cabalumnidrummer
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Posts posted by cabalumnidrummer
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Maybe the running and athleticism appeals to the younger recruits, but Geno55441 makes the excellent point that corps are losing out on older, more experienced members who simply can't meet the physical demands of the current show designs. For what it's worth, 20-25 years ago I already realized there was no way that I could drum and crab-step at 140 to 150 beats per minute. I felt I could play anything they were playing, but the marching/visual demands excluded me even then.
My alternative was to join the Cabs Alumni Corps when we started up, and I'm still drumming. Marching at my age now and due to health issues is questionable, but I'm hoping to get on the field this season once again.
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Today I saw a posting on Facebook showing an old advertisement for the fourth annual "Preview of Champions" contest in Jersey City on May 29th 1960. In those days, the contest season began Memorial Day weekend and ran straight through to Labor Day and sometimes beyond. It was a different era, to be sure.
I wondered about the evaluation show this late in June also, but John Adcock's explanation makes perfect sense. Many corps, even DCA "All-age" corps, are dependent upon members with school commitments this time of year, and just can't be as "ready" as early any more. The Mt. Carmel PA exhibition was our "evaluation" show (or "dress rehearsal" if you prefer) back in the days when I marched. Stratford or Hamden would be the first judged DCA contest held the first week of June. Today, the whole seasonal time frame has been pushed back a few weeks out of necessity.
I was happy to see every corps come out with essentially full shows in Wildwood. As the season progresses, they will certainly grow and become even more involved and entertaining. Let's concentrate on the positive aspects and look forward to a great season of DCA shows, rather than question why the season is starting "so late" and why corps are not being judged yet.
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The Cabs Alumni have changed things up a bit with a drill style more from the '70's that's not the squad-based linear presentational drill from the previous decade as they usually tend to do. It's pleasant and well-performed.
This year, they're doing a rather nifty arrangement of "Bully", "Mexican Hat Dance", a concert of "Echano", the second movement of Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" and wrapping up with "Cha Cha Flamenco".
They've been further refining their brass sound, but I have to bring up one thing before I forget. There are two very fine percussion features in the program and I finally met John Smith and complimented him personally. They're not trying to stroke out 600 taps per second or just smash and slam their way through these features, they have a fine groove and a real sense of elegance and control when they're out there and it's tasty as all get-out. These guys proved faster is not always better, and really had a very laid back, controlled and musical feel on Saturday.
Thank you for the kind words, Big W, both here as well as the comments you shared with me when we met in Clifton. They are truly appreciated. Forgive me for not realizing it was you right away when we finally did meet. I was just caught a little off guard, and my ears were still ringing from Al Chez and his guys!
Thanks so much for the compliments. Our guys do a great job, and I'm happy to see them get some well-deserved recognition. I hope to see you again, perhaps in Rochester?
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Horns marching backfield. I don't recognize the song. They've turned forward now and are pushing the formation forward with the rest of the corps.
Andy Lisko is correct, Kevin. "Cuban Pete" was popularized by Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz, of course) on "I Love Lucy." It saw a resurgence of popularity when it was featured in Jim Carrey's film, "The Mask." The Cabs played this combo back in the 1950's and we also played it in the Alumni Corps our first season.
This year's new arrangement of "Lucy / Pete" by Larry Kerchner was a nod to our Alumni Corps 20th Anniversary season, complete with a dance step straight out of the 50's as well.
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If it's answers or guesses you want, Nanci I'll get the ball rolling. Most folks are already heading to Rochester for DCA or preparing to go.
I saw #1 just last Saturday at Bridgeport where he was taking in the Hurcs' contest. A great horn player, former USAF Drum and Bugle Corps member as well as the aforementioned "Mighty" St. Joe's of Newark as well as a NY Skyliner. Perhaps he is even better known to most folks as an excellent horn instructor for many, many years. I had the privilege of teachng with him and Ernie Fesler at the St. Matthias "Blue Max" of Ridgewood, NY back in the late 70's. The one and only Tommy Martin.
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I think all would agree, especially Don, that the lady has a certain regal air about her.
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DCI has had some one-shot alumni corps over the years. I've heard mixed reactions to it. Either people seem to despise them or absolutely adore them depending on who you ask. Again, heard very mixed comments on the Bridgemen Alumni at East.
I think the problem is some people get it- or they absolutely do not. My guess is that people who never performed tend not to. Or people who don't get that many of us enjoy playing but simply don't have the time, money, or energy to commit to a full time corps.
We performed at DCI's Semifinals in Foxboro in 2005, and you are absolutely right, Big W. We went on right after the Cadets that night, and a good one-third to one-half of the crowd left as we came onto the field. Those who stayed were a great, enthusiastic audience, but literally thousands of folks had no interest in an alumni corps, especially a DCA corps' alumni. We did make some new fans that night, but clearly it was not really 'our crowd' for whom we performed. The majority of hardcore DCI fans simply 'don't get' why we're on the field and why we still love to perform.
