cavies79

If I could go back and march again, I would go with the 1979 Cavaliers. One of the biggest reasons is I came down with mononeucleosis and spent my finals being in the hospital. I regret that this happened because I was so proud to be in the Cavaliers. After that happened, I was too embarrassed to go back for the 80 and 81 seasons. Now that I am an adult, I regret not going back. The Cavaliers have always had a special place in my heart.

I would like to add that Cavies and several other corps march parades on the 4th of July. Not everybody does this. I know some corps do exhibitions.

A couple of great ones that I want to mention from the 70s are: Softly as I Leave You......Cavaliers 80,81 Ice Castles.......Madison 80, 81, and I think 82

I look forward to Madison improving with Mr. Mason and his fellow Star/Blast comrades. However, there is a big piece to the puzzle missing that helped the 1985 Star of Indiana. His name is George Zingali. I personally believe that George's creative genius had a lot to do with Star's success.

"Chasing Shadows" .....another great tune by Kansas. This was performed by the 1986 Geneseo Knights. I would love to hear a large hornline perform this work. I could envision either Carolina Crown or possibly Cadets doing it.

As a band director for 25 years, I think our educational system is being unfairly judged. If you look at the scores of other countries, they only count their top students. We are one of the only countries that educates everybody. In those countries, they don't give everyone an education. So, the reality is their scores are going to be higher. Where I teach (border city in Texas), we have students move in who barely speak the english language, parents are uneducated, they live in poverty, etc. They are going to have a more difficult time with these standardized tests than others. For example, our school has done well on the TAKS (Texas Assessment of knowledge and skills) except for those who are special education and LEP (limited english profiency) students. Those students bring down our overall scores. I had to get this off of my chest. Have a good day.

I feel that both Cavaliers and the Scouts can be near the top. In 1985, Cavies placed 5th with the Scouts being in 4th, if I'm not mistaken. It would be nice to see both of these corps near the top.

Yes indeed, Jeff would be great for Madison!!!

If Cavies made the necessary changes and cleaned it, they will most likely squeak out first place. I feel that Crown will get 2nd, depending on how much Cadets cleaned up their show. Either way, this will be a close top 3.

You must have been watching somebody else. Cavies sounded and looked great! BTW, I saw several feet phasing problems in HNC.

After watching this show again for the 3rd time, I like it, but in my opinion, 1984 was a better show. I don't see a championship this year.

I actually disagree with many of you regarding the Cavaliers show. I have watched it several times. Each time it seems to get better to me. I enjoy the musicality which includes beautiful tone quality in the horn line added with exceptional balance/ blend/ tuning. The visual is very good, as always. The part that sticks out for me the most is the percussion writing of Jim Casella and Eric Johnson. I think their writing is some of the most musical on the field. I do agree that Cavaliers don't try to blow the house down with power. In 2002 they used musicianship on the field and it worked. I believe they have been trying to do that for that past 9 years and I don't see anything wrong with it. I also liked Boston, Troopers, and SCV. I felt that SCV played a very musical show! Just my 2 cents worth.

I would also have to agree that losing Scott Boema has hurt Madison's sound. You would also have to say that drill design can hurt too. If the players are either not comfortable with the drill or they are in a position that doesn't allow for a big sound (ex. too spread out), that can hurt. This year's drill design could also be hurting Madison's sound.

I hear a little of their "Criminal" show in the opening minute or so.

How many of you are aware that most of the SCV staff are former Cavaliers?

This is the best sounding SCV I have heard in years!!!

Musically, they are doing very well. Their visual program needs a lot of cleaning. Their guard is also very sloppy at times. By August, they will make a run for top 12. I just wish the Scouts were like the Scouts of old. They used to be strong all season. Hopefully, one day soon they will be strong all season.

Garfield Cadets 1985- entire show. The technical difficulty of "Jeremiah" and "Candide", plus the musical expressiveness of "Make Our Garden Grow". Star of Indiana- 1991. Not only was the music wicked, but Zingali's drill was rediculously difficult.

In terms of a company front with a powerful hornline blowing down the stands, I would say 1980 Spirit of Atlanta. When they hit the company front of "Let it Be Me", it would bring goosebumps to your skin. From a visual standpoint, 1987 Garfield Cadets moving their company front in segments during "Simple Gifts" of their Appalachian Spring show. Very effective. And who can forget the 1980 Cavaliers stepping over their rifles during "Softly as I Leave You". Spine tingling.

Most definitely. I believe drum corps should be entertaining as well as competitive. A drum corps like Bridgemen and Velvet Knights would fit that need.

My favorite year 1979- Year I marched with Cavaliers. Favorite Instructor(s)- Dallas Niermeyer (when he was with us), Gus Barbaro (drumline instructor/ writer), and Steve Brubaker (guard). Even though I wasn't taught by Gus or Steve, I remember them very fondly. Steve started his magic that year with the guard and eventually drill. Both Gus and Dallas were very involved in getting the corps back into finals. The rest is history. Even though Jeff Fiedler was DM, he was very much like an instructor to us. He was already involved with marching fundamentals and recruitment. As we all know, he went on to help the corps develop to what they are today. Place to be- I enjoyed competing in my hometown (Canton, Illinois). For me, it was a very neat thing to march in my hometown. Memorable event- One in particular was the state VFW Championships. We were announced in second place and I remember another corps (Guardsmen) celebrating and exciting about defeating us. As it turned out, the scores were wrong. We actually won and we were congratulated by the guard. I don't remember if the brass or drums congratulated us. About a week later, Guardsmen actually defeated us and never looked back.

I'm sure that Cavaliers will be very competitive. I am really curious on how the brass arrangements will be now that Drew Shanefield is doing them.

The Geneseo Knights did "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 1985, and the next year did a show which included Kansas's "Relentless", as well as several other pop tunes. I think could be a great show for Spirit.

I actually believe if this show is arranged the way Scott can arrange, this will be a great show. For one, it can be very audience friendly and second it can be competitive. Just my opinion.

1. Cavaliers...............Since I had the honor to march with this amazing corps, they have to be my first choice. 2. Madison Scouts...............I've always enjoyed the Scouts, going back as far as 1975. The first time I saw this corps in person was 1978 and they were very exciting to see. 3. Phantom Regiment........What can I say but "class". I first saw them in person in 1978 and was hooked. 4. Santa Clara Vanguard...............The class of the west. They have continued the traditions set by Gail Royer. 5. Bridgemen....................I always thought they were clown princes of drum corps. They truly made drum corps fun. There are so many great drum corps that I have liked, but these 5 are at the top of my list.