Fresh off of a 2021 production filled with nostalgic classics as part of the non-competitive DCI Celebration Tour, The Cadets are pursuing an intriguing new concept in 2022.

The Allentown corps recently announced the title and music selections for its 2022 production as part of its “Maroon and Gold Day,” which featured a focused fundraising effort and a wealth of engaging content.

Here’s what we know so far about the corps’ program, “Rearview Mirror:”

1. | Beatnik Inspiration

“Rearview Mirror” is centered, first and foremost, around the work and inspiration of Jack Kerouac, an accomplished mid-20th century writer and leading voice in the “Beat Generation.”

Kerouac’s work embodied an open worldview and touched on topics of spirituality, human experience and various world issues, and provided a wealth of influences to other prominent musicians and artists of the 1960s.

“The backdrop is definitely going to include motel signs and 1950s neon, which is such classic America,” visual designer Jon Bilby said. “But also looking at the more gritty side of America — the jazz clubs, the city, the road trips that young people were taking, learning a little bit more about the world ... toward the end of the '50s into the 1960s, when we saw so much political movement.”

2. | The Soundtrack of America

Following the corps’ nationwide theming, music selections pull inspiration from various corners of the United States.

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Posted by The Cadets on Wednesday, May 4, 2022


Repertoire selections are as follows, with commentary on each from Cadets staff members:

“Adrenaline City” by Adam Gorb

Plays on themes of urban energy and was featured in Troopers’ 2015 program, “Wild Horses.”

“Adrenaline City’ is this fast-paced, geometric, angular, staccato song; you'll see our drill matches that.”

“Saint Louis Blues” by W.C. Handy

Handy also wrote the piece “Beale Street Blues,” which was featured in Vessel’s 2014 program, “Big Easy Blues.”

“It's just a kind of a fusion, very hip, upbeat feel to this common tune. It almost was a march when it first came out.”

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Elmer Bernstein

Featured in the 1962 film of the same name and based on Harper Lee’s classic novel.

“I've wanted to do this for years and just hadn't found the right show to make this happen. It’s just such a haunting, beautiful tune.”

“American Gothic (III. Pitchfork)” by Michael Daugherty

Written in 2016, Daugherty’s “American Gothic” features four movements and is based around the Grant Wood painting of the same title.

“It's very Cadet-sounding ... big features from our trumpet section, our tuba section, and others. It just really brings it all together in terms of style, and some surprises musically, but what you know you'll get is that high energy and high delivery for the audience.”

3. | Americana Revisited

As part of the rollout of its production, the Allentown corps has featured imagery across its social media accounts featuring streets, road signs, and notable landmarks from across the United States.

“We hope to take the audience on a journey, visually, from his travels from New York to the west coast,” visual consultant Brian Murphy said.

The Cadets have found success in the past when utilizing themes under the category of “Americana,” including “An American Quintent” in 1995 (2nd Place), “The American West” in 1996 (3rd Place), and “An American Revival” in 2002 (3rd Place).

4. | Building Excitement

The Cadets’ designers, it’s quite clear, are very excited about the corps’ 2022 production, and believe audiences across the DCI Tour will feel the same way.

“I think this year's Cadets has everything that you love about drum corps, with vivid, vintage colors and feels, with music that takes you across the country, a ton of diverse musical selections, excitement, a lot of great staging, some theater, some dance,” artistic director Darcie Aungst said. “A lot of skill is required of the members this year. I think they're going to have a blast playing the music that we've selected. And the look is going to be fresh, vintage and relevant.”

The Allentown corps’ 2022 tour schedule features more than 20 appearances, kicking off July 2 in Quincy, Massacahusetts.

View The Cadets' 2022 DCI Tour Schedule

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