ajlisko Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 I was doing a little research recently on some drum icons and came across some info that surprised me ... I always thought the Larry McCormick taught the Cavaliers in the 50's and 60's, but recently read on their history page that he joined Chicago's staff in 1962 ... if that's the case, who preceded him as their instructor? ... was Frank Arsenault ever their instructor? ... I also read that Mitch Markovich was a student of Frank's ... never knew that tidbit either ... I do know that Arsenault studied under Sturtze in the CT Yankees before mving to the Midwest ... anyone know who McCormick studied under? Thanks in advance for anyone that can provide more info on the above ... Andy Lisko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Milano Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 (edited) Yes, Frank Arsenault preceded Larry McCormick. Larry was taught by Frank. Frank came to the Cavaliers in '54 (I believe) and stayed through the 1960 season. He did not write the charts. Those were done by several folks including Dick Brown. Mitch joined the corps in the fall of '60 just as Frank was leaving so technically Mitch was NOT instructed by Frank. Oddly, in the Cavaliers undefeated season of '61 there was really no drum instructor and Mitch (a rookie) took on a lion's share of the instructing. Larry then became the instructor in '62. His writing was quite a departure from typical drum corps writing of that era, however, (much more "musical" since Larry had a master's in music) and Mitch wound up re-writing some of it in both '62 and '63 in order to satisfy the judges. After doing that for two years Mitch asked for a more prominent role as the instructor (kind of a co-instructor role). Don Warren, director of the Cavaliers, was not willing to do that for an 18-year old marching member, given that he also saw Hall of Fame written all over Larry McCormick (and he was to be proven correct), so Mitch "politely" left the corps and after working with the Men of Brass senior corps for a year, then went to the rival Royal Airs and kicked the Cavaliers butts for one year in 1965. He stayed with them another three years until they folded after the '68 season. Mitch could have marched through the '67 season. Mitch, Don Warren, and Larry worked out their "differences" and are all good friends to this day. And while Mitch was not technically a student of Frank's, Mitch will tell you that he learned a lot from him. (Paul Milano, a student of a student of Mitch's and a student of a student of Frank's - and honored to be a friend of both and have met all). Edited December 22, 2014 by Paul Milano 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironlips Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Paul reveals some great back-story. There's more in Colt Foutz's book, "Building the Green Machine", including the episode wherein Frank Arsenault shows up unannounced one evening at the corps hall in '54, rolls down the car window and announces to Don Warren that he wants to teach his drumline. Warren is suspicious since Frank has clearly been living out of his car (he'd driven from CT and had his laundry drying on a line stretched across the back seat). Don took him for an eccentric drum corps hobo, and maybe worse, and was not about to hire him. He did, however, buy him a drink at the bar and then go downstairs to mention the "visitor" to his drum instructor, Johnny Line. "You've got Frank Arsenault sitting at the bar?" replied Line in amazement... The rest is Paul's history, above. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Milano Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Frank asked Don Warren for the then outrageous sum of $10 a week to instruct the line and Warren reluctantly said yes. Several drum championships later ... it was quite the steal for the Cavaliers! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajlisko Posted December 22, 2014 Author Share Posted December 22, 2014 Frank asked Don Warren for the then outrageous sum of $10 a week to instruct the line and Warren reluctantly said yes. Several drum championships later ... it was quite the steal for the Cavaliers! Many thanks ... learned a lot ... never knew about the lineage link between Frank and Larry ... Arsenault would always stop by a Bpt PAL rehearsal when he was in CT in the 60's to visit his mentor, Earl Sturtze ... he would always offer critique support to the line ... and was quite a presence whenever he entered a room ... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkel Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 Who was the instructor for their 2000 show? Niagara Falls is one of the best ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Milano Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 17 hours ago, Jkel said: Who was the instructor for their 2000 show? Niagara Falls is one of the best ever! Bret Kuhn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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