old vanguard

The Skokie/Chicago/Des PLaines Vanguard was a gang-with instruments in the late fifties and early sixties. Several near-rumbles with other midwestern corps during that period.

I recall the St.Vincent's Cadets and long admired their competitiveness. I only saw them perform twice and thoroughly enjoyed their show. A few questions: 1. What was the story of that amazing French horn section? What instruments were they playing? They really cut through. Chills. 2. I distinctly remember hearing them on an old scratchy recording playing "Mama Teach Me to Dance - ala Eydie Gorme." According to Corpsreps listings, I'm nuts. 3. In their concert number(s) they switched from a slower, more mellow piece to "Tropical Heat Wave." I think that I remember them also switching conductors from a male DM to a female CG sgt. They had a long, successful run. The Jersey Jr. Corps were very competitive in those days. BSGK, Holy Name, and Vinnies were constantly fighting it out. I have seen several good webpages on their record and their history. If anyone can fill in the blanks on Vinnies, I'd appreciate it.

Always knew that DCI would ultimately bleed the activity dry and leave so many communities poorer. The dearth of community-based D&BCs is no surprise.

The Vanguard had dues of $1.00 per week plus $.25 per month for gloves. I think that our insurance was $12.00 per year. Tour money was banked with the corps and doled out as needed. Varied depending on tour schedule. Corps operational expenses were paid by the Manhem-Vanguard Assn., who owned the corps.

I thought that this forum was about Historical Jr Corps. Frankly I have very little interest in corps after about the late 1970s. If I was interested in more modern bands, I would be a DCI follower.

Excellent post. Thanks. I have Getzen. Baritone in my collection, complete with an E attachment. It enables me to play along with a recording of Royal Airs "Over There" and the Cavaliers original (pre contra bass) "Bully." It's a fairly limited instrument, and is hard to play in tune, but it does have a few "magic" notes.

The E rotary attachments were not allowed. I am well aware of F and F# rotaries, having played both of them at various times. There were several corps who used t E rotaries on their bass baritones. Cambridge Caballeros, Cavaliers, Royal Airs, Geneva Appleknockers come immediately to mind. I was a Mel Tierney, Skokie, Chicago, Lincolnwood Vanguard, and was on staff with the Des Plaines Vanguard.

Overhyped, but a first rate corps. Their drum line was not great. As I recall, Illegal E rotary crooks on their bass baritones. This sounds like sour grapes, but their corps could never match their legend.

Custers Brigade, and Spartans.

I hadn't heard that Jim Donnelly was attributed with the invention of the French Horn bugle. Glad that the instrument was created. Always loved the sound. Vinnies, from the mid-fifties, onward had a kick-a$$ FH section. I think that they fielded six of them. (as did BSGK I think) Somewhere in my dimming past, I recall being told by an old-school Vanguard that St. Vincent's and a few other corps used specially made horns, which meant that they were not the Holton, Getzen, or other "standard-issue" instruments. Whatever the instruments that were used, they certainly projected, and were pretty well in tune. Unique sound.

Are you kidding? Vinnies was one of the best corps in the nation for many years. Blessed Sacrament, Holy Name/Garfield and St. Vincent's were close competitors throughout the 1950s. St. Vincent's was one of the winningest Jr. corps in history. I think that they folded in 1962 or '63.

My copy of the Phantom Regiment DCI 2003 show has been damaged. No longer available on DCI website. Anyone want to sell me one? PM me if interested. Thanks

In 1958 the Chicago Vanguard had a staff consisting of John LoBue, who arranged and taught the hornline, and Larry Lavita, who handled drums, drill and was manager. We were terrible and rehearsed a LOT that season. I don't know how those men were able to have personal lives. We were thankful for their dedication.

I had the pleasure of meeting Father John M. D'Arcy in 1965 when the Cardinals were in Chicago for VFW Nationals. They competed at the Des Plaines Vanguard show while there. He was a very bright, guy with a great sense of humor. I was impressed, and felt that the Cardinals had a first class Moderator.

5-18-19 I saw a Dynastry III Euph. for sale on Ebay this morning.