Bob984

That's interesting......I heard from a pretty reliable source today.....He also confirmed "tinkering", but said that it was this.......a drill set change was made at a practice before prelims, and there were not enough reps....some members stepped over the front sideline, and the corps was penalized. That's a tough break, because without that, they would have been a 10th place finalist.

(sorry...bumped the button)...at any rate, I said, "they are not that bad, and the hornline can play.....arrangements are good....percussion will be competent......they then announced the scores....we had a 63.7, and they gave you a 53.1...I said, "they are being punished", and the other staffer agreed. I then said, "I wonder for how long"........"that's not a 53".....we knew that at the end, you were going to blow by us, and others.........it had to take much fortitude to "suck it up" and go out and bust tail everyday....but you did, and to start out that way and break 90 at the end was quite impressive.......I was just glad that we squeaked into finals.....

Here's a perspective from another corps.......I was a staff member of the Crossmen in 1988-1989.....the rumors were out there about Suncoast's struggles. Also, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the corps came out late (ie around July 1, and had cancelled several June dates). We heard that Pesceone was upset about that. We were in the 7/1 show together.....we did not do well (60.6, and you had a 54.9)....we thought, wow that's low, but we did not see your performance. The next day was in Franklin Field in Philly. We were better....also, myself and another staffer got to see you on the sideline.

The 1977 Oakland Crusaders are the only corps in DCI to win a full caption (drums, in this case) in the World Championship world class prelims, but not qualify for finals. However, one other corps did win first place on a judge's sheet in a caption (and finished 4th overall in the caption), but did not make finals. They are the only corps other than Oakland to win on a judge's sheet at the DCI Championship prelims, but not qualify for finals. Name the Corps and the Year. Here is a clue. The corps is not only still around, but is a finalist.

I just noticed this, looking at some historical recaps. At the first DCI prelims, in 1972, the Garfield Cadets would have qualified for finals and finish in 10th place. It was a tight contest. However, they had a full 1 point penalty, which dropped the corps out of finals and into 13th, a mere tenth out of 12th. Does anyone know what the penalty was for?

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Timpani is CORRECT!! They had SIX marching timpani.........they are the only finalist (and corps) that I ever saw who utilized 6 marching timpani players. There were many with 5, and the standard was 4-5.......Since I do not have a photo of every corps' timpani section, I have no proof of others, but Racine is the only one that I ever saw with 6............

Clue......it involves percussion...............also can be seen in their video performance...............

The 1975 Kilties had the largest............................ section ever fielded by a finalist corps(and perhaps by any corps)

Sadly, the casinos are still "violators"......some worse than others......not many years ago, my brother visited, and he wanted to stop at a casino in Chester, Pa........I went in, and had to leave shortly after, the smoke was horrific......I waited in the parking lot.........I know that there are workers in AC who have expressed their concerns....I would not be surprised if it ends up in court again.............actually, things didn't start to improve at all until well into the 1980's, and there is still a ways to go........I grew up in the 60's, and it was horrific then............Vegas has tried to do some ventilation things, but it is still bad........

That's sad.....who I really feel for is employees who will have to live with the health effects of 2nd hand smoke........I know I will probably lose some years of life because of that very same thing......

No eastern corps would expect to compete with casino gambling, online gambling, etc. ........but to indicate that they can't make any money from bingo..I don't agree with that.......if a person can drive to a nice, little place close to home......go inside, have some comfort food, play bingo, maybe win a bit....not lose their shirt.....and know that any money they lose is going to a good cause and not making someone rich.......it's a good thing............look at some of the responses....esp. SCV, BD, Bluecoats.....they make SERIOUS money on Bingo.........their operations run all year, and do not stop during the season......will it be at that level in NJ?? Very doubtful........However, it could still be a decent money maker for some groups....this was impossible with the state laws prior, but now could be possible.........there were some very successful corps bingo operations in neighboring NY state......they did hit problems, lost things overnight, and then had trouble adjusting, which was sad.....but that doesn't have to happen.

Without naming names, I can tell you that some corps in neighboring NY state ran hugely profitable bingo operations. However, there were some problems (that I will not go into here) which ended up hurting them badly, because it was their primary income source, and then suddenly gone. Still, as you see later in the responses, there are some major corps who run HUGE bingo operations. Bingo did happen, at a lower level, for corps in NJ.......but the corps gave up when the State made it far more difficult and far less profitable. This does look like an olive branch by the state in lifting things and making it possible.....for drum corps and other non-profits......to perhaps make it work....... I am pretty sure that drinking was allowed in NY State (not certain, though). It's a moot point, even if allowed, as the cost of a liquor license in NJ is staggering.......I don't think that it would take liquor, smoking, etc......to run a successful operation.....just a fun place that people would come back to on a regular basis............and can generate some income for corps............