I appreciate Chris Holland's comment and intention, but I doubt we would be received any better than the Bridgemen Alumni were at DCI East. Apparently their reception was not what they expected from what I have heard and read, despite the fact they represent a beloved former DCI corps. That's a shame, because they are really good and very entertaining. DCA veterans and followers are more of our true fan base. Others may enjoy us, but it's not overwhelming numbers of folks. Too bad more people aren't more open-minded with regard to all of the Alumni corps that perform.
Thank you you, Chris for your kind comments in your review. This season you have brought a fresh perspective to DCA shows and I look forward to your reviews the same way I look forward to Big W's and Jeff Ream's. The three of you are the best when it comes to knowledgeable and balanced reviews, and I hope you all continue to share your points of view with us.
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Nope ... Rochester dumped them in Rome, NY as well:
Saturday July 31, 1965 Rome NY 15th Copper City Drum Pageant
STADIUM: Rome Free Academy American Legion
Position Corps Score
1 Rochester Crusaders 84.166
2 Hawthorne Caballeros 83.800
3 Hamburg Kingsmen 80.650
4 Syracuse Brigadiers 78.450
5 Reilly Raiders 75.366
6 Executives 65.766
... and there's a DCN article to verify it ...
:-)
I stand corrected. I thought Portland was their only loss. Thanks, Andy.
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Just checked Nanci's DCN archives an the scores and corps listed aren't from Hershey 65 or 66 ... guess we'll just have to research a little more ...
:-)
Thinking back, we did not go to Hershey in '66. June was Stratford, Toronto (Shriner's), and Boston (Mission Drums). So the earliest it could be is 1967, and I do recall going to Hershey for the first time (for me) that season.
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andy in 1976 truman crawford did an arrangement of the star spangled banner and was played at every show by all the corps. it was the 200th anniversary of the country so that's why we did it. it was amazing . how did we ever do that........... maybe that's what you remember.
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Yes ... there was that in 76, but DCA tried something much earlier in the mid-60's ... guess I'll have to break out the old DCN's ...
:-)
I believe it was a short arrangement of "Stars and Stripes Forever" that all DCA corps learned in 1976 for the Bicentennial to be played together, en masse at retreats as they all marched toward the stands. I don't know who arranged it, possibly Truman Crawford. I attended several shows that year, and witnessed it with varying degrees of success. My impression was that DCA management wanted this, but corps members weren't terribly happy about doing it. And I agree with Jim, it was a bit of a train wreck at most shows.
Sun had a brief segment of "Stars and Stripes" as part of their closer before the "Happy Birthday" segment, and I always wondered if they played their own arrangement or the one meant for the massed corps.
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Here's something else I learned from the score archives for 1965:
Thursday June 17, 1965 Hershey PA
Position Corps Score
1 Reading Buccaneers 84.600
2 Skyliners 82.350
3 Hawthorne Caballeros 78.880
4 Yankee Rebels 77.510
5 Bonnie Scots 71.860
I never knew Sky and the Cabs competed in any shows together in 65 ...
Go figure ...
Andy, I too, don't think that Sky and Cabs competed together at all in both 1964 and 1965. I could be mistaken, but I believe those scores might be from Hershey in 1966. I was not yet marching Cabs, but I was following the corps with the folks who eventually recruited me the next year. My understanding is that the Portland, A.L. Nationals was their only loss in '65, to the Rochester Crusaders.
I also just noticed your post lists it as "Thursday June 17, 1965." It's highly unlikely a DCA show was held on a Thursday in June.
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thanks for the kind words. you guys played with better intonation than most of the competing corps. keep up the great work. it was like stepping back in time with you all, but you sound way better than the recordings.
Credit for that goes to our arranger and horn instructor, Larry Kerchner. I guess you realized they are using G horns, not B-flat. Maybe that had something to do with the way their sound impressed you? I handle the drum section with assistance from others.
Hope to meet you at a show.
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Great review! In particular, thank you for your kind comments about our exhibition. We're older, a little slower, but we have a passion to keep performing, and we just want to go out and entertain with our old-style music and drill. It's nice when someone notices!
If you do go to Rochester, don't skip the Alumni Spectacular early Sunday, if you want to see and hear some more "throw-back" drum corps of pretty high quality.
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Was that you conducting the Cabs Alumni in the opener at the Grand Prix? I haven't gotten that far, but the Drum Major team was **really** professional. The little details like the Drum Majors bring to the performance as well as the Main Guard/American Flag unit bring more than I think some people realize to the Cabs Alumni experience.
No, that wasn't me, Big W, but thanks for the compliment! (I wish i were that tall!) I'm the short guy in the middle of the Cabs Alumni snareline, still marching and playing as long as the legs and back hold out. I only 'conduct' the drum section at rehearsals.
The drum major who starts the corps is Chuck Bishop, Tyrone Laval conducts the concert, and Tom Ashby leads us in other segments of the show. All three are doing a great job on the field. Jim Russo is not with us this year, having decided to take some time off. Fran Lauritano is leading the American Section this year, and she does an outstanding job as well.
