In preparation for Fusion Core’s 2025 production, program coordinator Mike Marino found himself deep down a “rabbit hole.”
He’d stumbled upon an art form he found quite fascinating — it’s called Kintsugi.
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Instead of hiding cracks, Kintsugi highlights them, embracing imperfections as part of an object's history and beauty.
At the tail end of the rabbit hole, and on the basis of this artistic concept, Fusion Core’s 2025 production, “Mended,” was born.
Fusion Core is thrilled to unveil our 2025 production:“Mended.” Broken but not defeated. Scarred but not weakened. Mended—and more beautiful for it! #drumcorps #dci #marchingband #drumline #band #colorguard #percussion #wgi #drumcorpsinternational #drums #music #marchingarts #brass #trumpet #marching #frontensemble #snaredrum #drummer #snare #baritone #drumming #tuba #mellophone #drumband #growdrumcorps #fusioncore #IHBCFG #dciallage #jointhecorein25
Posted by Fusion Core on Tuesday, January 21, 2025
“It was years ago, I saw some pictures of the repaired pottery, and I thought it was visually super cool,” he said. “It’s a rabbit hole that I’m very glad I jumped down.”
Given that its inspiration came from a visual art form, Fusion Core’s “Mended” will have a clear visual concept.
As Marino described, the show unfolds on a straightforward timeline, using symbolism and characterization to display — literally and figuratively — the process of rebuilding shattered pottery in the style of Kintsugi.
“Currently we're looking at four movements,” he said. “We open with the vessel — who we are as individuals. The show progresses through the second piece, where the shattering, the brokenness and the scars happen. You're really going to get the hint musically there, because it's going to take a pretty sudden turn.
“The third piece is really where the mending happens, and that is the big visual element,” Marino continued. “Through the color guard with silks, and backdrops that come together as puzzle pieces, we’ll re-form the vessel, as it were. And then we celebrate that, both visually and musically.”
That being said, the philosophy behind Kintsugi extends beyond pottery, symbolizing resilience, healing, and the idea that flaws can make something even more valuable.
As such, Fusion Core’s design team will be able to create opportunities to present an array of emotions, and help tell a story driven by the Kintsugi motif.
“We found that there were a lot of carryovers to people,” he said. “Instead of trying to hide brokenness and scars, to realize that those are the things that make you who you are. Things are broken differently, so there’s a lot of honor in that.”
Musically, Fusion Core will bring a versatile set of selections to the field in the summer of 2025.
While the corps’ full repertoire is still a work in progress, a few titles were confirmed by Marino, including the ever-popular “Golden Hour” by JVKE, which has more than a billion plays on Spotify. Drum corps fans may be acquainted with the song from its inclusion in Cincinnati Tradition and The Academy’s 2024 productions.
Fusion Core also plans to perform Lindsey Sterling’s “Shatter Me,” John Mackey’s “Turbine,” and The Cinematic Orchestra’s “Arrival of the Birds.”
The only thing missing from the puzzle, so far, is a definite closing selection, but Marino did say that what’s in the works is quite promising.
“We're still perusing right now what that celebration looks like,” he said. “It’s a mixture of everything that's led up to that moment, but done differently. Our brass arranger has been really great so far with his take on the arrangements.”
According to corps director Holly Marino, it’s been a successful offseason following Fusion Core’s inaugural year of DCI All-Age competition.
This past fall saw Fusion Core announce a move to Florida, which — as Marino noted — has brought with it challenges and exciting opportunities. The corps is gradually filling out its ensemble for 2025.
“The great thing that seems to be happening is that as members have come out to the rehearsal camps, they've had a positive experience,” she said, “and they're telling friends, and more people are coming in.”
Following their move to the southeastern United States, Fusion Core’s 2025 season will feature a trio of stops, kicking off July 25 in Birmingham, Alabama, followed by stops in Atlanta, Georgia, and the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis.
View Fusion Core's 2025 DCI Tour Schedule