elphaba01

"Gail Royer": According to an interview in DCW conducted by Steve Fain with GR Royer, Mr Royer was indeed from Iowa. Possibly Grinnel. He actually started with a very small American Legion Post drum corps, and went on from there. After service in the Korean War (He was a Military Policeman) he went on to college and work as an eduactor in California. He was one of two "Field Execution" judges on bugles at the 1965 VFW Nationals (The "Rainout" which was held at indoors at MacCormack Place) in Chicago. I'm sure that there are some old SCV alums out there in DCP land that can further flesh out GR's background. Elphaba WWW

"Fave Concerts": 1961: St Catherin's of Sienna Queensmen "Tin Roof Blues" & "Black Bottom". 1962: Madison Scouts "Ballet In Brass". 1963 & 1964: St Kevins Emerald Knights "South Ramparts Street Parade". 1965: Chicago Royal Airs "Birth of the Blues". Elphaba WWW

"Missing": Yeah: How about: St Kevins Emerald Knights Casper Troopers St Josephs of Batavia Boston Crusaders Bridgeport PAL Cadets Cambridge Caballeros I realize that this is from a "Long Time Ago" (when the guard actually wore the SAME UNIFORM as the corps proper) but these units (and MANY others) had some great looking "suits". A BIG "Emerald City Thank You" to the "SKEK" and St Joseph's alumni corps for "Bringing Back" those teriffic guard uniforms of "Yesteryear". Elphaba WWW

"Best Memories": ALL OF THEM. Junior, Senior & Alumni. It was all good. Elphaba WWW

"Marches": How about: "Grand March from Aida": Chicago Cavaliers, late 1950s. "National Emblem March": Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights, Audubon Bon Bons, late 1950s through the 1960s. The Blessed Sacrament Alumni corps performs it even now. "Americans We": Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights 1962 & 1963 "Voice of the Guns": St Kevins Emerald Knights, 1962-1964. "On the Mall March": St Raphales Buccaneers, 1966 & 1967. "Semper Paratus": Bridgeport PAL Cadets 1962-1966 "King Cotten March": Garfield Cadets 1964 & 1965. "El Capitan": Boston Crusaders (Forever), Madison Scouts 1962 & 1963. "Thunder & Blazes": St Andrew Bridgemen 1980 & 1981. "Hands Accross the Sea": Racine Kilties 1962-1965 I'm sure that there are many many more. These just happen to come to mind. Elphaba WWW

Fave "Off the Lines": 1961-1962 St Catherines Queensmen's "Dancing Serenade", arrranged by the late Joe Genero. 1962-1964 St Kevins Emerald Knights "Voice of the Guns", arranged by the late Frank Bergdoll. 1965 Chicago Royal Airs "Ballyhoo March" arranged by the late Truman Crawford. 1964-1966 Casper Troopers "How the West Was Won", originally arranged for the Troopers by the late Don Angelica. Only a few "Faves" from a great era of "Off the Lines". Elphaba

"Fave Exits": St Catherine of Sienna Queensmen, 1961-1962: "With a Smile & a Song", from the Movie "Snow White". Written for the Queensmen by the late Joe Genero. St Raphaels Buccaneers, 1964-1965: "In the Shelter of Your Arms", written by the late Joe Genero. There are a great many more "faves" from that (my) era, but these two come to mind.... Elphaba

"Joe's Corps": Yep, "Jumpin Joe" did indeed teach 5 or so different corps per year. And he managed to make all of them sound completly different from each other, something that is sadly lacking in the rareified musical atmosphere of DCI. Elphaba

"World Open": The first (and still "The Best") 'Non Veterans' National Championships. Had the very great honor of marching in the very first "Finals", Jersey City's 'Roosevelt Stadium' in 1963. Also marched Finals in Bridgeport and Lynn Massachusetts. Wonderful memories.... Elphaba

"Wicked": WONDERFULL!!!! It's about TIME a drum corps used material from this terriffic musical. I can't WAIT to see your "Tour Shirts"!!! Best of luck to you!!!! DEFY GRAVITY!!! Elphaba

"Fleetwood Returns": Go to www.FleetwoodSounds.com They are "re-releasing" all their drum corps albums on CD. Elphaba

"What Corps Sparked Interest": I can remember the Hawthorne Caballeros and "Norman Prince" at the Bridgeport "Parade of Champions" in the late 1950s, and the St Vincents Cadets at the PAL Cadets show in (possibly) 1958 or 1959. Long time ago...... Elphaba

