Geneva

2000, “We Are the Future”, for me. It was a joyous musical book and the brass/percussion “duel” was great drum corps theater!

Well, as the old saying goes…”absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Woe be to the institution that has such a leader. The cost, alone, of defending the institution’s depth of involvement is the end for most. i enjoyed experiencing the Cadets’ competitive efforts in 2023 and feel sad that it is no longer available for its participants.

I cannot believe how incredibly unfair this result of the action by one individual over 40 years ago is to this organization. To think that the Cadets and the entire drum corps world should sustain such a loss is hard to understand. Is this really the desired remedy sought after by the plaintiff?! The memories and sense of accomplishment that future members are now denied as had past members and the drum corps community received. This is in no way justice.

Wow, a huge loss to drum corps and band. He was a prolific composer of some great music. I heard him speak at a band convention a few years back. He was one of the most inspirational speakers for the idiom that I have ever heard.

Absolutely the case. There are many systemic problems with the mental health care beginning with stigma, access and availability and cost of long term care.

I believe you are right. It is sad that now, in addition to street safety, organizers have to worry about the roof tops as well. You would have to think that some planning committees will just throw up their hands and give up on parades!

In NY State police summoned for this type of situation would have the responsibility and power to place that individual under “mental hygiene arrest” as presenting a threat to himself or the lives of others and requiring an evaluation by a psychiatric professional within 72 hours.

Here is hoping that the actions of a severely disturbed person do not lead to the demise of the parade activity which serves as in important revenue source for our activity. Even before the current events, I could see the the role and character of parades changing over the decades. When I first started marching in the 60’s, parades seemed to be a more important part of community activities and were more numerous than in the present day. They were an important revenue source for most corps and the sole revenue source for some. They often served as a great advertisement for the field shows which followed. They were more closely linked to the patriotic function which they served following the world wars. The biggest parades that I ever marched in were at Legion conventions on the district, state, and national levels. They were great showcases for drum corps and the championship shows which were associated. Many of the current DCI corps were scheduled to march in parades which have now been cancelled due to fears that they now serve as a public safety risk. How significant a loss of revenue is this for drum corps? Where will it all end and how victimized will drum corps become?

I completely agree. Those were beautiful arrangements and the level of musicianship was high. I have always felt that the reason they fell short that year was probably low drill GE and demand.

My best memory of that 1971 season with Geneva was U.S. Open finals. We started very slowly that year and were lucky to have fielded a corps at all at state. We gained momentum quickly over the next couple weeks. Sure, the 7 horn players we used from Tri-Town helped, but we had a solid 37 of our own! Ahh, the memories.

Utica Yankees filed the protest.

Keith, in reference to St. Joe’s being “snubbed” by DCI, I think more likely is that this was a corps at the end of its game by 1971. It is perhaps an indelicate subject, but this was a corps that perhaps set a high water mark for overage members. To be sure, it was not uncommon for many of the national contenders of the day to have some overage. However, with St. Joe’s it was more than a few. I competed against this corps week in and week out from 1966-71 and I can remember standing next to them at retreat as a 13 year old in 1966 thinking that when our average age was 18-20 as theirs appeared to be that maybe we could be as good as they were! The only problem was that by the time I was 19 many of them were still 4-5 years older than me! They were disqualified from the NYS championship in 1971 after their drum major was cited as overage. Years later I remember reading a posting by their corps director/former marching member/soloist joking that the DM was actually one of the younger of the 20+ overage members that year! Let me be clear that I loved the quality standard they set and this is one of the reasons I came to admire and love drum corps over the years. They were a good corps and I appreciated that fact. Later I marched in their alumni corps. But, these are the facts.

(Left to Right) Norm Peth, Bill Calhoun, Jack Pratt

Sad to hear. He was a valuable source I used when I wrote the history of the Geneva Appleknockers for Steve Vickers’ “A History of Drum and Bugle Corps” vol 2. He was a snare drummer in the Appleknockers senior corps circa 1947-51 as a young man. When he learned that one of my sons was a drummer, he mailed me several of his drum solo books for his use! I was impressed by his kindness and generosity.

Anyone else note the irony of Madison’s, “A Young Person’s Introduction to the Orchestra”? It was first played by SCV and was a part of their 1974 show which upset Madison for what would have been their first DCI Championship.

I think this show concept has promise especially if paired with some of the movements of Carmina Burana. Having performed some of this work of Carl Orff it’s power and beauty would be well suited. Phantom has not had the power and drama for which they are reputed for several seasons now. This could be the ticket. I hope they steer clear of being overly literal with their presentation or making this into a female version of Spartacus.

My thanks to N.E. Brigand for filling me in on the competitors prior to my group (Brig Juice). The quality of the performance space was much appreciated! Crowd was enthusiastic, but I would like to have feen a few more butts in the seats. Nice to know that we also had an online audience.

Yes, mesmerizing and driving at the same time!

What I like a bout BK is that the music is more central to their show

Well, definitely not your dad's drum corps! I think they broke some new ground which is hard to do in today's corps world.

Fits their weird theme.

Nice feature on Mandarins with whom I am less familiar.

I wish that Flo would fill some of the dead time between corps with some program notes on the upcoming corps. I feel that I am missing a lot about show intent.

I agree. It was a nice balance especially with the initial old school look.

Interesting that Troopers changed to a retro look