Special-needs drum corps preparing for championship

NEW YORK - A special-needs drum corps on Long Island has been chosen to perform at the WGI Percussion World Championship. It's said to be the biggest event of its kind in the world. Michael Brennan has Down syndrome. He plays the marching snare drum and can also breakdance. He is one of nearly 70 members from the Free Players Special Needs Drum Corps getting ready for next year's trip to Dayton, Ohio.

Founder and director Brian Calhoun says the group was selected based on their talents. For them it's an opportunity to overcome obstacles while being recognized on a world-class scale. He says more than 5,000 people will attend the Friday performance, and Saturday night will have more than 14,000.

Drummer Stephen Malerba has been playing music for over four decades. This is his second time traveling to Ohio for the championship with the team.

So between now and April 2016 the group has a lot of work ahead. The members will be learning new music, new stick tricks and choreography.