Spirit of America Band

The Spirit of America Band is a World Class band based in Orleans, Massachusetts,on Cape Cod, founded in 1980. It is a member corps of the World Association of Marching Show Bands and Winter Guard International. Spirit of America is currently under the direction of Richard K. Pugsley. The band has been officially recognized in exhibition with Drum Corps International and Bands of America.

Spirit of America Band
LocationOrleans, MA
DivisionWorld Class
Founded1980
DirectorRichard K. Pugsley
Championship titles2006, 2012, 2015 (Gold); 2000, 2004, 2005 (Silver); 2013 (Bronze)
UniformBlue jacket with white, silver, and red stripes and accents, silver sash and gauntlets, white pants with a blue stripe, white shoes, and a blue hat with matching accents to the jacket and a silver flame in place of the classic plume.
Spirit Winter Percussion - 2015 WGI Percussion World Champions PIO Class

History

Spirit of America was founded as a small community band in 1980. After several years of public acknowledgement and demand from marching in parades, the band was invited to Washington, D.C. to march in the National Independence Day Parade.[1] The band was named Spirit of America following the parade, after receiving an award from the parade committee for "Best Representing the Spirit of America.[2] Since then, the band has marched in parades and performed field shows for many audiences across the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Korea, and South Africa. Spirit of America Field Band won the World Association of Marching Show Bands Championships in Jeju, South Korea in August 2006. The Winter Percussion ensemble won the Gold Medal in the Independent Marching A division at the WinterGuard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio in April, 2012.

Awards

FIELD BAND

  • 2006 – 1st place at the World Association of Marching Show Bands Competition[3]
  • 2000- Silver Medal at the World Association of Marching Show Bands Competition and WAMSB Award of Excellence Winner[4]

MARCHING BAND

  • 1986- Award: "Best Representing the Spirit of America": 1986 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.[5]

WINTER PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

  • 2004- Silver Medal in the Percussion Independent A Division at the WinterGuard International (WGI) Championships in San Diego, California[6]
  • 2005- Silver Medal in the Percussion Independent A Division at the WGI Championships in Dayton, Ohio[7]
  • 2007- 1st Place in the Percussion Independent A Division at the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Championships at the University of Massachusetts Amherst[8]
  • 2008- 1st Place in the Percussion Independent A Division at the NESBA Championships in Dartmouth, MA[9]
  • 2009-1st Place in the Percussion Independent A Division at the NESBA Championships in Dartmouth, MA[10]
  • 2012-1st Place in the Percussion Independent A Division at the NESBA Championships in Dartmouth, MA[11]
  • 2012- Gold Medal in the Percussion Independent A Division at the WGI Championships in Dayton, Ohio[12]
  • 2013-Bronze Medal in the Percussion Independent A Division at the WGI Championships in Dayton, Ohio[13]
  • 2014-5th Place in the Percussion Independent Open Division at the WGI Championships in Dayton, Ohio[14]
  • 2015-Gold Medal in the Percussion Independent Open Division at the WGI Championships in Dayton, Ohio[15]

WGI Independent A Finalist: 2004-2010, 2012-2013 (did not compete 2011)

WGI Independent Open Finalist: 2014-2015

Groups

Spirit of America's groups include a Field Band, Marching Band, Winter Percussion ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and Fife and Drum Corps.

Discography

Wind Ensemble

  • Call to Freedom: The Music of a Great Nation (2009)[16]

Winter Percussion Ensemble

  • Celebration in Brass (2013)[17]

References
  1. Press Room (June 25, 2008). "". New Bedford 360. Retrieved on August 9, 2009.
  2. Press Room (June 25, 2008). "". New Bedford 360. Retrieved on August 9, 2009.
  3. Sidman, Dan (June 26, 2008). "Marching band tooting its own horns". Cape Cod Times. Retrieved on January 8, 2009.
  4. Hoey, John (June 25, 2008). "communications/articles/printversion.cfm?a_key=2162 World champion marching band to perform on campus". University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Retrieved on March 4, 2009.
  5. Press Room (June 25, 2008). "". New Bedford 360. Retrieved on August 9, 2009.
  6. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  7. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  8. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  9. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  10. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  11. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  12. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  13. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  14. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  15. http://wgi.org/contents/Historical-Scores.html
  16. http://www.paracletepress.com/call-to-freedom-the-music-of-a-great-nation.html
  17. http://www.paracletepress.com/celebration-in-brass.html
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