DENVER, CO – With the return of the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps back home on 8/11, another amazing season comes to a close. And there were many reasons to celebrate “That One Second” this 2014 DCI season.
First, the Blue Knights presented a fresh new look for the 2014 Drum Corps International season by Tommy Keenum of The Band Hall. ​ This is​ the Blue Knights’ first set of new uniforms in​ ​over a decade ​and begins​ ​a new chapter in the Blue Knights’ proud​ ​56 year history. ​ Authentic, aspiring, dynamic — the new design was built upon a foundation that captures the very essence of the Blue Knights organization — inspiring its future, while honoring its past. It is, unmistakably, Blue Knights. (Read more here)
From a competitive standpoint, the Blue Knights improved 2 spots in overall placement with 8th place from 10th in 2013. The drum corps was ranked 6th in General Effect-2 and Percussion, 7th in Music Analysis, 8th in General Effect-1 and Brass, 9th in Visual Analysis, and 10th in Visual Proficiency and Color Guard (read the full score recap here). But even more than scores and rankings, the Blue Knights transcended to new levels of performance that had not been experienced before. Audiences from across the nation have raved about how the Blue Knights are their new favorite drum corps and how this year’s production of “That One Second” really touched them on a deep emotional level. Read more here, here, and here.
Drum Corps International recognized Executive Director, Mark Arnold, for the 2014 Hall of Fame due to the incredible impact he has made on the marching arts at the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony at Union Station, downtown Indianapolis on Wednesday, August 6, 2014. From instructors to designers to innovators, administrators and others, today’s Hall of Fame is made up of more than 100 men and women influential in the history of drum and bugle corps. Each winter, members of the drum corps community participate in a nomination process, informing DCI’s Hall of Fame Committee of those whom they feel should be recognized as part of drum corps’ legacy. Mark Arnold is one of the longest-serving leaders in Drum Corps International today, having been corps director of the Blue Knights since 1985, nearly 30 years. (Read more here)
The Blue Knights were also successful in their victory over the Troopers in the 1st Annual Rocky Mountain Rivalry challenge. The Blue Knights raised $33,993.24 and the Troopers raised $21,211.00 for combined amount of $55,214.24! This is the most both drum corps have ever raised online. Our donor honor roll includes not only alumni, but parents, fans and supporters of the Blue Knights–a diverse group of people whose common ground is the wish to see programs like ours not only survive in the years to come, but thrive. This money will be used to provide food and fuel for the corps on the road, as well as educational opportunities for future members as we move into recruiting for the 2015 season.
The 2014 Blue Knights gave every fiber of their being for “That One Second”–an inspiration for us all. Ascend Performing Arts would like to thank all of the Blue Knights members, instructors, admin staff, social media team, volunteers, supporters, donors, alumni, fans and the BK Nation for making us all very proud of everything they have done to let the world know the Blue Knights are as strong as ever and ready to ascend to new heights. (Click the photo below for more pictures from this past season)
