overthehillDM

Haven't been on here for a long time. Would just like to say that I am hoping and praying that the alumni drum corps activity is alive for as long as possible. There are a lot of wonderful and talented individuals still involved in the activity and that is a beautiful thing. Drum corps provides a great outlet for people to excape from the realities that each of us face on a daily basis. Wishing everyone much continued success and happiness in all future drum corps activities and all future endeavors in life! Love...JJ/Muchachos/Bridgemen/Bush/Cabs/Reilly/Director-Jordan Thomas Orchestra...Vero Beach, Florida

We had yet another fantastic and productive rehearsal today! What a great, hard-working group of people; very proud to be a part of the Reilly Raiders! If you're looking for a fun, challenging, and friendly alumni corps, look no further...Our next rehearsals are going to be held on Saturday, February 8th (10 am to 4 pm) and Sunday, February 9th, (12 pm to 5 pm) at the Knights of Columbus, 235 Limekiln Pike, Glenside, PA. Please come join us as we continue to collaborate on a beautiful musical production for our 2014 exhibition season! We'd love to see you! Thanks... JJ

You're right! Brian Cranston would be an excellent choice to play Bobby! Dennis and Larry ARE a bit tougher. Me? Supporting role, but flattered by your suggestions.

That might work, Ray. How about Donald Sutherland as Bobby Hoffman, and George Clooney as Dennis DeLucia?

We had an outstanding rehearsal this past Sunday and are looking forward to another great day this coming Sunday, January 19th! Please come join us for some music and fun at the Knights of Columbus, 235 Limekiln Pike, Glenside, PA from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. We'll be playing some interesting new music, (One Voice, Begin the Beguine, & a few others) arranged by John "Screech" Arietano, and as an added bonus, he will also be in attendance, as we continue to build our program for the 2014 exhibition season. Please feel free to join us! All are welcome to attend! After rehearsal we can watch some NFL football (We have 6 screens!) while we enjoy some food and refreshing libations! Hope to see some more new faces!

Come join us at our first rehearsal in the year 2014 tomorrow, January 12th at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 235 Limekiln Pike, Glenside, PA from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. We'll be learning "Begin the Beguine" and reviewing the rest of our book. ALL ARE WELCOME!!! Come spend an enjoyable afternoon of music and fun with some really great drum corps peeps! Hope to see you there! JJ

1977 Bridgemen...Racine, Wisconsin...Kilties' Show We were on fire that night behind the incredibly hot solos of the legendary Jim Brady! Pagliacci rocked the crowd and they went bonkers...it was a really amazing night. We made such a strong connection with the audience...I remember it like it was yesterday. :-)

Happy New Year! The Reilly Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps is pleased to announce our new program entitled “We Are One” for the 2014 drum corps exhibition schedule! We have made some significant changes to our repertoire and are looking forward to entertaining our many fans, friends, and fellow drum corps enthusiasts at several different venues this year! Our schedule will be announced shortly. We started learning our new program back in early October and we are very excited about our fresh, mostly new musical presentation, which includes a few returning Reilly favorites. Our show will open with the beautiful, flowing ballad originally recorded by Barry Manilow entitled “One Voice”. You will find this arrangement (by John Arietano) to be very rich and melodic. This arrangement is quite different than any one that has ever been performed by a drum corps, as it was patterned after the 2010 version of this classic tune recorded by Barry Manilow and the vocal group “Straight No Chaser”. The chords are lush and flowing, along with a very recognizable melody and these three components blend together (along with some outstanding solo work) to provide an exceptional start to this year’s presentation. The corps will then pick up the tempo with an upbeat, rhythmic version of the legendary Cole Porter’s “Begin the Beguine”. This arrangement is loosely based on the 1979 version by the great vocalist, Johnny Mathis, but will also include some flavorings from the 1940 MGM musical, “Broadway Melody of 1940” featuring the dance team of Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell. Yet another recognizable melody, this arrangement will feature some really hot licks from our talented soprano section (It’s like a trumpet!) ;-) and will also contain some fancy stick-work from the extraordinary Reilly drum line. Our next piece will embody the essence and spirit of the Reilly Raiders as we present a medley of Irish folk tunes, arranged by John Arietano. The piece will open with “The Minstrel Boy”, and will lead into “Kerry Dancers”, two classic Reilly tunes, and will end with the rousing strains of “Celtic Symphony” which the corps played as part of our 2013 show. We hope that our fans will enjoy the Irish Medley as it represents a grand portion of the rich musical history of the Reilly Raiders. A tribute to our great nation and our wonderful flag will follow with a “Color Presentation”, providing a strong connection to the past history of ALL drum and bugle corps. We are proud to present a beautiful, melodic version of “America” ( more commonly known as “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”) which will feature the wonderful skills of both our Honor Guard, and Color Guard, as the great flag of the United States of America is presented with a wonderful, resplendent fanfare that will feature our brass section, as well. Another Reilly favorite will follow the presentation of the colors…Russian Christmas Music. This has been in our repertoire since 2011, and has served as a tribute to the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, which formerly hailed from Pennsylvania. Russian Christmas Music is a fan favorite both at field exhibitions, and at parades (reviewing stands) as well! This arrangement is an original “Bones” arrangement by Mike Dennis, and Ted Brehoney. Our color guard replicates some of the very popular and memorable guard work that was originally performed by the Crossmen color guard. Many of Reilly guard members are Crossmen alums, as are some horn players, drummers, and staff members. A trip down memory lane will follow as the Reilly Raiders pay tribute to a former rival, The Archer Epler Musketeers, and their late, great horn arranger, Lee Wolf, with their Camelot Medley, originally performed way back in 1962, and 1963. The arrangement was transcribed by Chuck Smith, and it provides a very exciting, and challenging combination of melodies from the 1960 Broadway production of the same name, featuring Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet. Fans will really appreciate this musical composition as it offers several familiar melodies, especially the enchanting ballad, “If Ever I Should Leave You”, originally sung by the late vocalist/actor Robert Goulet. Finally, we will revisit a lovely version of “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green” and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” that will feature some wonderful solo soprano work, and some full, resonant chords provided by the rest of the brass section. This closer was so popular with fans in 2013 that we decided to bring it back for another year of fun and excitement! So, there you have it…the 2014 Show for the Reilly Raiders. We are looking forward to providing some entertainment, love, and excitement for all of our fans throughout the coming year! Thank you for reading about our show…we are very excited about performing for all of you during this coming year!

