Rochester, New York, September 6,
2009 -- Star United was privileged to be invited to
perform in exhibition following the Reading Buccaneers' performance at the Drum
Corps Associates (DCA) 2009 Finals at Marin Auto Stadium in
Rochester, New York on Sunday.
Star United received
award medals for its fourth DCA Mini Corps National
Championship win earlier in the weekend from DCA following
its exhibition performance at DCA Finals in Rochester, New
York. Carl Ruocco joined the corps in this photo (far
right). Performer Kanye West (near center) briefly
interrupted the ceremony claiming the Ghost Riders
were the best mini corps he had ever seen. Photo by Christina Mavroudis
The invitation for a mini corps to
perform in exhibition at this event is awarded to the
reigning DCA Mini Corps Champions, a title earned by Star United
two nights before at the Rochester Convention Center in downtown
Rochester (click
here).
Star United began the exhibition
performance with a piece entitled Goin' Home dedicated to the
memory of Geoff Silver, a Reading Buccaneer trumpeter who passed
away on Friday, September 4, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. Shortly
after the Buccaneers were awarded their 5th consecutive open class
DCA Championship title, corps director Jim Gruber made a special
trip to meet Star United during retreat to express how
grateful he was for the gesture and the overwhelming support his
corps has received from the drum corps community during the previous
48 hours.
Star United is
pictured during their performance of "Goin' Home"
conducted by Josh Talbott in memory of Geoff Silver, a
member of the Reading Buccaneers who passed away
unexpectedly two days prior. Click the image to see a
video of this performance. Image and recording by
Davevalvo.com
Star United next performed their championship program entitled
Deja View by Frank Sullivan.
Click here for Part 1 captured by Jeff DeMello Video and Photo Services.
Additional video of the performance is available at
www.davevalvo.com.
Following the performance, DCA officials
awarded Star United with commemorative medals. The corps
quickly evacuated the field shortly afterwards to view the awards
presentation for the evenings championship competition.
As the corps exited the field, the cool
air around the stadium was filled with final "parking lot"
performances by each of the corps, including a twenty-two member
mini corps from Indiana who performed "Wish" for one last time this
season.
Star United is
pictured during their exhibition performance for a crowd
of approximately 6,000 drum corps fans at Marina Auto
Stadium in Rochester, New York. Image from a Jeff
DeMello video. Click the image to view a Flash
version of the video.
Star United would like to thank
its coaching team,
sponsors (Vic Firth, Chops Percussion, Evans Drum Heads, Pearl
Drums, and the Cook Group), and fellow Star of Indiana alumni
for all of their tremendous support through the years. Carmel High
School (Carmel, Indiana) and Victor High School (Victor, New York)
also receive special recognition for their willingness to share
resources to assist the corps in preparing and performing.
You can support Drum Corps Associates by
purchasing a video of the 2009 I&E Mini Corps Competition by
clicking the banner below:
