chadwick Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 I was watching an episode of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown show on CNN the other night and the episode was featuring New Jersey. At one point, they interviewed a lady that funds and manages a youth drum line and dance group in a rough part of town and it made me wonder, what happened to the Spirit of Newark/New Jersey corps that existed not so long ago. I then started thinking of all the Div II/III corps I once remember seeing scores for that I no longer see. Curious, does anyone know when the following corps folded and if any of these organizations still exist with hopes of returning to the field? Spirit of Newark/New Jersey Marion Glory Cadets Lehigh Valley Knights Citations Revolution Dutch Boy Patriots East Coast Jazz Yamato Americanos Scenic City Esperanza Capital Regiment Kiwanis Kavaliers Fever Lake Erie Regiment Most of these existed in the early 2000s, when I first started following DCI. Some of these placed high and some made it to World Class...others not so much. Feel free to update on other corps too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleran Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 As for Spirit of Newark, they competed as recently as 2011. Then in 2012, someone important to the organization passed away, and they cancelled the 2012 competition season. Due to financial situation, they were inactive for 2013. Their website indicated they intended to tour again in 2014, but I guess it never happened, and they haven't updated since then, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Thunder Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 Newark did parades, etc in 2012. Glory Cadets--last active 2004 Lehigh Valley--2004 Citations--2009 Revolution--2012 Dutch Boy--2009 Patriots (I presume you mean Rochester)--2003 ECJ--2006 Yamato--2009 Americanos--2004 Scenic City--2003 Esperanza--2006 Capital Regiment--2009 Kiwanis--2005 Fever--2007 Lake Erie--2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadwick Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share Posted July 16, 2015 Thanks! I see a corps called the Patriots but not sure if it is AKA Rochester. Know if any of these groups still exist in any capacity? East Coast Jazz was quite strong if I recall - would be great to see them come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Holland Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) As someone who marched Golden Lancers (folded after 1997) and East Coast Jazz (folded 2006) the funding just wasn't there, and the effort to sustain these corps was tough for the few who were attempting to keep them running. Lancers was in debt and not attracting brass players. Lake Erie Regiment wasn't in debt that I know of, but wasn't attracting brass players. ECJ had only a couple people interested in administration so rather than run themselves ragged, which they already did for a few seasons I'm guessing. They decided the stress of keeping a corps going with only a couple admin wasn't worth it. And they're right. The stress you put on yourself, when you're one of only two or three people doing ALL the work, isn't worth it. I watched directors age quickly in this activity. I know ECJ alumni and staff are now working at Jersey Surf, and some have started helping with a group called the Defenders, which is an alumni corps. With the addition of soundsport, some alumni have talked about putting together something, but again, people have lofty goals, but when it comes time to put some hustle behind that muscle... there's just no one wanting to step up and actually pitch in for the hard work of raising funds, marketing, and organizing the rest. Edited July 16, 2015 by C.Holland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Thunder Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Thanks! I see a corps called the Patriots but not sure if it is AKA Rochester. In looking over my index of all junior corps during the DCI era, I see that the Rochester Patriots were the only junior corps called the Patriots that were active after 2000. Edited July 16, 2015 by Northern Thunder 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Holland Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 Yes. the Patriots were from Rochester, NY. I think they still have a winter guard operating. Lake Erie still operates the Lake Erie Fanfare which is a DCI show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northwest-MikeB Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 I wonder if the elimination of DCI’s Division III has had an adverse impact on the smaller corps?In my own part of the world, when the Cascades won Division III in 2000, and the Oregon Crusaders won Division III in 2004, it gave each corps a boost, both from internal enthusiasm and external interest. Mandarins, Pioneer, and Blue Stars also hold Division III titles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grenadasmoothie Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 As someone who marched Golden Lancers (folded after 1997) and East Coast Jazz (folded 2006) the funding just wasn't there, and the effort to sustain these corps was tough for the few who were attempting to keep them running. Lancers was in debt and not attracting brass players. Lake Erie Regiment wasn't in debt that I know of, but wasn't attracting brass players. ECJ had only a couple people interested in administration so rather than run themselves ragged, which they already did for a few seasons I'm guessing. They decided the stress of keeping a corps going with only a couple admin wasn't worth it. And they're right. The stress you put on yourself, when you're one of only two or three people doing ALL the work, isn't worth it. I watched directors age quickly in this activity. I know ECJ alumni and staff are now working at Jersey Surf, and some have started helping with a group called the Defenders, which is an alumni corps. With the addition of soundsport, some alumni have talked about putting together something, but again, people have lofty goals, but when it comes time to put some hustle behind that muscle... there's just no one wanting to step up and actually pitch in for the hard work of raising funds, marketing, and organizing the rest. Dude! You marched ECJ?! LOVED them! ALWAYS rooted for them against Spartans . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2B or not 2B Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Erie now has the " Erie Thunderbirds " back, and Competing in DCA. They were a darn good Corps in RCA , and then DCA for many years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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