The Year In Review :: 2013

August 31, 2013

As August draws to a close, what a great time to reflect on all that's transpired over the past year. We welcomed in our 50th Anniversary, having been founded in 1963, and celebrated throughout the summer as alumni, parents, fans and friends. Thank you to all who performed, donated, volunteered, bought a ticket or a souvenir, taught, or in any other way helped our programs experience the pursuit of our common cause...to use music and excellence to teach each other about success in life. Following are just some of the highlights from this memorable year of the Colts Youth Organization:

MARC SYLVESTER HIRED AS COLTS PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Soon after Vicki (Schaffer) MacFarlane was named Colts director, she got right to work and named Marc Sylvester to lead the Colts design team as program coordinator for the 2013 season. "Sully," as he has been known throughout the activity for over 30 years, brought his Hall of Fame toolbox to Dubuque to begin painting a fresh canvas for the Colts in their anniversary season. Joining Marc on the design team were returning members Chris Tomsa, brass arranger; Dave Nelson, percussion arranger; Carla Burgess-Tomsa, color guard supervisor; and Brandon Smith, guard designer. Also adding his creativity to the Colts design team in his first year was Aaron Guidry, composer and electronics supervisor.

VIDEO Colts 2013: January Camp (An interview with Colts Director Vicki MacFarlane)

VIDEO Colts 2013: The Stepoff

MATT MULVANNY NAMED COLT CADETS DIRECTOR
Matt Mulvanny was named director of the Colt Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps in September 2012. A Colts alumnus from 2006, Matt had been on staff with the cadet corps for two seasons, serving as a leader in the marching program and a key member of the brass staff. Matt's excitement for the season was unmistakable, "I'm looking forward to working alongside an instructional and design staff that continues to inspire the drum corps community every year. Filling the shoes of Vicki (Schaffer) MacFarlane is not a task anybody should take lightly, but with such hard working members, and support from a family of staff that gels so well together, I could not be more enthusiastic about the future of the Colt Cadets."

VIDEO Colt Cadets 2013: The Debut

SUMMERTIME IN THE DEAD OF WINTER
At the February rehearsal weekend, the Colts brass line had the rare opportunity to perform with one of its own from four decades prior. Greg Blum, current president of the Colts Board of Directors, came to prominence within the drum corps activity in the early '80s as soloist on the Colts classic, Summertime. He sat down with Colts videographer Isaac Campbell following the performance to discuss the significance of this piece of Colts history. Isaac produced the interview for his campus television station at the University of Northern Iowa.

VIDEO Colts 2013: Summertime With Harpo

COLTS BOOSTER CLUB HOSTS 3-FOR-1 RAFFLE
The Colts Booster Club held a $10-per-ticket fundraising raffle throughout the spring and summer. Tickets were sold at Colts camps, Colts Bingo, Winter Farmer's Market here in the Colts Center, and a variety of other venues including our host events. The winners of the 2013 Colts Booster Club Raffle were: Jennifer Murphy from Benton, WI ($1,000), Andrew Eaton from Roselle, IL ($1,500), and Dave Guthrie from Hopkinton, IA ($5,000). Plans are being discussed to host another raffle next year with a few changes to make the event even more exciting, and to introduce the 2014 raffle at the November weekend audition camp. What a wonderful stocking stuffer for anyone on your gift list...so long as they are 18 years old and eligible for the grand prize! Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's raffle!

UNIFORM DEDICATION CAMPAIGN RAISES FINAL FUNDING FOR NEW LOOK
The Colts and Colt Cadets were outfitted in new uniforms for the 50th Anniversary thanks in large part to a 2012 grant from the Dubuque Racing Association. Renowned uniform designer Michael Cesario worked with Marc Sylvester to establish the look, and the great team at Fred J. Miller (FJM) brought the uniform to life. The DRA grant required a 25% match from the organization and when development director Greg Orwoll posed the challenge to our supporters, they responded enthusiastically. For $65, a donor could dedicate a uniform in their name or in remembrance of another. Some of the most moving dedications were in honor of Colts family members who are no longer with us. Thank you to all who supported this new look for the Colts and Colt Cadets.

VIDEO 2013 Colts And Colt Cadets: Revealed

COLTS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP COLOR GUARD HONORED
As part of the 50th Anniversary events, the Colts took a moment to recognize the first national championship in the organization's history. The 2013 Colts members served as the audience while several members and instructional staff of the 1976 Colts Color Guard were introduced and presented with triangles for the years they marched. The guard won the Midwest Circuit Color Guard Championship in Chicago followed by the VFW National Color Guard Championship later in the summer. Following a slideshow tribute, all in attendance were treated to the championship performance which was preserved on 8mm videotape by none other than 1976 corps director Tom Faulkner (who, BTW, was also in attendance).

COLTS DEBUT NEW LOOK AT MEMORIAL DAY FESTIVITIES IN DUBUQUE
The Colts celebrated the men and women of the United States Armed Forces by participating in the annual Memorial Day parade in downtown Dubuque followed by their tribute concert in Washington Park. The day also marked the public debut of their new uniforms. For new and veteran Colts alike, becoming the first person to wear a new corps uniform is a unique experience.

VIDEO Colts 2013: Such Men Lived

COLTS CAR WASH REACHES AN ALL-TIME HIGH IN DONATIONS
What a better way to experience the 26th Annual Colts Car Wash than with a brand new BMW and time lapse footage? (See video) Washing over 800 cars at 20 different locations, the annual fundraiser raised over $33,800 (and counting) for the Colts Youth Organization. Thank you to the businesses that hosted a site, parents, volunteers, members and supporters who made the event such a huge success. Also, special thanks to Doug and Matt Warthan of BMW Dubuque for providing a BMW 3 Series automobile for the day!

