Saluting Those Who Made 2023 Possible

General / August 17, 2023

The Cadets Administration would like to thank every donor, volunteer, staff member, and Cadet who made the 2023 season an outstanding year in the corps' 89-year history.

In 2023, The Cadets Drum Corps achieved its highest DCI Finals score and placement since 2015. But more than competitive success, the corps continued to march forward, igniting the passion of a new generation of future Cadets and bringing tears to the eyes of alumni and supporters of all ages. We are honored by your praise, grateful for your support, and mindful, always, of the beautiful Cadets tradition we all hold dear.

We invite you to read the following message from our Executive Director, Vicki Ferrence Ray, which she shared with everyone in attendance at The Cadets' 2023 Awards Banquet in Indianapolis on August 13:

We’ve all heard the saying, "It takes a village..." but this crazy thing we call The Cadets takes a small town to produce. I want to recognize each group of people that makes up our small town and how they contribute to the organization.

First, we have our corps members - 168 fine young adults that are the center of our Cadets universe. It has been my privilege and honor to serve this corps as Executive Director. I am so proud of each Cadet for all they achieved personally and collectively this year. Without them, we have no drum corps.

Second, we have their parents who have raised magnificent children, and we are blessed that you have shared them with us and entrusted them to our care and educational process. There are approximately 300 of them, and without them, we have no drum corps.

Our Design and Instructional Staff is comprised of elite educators and professionals, the best in their field from the United States and abroad. They work tirelessly, sometimes in less-than-ideal conditions, and their value is more than we can pay them. No one is getting rich doing drum corps, yet our instructional staff consists of more than 100 outstanding educators. Without them, we have no drum corps.

Our Support Staff is an incredible group of people! This consists of the food crew, the Medical Team, the Administrative Team, the Media Team, the Transportation Team, the Sewing Team and the Prop Team. They are a force to be reckoned with, and they push this drum corps through the season, doing all you see, much more you don’t see, and some of which you simply would not believe. Without them, we have no drum corps.

The Cadets Volunteers, many of them alumni and parents, give of themselves in big ways and small ways, during all seasons of the year and at all hours of the day and night. Our Board of Directors is also composed entirely of volunteers. Approximately 150 volunteers wrap us all in their love and support, and we can always use more of them. Without them, we have no drum corps.

We have more than 600 individuals that believe The Cadets are worthy of their generosity as they provide donations of money, products, and supplies. Without them, we have no drum corps.

There are other organizations that support us - the Erie Sports Center, our new home; sponsors and partners; and schools and universities that open their facilities to house us. We have over 50 supporting organizations. Without them, we have no drum corps.

So, when you add it all up, our small town is comprised of over 1,500 people and organizations, and we need them all. And, really, we could use many more to accomplish all of our goals and reach our fullest potential as an organization. It takes all of us, each and every one of us as individuals and collectively as a group, to make The Cadets happen every year. Saying, "Thank you," seems woefully insufficient because, indeed, each and every one of these individuals is necessary to ensure that "Holy Name Shall Always Be."

The following is a list of every volunteer, donor, staff member, and Cadet who helped bring the 89th edition of The Cadets to the field this summer.
Is someone missing? Please email abroussard@cadets.org to let us know.

2023 Volunteers