Black Knights Drum Corps Plays Yamaha Percussion Exclusively
BUENA PARK, CA (October 22, 2004) — Currently in its 15th year, the Black Knights Drum Corps of Burbank, California was founded in 1989 by Pete Ellison and Russell Kingman. The ensemble has recently entered into an official relationship with percussion instrument manufacturer Yamaha Corporation of America, and will use Yamaha marching percussion products exclusively.
The Black Knights offer performance opportunities for young adults ages 14-22, and are among the founding members of the Southern California Percussion Alliance. The corps combines the intensity of a drum line with the intimacy of up-close performance, blending the use of marching percussion and melodic instruments (xylophone, marimba, bells, keyboards, etc.) with high-impact and theatrical effects to create an exciting indoor stage show. The group competes on the national level in the Independent World Class Percussion division of Winter Guard International (WGI.)
The Black Knights offer performance opportunities for young adults ages 14-22, and are among the founding members of the Southern California Percussion Alliance. The corps combines the intensity of a drum line with the intimacy of up-close performance, blending the use of marching percussion and melodic instruments (xylophone, marimba, bells, keyboards, etc.) with high-impact and theatrical effects to create an exciting indoor stage show. The group competes on the national level in the Independent World Class Percussion division of Winter Guard International (WGI.)
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"As the Black Knights Drum Corps & Winter Guard enters its 15th year of operation, having Yamaha come on board as corporate partner opens an exciting chapter for our organization," says Ellison. "The kids and staff are thrilled with the quality of sound that Yamaha percussion instruments deliver, and our fans can expect this to be our best season ever." Ellison currently serves as the group's executive director; Kingman is assistant director.
The group is very committed to its community, supporting such youth-related charities as Juvenile Diabetes Association's Walk for the Cure, Boys and Girls Scouts, Special Olympics and other community events as requests come in. The Black Knights Drum Corps Winter Season begins mid-September and continues through mid-April, with WGI circuit finals in Dayton, Ohio, April 14-16. Regular Sunday night practices take place at the Olive Recreation Center, located at 1111 West Olive Avenue in Burbank.
"Yamaha and the Black Knights are working together to increase the opportunity for more young musicians to get involved in indoor percussion," states Troy Wollwage, Marketing Manager, Percussion, Yamaha's Band & Orchestral Division. "If Yamaha can help provide a valuable experience for these young students, then our relationship with The Black Knights will be a success. The Black Knights have been around for a long time and garnered great respect among local band directors and percussion instructors. The instructors understand that it is not just about winning, but about providing an education to young students on how to be a better percussionist."
The group has performed on the "Kevin & Bean" (KROQ-FM) Show and on stages at Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm, and has represented the City of Burbank as its "Official Musical Ambassadors" at events throughout the United States and Canada since 1994. For more details, please visit www.blackknights.org.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.
The group is very committed to its community, supporting such youth-related charities as Juvenile Diabetes Association's Walk for the Cure, Boys and Girls Scouts, Special Olympics and other community events as requests come in. The Black Knights Drum Corps Winter Season begins mid-September and continues through mid-April, with WGI circuit finals in Dayton, Ohio, April 14-16. Regular Sunday night practices take place at the Olive Recreation Center, located at 1111 West Olive Avenue in Burbank.
"Yamaha and the Black Knights are working together to increase the opportunity for more young musicians to get involved in indoor percussion," states Troy Wollwage, Marketing Manager, Percussion, Yamaha's Band & Orchestral Division. "If Yamaha can help provide a valuable experience for these young students, then our relationship with The Black Knights will be a success. The Black Knights have been around for a long time and garnered great respect among local band directors and percussion instructors. The instructors understand that it is not just about winning, but about providing an education to young students on how to be a better percussionist."
The group has performed on the "Kevin & Bean" (KROQ-FM) Show and on stages at Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm, and has represented the City of Burbank as its "Official Musical Ambassadors" at events throughout the United States and Canada since 1994. For more details, please visit www.blackknights.org.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.
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