Skyliners Drum Corps Plays Yamaha
BUENA PARK, CA (September 16, 2005) — Now in its 60th year, the Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps of New York City has much to celebrate. Established in 1945, it is one of the oldest corps to participate in the Drum Corps Associates (DCA), and has a reputation for giving solid performances in a traditional style. The Skyliners have also won every major title available to a senior drum and bugle corps, including the DCA Championships and the New York State and American Legion National Championships.
With the recent appointment of Ralph Marino as the Skyliners’ director, changes are underway and the focus has shifted from conventional to modern. The group, which mainly consisted of members averaging 30 and up, is now working to attract a younger audience and modernize its productions. In keeping with these goals, the Skyliners recently purchased new equipment and entered into an official relationship with percussion instrument manufacturer Yamaha Corporation of America. The corps now uses Yamaha marching percussion products exclusively.
Skyliners’ percussion and front ensemble arranger and music consultant Ed Argenziano says, “Our goal is to make our performances the best that we can. Using the best equipment in the business will not only improve our sound quality, it will also help us to play our best.”
The Skyliners pursued this relationship with Yamaha because “they are the most dependable drum manufacturer,” explains Argenziano. “Yamaha’s percussion instruments are sturdier, better sounding and project better than other drums.”
Troy Wollwage, Marketing Manager, Percussion, Yamaha Band & Orchestral Division, couldn’t be happier with the Skyliners’ decision. “We are very happy to welcome the Skyliners to the Yamaha family,” says Wollwage. “They know our percussion products are of extreme quality and, with proper care, will last a long time.”
With only 58 members, the Skyliners was one of the smallest corps in its division, where the average size was between 80 and 120 participants, and believed this was to be a “rebuilding year.” But, by placing 13th out of 26 competitors at the DCA World Championships’ Open Class and Class A Finals held at Lackawanna County Stadium in Moosic, Penn. on the first Saturday in September, the ensemble concluded its season on a positive note. A 2005 production titled “Night and Day in NYC” created the sights and sounds of a typical day in New York City through music from the quintessential New York composers Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, Manning Sherwin and Dizzie Gillespie. The show was divided into four acts: “Daybreak” portrayed by Porter’s Night and Day; “Daytime in the City” represented by Bernstein’s Prelude, Fugue and Riffs; “Dusk” was depicted by Sherwin’s A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square; and “The Nightlife” was portrayed by Gillespie’s Night in Tunisia.
Featuring a percussion solo with drummers playing on stop signs, trash cans and one-way signs, the show entertained and motivated the people in the stands and the surrounding community. “We wanted to give people a show that they could connect with and make them feel as though they were part of our production,” explains Marino.
Creating a sense of community is a priority for Ralph and Holly Marino, the corps assistant director and his wife. As the parents of six children, they see the corps members as family. They make an effort to ensure that everyone is having a good time and feels accepted. “We want them to feel that Skyliners is a place where all are accepted,” he says. “Everyone is there for the same reason: to work hard and have fun.”
The Marino’s pursuit for community extends beyond the field. The Skyliners will be attempting to make a difference in people’s lives by getting involved with local community organizations. Marino aims to reach underprivileged teens that don’t have a supportive environment or a place to call home. If money is a problem, drummers can pay through an installment plan or have their dues lowered by volunteering with non-profit organizations.
“I want to get kids off the streets and involved in an activity that will benefit them,” says Marino. “Skyliners will not only provide a home for them, it will also teach them leadership skills, self respect, discipline and how to be team players.”
Although the season has come to a close, the Skyliners are optimistic about the year ahead. “All in all, what a positive year it was! And with this we can build for next year,” says Marino proudly. With better equipment and strong community outreach in place, the Skyliners’ future looks bright.
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.
Yamaha percussion helps Skyliners end their season on a high note. |
Skyliners’ percussion and front ensemble arranger and music consultant Ed Argenziano says, “Our goal is to make our performances the best that we can. Using the best equipment in the business will not only improve our sound quality, it will also help us to play our best.”
The Skyliners pursued this relationship with Yamaha because “they are the most dependable drum manufacturer,” explains Argenziano. “Yamaha’s percussion instruments are sturdier, better sounding and project better than other drums.”
Troy Wollwage, Marketing Manager, Percussion, Yamaha Band & Orchestral Division, couldn’t be happier with the Skyliners’ decision. “We are very happy to welcome the Skyliners to the Yamaha family,” says Wollwage. “They know our percussion products are of extreme quality and, with proper care, will last a long time.”
With only 58 members, the Skyliners was one of the smallest corps in its division, where the average size was between 80 and 120 participants, and believed this was to be a “rebuilding year.” But, by placing 13th out of 26 competitors at the DCA World Championships’ Open Class and Class A Finals held at Lackawanna County Stadium in Moosic, Penn. on the first Saturday in September, the ensemble concluded its season on a positive note. A 2005 production titled “Night and Day in NYC” created the sights and sounds of a typical day in New York City through music from the quintessential New York composers Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, Manning Sherwin and Dizzie Gillespie. The show was divided into four acts: “Daybreak” portrayed by Porter’s Night and Day; “Daytime in the City” represented by Bernstein’s Prelude, Fugue and Riffs; “Dusk” was depicted by Sherwin’s A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square; and “The Nightlife” was portrayed by Gillespie’s Night in Tunisia.
Featuring a percussion solo with drummers playing on stop signs, trash cans and one-way signs, the show entertained and motivated the people in the stands and the surrounding community. “We wanted to give people a show that they could connect with and make them feel as though they were part of our production,” explains Marino.
Creating a sense of community is a priority for Ralph and Holly Marino, the corps assistant director and his wife. As the parents of six children, they see the corps members as family. They make an effort to ensure that everyone is having a good time and feels accepted. “We want them to feel that Skyliners is a place where all are accepted,” he says. “Everyone is there for the same reason: to work hard and have fun.”
The Marino’s pursuit for community extends beyond the field. The Skyliners will be attempting to make a difference in people’s lives by getting involved with local community organizations. Marino aims to reach underprivileged teens that don’t have a supportive environment or a place to call home. If money is a problem, drummers can pay through an installment plan or have their dues lowered by volunteering with non-profit organizations.
“I want to get kids off the streets and involved in an activity that will benefit them,” says Marino. “Skyliners will not only provide a home for them, it will also teach them leadership skills, self respect, discipline and how to be team players.”
Although the season has come to a close, the Skyliners are optimistic about the year ahead. “All in all, what a positive year it was! And with this we can build for next year,” says Marino proudly. With better equipment and strong community outreach in place, the Skyliners’ future looks bright.
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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