Crusaders and the Crossmen. Mr. Gowern currently teaches percussion at Portsmouth High School, Portsmouth, NH. Before joining the Portsmouth band staff, Mr. Gowern served as percussion coordinator for the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. as well as the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners. Mr. Gowern has also served as the Arranger and Director of Percussion Activities for Mt Juliet High School, King Philip Regional High School, Blackstone High School, Norwood High School, the Boston College Screaming Eagle Marching Band as well as the Boston University WGI percussion ensemble. Mr. Gowern is an active percussion adjudicator and clinician throughout the US, Canada and China. He is also a long time Artist for Vic Firth, Inc., Remo, Inc and Zildjian, Inc. Additional Percussion staff to be announced soon.