Esperanza

Founded in the fall of 1999, the Esperanza drum and bugle corps was the second competitive program supported by the Esperanza Performing Arts Association, Inc., of San Diego. The group had its roots in the San Diego Brass and Percussion Ensemble, formed in 1996.

The corps entered the field of competition in the DCI Pacific circuit in 2000, adding DCI regional competitions in 2001, placing 2^nd in the DCI Southwestern “Division II” championships.  In 2002, Esperanza finished 6^th in DCI “Division II” finals, winning the 2003 DCI “Division II” title, along with the North American Open title as well. The corps was granted “Division I” status in 2004 but faced the additional hurdle of the theft of much of their percussion equipment and most of their contras late in 2003. 

Over the next 3 years, the corps overcame their challenges and appeared in the DCI “Quarterfinals”, placing 21^st (2004), 20^th (2005) and 22^nd (2006). The 2004 show, entitled “Five” was built around an original composition of that name by percussion caption head John Mapes, developing visual ideas based on groupings of five performers. The Esperanza Corps Song was "You're Still You" by Josh Groban and the nickname for the pit ATV is "Pooter". The current vehicle was "P3" for Pooter 3 because it was the third vehicle owned by the corps. The name came from the sound of the engine for the very first cart in 2002 (poot-poot-poot-poot).

They disbanded in 1987.

http://esperanzaarts.org/corps/history.php; DCW, 3/04, p.3; DCW, 6/11/04, p.22; Dave Strickler; Paul Legault (DCX)

CORPS 3 items

Esperanza

Esperanza SanDiego CA from the Bill Ives Collection

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Esperanza

Esperanza,SanDiego,CA,LP1-ScriptE(DST-0.625x0.75)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Donn Stroh

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Esperanza

Esperanza,SanDiego,CA,Patch1-ScriptE(RE-2.25)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Richard Elmquist

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