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Bringing Theater to the Football Field

The next time you attend a Drum Corps International competition, you may watch a group perform a classic piece from shows such as West Side Story, Tommy or The Phantom of the Opera. Musical theater has provided these groups a virtually unlimited catalog of songs to use for their shows. But Broadway Designer and Professor Emeritus Michael J. Cesario, Xi Pi (Wisconsin-Whitewater) '67, would tell you that theater has influenced drum corps in many other ways as well.

Inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 1996, Brother Cesario's knowledge of theater production brought a new level of sophistication to drum corps performances. As a program coordinator for The Cadets in the early '80s, his responsibility was to pull the interpretive scheme of the production together into one place, much like a theater director. Incorporating colors and costumes, as well as dance, Cesario felt it was important to "catch the moment" and tell the story of the music. He stated, "We brought the lessons of the theater into marching band and Drum & Bugle Corps."

Cesario was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. This new concept was a cooperative effort designed with three other men and it took little time to gain wide acceptance. "Writing field-filling and kaleidoscopic drill was unusual at the time, but now high school bands do it," he explained. "Then it was 'state of the art.'"

Starting in the '80's right up through today, Cesario focuses his talents on
Mike Cesario shows a uniform design to interested band students
uniform design. Realizing that uniforms were usually uncomfortable and often didn't work well within their environment, he decided to apply his costuming skills. Cesario wondered, "What would you do if Levi's made a uniform? It would be washable, durable and the buttons would be riveted on."

Using three simple concepts - visibility, identity and practicality - Cesario's design may seem simple; however, it brings a visual strength that focuses the audience attention to the whole group, not any individual. The uniforms are also comfortable and allow for movement during a performance.

Brother Cesario continues to design uniforms for drum corps, but is also bringing his skills to high school and college marching bands. You can see some of his designs online at http://www.fjminc.com/cesario.