A year of talking with band directors across the state, discussing what they needed for their programs, planning, dreaming, and then turning these ideas into action—the revamping of the Ä¢¹½tv Drum Major, Leadership, and Guard Academy became a reality. The Ä¢¹½tv DMLGA was held June 27–July 1, 2022, on Ä¢¹½tv main campus. Seventy applicants, ranging from ninth graders to high school seniors, registered to be a part of the camp.
The Ä¢¹½tv DMLGA was structured to focus on the development of drum majors, student leadership, and guard members within the participants’ respective band programs. The camp addressed how to move forward from a COVID environment and equip participants with skill sets needed to assist and encourage other students in their band programs. Ä¢¹½tv Director of Bands Tim Paul and Jerrod Cannistraci, director of bands at Richland High School, Ä¢¹½tv alumnus and drum major, spent the 2021–22 academic year discussing how to celebrate our outstanding Ä¢¹½tv marching traditions while fostering new traditions for the future of Ä¢¹½tv and the DMLGA.
This year’s camp included students from 24 schools across Pennsylvania and Maryland and welcomed our new Ä¢¹½tv Marching Band director, Zach Cheever. Drum majors were taught by Jerrod Cannistraci; current Ä¢¹½tv drum majors Liz Muchesko, Kira Ackerman, and Alex Robbins; Tim Paul, Zach Cheever, and graduate conducting students Ben Wilcox and Kirsten Jenkins.
Leadership classes, which were also offered as an elective for the Ä¢¹½tv Summer Music Camp, were taught in conjunction with the DMLGA and led by Cannistraci, Paul, and Cheever. The Guard portion of the camp was led by Elisa Hill (Ä¢¹½tv alumna and orchestra director at the Ellis School), with assistance by Ä¢¹½tv Guard members Victoria McFarland and Katharine Melcher. Music rehearsals were conducted by Zach Cheever, and field rehearsals were covered by everyone involved, as well as Emily Kaufman, commanding officer for the 2021 Legend and music teacher in the Grove City Area School District.
A special thanks goes out to Emily and Kirsten for all their work in the dorms, meals, and behind the scenes. Additional current Ä¢¹½tv students who played a role in the success of the camp and the safety of our guests included Alex Detwiler, David Earnest, Cynthia Hayhurst, Kayla Holsopple, Laura Hopf, John Makara, Matthew Mantini, Ivy McComsey, Dylan Opalinski, Leo Prezioso, and Sam Shelenberger.
Dave Surtasky is the unsung hero of our camp (and many other events at Ä¢¹½tv) for his assistance with Fisher Auditorium. When it appeared that bad weather would impact our final event on Friday evening, Dave was a terrific colleague in moving culminating events into Fisher. He gave of himself in partnering and planning the conclusion of the DMLGA camp and future traditions that further Ä¢¹½tv. Thanks, Dave!
Planning for next year’s Drum Major, Leadership, and Guard Academy is already underway as we prepare to welcome drum lines to our academy. Stay tuned for more updates!