1970s "Top Three": 1974 Hawthorne Muchachos 1973 Santa Clara Vanguard 1977 St Andrews Bridgemen "Class By Themselves": 1974 & 75 Madison Scouts. Elphaba WWW

"Championship Year(s)": 1970 was ALSO a "Championship" year, as SCV won the American Legion Junior National Championship at Portland Oregon that season. In 1972 Santa Clara (prior to DCI) won all but two contests (that I know of) suffering losses to the LaCrosse Blue Stars in Denver (Drums Along the Rockies) and a contest in California durring the West Coast "Swing". Elphaba

Fleetwood Blasts From the Past": Give a listen to: 1961 VFW Nationals all three volumes. 1962 Carnagie Hall, all four volumes. 1964 World Open, all five volumes. 1969, 70 and 71 VFW Nationals, all volumes. They may not all have been "reissued" as of this time, but when they are, give them serious consideration. I have them all and listen to them often, Elphaba

"Cru at the 1965 Dream": The Rochester Crusaders performance at the 1965 Dream Contest was one fopr the books. The "Funnel" that hit the field near the end of their show looked like it came straight from Kansas, via dropping a house on my sister in Munchkinland. How those guys held on through all of that "Flash & Thunder" I'll never know. A very belated "Congrats" to all the 'Survivors'. Great job. Elphaba

"SCV's 1989 Win": You ask: "How did they win"? Uh... They had the most points? Elphaba

Fave Brass Instructors: The late, great "Jumpin Joe" Genero. His "credits" include St Catherine's Queensmen (one of our all time faves), Our Lady of Loretto Knights, St Raphaels Buccaneers, Milford Police Cadets, St Aedens Emerald Cadets, Hawthorne Caballeros, Connnecticut Huirricanes, New Bedford Whalers, Rhode Island Matadors, and the Port Ewen Criterions. Elphaba

"Best Baritones": Speaking ONLY for "G" Baritone bugles, present day, there are two distinct classes: 1. Kanstul 2. Everybody else. Elphaba

"An Evening With the Corps at Reunion Hall" A great flashback to the very old Fleetwood/Drum Corps News Carnagie Hall concerts of the 1960s took place last Saturday night in Plymouth Massachusetts. Pilgrimtown played host to a fine weekend of drum corps that saw some of the best Alumni units on the East Coast gather for what has become a "Traditional Season's Closer". The Friday night "Preview" featured the Mass Brass, and American Originals Fife & Drum Corps, as well as the United States Air Force "Tops In Blue" stage extravaganza. The Mass Brass 'heavyweights' previewed their 2005 rep, while the Originals again demonstrated how entertaining fife and drum corps can be. The 'Bluesuiters' stage show, "Musicology" was a terriffic variety show that featured performers from all accross the spectrum of the USAF. Professionally choregraphed and scripted these amature entertainers did their service proud. The Saturday AM parade came off quite well, with the street festivities led by the Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni corps. All of the participating "Concert Corps" appeared in the line of march, which was lined with very appreciative fans. Concert Notes: Caught most of the participants at either their "stage times" or at the show itself, and here a a few hihglights: Generations: New uniforms and a taste of "Espana" in their program. A truly "Generational" unit that featured performers from young adults to very senior citizens. Nice job. St Kevins Emerald Knights: Resplendent in their 'recreated' trademark 'Christmas Tree" uniforms 'SKEK's 39 brass & 17 percussion roared through 'Buzzy' Bergdolls recreations of 'Dad's' 'Warsaw Concerto', 'Charmaine', 'Ramparts' and 'Stars and Stripes Forever'. The new 'suits' go a long way in bringing back that "Kevins' image. Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights: Trademark "Sac of the Sixties" sound in their 50+ hornline, featured "El Cid", 'Eternal Father' warmup, and encore number of "National Emblem'. Soloists in "Free Again" were outstanding. And, a request: For 2005, how about a reprise of "Witchcraft"? Light Brigade: A fine working color guard and a nice brass section marching effort that concluded with the 'Two 7' trademark "Full Corps Wheel". 'Danny Boy' was outstanding. Well staged marching exibition. Park City Pride: Something like 75+ horns, 5 drum majors, a monster (and most excellent) colorguard, and a battery anchored by 12 snares the Bridgeporters won over the Beantown audience with a Genero-Dorrttie medley of 1960s faves. "Barnum" fanfare, "How the West Was Won", "Never Walk Alone", and "I'll Be Seeing You" were standouts, as was the "Closer" of Jack 'Old Blue Eyes' DeRosa's Christmas vocal backed by the hornline. American Originals: With their featured fife soloist again in top form the "Ancients' put on program of music and drill that saluted several of the drum & bugle corps in attendance. Have you ever seen a "fifer" 'high mark time' to Hawthorne's "rumps'? Great job. Connecticut Alumni: Much larger than when previously seen, and SO much improved the corps featured music from some of the great Hurricanes corps of the past. "Mariah" and "Hang'em High-Mag 7" medley were most "noteworthy". Very well choreographed colorguard feature complimented the musical efforts. Hawthorne Caballeros: From the "Call To the Bulls" to the encore of "Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White" the bellbottomed Alumni corps gave the audience their moneys worth. The always energetic Jimmy Russo led the corps through Larry Kerchner rewrties of "Espana Cani", "Ted Meets Johnny", "Echano" and 'Flamenco Cha Cha". Soloists were working extra hard with stratospheric offerings throughout their performance. Boston Crusaders: Another fine effort from the "Cru". New uniforms, and a return to the "Dennon" sound. Encore of "Conquest" was a great way to end an evening of drum corps entertainment. All in all a great ending to a great season of drum corps. Elphaba

