Gary Matczak Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 One thing I don't like about the "alumni corps" moniker is that, in some people's minds, you're limited to only those things that the previous corps did, e.g. songs, uniforms, or routines. You get labeled and boxed in. you've just nailed one of our main reasons, that is often hard to convey........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Windish Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 It is a good discussion. To me, and I think most, the term "alumni" refers to a person and/or persons who were ONCE ACTIVE in whatever activity connected to its use. This requires little further explanation to the general populace, and that's the benefit of the present term. An alternative, say . . . Reading Buccaneers Formally Competitive Collection of Marching Music Participants seems a little too sloppy for general use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Matczak Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 It is a good discussion.To me, and I think most, the term "alumni" refers to a person and/or persons who were ONCE ACTIVE in whatever activity connected to its use. This requires little further explanation to the general populace, and that's the benefit of the present term. An alternative, say . . . Reading Buccaneers Formally Competitive Collection of Marching Music Participants seems a little too sloppy for general use. right on Fred,................that's why were call ourselves simply "a drum corps",............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDale Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 thanks Dale!see you in 11 days!! 6 days??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyroo Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 It seems that we're returning to a discussion that took place here some months ago - just what constitutes an alumni corps. I always wanted to compete with the corps I presently belong to. Unfortunately, in 1961 when I "aged out" of junior corps, there were other things on my plate - the army, college, marriage, children, career, etc. So I pretty much gave up the idea of ever marching with this particular corps. Then, in 2004, I saw this alumni corps - which I consider to be a true alumni corps in that it wears "its own" uniform, plays "its own" music, and, in general, looks, sounds, and acts like its competing counterpart. At that point, I didn't feel that I could ever take part because it was a true alumni corps. I later found that it had opened its membership to interested persons with drum corps experience - and I joined. In my mind, it isn't a whole lot different than if I had joined this corps when I originally wanted to - back in the early Sixties. (I must admit, however, that my cummerbund is substantially larger than it would have been back then.) I guess what I'm saying is, "Who cares?" The Crusaders aren't all Boston alumni; nor are the Bridgemen all ex-Bridgemen. They don't even limit their repertoire to "their own" music. But it surely is good to hear some of the old tunes from time to time. Just my personla thoughts... Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martybucs Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 (edited) It is a good discussion.To me, and I think most, the term "alumni" refers to a person and/or persons who were ONCE ACTIVE in whatever activity connected to its use. This requires little further explanation to the general populace, and that's the benefit of the present term. An alternative, say . . . Reading Buccaneers Formally Competitive Collection of Marching Music Participants seems a little too sloppy for general use. Fred, true enough, but the persons once involved in "whatever activity" were usually associated with one particular group, so that they are alumni of that particular group, more so than a general alumni of an activity, (except for maybe Cecily ) How do the corps that aren't alumni corps feel about getting lumped in with the alumni corps? And what differentiates an alumni corps, with an active field corps, from an alumni corps that is an outgrowth or a continuance of the former competitive corps with which it shares its' name? I know it doesn't really matter much, because we all have a good time, but I didn't want to clog the "guess who" thread and besides, I don't know any of the guys in the current picture Edited June 2, 2008 by Martybucs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Windish Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Marty, I can recall seeing a corps in competition many years ago, the Reilly Raider Musketeers (I think). It was well before alumni corps were a topic of any kind. They were very large, very loud, but mildly competitive. I wasn't sure what to make of them, but my mind surely said " a bunch of "formers", coming together to be "actives" all over again. Hey, I liked them! Anyone reading this a part of that effort? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martybucs Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 It seems that we're returning to a discussion that took place here some months ago - just what constitutes an alumni corps.I always wanted to compete with the corps I presently belong to. Unfortunately, in 1961 when I "aged out" of junior corps, there were other things on my plate - the army, college, marriage, children, career, etc. So I pretty much gave up the idea of ever marching with this particular corps. Then, in 2004, I saw this alumni corps - which I consider to be a true alumni corps in that it wears "its own" uniform, plays "its own" music, and, in general, looks, sounds, and acts like its competing counterpart. At that point, I didn't feel that I could ever take part because it was a true alumni corps. I later found that it had opened its membership to interested persons with drum corps experience - and I joined. In my mind, it isn't a whole lot different than if I had joined this corps when I originally wanted to - back in the early Sixties. (I must admit, however, that my cummerbund is substantially larger than it would have been back then.) I guess what I'm saying is, "Who cares?" The Crusaders aren't all Boston alumni; nor are the Bridgemen all ex-Bridgemen. They don't even limit their repertoire to "their own" music. But it surely is good to hear some of the old tunes from time to time. Just my personla thoughts... Andy All valid points, Andy, but what I'm asking is; what is the difference between the corps that are currently considered alumni corps versus those that always appear at functions with alumni corps and thus get called alumni corps, i.e. guilt by association. How do they feel about being labeled Alumni corps? And... Did a corps like Archie reorganize specifically as an alumni corps or did they grow into the role, once more corps later came into being, calling themselves "alumni corps"? I think we all agree that an alumni corps has some relation to corps from which it gets its' name. I think we all agree that without open membership policies, most corps couldn't continue as an effective musical group. I think we all agree - it's fun - and that's why we do it. Who cares? I don't know really. It's just something to mull over and discuss for the fun of it. Maybe we can learn something about ourselves. We might find out that Erie hates all us alumni corps for getting them stuck with the appellation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martybucs Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 Marty,I can recall seeing a corps in competition many years ago, the Reilly Raider Musketeers (I think). It was well before alumni corps were a topic of any kind. They were very large, very loud, but mildly competitive. I wasn't sure what to make of them, but my mind surely said " a bunch of "formers", coming together to be "actives" all over again. Hey, I liked them! Anyone reading this a part of that effort? Gosh, I remember that! I was in Brookhaven Crusaders. Think I was about 14 years old. Man they really were LOUD! Didn't think of them as an alumni corps, though. Just as two merged corps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martybucs Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 One more thought, before I take my son to karate practice. If you are in an alumni corps, a lot of times you get another label as an "old school" person that can't appreciate anything new. That irks me, because sometimes I mention that I actually liked the old military aspects of the drum and bugle corps. It's what I grew up on and I think it's neat. Doesn't mean I hate everything new in drum corps. I also marched on the field up to 1981. Way past the time when "old school", military drills and music were performed. I have no quarrel with what key of horn is used by anyone, though, I like my G horn. I was the first one in our corps to get a 3 valve bugle. Some people had to tell me that since it had 3 valves it was a trumpet and not a bugle. My stock answer is, "So?" I marched competitively from 1964-1981. That's a long time and I know a lot of people on here have me beat by decades, but some of the most critical people have one or two years under their belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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