In NJ it will be interesting. Only "cigar bars", and the AC Casinos, are allowed to have smoking currently....and the AC casinos are limited to 25% of the floor space. When they took away smoking from horse racing establishments, people said that would kill it.....they were wrong.....whereas some smokers stopped going, the appeal to now go to non-smokers balanced it out. Also, smokers can go to the outside areas to smoke at the race track there still. I'm asthmatic (have been all my life), so I have no problem with smoking laws......I also worked as a pro musician, and had many a bad night from 2nd hand smoke (and I now have reduced lung function as well). I also watched my grandfather (who had smoked heavily) die of lung cancer when I was 12. If I was an establishment, I think I would focus on having some good yet easy "comfort foods" available at the very least, and would do all that I could to make it a good time for patrons, and make them want to come back. A weekly raffle might also add to things. I am not sure about liquor.....I doubt that they will be allowed, and if they are, liquor licenses are incredibly expensive and most likely going to be out of reach for unestablished places. I can tell you that there are people who do not go to AC (or Vegas) because of smoking still happening in the casinos.....advertising as a non-smoking venue may actually attract some who like to play but do not like being around any smoke.........

It's strange, because in the wording, at first they say "games of chance", but then later specifically indicate bingo and raffles. I think you are probably right in NJ, though.......parishes would be all over it, as states where it is allowed have had enormous fundraisers through a "casino night" or "casino weekend"....still, even with just running some raffles (and not having to worry about it) can make some cash for the corps......and if they can run a bingo hall regularly, and they lock in the right place and run it well, there is good money to be had......

It can't hurt, as the new law also relaxes things on bingo and raffles. Every dollar counts. Another thing interesting is this......it refers specifically to bingo and raffles, but in the intro simply says "games of chance". Just having the ability to run a "casino weekend" somewhere, with things like blackjack, roulette, wheels, etc.........can take in a good deal of money in a matter of days.......people will come out to a "neighborhood event" if it's for a good cause and they can have some fun with a chance to win.......I once played a gig at a very well established Parochial Church and School's "casino weekend", where they used most of the money for school funding. We were a casino act, and they also put us up, so they were spending some money. They had all kinds of things, plus great food, etc........I know from Friday night to Sunday they cleared around $125,000........and that was in the mid 1980's.............

I understand all of your points......you have to have a good place and run it like a machine.....some corps that have done so have done very well with it.........I am not sure if it is still the case, but some of the major California corps had their own bingo halls that were enormous money makers.............all I was saying is that the opportunity is now there if a corps wishes to pursuit it at any level in NJ (and now may be a good time, as most bingo was out due to the restrictions imposed).......the new law also applies to raffles, which can bring in decent cash as well.........

NJ voters yesterday PASSED a ballot question yesterday that might be a positive thing for corps, though I am not sure. It allows qualified groups to use bingo proceeds for their purposes, from the way that I read it. This also pertains to raffles. I am not sure just how much this helps, but it can't hurt......as far as I know, it would impact junior and senior corps......anyone with non-profit status who proclaims their purpose as "educational". I do know that bingo can generate a ton of money (so can well-run raffles), and bingo has supported many corps. Sadly, some corps lost their bingo operations (sometimes due to their own fault), and suddenly that source of revenue was gone. I just hope that perhaps this has a positive impact on drum corps based in NJ. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT GAMES OF CHANCE TO USE PROCEEDS FROM THOSE GAMES TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION Do you approve amending the Constitution to permit all groups that are allowed to conduct bingo or raffles to use the net proceeds from those games to support their groups? Currently, only veterans and senior citizen groups may use the net proceeds from those games to support their groups. All other groups that are permitted to conduct bingo or raffles may only use the proceeds from those games for certain purposes. They are not permitted to use those proceeds to support their groups. The amendment would allow the other groups that conduct bingo or raffles to use the proceeds to support their groups as well.

He was a great arranger. RIP Ken Norman.

Jeff was an alumnus of the Crossmen, and then served as the corps' director. He was involved with several other corps as director, administrator, instructor. He was well-liked by all. RIP Jeff.

It is with sadness that I report that Gary Caffery passed away this past week. Gary was a member of the Crossmen hornline from 1977-1981, and was an incredible lead soprano soloist. He was well-liked and respected by everyone in the corps. RIP Gary.

Brian Law passed away this morning. He was a charter member and baritone soloist for the Crossmen, and later on the Bushwackers. He was an instructor for the Bridgemen, and other drum corps, and also won the DCA baritone individual championship multiple times. He also instructed many band programs and also served as a judge. Brian worked well with everyone and brought a positive vibe with him. Though he struggled and lost his battle with cancer, his spirit remained intact. RIP Brian.

It is with sadness that I post that Rob Muller passed away this past weekend. Robb was a marching member (keyboard perc.) with the Bayonne Bridgemen, and then went on to their staff, as part of a team that won multiple DCI High Percussion titles. Robb also instructed/arranged for the Cavaliers, the Colts, the Bluecoats, the Reading Buccaneeers, and the Westshoremen., and Star of Indiana/Brass Theatre. He was a judge for DCA. He also was involved with many high school and university programs. Robb also had a long time position with the Minnesota Vikings involving game day production. RIP ROBB..........

Frank Patrisso, 95, sadly passed away on 3/26/21. He was the last living "original Cadet", as he marched in the original Holy Name (Garfield) Cadets in 1934. I never met him, but I heard about him. He was present for the Cadets 85th anniversary. RIP Frank

Frank Gerris passed away this past week, from COVID19. Frank was a designer/instructor for the Hawthorne Caballeros, the Hawthorne Muchachos, and several other corps. RIP Frank