A brand new Yamaha snare drum is unveiled.
LAKE FOREST – Bravo Waukegan delivered new drums and equipment to the Waukegan High School JROTC Drum and Bugle Corps recently. The students were eagerly awaiting the delivery from the staff of the non-profit organization, which is based in Lake Forest and supports the music faculty and programs of Waukegan public schools.
Box after box, students carefully unwrapped, tuned and installed harnesses on multiple base and snare drums. “The new Yamaha drums, they’re really, really awesome,” said Roy Pontoja, a junior and Platoon Sergeant First Class. “They sound great, the pitches are just perfect.”
The purchase of drums was sparked by an email to Bravo from Ms. Guzman, a senior and 1st Sergeant, with the Drum Corps XO. Guzman explained the serious need for new equipment, and that expenditures were not in the budget.
“The moment I got the (return) email my face lit up, finally someone heard me,” said Guzman. “When Bravo said they could help us out with the purchase of instruments that honestly made my month—we’re finally doing something right here, and it’s because of everyone’s hard work.”
“This is exactly the kind of support Bravo does best—responding to a specific need put forth by teachers, the administration, and even committed students,” said Karey Walker, executive director of Bravo. “We really believe in the JROTC program and the leadership of Mj. Bell and the work of Lillian Burge, Sergeant First Class and Drum & Bugle Sponsor. The Drum & Bugle Corps is made up of experienced musicians and members of the marching band, as well as those new to music and want to experience playing drums or brass.”
The gift was immediately put to use as the cadets incorporated the new equipment into their rehearsal line up. Practice will begin on Monday for the annual Waukegan Bulldog Regiment Drill Down (April 2, 2016), a drill competition and open house. Over 700 students compete to an audience of over 1,000 family members, teachers, members of the administration, and local officials. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Waukegan JROTC unit, making it one of the oldest JROTC programs in the country. The Drum & Bugle Corps will kick off the event with a musical presentation.
Bravo Waukegan played a role in adding the bugles to the Corps several years ago.
Major Carter Bell, department chair, said he had always wished to reinstate the bugles, but funds and equipment were lacking. It was then that Bravo got involved by providing instruments, instruction, and support materials. “Pat Sikorovsky [Bravo founder] asked what do you need, how can we help? What a great question to be asked,” said Bell. “I probably could have asked for the world and Bravo Waukegan would have come through for us.”
Cadets of the Bulldog WHS Bulldog Regiment open boxes of new drums
donated by Lake Forest non-profit, Bravo Waukegan.
About Waukegan JROTC
Waukegan JROTC officially began as one of the original twenty-five JROTC pilot programs authorized by an act of Congress in the national Defense Act of 1916, making it one of the oldest JROTC programs in the nation. The WHS Bulldog Regiment currently holds the highest rating given to JROTC programs: “Honor Unit with Distinction.” The program has maintained this level of performance for the last 20 years. http://www.waukeganjrotc.org/
About Bravo Waukegan
Bravo Waukegan, established in 2010, is a non-profit organization supporting music faculty and programs of the Waukegan schools. The group supports the music faculty and programs of the Waukegan schools, providing resources for well-supervised and creative after-school and summer music activities. Now touching the lives of more than 3,000 students each year, Bravo has become a respected and positive force in the Waukegan community. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.bravowaukegan.org/, or call 847-722-5821.
Submitted by Bravo Waukegan