Richard Saucedo - DCI Hall of Fame

Richard Saucedo

Inducted in 2022

The lush chordal structures and intricate rhythms of some of the most memorable compositions of the Cavaliers throughout the 2000s, were born in large part through the mind and talent of Richard Saucedo.

Starting his drum corps tenure as an adjudicator in the mid-1990s, in 1999 The Cavaliers invited Saucedo to consult on the corps’ design and instructional teams. In 2000, he assumed arranging and composing duties, a position he held with the Midwestern corps through 2008.

Saucedo is perhaps best known and defined for writing the all-original compositions that helped lead The Cavaliers to some of their most successful and memorable productions of all time. Through “Four Corners,” “Frameworks,” “Spin Cycle” and “Machine,” among others, Saucedo defined an era of Drum Corps International show design.

“His ‘outside the box’ thinking and willingness to take any idea and run with it made the creative process invigorating,” said DCI Hall of Fame member Scott Koter who led The Cavaliers’ design staff during Saucedo’s time. “He challenged us artistically and musically and in just a few years the entire activity was transformed by his innovation.”

Noted for his originality and musical brilliance among colleagues, it has been his kindness and humbleness that those same people have credited as paramount to their own successes and in creating the team dynamic among Cavaliers design staff members who changed the trajectory of drum corps show design for a new era.

“With his compositional skills in our arsenal, we all truly felt the sky was the limit,” said DCI Hall of Fame visual designer Michael Gaines. “Richard has always remained humble and is the first one to invite input and innovation. He has shown openness to new approaches, patience with young instructors, mentorship with future leaders, and loyalty to friends and colleagues.”

More than 20 years after audiences experienced those groundbreaking Cavaliers productions, the effects of Saucedo’s musical virtuosity are still being felt today.

“From seamlessly weaving incredible rhythmic ostinatos with imaginative harmonic structures to geometric drill that redefined audio visual coordination, to creating brass sonority through impeccable orchestrations with equal parts refined tonal blend and chest thumping volume, Richard created colors and moments that are still being imitated today,” Blue Devils brass arranger and DCI Hall of Fame member John Meehan said. “For years after those early 2000s Cavaliers corps — and even today — I would find myself referencing those brass arrangements, and how they simultaneously complemented the visual and percussion design as well as stood out on their own without ever feeling forced or contrived.”

During and following his time with The Cavaliers, Saucedo worked as a composer and arranger with the Spirit of Atlanta and Blue Stars, and also returned to his adjudication roots serving as a judge on the DCI Tour and during the DCI World Championships on a number of occasions.

Outside of his Drum Corps International involvement, Saucedo spent 31 years as director of bands at Carmel High School in Indiana. He was named Indiana Bandmasters' Bandmaster of the Year (1998-99) and Indiana Music Educators Association's Outstanding Music Educator (2010) and was inducted into the Music For All Hall of Fame in 2015. He currently serves a freelance composer and arranger, adjudicator, keynote speaker, clinician and guest conductor around the world.

Hall of Fame Induction Speech