I hope I get to meet both you and John Adcock at some point before the season is over, perhaps at the either the Kingston or Scranton shows, or even in Rochester. You'll have to come over and introduce yourselves, since I don't know what either of you look like!
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the bells were in 69. and they didn't have them in 68.
Don's right. Under Jerry Shellmar, Sun used horizontal basses in '68, but the bells didn't come in until 1969 as well as marching tymps, I believe. Was it Cliff Diable who first played the marching bells for them?
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I've been holding this in for a few weeks now, but I just feel I have to put in my "two cents' worth." A pet-peeve, if you will:
I enjoy the entertainment value of all the show reviewers and analysts on these threads. What puzzles me is that some are by folks who are hundreds of miles from the contest site and who haven't seen any of these corps live. In some cases, it's been years. I've been at all five of the NY/NJ/CT DCA shows, but only one as a spectator (Bridgeport). Because I was preparing for our own exhibition performance, I've been unable to watch most of the corps at four of them. I feel unqualified to comment on anyone's performance and it would be unfair because I didn't actually witness the corps' performance, even though I was there. I find the "long-distance analyses" of scores and captions interesting and sometimes amusing, given that the writers often have not seen the corps in person.
That being said, I truly respect and enjoy Kamaraq's and Big W's competent and knowledegeable reviews. They are there at the contests and are giving first-hand, first-rate commentary and analysis. I also enjoyed Truman's Bayonne review, especially for his inclusion of the photographs. Thank you, gentlemen! Please continue to do what you do so well from the contest sites.
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I know we (Cabs Alumni) are in the show again this year.
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Just by glancing at my signature below, I think it's pretty obvious where my loyalties lie. (Folks who know me have no doubt!) However, as a young teen new to the world of drum and bugle corps, I was a big Skyliner and Sunriser fan. One of my most influential early instructors was Cal Myers, a Sunriser, and I was sure I would march there someday. As fate would have it, things worked out much differently, and I landed in Hawthorne 48 years ago and I am still there now with the Cabs Alumni.
That being said, as a life-long drum corps participant, I have to say how happy I am to see the Skyliners field a competitive corps once again. I have many friends who are former Skyliners and current Sky Alumni members, and I know they have been aching to see their corps reborn. Any corps starting from scratch or returning to the field faces tremendous difficulties and challenges. I salute Larry, Doreen, Adam and the rest of the administration, staff and of course the members, for their hard work and determination to get the 'new' Sky corps up and running. As Ray Fallon said, DCA needs the Skyliners. For that matter, DCA needs any other all-age corps that can compete and entertain and help the circuit continue to survive and grow. Saturday's contest was a major step forward for them, and I wish them continued success as they build their program and their corps. It was great to see them on the field in Bridgeport.
Welcome, back, Skyliners!
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Can't tell from this photo , is John Smith still marching ?
Yes, I am, Chuck!
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Just read this post about John. Praying for a speedy recovery. A true gentleman and the epitome of what drum corps people are all about: Talent, dediction, toughness, and spirit. Grew up hearing about him and admiring his work, and then got to meet and play alongside him in our alumni corps.
Prayers for both John and Barbara. Hope to hear good news soon.
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>>Great to see them return. Does anyone know "Why" NONE of the "Usual" Alumni corps (Caballeros, Park City Pride, Skyliners) are not in attendance?<<
Cabs Alumni are in a parade in Lancaster (?) ... Sky Alumni is in Bayonne the week before and rarely does "back to back" weekends ...
Actually, our parade that day is in Lewisburg. My understanding is that we booked that after the show was cancelled, as we originally had it on our schedule.
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Cabs wore all black unis several years back for the entire show,................not sure what year tho,..........
Like Frank, I cannot ever remember the Cabs in all black, with the exception of their pit. They did wear black satin blouses with the black bell-bottoms, but still had the red sashes. Maybe that's what you recall, Gary?
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Meanwhile, back at Post 199 (where the latest photo was taken): This drummer is very well-known in the NYC metropolitan area from the small parade and standstill corps he started in, to his days in the Yankee Tunesmiths ancients as well as the Colonials (formerly of Bethpage) and also the New York Ancients. He played a season or two with Sky, was in the Sky Alumni Corps, and as you can see in the photo, he is now going to try his hand with us at the Cabs Alumni. He is a cardiologist by profession, and when a member of the Kilties collapsed on the field at DCA a few years ago, he bolted onto the field to try to help.
Don, you may not know him at all, but around here he is quite well-known for his drumming talent. Just about every drummer in these parts has heard of Javier _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
My wife says that she and many other women in these parts could name him in a "heartbeat!"
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As a young drummer,he also played with the American Irish Drum Corps of Rockaway Beach, NY and the Yankee Tunesmiths Ancients of Richmond Hill, NY. He's certainly been all over the NYC area and has finally decided to see how it feels to wear bell bottoms and a sombrero with the Cabs Alumni.
Clifton; Mess at 46 West Show :)
in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions
Posted
Exhibitions include: Saints Brigade, Skyliners Alumni, Caballeros Alumni and I believe Encorps. I heard there is a fifth exhibition corps, but I don't recall who it is.