Don Warren, the founder of CAPE, is a passionate advocate for youth engagement in the performing arts. With a rich background in music education and a deep love for the arts, he embarked on a journey to create an organization that would empower young people through music and performance.
Founder of The Cavaliers and of Drum Corps International, Don Warren left a longstanding legacy with the thousands of members that are proud to call themselves Cavaliers. He vowed to ensure every member had the tools necessary to reach their full potential and dedicated 70 years of his life to The Cavaliers.
Under Warren’s leadership, The Cavaliers won the VFW National Championship title in Miami in 1957 and rode on to an undefeated season in 1961, later reprised in 2002. Throughout the 1960’s, Warren’s Chicago Cavaliers were the drum corps force to be reckoned with. He would go on to lead The Cavaliers and make his mark in the marching arts world, with more than 20 VFW national championships, 3 WGI World Championships, and 7 Drum Corps International World Championships under his belt. Most importantly, he would help cultivate the next generation of leaders, educators and beyond.
Warren was one of the founding fathers of the Midwest Combine, that would eventually become Drum Corps International (DCI), along with Jim Jones (Troopers), Bill Howard (Madison Scouts), Dave Kampschroer (Blue Stars) and Gail Royer (Santa Clara Vanguard). The series of meetings and phone calls between this group throughout the winter of 1970 changed the face of the marching arts and established the foundation for the activity as we know it today.
Even though Warren handed over the management of the corps in 1975, he continued to serve the organization as Chairman Emeritus and Founder on the board of directors, working with the organization directly and indirectly. Warren’s passion and commitment to the pageantry arts, as well as the opportunities he created for thousands of young performers are just a fragment of the legacy left in the wake of his passing.
Warren, then an assistant scoutmaster, began The Cavaliers as a community service project to help the boys of Logan Square. To honor the roots of this organization and his legacy into the future, The Don Warren Community Service Scholarship will award one or more marching members of Drum Corps International (DCI) who have exhibited remarkable community service beyond their drum corps involvement.
“It's impossible to measure how many lives Don Warren impacted throughout the drum corps community,” said Ryan Ling, Former Board President of the Cavalier Alumni Association. “By awarding this scholarship to members of DCI that share his passion for community service, Don's legacy will continue to grow far beyond the activity that unites us.“The Cavalier Alumni Association will pick the recipients and award The Don Warren Community Service Scholarship on Semifinals night each year at DCI World Championships.
Members of all World and Open Class units participating in the Drum Corps International Summer Tour are invited to submit with Director’s endorsement signature. A committee consisting of members of the Cavaliers Alumni Association Board of Directors will review these applications and select a student who epitomizes Mr. Warren’s selflessness and desire to help others.
Individuals may submit their application directly to DCI prior to each season.
John Doe
Alumni, Cavaliers Drum Corps
Jane Smith
Staff, CAPE