Buena Park, Calif. (November 20, 2015) — Yamaha today announced that the 75 year-old Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps are the ninth corps in the prestigious World Class division of Drum Corps International (DCI) to perform exclusively with Yamaha brass and percussion instruments. They will also incorporate a Yamaha synthesizer, an acoustic drum set and an array of Yamaha professional audio equipment into their show design.

“Yamaha and Boston Crusaders make a great fit because we share the same philosophical alignment,” said Chris Holland, executive director, Boston Crusaders. “We both have a rich history of tradition and excellence, yet we strive to introduce fresh and innovative thinking. Yamaha instruments have a great reputation for quality and consistency and the brand recognition will help us in our recruiting and educational efforts.”

Established in 1940, Boston Crusaders are the third oldest junior drum and bugle corps in the United States and represent one of the founding 13 corps of DCI. While six of those organization are no longer in operation, the remaining seven drum corps all use Yamaha instruments. They are the second World Class level corps in DCI to switch to Yamaha this year.

“Switching to Yamaha lets Boston Crusaders focus solely on perfecting their performance rather than worry about whether or not their instruments will allow them to perform at their highest level,” said Troy C. Wollwage, marketing manager, percussion instruments, Yamaha Corporation of America.

Yamaha initiated its support of DCI – Marching Music’s Major League™ – in 1985. Since then, Yamaha affiliate drum and bugle corps have compiled an enviable record of accomplishments, including 16 DCI World Championships, 15 Fred Sanford High Percussion Awards and nine Jim Ott High Brass Awards – all more than any other music instrument manufacturer.

In addition, corps that rely on Yamaha have won a third of all gold, silver and bronze medals bestowed in DCI competition since 1985. Above all else, DCI and its affiliated drum and bugle corps promote music education and corps that play on Yamaha instruments have launched the careers of thousands of educators and band directors in the United States and around the world.

For more information, please visit http://4wrd.it/usayamaha.

About Yamaha

Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) is one of the largest subsidiaries of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of award-winning musical instruments, sound reinforcement, commercial installation and home entertainment products to the U.S. market. Products include: Yamaha acoustic, digital and hybrid pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio equipment, Steinberg recording products and NEXO commercial audio products, as well as AV receivers, amplifiers, MusicCast wireless multiroom audio systems, Blu-ray/CD players, earphones, headphones, home-theater-in-a-box systems, sound bars and its exclusive line of Digital Sound Projectors. YCA markets innovative, finely crafted technology and entertainment products and musical instruments targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, music, professional audio installation and consumer markets.

Contact: Marc Ferris/Giles Communications

(914) 798-7121 (mferris@giles.com)