Marc Sylvester was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 2001 in recognition of his lifetime of design and coordination experience and his profound impact on the marching arts. He is an innovator within the activity and helped create some of the most imaginative programs in history.
For the past five seasons, he has served in programming roles with the Cadets, Blue Knights, and currently heads the design and program team for the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps.
Marc has been teaching and designing visual programs for over 30 years. He began his career under the tutelage of George Zingali at the 27th Lancers Drum & Bugle Corps. Together they moved to the Garfield Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps in 1982, where they changed the visual landscape of the drum corps field and led the Cadets to three consecutive DCI World Championships in their first four years with the corps. Sylvester then joined the staff of Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps for its first two seasons in 1986 and 1987. He also worked with the Sky Ryders in 1987 and Suncoast Sound in 1988.
His extensive work in the WGI arena includes Emerald Marquis, Center Grove High School, Lassiter High School, Braddock High School and Independent, Just Class, Suburbanettes, and 27th Lancers.
He is also an adjudicator, marching band consultant, and drill designer whose marching band credits span the U.S. He has worked with high schools from Oregon to Massachusetts and Michigan to Texas
As a performer, Marc marched in the Somerville High School Band, St. Joe’s Medford, St. Anthony’s Revere, and the 27th Lancers Drum & Bugle Corps, playing trumpet, sousaphone and mellophone.
He received his bachelor’s degree from UMass Lowell and went on to study fine art at SUNY Purchase, Art Students League, School of Visual Arts, and Pratt University.
Marc continues to influence visual design as a consultant of many drum corps, color guards, and high schools. His passion for the activity has not diminished; you may still find him writing drill, cleaning forms, painting props, or designing flags. He understands the value of entertainment, the desires of the audience, and clearly understands how important it is to ensure the performers are recognized for their efforts.
The 2015 Bushwackers are tremendously excited to have Marc on board for the 34th season of the Corps.