DON VAN DOREN

Class of 2002

INSTRUCTOR / MENTOR

Cadet Years: Brass Instructor/Caption Head (1980-1984)

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HIS CADET STORY:

Donnie VanDoren began his drum corps teaching career with the Black Diamond Regiment.  In 1979 he began instructing the Crossmen brass line.  

 

In 1980 he became brass caption head for the Garfield Cadets, remaining in that role until 1984.  With long-time friend Jim Prime doing the arranging for the Corps, Donnie developed the hornline into a championship-caliber line as it began its 1980’s string of World Championships.

 

VanDoren helped lead the 1985 Troopers, a young and inexperienced corps, to the DCI World Championships.

 

In 1986 VanDoren became brass caption head for the Star of Indiana, who won DCI World Championship in 1991.  As that corps evolved into the Broadway musical "Blast!", Van Doren assumed the associate producer responsibilities.

 

DCI Hall of Famer Thomas Hannum said, "It is time for DCI to embrace the long-standing excellence of Mr. Van Doren's work and acknowledge his influence on drum corps."

 

Additional Honors:

Drum Corps International Hall of Fame 2004

Star of Indiana Hall of Fame (1997)

World Drum Corps Hall of Fame (2024)