July 3 marked a special occasion for The Cavaliers organization.
Sure, it was the corps’ home event on the 2022 DCI Tour — “Cavalcade of Brass” in Lisle, Illinois — right in the corps’ backyard at Benedictine University. The Green Machine performed its 2022 production and earned first place in front of its home crowd.
But the event’s kickoff performance may have been the most special moment of the day, as it marked the debut of the King Cobras Drumline, a percussion ensemble for individuals of all abilities and the newest addition to the Cavaliers Arts Performance and Education (CAPE) organization.
King Cobras was formed in early 2022 as part of CAPE; the genesis of the idea came from Dale Hallerberg, a Cavaliers alum who was inspired by the work of other ensembles of a similar vein in the greater Chicago area.
“It's really important to know this idea is not new,” Hallerberg said. “We started this out in Crystal Lake, Illinois with the Crystal Lake Strikers and a group called the Kingpins. King Cobras is like a second cousin — a very similar program for people with special needs and all abilities.”
Since its formation, the ensemble, according to Hallerberg, spent several weeks and months working alongside the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) to plan and program rehearsals for members.
King Cobras’ performance in Lisle marked the culmination of those rehearsals.
“(WDSRA) handles registrations and details, and we bring the drumming program to those students,” Hallerberg said. “So, about eight weeks ago, they set one up with 15 students, and we've been doing that every Monday night for an hour.”
In addition to the performance, King Cobras drummers also had the opportunity to drum alongside members of the 2022 Cavaliers percussion section.
“That was such a hoot,” Hallerberg said. “Our performers from the King Cobras loved watching The Cavaliers and they loved watching them drum along with us, and playing stick clicks and dancing.
“I was like, ‘Oh my god,’” King Cobras drummer Zach Pierce added. “The Cavaliers are here.”
In order to provide members with an engaging performance experience, Hallerberg said King Cobras’ programming involves members playing drum beats to accompanying music.
“Playing to these backing tracks really captures their attention and the crowd as well,” he said. I generally shorten them up, maybe to a minute, and the students love it. The performers love it. The parents love it. The crowd loves it.”
Ultimately, the formation of King Cobras has provided a unique performance opportunity within the overarching drum corps idiom to those who may not have previously had such an opportunity.
According to David Pierce — Zach’s father — being able to get his son involved in a drum corps-like experience, one that he himself pursued in his life as a former Cavaliers brass musician, as have his other son and daughter, has been the culmination of a longtime goal.
“Zach wanted to march years ago and unfortunately being special needs, he has needs that need to be looked after all the time … so being in a drum corps wouldn't have worked,” Pierce said. “Having the opportunity to perform with a special needs drum line, the King Cobras, which is affiliated with The Cavaliers, he feels special. He feels like he's finally where he wants to be.”
“It's great that The Cavaliers have bought a local program in for our kids in the Illinois area,” Pierce added. “It would be nice to see, hopefully in the future, in other organizations.”
Pierce, who had the chance to perform a featured, up-front moment alongside his son during King Cobras’ presentation, spoke highly of the experience and its impact.
“He's a better drummer than I am, for sure,” he laughed. “But I mean, it's really cool. It makes me feel good and proud.”
Zach shared the same sentiment; July 3 in Lisle, Illinois was a day he wouldn’t soon forget.
“We just want to have fun,” he said. “That's the whole point.”