Two Ensembles, One Team

DC’s Different Drummers is proud to have a dual-ensemble guard – a Color Guard and a Winter Guard.  As part of the DCDD Marching band, the Color Guard performs parades and standstills, from April to October, while the Winter Guard rehearses and competes independently between October and April as either an Independent Senior class or an Independent World class team.  In addition to dance, flag, sabre, and rifle, the Guard may also incorporate airblade and baton into their routines.

Winter Guard Debut

DCDD’s Winter Guard (DCDDWG) debuted in 2022 with the Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA) – the VA/NC regional winter guard circuit – as an Independent Senior class group performing to Robin Sparkles’ “Let’s Go to the Mall.”  In 2023, DCDDWG re-debuted as an Independent World class group competing in both AIA and Winter Guard International (WGI) – the international guard circuit – performing their show “Save the City” using Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero.”  During the 2023 season, DCDDWG also made history as the first Pride Bands Alliance member to participate in the WGI circuit, including WGI World Championships.

Rotating Schedule

DCDDWG rotates between the two classes on an every-other-year cycle so the Guard can march in the annual Cherry Blossom Parade with the DCDD Marching Band one year, and then march at WGI World Championships in Dayton, OH the next year.  Rehearsals are split between Washington DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.  Since our “guard for funsies” focuses more on having fun than the trophies – even though a trophy or two is always wonderful to have – skill levels of all types, including those who haven’t spun before, are welcome to join us.  Those interested should reach out to our Membership Chair for more information.

Salvatore J. Boenzi

Color Guard Artistic Director

It is Salvatore J. Boenzi’s philosophy that Art is for Everyone. It should move you and only through Art can we better know ourselves and our community. With these guiding principles, Boenzi approaches directing in a way that empowers performers to shine as their authentic selves and create an environment that fosters the joy and longevity of spinning. All while growing not only in skill but in all aspects of performance.

Salvatore’s background is in Arts education. He taught middle school band for twelve years while he coached champion competitive color guards from middle school to collegiate level. He has performed with Fenix Independent World and Rhapsody World. He holds a BFA in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from the University of Arizona.

Salvatore currently freelances as a color guard designer, consultant, choreographer, and judge. He resides in Washington DC with his cats Phoebus and Riven.