Esperanza

Esperanza Snare Line
File:E Logo small.jpg
The **Esperanza Drum and Bugle Corps** is a DCI Division I corps from San Diego, California. The corps is one of several performing ensembles in its history supported by the Esperanza Performing Arts Association, Inc. Other programs in the Esperanza Organization include the Esperanza de Luz winterguards (Open and World), Esperanza Winter Percussion Ensemble and the San Diego Brass and Percussion Ensemble (a community band).

## History

Founded in the fall of 1999, the Esperanza Drum and Bugle Corps one of the competitive ensembles supported by the Esperanza Performing Arts Association, Inc. The corps made its debut performance in June 2000 at the Esperanza Experience held at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA.

In its first year the corps toured Southern and Northern California ending its season in Mid-July. During its second year in 2001 the corps traveled out of California for the first time by competing in the DCI Southwestern Regional at San Antonio. In 2002 the corps attended DCI Championships for the time and finished 6th in Division II.

In only its fourth year the corps won the DCI Division II Championships in Orlando, FL. This was the first time any corps from Southern California had won a DCI title since 1972.

After winning the 2003 Drum Corps International Division II Championship, the Corps promptly moved up the ranks by entering the Drum Corps International Regional Division I Class. Esperanza is rapidly establishing itself as a premier drum corps and is San Diego's only drum and bugle corps. The Corps is the first DCI Division I drum corps from San Diego County and the first DCI Division II Champion from Southern California. Esperanza performs in front of thousands of drum corps fans throughout California and the United States each season. This year the Corps will conclude its season at the Drum Corps International Championships.

In 2004 Esperanza also had a WGI World Class winter percussion ensemble.

In 2007 the corps announced that it would not compete during the 2007 competition season but would still host it's home show.[1]

## Mission

The Esperanza Organization is dedicated to the growth and education of performing arts and pageantry in San Diego County; its mission is to ensure that performing arts continue to flourish in San Diego.

The Esperanza Drum & Bugle Corps will provide a positive quality experience, education and teach values through excellence the drum & bugle corps activity.

### Corps Song

The Esperanza Corps Song is "You're Still You" by Josh Groban. This piece was the corps' 2003 championship Ballad.

### Staff Stretch

The morning of DCI Quarter Finals the entire teaching and support staff joins the corps in the morning circle for stretch. This began during morning stretch in 2003 at DCI Division II Finals when the corps won the DCI Division II Championship.

## Trivia

Esperanza Drum & Bugle Corps won the 2003 DCI Division 2 Championship. Esperanza was the first drum corps from Southern California to win any DCI Championship title since 1972.

In addition to earning the 2003 DCI Division II Championship crown, Drum Major Rich Chavez won the Division II Drum Major of the Year leading Esperanza.

The corps was promoted to Regional Division 1 in 2004.

The corps was promoted to Division 1 in 2006.

The nickname for the pit ATV is "Pooter". The current vehicle is "P3" for Pooter 3 because it is the third vehicle owned by the corps. The name came from the sound of the engine for the very first cart in 2002(poot-poot-poot-poot).

In 2004, the "Flash" was done twice. Once as a full horn line, and a second time a soloists does it in the center of a rotating block. This is because the move is 5 counts and the title of the show that year was "Five!" Both times, the visual can be viewed on the DVD in the upper right hand corner.

## External Links

* Esperanza Performing Arts Association official web site
* pacothepenguin fan site