Who to Watch for: DCI 2016

As the 2016 DCI Season kicks off this Thursday, we will be spotlighting some of our very own members and staff as they tour the nation with their selected Drum Corps this year. STRYKE will be represented in over ten DCI Ensembles this season! Here is who to watch for...

Carolina Crown

• Josh Guttveg (SPW Synth); This will be his fourth year in DCI, and second year with Crown, aging-out on Synth.
• Randall Pierrot (SPW Tenors); This will be his rookie and age out year performing on tenors.
• Nick Skinner (SW Music Tech); This will be his third year performing on Trumpet with Crown.
• Paula Monique (SW Music Caption Head); This will be her second year working on the Brass Staff for Crown.

Bluecoats

• Nicole Oliva (SW Baritone); This will be her second year marching in DCI, first year marching with the Bluecoats.
• Malik Neille (SW Trumpet); This will be his rookie year marching in DCI.
• Jason 'Paco' Nunes (SW Program Coordinator); This will be his second year working on the Visual Team of the Blue Coats.

The Cadets

• Adam Kuffner (SP2 Visual tech); and will be his third and age-out year performing on trumpet with the Cadets.
• Joshua Brenneis (SW Visual Tech); This is his second year on the visual staff for the Cadets.

Santa Clara Vanguard

• Daniel Riley (SWG Drill Designer); This will be his second year as Caption Manager for SCV.
• Jason Ciesla (SWG Choreographer); this will be his second year working as a Colorguard Tech for SCV.

Phantom Regiment

• Franco Flores (SPW Cymbals); This will be his third year in DCI, and second year marching contra for Phantom Regiment.

Boston Crusaders

• Adam Khan (SPW Cymbals); this will be his second year marching Contra.
• Eddy Falcon (SPW Program Coordinator); Eddy will be taking on the new role as the Visual Caption Manger.
• Matt Rusnak (SPW Visual Tech)
• Johnny Miller (SPW Visual Tech)

Troopers

• Sofia Friederwitzer (SW Mellophone); This will her rookie year, marching trumpet for Troopers.

Colts

• Christopher Baños (SPW Bass Tech); This will be his first year as a Bass Tech for the Colts.

The Academy

• Justin Adams (SPW Snare); This will be his rookie year marching in DCI on Snare.
• CIsco Hance (SPW Battery Arranger and Caption Head); This will be his second year teaching for the Academy as Percussion Manger.
• Nathan Skinner (SPW Front Ensemble Arranger); This will his his first year teaching at the Academy.

Heat Wave (Open Class)

• Zachary Langstaff (SP2 Tenors); This will be his first year marching tenors in DCI.
• Ximena Rivas (SPW Marimba); This will be her first year marching tenors in DCI.

Legends (Open Class)

• Jose Grosfeld (SW Contra); This will be his rookie year with Legends.

In Review: SFWGA Championships

Last Weekend, SFWGA held Championships at Jupiter HS. On Saturday, SWG took the floor with their strongest performance of the season receiving 2nd place. In addition to the Color-guard championship competition of Saturday night, some of our STRYKE Parents and Staff performed for the first time ever in exhibition with their newest group called "Origins" (a Senior Color-guard). This group of former color-guard performers joined together over the season and rehearsed on their own off time to put a production together. It was truly a special moment for the members of Origins as they performed to a sold-out crowd on Saturday night.

On Sunday night, Wynds, SP2 and SPW took the floor for championship competition, and all three ensembles received 1st place in their classification. Before SPW began their show, Adam Hatfield (Ensemble Leader for SPW) took a moment to speak about the most recent death of STRYKE's Family member, Dan Kohlmann. After a moment of silence, SPW dedicated their championship performance to Dan and the Kohlmann family. In addition, members wrote "DK" on their shoulder in honor of Dan Kohlmann. 

"Dan was an amazing person and a dedicated father. He will be truly missed."

This week SWG will be traveling to Dayton, OH for WGI Championships! This will be an exciting moment as they represent STRYKE for the first time ever in the Color-guard circuit. The entire organization wishes them the best of luck!

Also happening this weekend will be the debut of the MFC Drumline (Miami FC's Official Drumline) on Saturday 8pm, at FIU Stadium. And on Sunday, SP2 and SPW will be hosting their F&F Send-Off Performance at Hollywood Hills HS at 3pm. Don't miss your last chance to see them perform in South Florida.

As WGI Championships is upon us, we ask you to show your support to these hard working ensembles with a contribution to their "Road to Dayton". The cost of fuel, transportation, hotel, and member accommodations are extremely expensive and continue to grow each year. So we ask for your support with a donation/contribution towards these members to have the experience they deserve on the road to Dayton. Click here to donate now.

TBT: STRYKE Entertainment At The Intercontinental Hotel!

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In March of 2015, STRYKE Entertainment was commissioned by COTC Events to perform the Crowne Plaza Conference at the Intercontinental Hotel (Miami, FL). The ensemble consisted of a fifteen member Drumline (five snares, two tenors, four basses, and four cymbals.) The drumine prepared their choreography, and music weeks before the event. 

At the day of the event, the performers prepared to surprise the unexpecting audience with their exciting entrance into the conference room. As the performers made their way onto the stage, each audience participant received a custom pair of drumsticks to join in on the action. The drumline closed out the conference with their high energy performance leaving the audience thrilled and amazed.

STRYKE would like to thank COTC Events for having STRYKE Entertainment take their conference up a notch. 

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If you are interested in how STRYKE Entertainment can make your next event even bigger and louder, please contact us today to find out how.

STRYKE Entertainment at the Best Buddies Gala

STRYKE Entertainment was called for duty this past Friday (Nov. 20th) to perform at the 19th Annual Best Buddies Gala Miami. Every year, Best Buddies invites more than 800 prominent local and international guests to gather in Miami and celebrate the Best Buddies Organization. Among the guests were, Former Miami Heat Player Alonso Morning, Actress Vivica A Fox, Former MLB Player Sammy Sosa, and Pop Artist Romero Britto.

Joey Coletto on Tenors 

This year's theme was “Back to School Night,” featuring college cheerleaders, mascots and of course, a DrumLine. STRYKE Entertainment produced a “Best Buddies Drum Line” specifically for this event. Our performers were fitted with traditional marching band uniforms and our drums with custom On2 Percussion slips featuring the Best Buddies logo.

The Best Buddies DrumLine began the night by greeting and dazzling guests with cadences and grooves as they arrived to the gala. As the night went on, the drum line moved into the Silent Auction Room and gave guests an elaborate and high-energy performance. Needless to say, they pumped up the crowd and got the party started. Other performances included acapella group reVoiced, and a special performance by Best Buddies Global Ambassador, Steve Aoki. The Best Buddies Gala was a huge success for a great cause.

STRYKE would like to thank Al Davis and Blooming Events International for having STRYKE Entertainment make their event unique and original. We would also like to give a special thank you to On2 Percussion for designing our custom slips and taking our production up another notch.

If you are interested in how STRYKE Entertainment can make your next event even bigger and louder, contact us today to find out how.

Follow Miss Florida USA 2016 Brie Gabrielle and Miss Florida Teen USA 2016 Gracie Smith as they walk you through the Best Buddies Gala. Watch out for the Best Buddies DrumLine!