echano77

Shortly past 2 PM yesterday afternoon, Drum Corps lost one if its legendary icons. Ralph Silverbrand was the Drum Major of the Hawthorne Caballeros from 1955 until 1968. In 1959 he founded the Hawthorne Muchachos. He was a member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame and also the New Jersey and Massachusetts Drum Corps Halls of Fame. No information is available yet regarding arrangements.

Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni 2009 Repertiore "Chorale" Based on the original Kerchner composition "Matador" "Pictures Of Spain" Composed by Larry Kerchner for the Muchachos in 1974 "I Go To Rio" A fun new number from Larry K, loaded with driving rhythms and a few new surprises "Malagueña" A Hawthorne standard with Larry's unique take on the Kenton classic "Perfidia" An entirely new Kerchner arrangement for 2008 "Cha Cha Cha Flamenco" The Timeless Hawthorne "National Anthem" as re-arranged by Larry in 1972 "Cabs Signature Ending" The now-classic Caballero ending, composed by Larry Kerchner in 1970, with a new LK addition in 2007 "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" The #1 Fan's encore favorite! Next practice is Sunday January 18th at Hawthorne American Legion Post 199, 1 Legion Place, Hawthorne, NJ 07506, the home of the Caballeros siince 1946. Stop by and see what cooking!

The Caballeros Alumni Corps has announced the music program planned for their 2008 season. With a mix of old standards and completely new arrangements, they are anticipating another exciting season in '08, aimed at providing their fans with the finest in classic-style Drum Corps. The Corps’ horn line has attracted 10 new members in the last two rehearsals with a brass line now approaching 80. Director Peter Bishop hopes Post 199, the home of the Caballeros since 1946, will have enough room, but he says he’s sure they’ll manage. The already solid drum line has also been adding new members, and the Corps would like to expand their all-female flag line. The final rehearsal for 2007 will be on Sunday, December 9th, from 12 PM to 5 PM at American Legion Post 199 in Hawthorne. 2008 is going to be a great year--be a part of it! Caballeros Alumni Corps 2008 Repertoire “Pictures of Spain” – Original composition written by Larry Kerchner in the ‘70’s “Perfidia” – An entirely new Kerchner arrangement for 2008 “Macarena” – Moved from the Opener with a Hot new concert ending “Hill Where the Lord Hides” – ’76 Exit with “Kerchner Extras” and unique instrumentation "Cha Cha Cha Flamenco" - Hawthorne's timeless classic “Caballeros Signature Ending” – ‘70’s Ending Signature revamped in 2007 by Larry “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” – Encore standard with new bridge added 2008 Winter Practice Schedule Sun. Jan. 6 Music Rehearsal Post 199 12 to 5 Sun. Jan, 20 Music Rehearsal Post 199 12 to 5 Sun. Feb. 3 Music Rehearsal Post 199 12 to 5 Sun. Feb. 17 Music Rehearsal Post 199 12 to 5 Sun. Mar. 2 Music Rehearsal Post 199 12 to 5 Sun. Mar. 16 Music Rehearsal Post 199 12 to 5 Sun. Mar. 30 Music Rehearsal Post 199 12 to 5

The 2008 season will represent the 14th year of providing exciting “classic style” Drum Corps entertainment by the Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps. On Sunday, October 14th, we will be holding our initial practice of the new season from noon to 5PM at American Legion Post #199 in Hawthorne, NJ. On that day, we will begin work on our new opener, the original composition “Pictures of Spain”, by Larry Kerchner, who wrote it for the Muchachos in 1974 and was played by them in both 1974 and 1975. Larry said recently, “I’m excited at the prospect of teaching ‘Pictures of Spain’ to this amazing Caballero Alumni Corps, and hope that there are many former Muchachos and Muchachos fans out there who will enjoy hearing it again — maybe even some who would enjoy playing it again!” If you’ve been thinking about getting back on the field, there’s no better time to do it. Without question, 2008 is going to be a banner year for the Cabs Alumni, and we hope to see many new faces on October 14th.

