Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps - History

History

Capital Regiment was founded in 1992 by founder and director Rick Bays. Bays ran a bingo operation as a fundraiser for several years before the corps created its first ensemble, an indoor drumline which competed in WGI in 1997 and 1998.

Capital Regiment first debuted the drum and bugle corps in 1999, placing 10th at the Div. III championships that year. The corps placed 6th in Div. 3 in 2000. For 2001, the corps moved to Div. II, placing 4th in 2001 and 2nd in 2002. At the Drum Corps International Championships in 2002, the corps moved up to Drum Corps International Division I status. In 2003, its first full year of Div. I competition, the corps played a program entitled "A Brave New World," featuring Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in addition to several other pieces by various composers, including Alan Hovhaness. After a difficult season, the corps finished in 19th place.

The corps made tremendous strides in the 2004 season. For the first time, the corps played on B-flat instruments. Many new brass and visual staff members were hired, many alumni of The Cadets, including Chad Pence. The corps hired noted Cadets arranger Jay Bocook and Cadets drill designer Jeff Sacktig. The show, entitled "A Celebration of Life: Mind, Body, and Spirit," consisted of music by David Holsinger, reminiscent of the Holsinger shows performed by The Cadets in 1992 and 1993. The hornline reached a full 64 members for the first time in corps history, and the corps finished the season in 14th place.

The 2005 show was "Chiaroscuro: Symphonic Dances in Shades of Darkness and Light," based on "Chiaroscuro," a wind ensemble piece by Robert Sheldon. Chad Pence lest as brass caption head and was replaced by Derek Gipson, another former Cadet. Design problems with the show as well as internal issues within the corps made for a difficult season, and the corps finished in 15th place, having been ranked as low as 18th during the season.

In 2006, the corps performed "Life Rhythms: Work, Rest, and Play," a show similar in concept to its previous two offerings, featuring music by Eric Whitacre and Philip Glass. Gordon Henderson replaced Jeff Sacktig as the corps' drill writer. Nearly the entire percussion staff was replaced, following the resignation of caption head Kevin Murphy at the end of the 2005 season. The new percussion staff, made up mainly by former members of Santa Clara Vanguard, was headed by Brian Stevens. Ralph Hardimon served as a percussion consultant to the corps. 2006 was the first time the corps used amplification. The corps experienced major organizational problems throughout the season and finished in 16th place.

In October 2006, an announcement was made that "the Board of Trustees of the Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps has decided not to field a competitive corps for the 2007 Drum Corps International Summer Tour." Capital Regiment became inactive for the 2007 marching season. Although the organization had hopes of competing in 2008, Capital Regiment remained inactive for the 2008 season. On July 30, 2008, Capital Regiment announced that they were going to be active for the 2009 seasons and starting to accept membership applications, while announcing they would compete in Open Class. In 2009 the corps returned to DCI competition. In their return season, the corps finished 5th overall and 3rd in percussion and brass in Open Class Finals in Indianapolis, Ind. They also received their highest score ever achieved with a 89.95.

In 2009 The corp once again had to make the sad decision to become "inactive" once again.