Press release
A group of students and graduates from various high schools in the Santa Clarita Valley, including Castaic, Saugus, Hart and Valencia, have represented the community on the world stage at the 2024 Drum Corps International World Championship in Indianapolis.
These young musicians were members of the San Diego-based Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, which won a bronze medal in the highly competitive Open Class, according to a press release from the organization.
The students, chosen from hundreds of candidates in a rigorous selection process, have been training and practicing since February to prepare for this success. “Their dedication and hard work paid off as they toured across the country, performing in California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana before reaching the DCI World Championships,” the press release said.
Founded in 2005, the Gold Drum and Bugle Corps is a premier ensemble known for its commitment to excellence, innovation and education in the marching arts, the press release states. Gold provides young musicians and artists the opportunity to develop their talents in a challenging yet supportive environment. The corps’ commitment to musical and visual excellence has earned it a respected place in the marching community, and it regularly ranks among the top competitors in the Open Class division, the press release states.
“We are incredibly proud of these young adults,” Kevin Valentine, executive director of the Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, said in the press release. “Their commitment and dedication were outstanding and they represented Santa Clarita and their respective high schools with honor. Competing in the DCI World Championship and excelling is a dream for many marching artists and these students made it a reality.”
Local students who performed include:
• Liam Lafferty, Castaic High School, 2026.
• Everett Montemayor, Castaic High School, 2024.
• Morgan Montemayor, Castaic High School, 2027
• Robert Grunbok, Hart High School, 2023
• Bri Sutton, Saugus High School, 2025.
• Rodrigo Del Rio, Saugus High School, 2024.
• Michael Clouse, Saugus High School, 2026.
• Spencer Clouse, Saugus High School, 2027.
• Alex Kwon, Valencia High School, 2025.
• Olivia Siroky, Hart High School, 2021.
