Alan Viera pioneered the development of modern drum and bugle corps activity in California in 1962, when he began writing brass arrangements for the Commodores of Stockton, California. His drum corps involvement actually started on the other side of the country when as a boy he played lead soprano for Troop 40 of the Boy Scouts of America and St. Aloysius Cadets drum and bugle corps of Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. He was lead soprano, brass instructor and arranger over five years with the Springfield Marksmen in Springfield, Massachusetts. He continues to be the arranger and music instructor for the Marksmen. In 1964, he performed the debut field solo on a mellophonium at New York’s Shea Stadium, as a member of the Marksmen. He was one of only three Californians arranging for drum corps in the early 1960s. He worked closely with the late Gail Royer to establish the Northern California contest circuit. He arranged most of the premiere show for the Sparks, the group that became internationally famous as Santa Clara Vanguard. He also tutored and encouraged brass arranger Jim Ott, who became one of the activity’s groundbreaking arrangers before his premature passing in 1980. Alan Viera’s brass arrangements have been performed by many groups, including the Concord Blue Devils, Capitalaires of Sacramento (who became the Freelancers), Royalaires of San Leandro, California, Maryknoll Girls of Los Angeles, the Senoritas, Grenadiers of New Britain, Connecticut, Pittsburgh Rockets, Edison Lamplighters of Detroit, Jolly Jesters of Toronto. He was music director and brass arranger for Drum Corps International Division III corps the Silver Knights of California. He was also brass arranger and lead soprano with the Joaquin Caballeros of Stockton, California for seven years and brass arranger, soprano, mellophonium and baritone player for 15 years with Marksmen Alumni.