"Notre Dame All Girls": Yes indeed, a fine "All Girls" corps. Most of their instructors were also members/instructors of the Connecticut Hurricanes. Joe Genero, Ray Ludee the team of "Condon & Woods" on 'M & M" and Tony DeFrancisco. Many of the "Girls" of that generation are now all grown up (and "Grandmothers" to boot) and are still marching, with the 'Park City Pride" Alumni corps of Bridgeport Ct. Elphaba

"New York 1960s "Others"": You left out some really great "New York" junior corps". How about: (And these just from "The City" or close to it) St Catherine of Sienna Queensmen St Catherine of Sienna Marionettes Our Lady of Loretto Knights Selden Cadets-Golden Lancers St Josephs Patron/St Ritas Brassmen NY Knickerbockers New York Kingsmen Floyd Bennet Golden Eagles St Roccos Cadets OLPH Ridgemen OLC Ramblers CMCC Warriors Manhattanaires Carter Cadets Wynn Center Toppers Staten Island Lawmen Regimental Cadets My apologies to any I know I missed..... Elphaba

"Females In Drum Corps": The St Anne's Loyalaires & Connecticut Royal Lancers junior corps of Bridgeport Ct had FEMALES in their hornlines as well as their color guards. The Casper Troopers have had FEMALES in all sections. Lillian Gaudette was an award winning drum major of the Bridgpeport PAL Cadets (and is now one of the DM's for the Park City Pride) so was Alice Dobson. The "All Girls" Audubon Bon Bons had a very strong corps in the late 1950s, defeating all of the major all male and "mixed" contenders, and their drum quartet and Rita Macey won the VFW National quartet and indie titles in 1957. Elinore McCarthy was an award winning drum major for the IC Reveries corps. Sandra Stone of the old Rockford Purple Knights won the VFW Indie tennor drum contest in 1962. Sandra Grim was a French Horn player for the Casper Troopers in the late 1960s, and won the Miss Wyoming Title in 1969. I am sure that there are many many more. Elphaba

"Mass Brass": St Kevins Emerald Knights, St Thomas Moore Cadets, St Rose Scarlet Lancers, Braintree Warriors, Malden Cavaliers, South Boston Gatesmen, IC Reveries, St Marys Cardinals, Boston Crusaders, and the Lt Norman Prince "Princemen". Elphaba

"A Few First Aussies": The Garfield Cadets had "Aussies" in 1958 & 1959, the first two years after being dumped by Holy Name Parish. They wore short sleeve shirts and bermudas, knee-hi socks and white bucks. The "Garfield" uniform was reintroduced in 1960. St Raphaels Buccaneers of Brideport Ct went to "Aussies" (with plumes) in 1959, and a cross town rival, the Connecticut Royal Lancers used them from 1962 on. The Racine Scouts wore white "Aussies" with their Scout uniforms in 1962 & 1963. The Audubon Bon Bons & St Catherines Marionettes 'All Girls' corps wore a 'cowgirl' type of hat, introduced in the mid 1950s. The Reading Buccaneers had an "Aussie Style" pirates hat, complete with plume in 1960. Elphaba