ex-cab phone co

(From the Horses mouth)... As an alumni and former co-director of Phoenix, I thought I might enter a couple of facts regarding the Phoenix field competition Corps. I learned that a parade unit was organized in Rochester the summer of 1974, this while i was living and working in the greater New York City area, and playing melliphone with Hawthorne. I called my friend Bill McGrath Sr. to find out what and who were involved, and found out that he, along with several other "disassociated" members of various Jr. & Sr. Corps had formed a "T-shirt" Corps (parade unit) for fun, and for various reasons didn't want to become members again of other excisting Corps. As we spoke, I told him "Phoenix" would be an appropriate name as these guys were rising like the legendary bird from the ashes of Corps that had burned them out. He liked the suggestion, an that became the name. Bill and I spoke a couple of times that summer, and I decided I had to relocate back to Rochester to be a part of this unique building experience. In the fall of 1974 many involved with the newborn Corps had a meeting at Harvey Martin's house on Standish Road (site of many Drum Corps discussions and events). Im sorry if I don't remember all in attendance (the members, movers, and shakers) but 30 years is a long time ago. We did have a long open meeting with ideas and votes. It was decided that a field competition Corps of high quality was our immediate and only objective. We decided to go with seasoned leadership. The board of directors consisted of a mix of those who founded the new Corps and many of the 71-72 Crusader board and staff (Myself: chairman of the 71-72 board, Harvey Martin, Fred Woodard, Bill McGrath Sr. and Jr., Jim Lennon, Dick Hutchinson, Ben Wilt, and Curt Anderson). Please forgive me and add an addendum if I left you off the list. We voted Harvey as business manager as he had handeled the same duties for the Crusaders for several years. We decided to speak with Corky Fabrizio to see if he would teach and write brass and help assemble more staff (such as Jack Dailey for M&M), as Corky had been the driving force behind our 72 super Corps and National Championship. Billy McGrath Jr was our one and only choice for percussion instructor. Putting this Corps together was to be such a large task that there followed a sit-down between myself and Jim Lennon, and we hammered out an agreement to be Co-Corps Directors. Jim was public relations, and I was administration. This was agreed to, and voted for by those at the meeting. Jim and I were in contact every single day over the next couple of years several times a day, and became close friends. It was now time to recruit and raise funds. The important choice of Corps Emblems and Logos were by submissions of graphics from several members with a vote taken at a board meeting to get our "identity" started. My design of the burning Pheonix letters was chosen, and our beautiful Firebird logo was designed by Hutch's wife. The long savored weekend at Ft. Drum to bring the Corps "together" was at my suggestion, as I had learned and experienced this type of practice from Jim Costello who would take the Cabs to West Point New York, or Indiantown River Gap P.A. military base in the spring, to be isolated, have privacy, afford bonding, have instructors completely in control of the time and pacing, and work the loose winter Corps into a tight professional unit. It was 100 percent successful for our Phoenix... (from t-shirt Corps to DCA top five). The uniforms were the boards only compromise from anything absolutely first class, but they were the classiest off the rack, fifteen dollar a set work clothes, from JC Penney that you ever saw when decorated as uniforms with love by our auxillary, wifes, and girlfriends. (How about those paper Aussie hats from the party store?). So many talented members, so many talented instructors, plenty of dedication and hard work by the Corps, and still plenty of time for fun... We did not win the American Legion state title in either 75 or 76, losing both attempts to the Crusaders. We did however win the 1975 VFW State Championship in Syracuse New York. The Rest of our field competition history can be found in the record books. I completely enjoyed working with and being associated with all my friends, board members, fellow marching members, staff, instructors, members who invested cash, members who gave extremely of time and effort, hard working auxillary, and Corps followers. Like a shooting star, allas, it burned bright, and then it was gone (but what an exquisite ride). Hope to see many of you fellow Phoenix at Scranton at DCA. Dave Kausch, Co-Director 75-76 Phoenix 1958-1978 Grey Knights, Crusaders Caballeros, Phoenix