I'm rarely on here anymore, but I was surprised to find yet another 77 Bridgemen topic. It's almost reminiscent of the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, except for a few small details. (sarcasm off) Once more, hopefully for the last time, I would like to shed some light on the 77 Bridgemen, when I was 17 years old. We had a very interesting mix of home-grown members, and out-of-towners, like me. It all came together rather well, especially when Jim Brady, our extraordinary soloist was entered into the mix. It was an incredible ride. Best year of drum corps ever for me! Why? We survived, and got through a horrible experience. There is far more to learn about life, and the inhabitants of this planet than merely competition. The Bridgemen experience in 1977 taught me a GREAT DEAL ABOUT LIFE! Did we know what was going on in regard to "rules infractions"? Not until DCI MIDWEST in Whitewater, Wisconsin, when we were lined up, and asked to produce personal identification. The two members that had marched as 21-year-olds, didn't march again. They were replaced. Did our staff/management misinterpret the rules, and drop the ball? Apparently so, but most of us were just innocent teenagers doing our best to compete on the national level with our peers. Not sure how or why this specific misinterpretation of DCI rules occurred, but let it be known that most of the corps was not aware of this, although some individuals would have you believe that the entire corps conspired to have two of our members violate the rules of DCI in 1977. This was just not the case, and I suppose that those people who believe this to be true also believe that the Red Sox have won 27 World Championships, and not the Yankees. :) We were informed that we were DISQUALIFIED after traveling from Fort Collins, CO., to Boulder, CO., the day before prelims. It was very devastating, and our spirits were very low. We learned that we had been reinstated (thanks to a court injunction) when we arrived at prelims, 30 minutes before our performance. Of course, as some have mentioned, we gave some very intense performances at prelims, and at finals. We overcame the jeers, and turned them into cheers, at some point during each show. That was incredibly gratifying, and exhilarating! In 77, we had a strong horn line, a drum line and guard that were coming on, decent marching, and a rather weak visual program. But the overall package was pretty strong, and packed a lot of punch. Winning the very first DCI EAST Championship at J. Birney Crum, against some pretty strong competition... was one of many highlights of 1977 for all of us. And for those that like to take shots at the Bridgemen...that is your prerogative. It's a free country. (At least for now) We didn't appeal to everyone,(and still don't) but then again, there are several corps that don't appeal to me, for various reasons. But I will always respect them, and give them credit for working hard, and performing to the best of their abilities! That's what drum corps is all about. Thanks for reading. Peace, love, and Happy New Year! Jim Jordan

I agree with Irene, Tony, and Kevin... It was a GREAT show! All performances were outstanding! Congratulations, and thanks to all performers, and the Reilly Raiders!!!

Copycat! I did that at the Dixie Stinger! Nice job, Jerome!!!

Bob, Those baseball fields were built by Steve Adubato, Sr., and the North Ward Center. I worked for them the last two summers. Mr. Adubato, and Co. have been doing a lot of great things in Newark for the last several years! Liz, I drove by the stadium yesterday, and the stands, and the press box are already in place, and it looks pretty good. The walls should be up very shortly!

It hasn't been any different than back in the day. The Bridgemen magic, and the love for our corps and what we do have been present since we put it back together! The feelings have been the same. At least they have been for me. It's been another amazing run!

Yes, Dom! The magic has been back in Bayonne, since 2005! Many thanks to all those who made the dream into a reality for the last five years, and to all those who continue to make the magic happen, once again! As for the 85/87, and 74/75 Bridgemen, I echo the sentiment of Ray and the others in this thread... You guys helped to create the legacy of the Bridgemen, at a time when the odds were against you. Thank you for taking up the challenge, and for keeping the dream alive! HYPE!!!

Thanks for the terrific photos, Charlie!!!