EPIC Percussion is a division of Conqueror II Drum and Bugle Corps. EPIC operates all percussion related programs within the Conqueror II family.
Conqueror II is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1982. Named after Conqueror, a drum corps from Hamilton that operated from 1960 to 1964, its history is has educated thousands of youth in the Hamilton area and beyond. Along with educating these youth, the organization has given its members the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of people all over North America. We are proud to have provided the opportunity to our members to travel to places like Florida, California, New Orleans, Quebec, All over Ontario and rootless places in between. To better serve the arts community Conqueror II has introduced three new groups.
Conqueror II’s fastest growing division is EPIC Percussion. Created in 2008, EPIC began with its first program: EPIC Percussive Theatre. In its first year, the Percussive Theatre had 15 members and competed in the New York State Percussion Circuit (NYSPC). At the State Championships, EPIC received a bronze medal and won the best Tenor Line award. Due to some logistical issues we have decided to close the door on the competetive unit and re-focus our goals to work with the youth and community to build percussion interest in Hamilton for years to come.
June 2009 EPIC began what would become the first part of the ENTERTAINMENT division . EPIC secured the rights to be the home of the first ever, EPIC Tiger-Cats Drumline, performing at all of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats home games. Throughout the regular season, EPIC performed for over 500,000 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium and to millions of fans watching on TSN. The Tiger-Cats Drumline is our largest program to date with 25 members. This entertainment drumline performs at many other venues in Southern Ontario.
In September 2009 EPIC launched their EDUCATION division but started up a junior drum line geared to boys and girls ages 10 and up. This program is based on a strong educational foundation to promote self confidence, responsibility, and turning failure into winning. Youth that may be interested do not need any musical background and they will receive the same performance opportunities as the ENTERTAINMENT groups.
To further our efforts of bringing Percussion education to the community of Hamilton, EPIC has created the EPIC School Program. This program offers several services that are not offered at our local schools. Currently, we provide local schools with the use of our equipment and instruction. This gives schools the opportunity to have students learn how to play percussion equipment they would not normally have access to. We are working with local Secondary Schools and Universities, assisting them in starting their own Drumlines We also offer “Artists in the Classroom” where professional musicians come to the classroom for career workshops.
In December of 2009 EPIC created a partnership with The Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League to have a drum line, The EPIC Dog Pound Sound. EPIC performed during pre-game to build a great atmospere as the fans arrive, played in the stands during the game to create energy in the crowd, and offer different entertainment oppurtunites through-out the intermissions. This program again allows us to reach out to the youth and build the interest in percussion.
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