Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Neighbors and others within earshot of the Denair High School stadium and middle school field this week may be wondering about sounds of horns and the beat of drums they’ve heard. They may even have caught a glimpse of dozens of teenagers waving colorful flags.

Here’s the answer: The Vanguard Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from Santa Clara once again are using the grassy fields and other facilities in Denair to prepare for the summer competition season. It is the seventh year in a row that the 150-member organization has held a weeklong camp at the adjoining high school and middle school sites.

“The relationship between Denair and Vanguard has been positive and has generated interest to the degree that folks will stop by to watch,” said Aaron Rosander, superintendent of the Denair Unified School District.

Twice in the past three years, the camp provided a springboard to the Drum Corps International Open Class Championship, which the Bay Area group has won four times (2000, 2008, 2013 and 2015).

“We make a lot of noise, so it’s easy to become a distraction. The people here are really nice; very welcoming,” said Steve Barnhill, the corps’ director. “The facilities are great. We’re right next to the cafeteria. We’re right next to the quad. We have access to football field. And it’s quiet and safe at night.

Vanguard’s group includes about 70 musicians in the brass section playing trumpets, mellophones, trombones and tubas; 42 in the color guard waving flags, twirling rifles and dancing; 35 in percussion playing snares, quads, xylophones and marimbas; three drum majors; and about 20 adult instructors. The caravan of three buses, a semi-trailer full of instruments, flags, uniforms and equipment, and a mobile kitchen arrived Thursday. Continue reading “World Champion Drum and Bugle Corps Holds Weeklong Camp in Denair” »