Three World Championship awards bear new names

 

In recognition of the contributions of some very important people to the success and evolution of Drum Corps International, Saturday, Jan. 21, representatives of DCI's voting member corps unanimously approved the naming of the following awards.

The George Bonfiglio Chairman's Award

George Bonfiglio, founder and longtime director of the 27th Lancers, was one of the most beloved people from DCI's formative years. Always smiling and always supportive of others and the entire activity, he was a gentleman's gentleman who was thoroughly dedicated to drum corps as a great activity for the youth it serves. Bonfiglio served as DCI's first Chairman of the Board and was instrumental in helping direct DCI's initial growth and increased prominence in the marching activities. Daughter Janine McWilliams wrote, "Our father, along with other amazing trailblazers, decided that competing on the local level wasn't enough and thought drum corps should have a national presence in our society. DCI was his sixth child and he gave the organization his constant attention." The George Bonfiglio Chairman's Award will be presented annually at the DCI World Championships to a person who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, service and effort on behalf of Drum Corps International. The recipient will be selected by the current Chairman of the DCI Board of Directors and the current DCI Executive Director.

The John Brazale Best Visual Performance Award

Prior to the 2012 season, only one of DCI's five caption awards has not carried the name of an individual. The Best Visual Performance Award is now named in honor of the late DCI Hall of Fame member John Brazale. Involved in the drum corps activity for more than 30 years as a performer, instructor, designer and manager, Brazale joined Phantom Regiment's staff in 1976 as head of the corps' color guard program. Assuming drill design responsibilities in the early '80s, he quickly became recognized as one of the great designers of the era. "Not only was John a leader among drill writers, he was also quite active in the teaching of corps members. I think that's a huge part of why his name is going on this award," said Phantom Regiment Program Director Dan Farrell. "He was extremely successful with his teaching style and teaching techniques, and he was also endowed with the motivation and all the tools that made him a truly inspiring teacher." Brazale, who passed away in 1993 and was posthumously inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 1994, joins several other notable drum corps personalities that caption awards have been named after, including Donald Angelica (Best General Effect Award), Fred Sanford (Best Percussion Performance Award), George Zingali (Best Color Guard Award) and Jim Ott (Best Brass Performance Award).

The DCI Founders Trophy

The traveling trophy that is presented to the winner of the DCI World Championship Finals has a new name, the DCI Founders Trophy. "I can't think of a better way for us to honor the gentlemen whose vision created DCI, than for us to have this trophy dedicated to the founding fathers during our 40th anniversary season," Cavaliers Director Adolph DeGrauwe said. An engraved plaque will be added to the base of the award, listing each of the names of DCI's founding corps, their hometowns and the names of each of the directors at the time of DCI's inception. Following are the names that will now appear on this coveted trophy. Troopers – Casper, WY – Jim Jones Cavaliers – Chicago, IL – Don Warren Vanguard – Santa Clara, CA – Gail Royer Blue Rock – Wilmington, DE – Larry Seeney Madison Scouts – Madison, WI – Bill Howard 27th Lancers – Revere, MA – George Bonfiglio Garfield Cadets - Garfield, NJ – Hugh Mahon Argonne Rebels – Great Bend, KS – Glenn Opie Blue Stars – La Crosse, WI – David Kampschroer Anaheim Kingsmen – Anaheim, CA – Don Porter De La Salle Oaklands - Toronto, ONT – John Jones Boston Crusaders – Boston, MA – George Bevilacqua Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights – Newark, NJ – Fred Dooley