Once WGI wraps up both guard and percussion championships, we know summer is just around the corner. On April 23
, the full corps returned to Lakewood Ranch for camp weekend, just 5 weeks before move-in.
As May approaches, school and performance-related conflicts recede, and attendance is near full for the corps. The color guard turnout for this camp was the highest the corps has seen in years. "This is the best April Camp we've had, by far," according to Color Guard Caption Head Matt Winans.
In addition to the return of the guard, a highlight of this weekend's camp was the appearance of DCI Hall of Famer and drum corps legend Freddy Martin. The founder of Spirit of Atlanta, Freddy spent the weekend working with the Crusaders hornline and sharing his expertise and experience with both members and staff.
Weather this weekend was fabulous, with most sections able to spend a significant amount of time outside. The corps had a 4 hour 'move-in style' visual block during the day Saturday, giving the members a taste of what's to come this summer. Visual Designers Brian Murphy and Jerry Corradino were both in attendance to evaluate the guard and work with the corps proper on drill and movement options for the summer.
With a complete brass book, and a percussion book not far behind, the May Preview in 3 weeks stands to give the audience the earliest and fullest glimpse of a Crusaders show yet. Get your tickets here!
While the corps was busy rehearsing, the Massachusetts wing of the corps was busy as well. The Crusaders fleet management team was hard at work putting final preparations in place to get the fleet ready for summer, with plenty of time to spare. Over the past month, they have increased volunteer capacity in the corps volunteer RV, and overhauled the kitchen truck to prepare it for summer, among other things. Special thanks to Ricky, Mike, Jeff, and the gang for all their hard work to get us safely and easily over the road this summer!
In addition, on Saturday April 24, the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame recognized Jack LaSelva, president of the Crusaders Senior Corps, and Michael Woodall, member of the Boston Crusaders board of directors, for their contributions to the activity and inducted them into the Hall of Fame. The Boston Crusaders itself was recognized for the corps' 70th anniversary and was also inducted. Legends of Drum Corps played a stunning tribute to the Crusaders with several signature Crusaders tunes to a huge standing ovation.
To our two newest representatives in the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame:
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May Camp/Family Weekend is three weeks away. Get your tickets and sign up for the golf tournament on Saturday here.
Follow the camp timeline on the Crusaders Twitter:Â @bostoncrusaders
