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The Small Drum Corps Association (SDCA) is a not-for-profit organization registered in McHenry County, Illinois. Both "Small Drum Corps Association" and "Arena Drum Corps" are registered trade names.
corporate headquarters
6305 Johnson Road
Hebron, Illinois 60034


  • President and Founder: Chris Ferrara Email Chris F
  • Administrator Jane sinclair Email Jane
  • Director of Northern Midwest region: Chris Wellner Email Chris W
  • Director of Central Midwest Region: Jay McGuffin Email Jay McGuffin
  • Director of Eastern Midwest Region: Dr. Thomas Corso Email Tom Corso
  • Director of Southern California: Carl Allison Email Carl Allison
  • Director of Research: Jeff Williams Email Jeff

    President and Founder: Chris Ferrara Email Chris Ferrara

    Chris Ferrara has 40 years of experience in Architecture and is a business owner and manager.

    Chris has marched with:
  • The Royal Airs(1959-1968); soprano horn player;
  • The Spirit of '76(1974-1975); soprano horn player and board member;
  • The Chicago Connection (1977-1978); soprano horn player and board member;
  • The FM Band, 18 piece jazz band (1983-1986)as founder, manager and trumpet player;
  • Group therapy parade corps (1992-1995); soprano horn player and manager;
  • The Kilties Senior corps (1998-2001); soprano horn player;
  • The Royal Airs Alumni corps (2002-2005); soprano horn player and board member;
  • The Men of Brass (2007); soprano horn player;
  • The Chicago Royal Airs Senior Exhibition Corps soprano horn player (2008 - to date).

    SDCA Administrator: Jane Sinclair. Email Jane Sinclair

    Jane Sinclair is a retired Senior Management and Financial Services Director

    Jane marched with:

  • Berwyn Blue Knights: Color Guard and Drum Major, 1962-63
  • DesPlaines Vanguard: Color Guard, 1963-1966

    Director of Northern Midwest Region: Chris Wellner. Email Chris Wellner

    Chris Wellner has over 25 years in electrical engineering and project management work and is part owner of an engineering firm with multiple facilities.

    Chris W has marched with:

  • The Shoreliners (Northernaires) (1977-1978); 1st soprano, color guard sergeant, winter guard.
  • The Northernaires (1979-1983); 1st soprano, triple tenor, snare, drum major.
  • The Michigan Tech University Marching Band (1983); Triple tenor.
  • The Royal Knights (1984); Contra.
  • The Northern Michigan University Marching Band (1985); Mellophone.
  • The Northernaires Alumni (1993-present); Contra, cymbals, 2nd baritone.
  • The Bayou City Blues (1998-2000); Contra.
  • The Northernaires Arena Corps (2009-present); Contra, 2nd baritone, mellophone.

    Director of Central Midwest Region: Jay McGuffin .Email Jay McGuffin

    Jay has 42 years of experience in Graphic Design and related activities and continues as an employee of major pharmaceutical company in Northern Illinois, since 1969.

    Jay runs the Vanguard Website (www.desplainesvanguard.com)

    Jay is currently in the process of authoring two books on 1960s drum corps (“On The Starting Line ….” and “They Played It To The Crowd Back Then”)

    Jay has marched with:

  • The Brigade/Custer’s Brigade drum line (1961-1964)
  • The Skokie/Chicago/ Des Plaines Vanguard drum line (1965-1970)
  • and was the Des Plaines Vanguard Assistant Drum Instructor (1970)
  • The Chicago Royal Airs Senior Exhibition Corps Alumni corps (2004-2006) drum line and color guard

    Director of the Eastern Midwest Region: Dr. Thomas Corso .Email Tom Corso

    Dr. Thomas Corso

    Tom has a PhD in Neuroscience and Biochemistry. He is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Neuroscience at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie PA where he teaches Biochemistry, Neuroanatomy, Histology and Pharmacogenomics as well as conducts research related to Parkinson's Disease and Schizophrenia.

    Tom has marched with:

  • Regal Valiants - 1969-1976
  • Imperials 1975
  • Guardsmen 1976-1978
  • Chicago Vanguard Sr 1992-1993
  • Chicago Royal Airs 2005 present
  • Eire Thunderbirds 2005-present
  • Lake Effect 2011-present

    Director of the Southern California Region: Carl Allison.Email Carl Allison.

    Carl is an Electrical and Computer Engineer with 25 years experience in Control Systems Engineering.

    Carl has marched with:

  • The Sacramento Freelancers (1977 – 1983) -- Baritone horn player & soloist;
  • The Sacramento Freelancers, 22 piece Jazz Ensemble (1978 – 1981) -- Baritone horn/soloist;
  • The SacramentoFreelancers (1982 – 1983) -- Drum Major/Bari Soloist;
  • The Kingsmen [of Anaheim] Alumni Corps (2006 -2008) -- Baritone/ soloist, Marching Tech.
  • The Kingsmen [of Anaheim] Senior Corps (2008 - 2009) -- Baritone/Soloist
  • The Sacramento Freelancers Alumni Corps (2008 – Present) -- Baritone/ Soloist, Horn Staff
  • The Sacramento Freelancers Mini Corps (2009 – Present) -- Baritone/ Soloist, Horn Staff
  • The San Francisco Renegades All Age Corps (2010) – Baritone/ Soloist

    Director of Research: Jeff Williams Email Jeff Williams

    Jeff Williams has 37 years of experience as a business owner and manager.

    Jeff has marched with:
  • The Phantom Regiment – Drum Line (1957-1959).
  • The McHenry Viscounts – Drum Line and Baritone(1961-1968).
  • The Men of Brass (1969-70)– Drum Line and baritone(2007).
  • The Chicago Royal Airs Senior Exhibition Corps – Baritone(2004, 2005, 2008 - to date).

    Director of Marketing and Merchandising; Rhonda Schock Email Rhonda Schock

    Rhonda has 30 year experience in corporate accounting and merchandising:

    Rhonda has marched with:

  • Dundee Scots Band: Four years as rifle and flutist
  • Fox Valley Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps (1970-1975): Drum Major
  • Chicago Royal-Airs Senior Exhibition Corps (2009-present): Drum Major and Asst. Manager

    Webmaster/Public Relations: Robert Doran Email Bob Doran

    Robert is a retired high school guidance counselor

    Robert has marched with:
  • The McHenry Viscounts-Baritone(1957-1966)
  • The Royal-Airs--Baritone (1967-68)
  • The Men of Brass--Baritone (1968-69)
  • Group Therapy--Baritone (1990-1995)
  • Racine Kilties All-Age Corps--Baritone (1996-2001)
  • The Royal-Airs Senior Exhibition Corps--Baritone (2002-2004)
  • The Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni--Baritone (2005-present)

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