The Cadets are a drum and bugle corp and part of Drum Corps International (DCI). In short, DCI is like a professional marching band, only the participants are usually between the ages of 16-22 and they don't get paid. They do it purely for the competition and experience and the camraderie. DCI is a wonderful combination of athleticism and art.
I've been a huge fan since 1988, and growing up in LA, I was excited to be in the Bay Area where two of the top drum corps in the nation were nearby (Concord Blue Devils and the Santa Clara Vanguard). My first experience with DCI ever was in NJ when they were the Garfield Cadets (they've also been formerly the Holy Name Cadets, Garfield Cadets, and Cadets of Bergen County).
The Cadets are an interesting mix of tradition and cutting-edge progress. The Cadets have essentially the same uniforms from the 1930s. They are known for a wide variety of music in their repertoire, often pushing the artistic envelope of innovation. The Cadets have performed music from West Side Story, Candide, Mass, Jeremiah, On the Waterfront, Wonderful Town, Fancy Free and Concerto for Orchestra. They have also performed music by John Adams, Aaron Copland, David Holsinger, Gavin Greenaway, Johan de Meij, Philip Sparke, Jan van der Roost, Bjrk, John Williams and Frank Ticheli.
They're the 2nd-most successful corp, winning 9 championships (2nd to the Blue Devils 12). They dominated the 80s winning 5 championships between 1983-1990. The Cadets were guests at the 1996 Summer Olympics and in 1986 they performed for President Ronald Reagan at the Statue of Liberty Ceremony in New York City.
I've always been a huge fan of the Vanguard, Blue Devils, and now Cavaliers, but I have to grudgingly admit the talent and success of the Cadets. I didn't particularly like their 2007 show but the execution was nearly flawless and they were in competition for 1st this year up until the end. read more