I have been involved in the Drum Corps activity for may, many years. When I marched in Junior Corps, there were so many corps that in the New Jersey American Legion State Championships, corps had to cut their shows down to 7 minutes in order to fit all the corps in for Prelims. As time went on there were fewer and fewer corps, but the quality of the musicians kept getting better and better. Today you have to be an accomplished musician to even think about trying to get into a major corps. The talent has skyrocketed. But the overall entertainment value is sporadic at best. I went to the Cadets show at Giants Stadium last year. I can't recall seeing any corps receive multiple standing ovations. Most received none at all. There was very little WOW factor. The music can be as complex as possible and be expertly performed, but if it can't generate any excitement, then I can't call it overly entertaining. So, although I am in awe of the technical abilities of these talented young men and women, the recent shows leave me flat. I can't remember a corps in the last 20 years that brought down the house like the Madison Scouts of the mid -'90's. Hell, they got a standing ovation simply marching out of the tunnel. Why? Because the crowd knew even before the first note that they were about to be thrilled and would be screaming like madmen before they were finished. At the DCI's in '95 & '96 I went to the Quarter's, Semi's and Finals, but I had to wait with great anticipation for the CD's to be released so I could hear what the last minute of Madison's show sounded like. The audience was in such a frenzy, you could not hear the corps at all. Now that's exciting. When was the last time you saw a corps generate THAT kind of a response? Not lately. I sit in the stands and you can almost feel the audience searching for something to cheer about. That's not how it should be. For what we're paying to sit in those seats, we should be screaming like banshees because the shows are exciting. So, in a way I guess I agree in prinipal with the OP. DCI needs to worry about making people stand up and go nuts, not have us sit on our hands and whisper to the person next to us "man that was certainly technically proficient, wasn't it?"

Andrew, I know this was an old post, but I just read it. I was fortunate enough to have played with the Cabs from '72 - '77 winning four DCA titles in my six seasons. '77 was by far my favorite too. The primary soloists that year were George DelMonte who did the heavy work in "Echano", Gene Morotta who also soloed in "Echano" and again in "Pagliacci" and me Steve Raclowski. I played the solo at the end of the show from '73 through '77. Bobby "Slim" Collins was also a soloist, playing the note only dogs could hear at the end of "Pagliacci". We shared some instructors with the Bridgemen that year. Larry Kerchner arranged the horn line for both corps as did Dennis Deluccia with the Drum lines. I don't think there was any sharing of info in the coincidental circle around the soloists as both corps had different drill staffs. Thanks for appreciating what we did during that era. It was a fun time to be a part of Hwthorne. It must have been fun to be in the audience too. You're right the crowds were huge abd the shows were EXCITING!!! Oh yeah!

At least you were honest. Not insulting or demeaning, but honest.

Thanks Much!! Did you see our performance last night? I hope you enjoyed as much as we did playing it! What a feeling!! The crowd seemed to like it.

How do you get to it? I didn't see them listed anywhere there. Thanks

The original soloist for Cha-Cha-Cha Flamenco was Jimmy D'Amico George DelMonte also played it later in the '60s Steve Raclowski played it during the '70s

2005 Cabs Alumni Soloists Frank Ponzo - Call to the Bulls Frank Ponzo, Steve Raclowski, John "Duke" Terreri - Espana Cani Trio Rich Andretta - Bari Solo - El Barrio Frank Ponzo - El Barrio Solo Steve Raclowski & Duke Terreri - El Barrio Duet Steve Raclowski - MacArthur Park Solo 1 Frank Ponzo - MacPark Solo 2 Steve Raclowski & Duke Terreri - MacPark Duet Frank Ponzo - MacPark Solo 3 Steve Raclowski - Solo 1 "Cha-Cha-Cha Flamenco" (The REAL name of the song) Frank Ponzo - Solo 2 Cha-Cha Frank, Steve & Duke - Cha-Cha Trio Rich Andretta (Bari), Frank Bentivegna (Bari), Tony Famelio (Mello), Bob Kienle (Bari), Maria Overton (Sop), Frank Ponzo (Sop), Steve Raclowski (Sop), Duke Terreri (Sop) - Octet Samba de Orpheus Frank Ponzo - Cabs Signature Ending Mike DelVecchio - Cherry Pink Main Solo Frank Ponzo - Cherry Pink Ending There you have it!!

Just for the record; "Steve Williams" is a very nice guy. I've know him for years. He has logged many years with the Cabs organization. He does, however, play double conga, not soprano bugle!!! The other Cabs Alumni soloist is "Steve Raclowski". I'm sure Steve Williams appreciated the comments though!!!!!