VIDEO Colts 2013: Squeaky Clean

COLTS RECEIVE GENEROUS GRANTS FROM THE DRA AND CITY OF DUBUQUE
The Colts announced in July that they were awarded a $40,000 grant from the City of Dubuque as part of the its Arts & Culture Funding Program. The city supports arts and culture by recognizing the contribution such organizations make to the quality of life in the community as well as the significance of their economic impact. The Dubuque Racing Association awarded a grant to the Colts Youth Organization to be used for the replacement of the roof at the Colts Center. Since 1987, the Colts have received grants from the DRA totaling over $340,000 for new instruments, vehicles, uniforms, a souvenir trailer, computers and equipment maintenance. The contributions of these two groups have been critical to our ability to provide top-notch programs for our 300+ students.

COLTS VISIT THE ORIGINAL FIELD OF DREAMS
Celebrating the end of Cornfield Tour, and being the inspiration for their 2013 program, the corps visited the famed movie site just outside of Dyersville, Iowa. The trip presented an opportunity to perform their 2013 ballad on the actual Field Of Dreams. Members of the Colts, Colt Cadets, board members, staff and alumni were on hand for this memorable event.

VIDEO Colts 2013: The Place Where Dreams Come True

PANDEMONIUM ENJOYS JAMMIN' FOR THE CROWDS
Pandemonium, the Colts-sponsored steel drum ensemble directed by Patti Millius, took on their busiest summer schedule to date beginning with a performance at the Colts Summer Premiere at Loras College on June 22nd, and finishing in early August. Since 2009, Pandemonium has been entertaining audiences while learning a unique blend of melody and rhythm using a wide variety of popular music. The Colts also sponsor the PanrythmiX Steel Drum Ensemble for students in grades 4-5 attending Prescott Elementary School.

HAV LIFE: WHERE OPPORTUNITY MEETS POTENTIAL
Started in memory of Hunter Aaron Vondran, HAVlife is a not for profit foundation that was established to fund the resources students need to pursue their musical aspirations and athletic goals - just like Hunter did. This past summer, HAVlife provided a grant of $5,000 to assist members of the Colt Cadets who may otherwise have not been able to afford their drum corps membership. We are thrilled to have established this partnership and look forward to turning lost potential into long-term achievement in the years to come.

COLTS SUMMER BAND PROVIDES AN EVENING OF MUSIC IN THE PARK
For the seventh consecutive summer, the Colts Summer Band capped their season with a wonderful concert in Eagle Point Park on Tuesday, July 2nd, along with the Colt Cadets. While the size of the summer band remained consistent with 2012, a common review of the concert from those in attendance was, "This is the best the summer band has EVER sounded!" Congratulations to directors Brian Enabnit and Dan Norman for providing an incredible experience for this ambitious group of students!

MUSIC ON THE MARCH MAKES NEW DALZELL FIELD DEBUT
Eight drum and bugle corps rolled onto the campus of Dubuque Senior High School on Friday, July 12th, and delivered their world-class performances to a packed house at the newly-remodeled Dalzell Field. The local crowd was enthusiastic and supportive, as they have been for several decades, and Mother Nature cooperated with a spectacular night just up until the time a swarm of mayflies made its way from the Mississippi River to the lights of the stadium. Most in the crowd were not going to let a few summer pests ruin their evening that concluded with recognition of the Colts age outs and encore performances by the Colt Cadets, Colts and the 50th Anniversary Colts Alumni Corps.

COLTS ALUMNI CORPS PERFORMS AT HOME SHOW AND DCI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Brass members from throughout the years joined together to revive a few classics from the Colts repertoire. Thank you to LeAnn Splitter for organizing the group and to all who participated. The alumni corps was complimented in Dubuque by a color guard unit that fashioned uniforms from throughout Colts history, and was lead by former color guard sergeant Jolene (Miller) O'Toole. Many members of the brass group, along with a few others who joined for the Indianapolis event, performed in Lucas Oil Stadium following the DCI World Class Semifinals as they played the 2013 DCI age out class onto the field for their recognition ceremony. The group also performed on Georgia Street earlier in the evening, and finally at the DCI Championships After-Party on Friday night at the Omni Severin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.

COLTS FAMILY GATHERS AS ONE FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION
On Saturday, July 13th, alumni who marched throughout the past five decades, along with many parents and others who offered their support, gathered at the Holiday Inn in downtown Dubuque for an evening filled with stories and memories of days gone by. Emceed by Colts board member Emily Neuendorf, the evening included a few comedic moments from our own Fruit Of The Loom leaf, Gene Steichen, and a great story of perseverance from '90s alum and former staff member Kent Lineberry. The history of the triangle was discussed, and the significance of the medals now given to members who march, and then all of the alums were presented with a triangle commemorating each of their years in the Colts. The evening concluded with Vox One's rendition of the corps song, Morning.

COLTS AND COLT CADETS TAKE A STEP FORWARD
The Colts and Colt Cadets each took a step forward within their competitive divisions at the DCI World Championships in Michigan City and Indianapolis. The Colt Cadets reached DCI Open Class Finals for the fourth consecutive year and achieved the highest placement in their history (10th) with their show titled, Red. The Colts 2013 program, Field Of Dreams, was a crowd favorite all season long and the members performed with incredible energy throughout the week. Congratulations to all of the members of both corps who have now joined in the great tradition of Colts and Colt Cadets who've performed throughout the past 50 years. You have laid the foundation on which the next 50 years will be built!

Watch the Colts website in the coming weeks for additional videos from Isaac Campbell from the final weeks of the Colt and Colt Cadets summer tours. Thank you to ALL for your continued support! November camp is just around the corner!

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