Drum and bugle corps makes annual visit to Denair

If you live in or around the Denair area, it’s become an annual tradition this time of year: hearing the horns and drumbeats of the world champion Vanguard Cadets.

For six years, the Santa Clara-based drum and bugle corps has held a weeklong camp at Denair High and Middle schools.

One hundred and fifty performers, ranging in age from 15 to 21, practice playing horns, beating drums and waving colorful flags. They work from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., breaking only for meals.

“The relationship between Denair and Vanguard has been positive and has generated interest to the degree that folks will stop by to watch and inquire,” Aaron Rosander, superintendent of the Denair Unified School District, said in a news release.

The cadets bunk in the middle school gym; the accompanying adults stay in the classrooms.

“The Vanguard Cadets are honored to once again spend time here in Denair. We have always been treated so wonderfully and want to give much thanks to the district office personnel and school administration,” Steve Barnhill, the corps’ director, said in the release.

Area residents will have a chance to see how all that hard work is paying off: The cadets will put on a dress rehearsal Thursday at Denair High beginning at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

After that, the cadets head to a competition Friday in Clovis, followed by other shows in Sacramento and Stanford. They will defend their national title Aug. 3-8 in Indianapolis.

This story was originally published June 16, 2015 at 4:49 PM with the headline "Drum and bugle corps makes annual visit to Denair."