Joseph Courtney

From DrumCorpsWiki

Joseph Courtney has been involved in the Drum Corps community for over 40 years. He started his participation as a member of the Beau Geste Brigade Senior Drum Corps Color Guard in Maywood Illinois.He was also a member of the Vagabonds Sr. Color Guard, who were the first Mid West Color Guard Circuit Champions. When the Beau Geste Brigade changed their name to the Winfield Scott Rebels, he participated as a Bass Drummer and Baritone Bugler. Joe became involved with the Berwyn Blue Knights as a French Horn Player and Asst Brass Instructor and Visual Tecnician. He then became involved with the Saint Alexis Vikings of Bensenville, Illinois as a Color Guard Instructor and Visual Instructor later becoming the corps Business Manager and Corps Director. He also was the visual instructor/designer for the Highlanders SR Color Guard of Elmhurst, IL During his tenure the Highlanders won many State and National Championships. After The Vikings Merger with the McHenry Viscounts dissolved, he founded the Vaqueras Color Guard in Elmhurst, Illinois. The Color Guard organization grew to include a feeder group (the Companeras and a training group called the Companeras 2. After 4 years, thanks to donations from local businesses the Color Guard expanded to become a Drum and Bugle Corps called the Vaqueros. Joe has been a member of the Central States Judges Association for 30 years. Judging Timing and Penalties and Visual Performance.He also was a member and Visual Caption Head for the All American Judges Association. He has held the positions of Publicity Officer and Vice Commander of the Midwest Color Guard Circuit, President of the Illinois Drum And Bugle Corps Association, Secretary and Board Member of Drum Corps Midwest. Treasurer and Board Member of the Central States Judges Assn. In addition to many state and regional Marching Band and Color Guard competions, he has judged the finals in all classes for both Color Guard and Percussion for Winter Guard International. He has judged the Drum Corps International Finals and the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Championships. He is also the Individual and Ensemble Coordinator for Drum Corps International. He has received a U.S. Presidential Citation for his involvement in community-related pagentry activities and the Midwest Color Guard Circuit Appreciation Award he is a member of the Central States Judges Association Hall of Fame.