DeLucia and Kerchner added to Bridgemen staff

The Bridgemen Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps has formally launched last Saturday, and Executive Director George Lavelle proudly announced the staff for the 2005 season. Lavelle is thrilled that two of the most prominent individuals to ever work with the Bridgemen, Dennis DeLucia and Larry Kerchner, will return to provide and oversee the musical arrangements.

"Dennis and Larry's talent and expertise always managed to make any corps excel, and the Bridgemen Alumni Corps fully expects to recreate that tradition," Lavelle said. "We are very lucky to have them on board and look forward to many more great times ahead!"

Complementing DeLucia will be Pat Scollin, Bob Dubinski and Jim Mallen. Scollin and Dubinski worked with DeLucia when the Bridgemen drum line won three successive high percussion awards at the Drum Corps International Championships in the 1980s. Mallen, a respected judge, percussion instructor and former colleague of DeLucia's, has also produced outstanding achievements in his various drum corps teachings. Lavelle added, "Each one of them brings great experience and award-winning success to the percussion section."

In addition to Kerchner, whose well-known arrangements have been the force behind a powerful and exciting ensemble, horn instruction will be provided by Bridgemen alumnus Dennis Argul. "Dennis is a veteran of both the junior and senior corps circuits, and now he'll help re-develop the sound that always brought the crowd to its feet at the end of every Bridgemen performance."

Taking charge of the color guard will be another alumnus, Matt Hurley. "Matt has visualized guard programs, both winter and summer, generating innovative ideas and a unique style." Working with Hurley will be Claire (Edmonds) Kronenfeld and Nancy (Kolodziej) DuCharme, both of whom marched with the Bridgemen color guard and also taught the Bayonne Kidets, the Bridgemen feeder corps.
      
Rounding out the staff, Lavelle and Kronenfeld, both Bridgemen staff alumni will be responsible for getting the corps marching into the 2005 season. "I am happy to bring together such quality people," said Lavelle. "I expect great success as the alumni corps starts a new legacy for the Bridgemen in 2005."