Over the summer, Del Val students, Kacey Burd and Cayden Puttlitz, performed in the Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Corps marching band across multiple states on the East Coast, before playing their final show in Indianapolis.
Burd and Puttlitz participate in Del Val’s marching band, the Golden Regiment. Burd is a percussionist and vibraphonist. Puttlitz is a spinner for the color guard.
The program lasted from their open house in Nov. to their final performance in Aug. From June to Aug., rehearsals at Jefferson Township High School and performances across the East Coast were held. Around 80 people from multiple states performed alongside Burd and Puttlitz in the program.
Both students participated in the program for the same reason: to better their musical abilities and perform alongside people who love marching band.
“I wanted to grow and learn more in a setting with education I don’t have much access to at Del Val,” Burd said.
Puttlitz shared a similar sentiment.
“I really focused on improving my skills as a spinner,” Puttlitz said. “I made sure to improve and keep up my practice.”
Thomas Hayden, Del Val’s band director, was in awe at their musical and personal development.
“They both have grown so much in their confidence and skill, and it is inspiring to other students,” Hayden said. “I was so excited when I found out they were accepted as members of Fusion Core. I never had the chance to march in it myself, so it had been a dream of mine to help students achieve this goal.”
Burd described the Fusion Core community in a positive light.
“Drum corps have such an active community, including lifelong fans and a family-like relationship between everyone involved, so there is so much love and connection in Fusion Core,” Burd said. “To rehearse for 12-plus hours together, spend weeks on end traveling together, and then often sharing housing spaces with other corps, offered the chance for long-lasting connections with people which I’ve never experienced before
Burd and Puttlitz shared how the program impacted them as individuals and musicians.
“This program has changed me as a musician,” Burd said. “I have grown so much and it has reignited a passion in me to work hard and achieve my goal of moving up in the world of drum corps.”
