N. Y. Skyliners Announce 2006 Percussion Caption Head
Doreen Sandor
Head: Robert A. Craig.
Robert Craig’s experience in drum corps and percussion-related activities
spans 40 years, and he brings with him a tradition and background of
building, writing for, and teaching championship percussion programs. He
was the Arranger/Technician for many well-known drum corps, Championship
corps and championship percussion lines during the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s.
From 1969 to 1975, Robert Craig arranged for and teched the Elizabeth, N.J.
Falcons, who placed 13th at the DCI Championships in 1975. They were
five-time Garden State Percussion Champions, Butler-American Open Percussion
Winners, and Marion Ohio U.S. Open Percussion Winners. While at the
Falcons Robert also was the Drill Designer, Guard Designer, and Percussion
Arranger/Caption Head. As Percussion Captain (’70) for Blessed Sacrament
Golden Knights, Robert Craig was percussion Co-Writer during his age-out
year. With Blessed Sac, he won numerous Percussion titles including
National Percussion winner and World Championship Winners.
Robert Craig has also been Arranger/Technician for the Garfield Cadets from
1973-1974 and the Surfers from New London, Connecticut (1974-1976) were No.
1 New England Percussion Champions twice during his tenure. As Percussion
Technician/Consultant for the Crossmen (1977-1978), Robert helped them
become Percussions Champions of the National Circuit. From 1978 – 1979,
Mr. Craig was Arranger/Technician for the Classics of New Haven, Connecticut
who were crowned both North Eastern Percussion Champions and Garden State
Percussion Champions. He served as Percussion Arranger and Consultant to
the New York Lancers (1978), and as percussion consultant for North Star
(1980) and the Finleyville Crusaders from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1980).
Mr. Craig was a co-writer of the Garfield Cadets’ percussion book from
1980 – 1982, and was lead tech as well.
During his years as percussion Arranger/Technician, the New York Lancers
(1984-1986) won the DCI DIV. II/III World Percussion and Garden State
Percussion titles; Kips Bay “Knight Club” (1998-1999) were crowned Garden
State and DCI Div II/III Percussion champions; and the Cadets of New York
City (2000-2004) were crowned two-time DCI Atlantic Div. II/III and Garden
State Percussion Winners.
Mr. Craig’s judging activities includes being a percussion judge with
National Judges Association (1978 – 198), DCI (1986 – 1990), Northeaster
Judges Association (1978 – 1990), DCE (1986-1990), and a Music Judge with
the Cadets Marching Band (CMBC) Circuit (1990-1991).
In addition to being an instructor, arranger, consultant and judge, Robert
Craig also has a distinguished list of personal performance experiences.
He was a Percussionist at Andrew Jackson High, NY (1963-1965), and performed
with the U.S. Army Jazz and Rock bands from 1965 – 1967. While a Snare
Drummer (and Captain in 1970) with Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights (nine
time National and world Champions), Robert was Individual Snare Champion-New
York Metro Area and at the Eastern States, CYO, Michigan/Chicago Fair.
During that time, Robert also performed with the Steel Drums (City Mission
Steel Band, NY 1969-1970), was Principal Timpanist with the Borough Wide
City Orchestra in New York (1968-1970), was a percussionist with Bronx
Community’s Junior Orchestra (1971-1977), and was Solo Snare Champion at
Various Shows throughout the East Coast/Midwest from 1969-1970.
Mr. Craig’s profession outside of the drum corps world is in the
Telecommunications industry. The Skyliners welcome Robert Craig and will
announce additional percussion staff shortly. If you are interested in
meeting Robert Craig and performing with the N. Y. Skyliners’ percussion
section this summer, stop down at the Open House on Sunday, November 20the
to find out more.
Go to our website for updated information, directions, and information:
http://www.newyorkskyliners.org, or contact Holly Marino, Assistant Director
at exi...@yahoo.com.
garyd
percussionist and terrific human being.
Here is a photo taken at a Brooklyn HS in the 1969 winter season. The
Blessed Sacrament drum quartette includes Jimmy O'Hara, Bobby Craig,
Tony Sepe and Don Interdonato.
http://www.bsgoldenknights.org/album/1969/69drumquartette.htm
If memory serves me, Bobby also marched with us in 1969.
Regards,
Gary
garyd
Mike
I'd say you are right...look at this pic...
http://www.bsgoldenknights.org/album/1969/69milford.htm
Mike