castledrum

Saw you guys at the Plymouth parade and Memorial show, you sounded awesome! Good Luck in 2009. Dennis O'Neill Snare Imperials 72-78 Imperials Mini-Corps 2005-2008

As a member of the Imperials I thank you for the compliment. I am very proud of our members, some experienced and for our younger members this was their very first show. We had just wanted to come out, play well and take in a real drum corps experience. We had the best time. Dennis ONeill, snare

Not only is the corps on the field judged, but so is the organization. See page 25 of the Official Championship program you will see what I mean. DCI is a monopoly that cares about the "image" of competition and not the reality. If DCI does not like your corps or its business side you will not win, period, regardless of how well the kids perform. I have seen many corps over the decades defeat other corps in non-dci shows by up to 20 points, only to lose to the same ones at the next dci competition. This debate has been going on and will continue until something changes. Why do you think DCA All-age corps are growing? Thousands of drum corps members have gone through what you and your child have just experienced. Welcome to dci Dad.

Jim Cunniff marched with myself in the Imperials snare line from 76-77. He may have marched in 75, I don't recall. Unfortunately, Sully had already left by 75. Hey Jim! If your reading this someday, drop us a line. Dennis ONeill

The Imperials were from Pembroke, MA, south of Boston from 66-82. 72 DCI- 17th, 1973 VFW champions and the silver drum trophy for highest drum score. In 74 they won the American Legion and Mayflower state championships, 7th at DCI East, and were the best corps in New England that year, defeating such units as the Boston Crusaders, Beverly Cardinals and 27th Lancers. In 75 the ranks were decimated by age-outs, but lots of pride kept it going. A very talented corps from a very small community without big city resources to draw from. I marched with the feeder corps (class c/b) from 72-75 before marching with the big kids in 76 and 77. Placed 9th at the 76 VFW's in NY, 7th at DCI class A. We were making that transition from a more traditional style to the newer DCI style when we ran out of money and could not go to DCI in 77. Wasn't a good time for us and we basically folded after that. The feeder corps survived until 82. We are currently reforming and will be doing a number of programs from mini-corps at DCA this year and also planning on a possible winterguard, both color guard and percussion for our younger members in 2006. Check out the big band sound of 74, then check out the same songs from Madison Scouts in 75. www.pathwayproductions.org/imperials.htm Dennis ONeill snareline-76-77 Percussion instructor-present