Special Needs Drum & Bugle Corps to Announce Opening of Ranks to Greater Long Island Community

October 18, 2017 | News

On Wednesday, October 25th, at 11:00 a.m., Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) will be holding a Press Conference at their Old Bethpage headquarters where the FREE Players Drum & Bugle Corps will announce that they are opening their ranks to the greater Long Island community.

When:
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
11:00 a.m.

Where:
Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE)
Multi-Purpose Room
191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Rd
Old Bethpage, NY  11804

Recently, the FREE Players Drum & Bugle Corps was selected as the first special needs group to perform at the DCI World Championships in 2018.  The DCI World Championships is the largest event in the world for the Marching Arts Activity and has been called the “Super Bowl” of Drum Corps.  The best of the best from the entire world gather to compete every year to decide who will become the World Champion.  30,000 spectators are expected to be in attendance for World Class Finals alone!  New members who are accepted will be given the opportunity of a lifetime to perform at the 2018 DCI World Championships in Indianapolis IN.

About the FREE Players Drum & Bugle Corps

The FREE Players Drum & Bugle Corps is the first Special Needs Drum & Bugle Corps or “Corps” Style Marching Band to exist in the world. The Corps was founded in 2010 by Senior Music Specialist, Brian Calhoun and is based out of Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) Theatre Arts Day Program in Old Bethpage, NY.

Drum Corps is essentially a professional marching band that requires the musicianship of a symphony, combined with the athleticism of a professional sport, mixed with the theatrics of a Broadway show.

The FREE Players Drum & Bugle Corps is comprised entirely of members who are Differently Abled (Special Needs), ages 20 to 50 plus, who live all throughout Long Island NY.  The Corps currently has 70 members, divided into 4 different sections, Drumline, Front Ensemble, Color Guard, Brass, as well as a Drum Major.  There is also a plan to add a 5th section to the Corps (Woodwinds) in 2018.

Over the course of almost a decade, the FREE Players Drum & Bugle Corps have performed at world class events in front of thousands of spectators, been featured by over 100 media outlets globally, developed a strong social media following on numerous platforms, and have inspired millions of people around the world!

Participation in Drum & Bugle Corps has helped our members grow musically, socially, all while building independence, life skills, job skills, memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

The FREE Players Drum & Bugle Corps strives to break down boundaries, alleviate prejudice and show that anything is possible with heart, hard work and the desire to push one’s self beyond any previously conceived limitations.   Members are challenged to be the best they can be, this has led to a great sense of pride and personal achievement for all that have participated.

Website:  www.FamilyRes.org/FREEDrumCorps
Facebook: @FREEPlayersDrumCorps
Instagram and Twitter: @FREEDrumCorps
YouTube: @FREEPlayersDrumCorps

Download a PDF of This Press Release