cabalumnidrummer

Thanks, Tom!

You know, I was hoping no one would go there, Jeff! LOL!

Our 'theme' or signature opening fanfare of what we affectionately call the 'Rumps' immediately identifies Hawthorne, the same way a certain four notes unmistakably identify the New York Skyliners. As indicated, the Rumps are part of the song Espana Cani, first played by the corps in the 1950's, and reprised a number of times by both the competing corps and the Cabs Alumni. The Alumni last played a full version of the song in 2005 or 2006. There have been many seasons throughout the years when the corps tried to drop them from the contest routine, only to be brought back -- usually by popular (if not the judges') demand. My first season in Hawthorne, 1966, we played just the closing fanfare Rumps. By mid-season, we were playing them at the start, out of concert, and as the closing fanfare! The only truly successful season I can recall without 'Rumps' when I marched was 1970. Somehow, we managed to win our first DCA title without them! By 1971, they were back as part of the closing fanfare. Even though you didn't ask, the other song which is the signature tune of the Caballeros is Cha-Cha-Cha Flamenco. (If you saw us Saturday in Wildwood, it was our last number which also serves as the color presentation.) Fran Haring refers to this as the "Caballeros' National Anthem." The competing corps still plays it for parades, retreats, and occasionally together with us, usualy at the Grand Prix contest in July.

Thom, thank you so much for sharing the comment from the stands, as well as your own comments! As the 'old guys' who perform just for the pure enjoyment of it all and the crowd's approval, we felt well-rewarded after the show. I hope you get a chance to see us later in the summer, when the show is really polished! We have two more New Jersey appearances: July 9 in Wayne at the 'Grand Prix' and July 16 in Bayonne at the Bridgemen's 'Tournament of Stars.'

I'm thinking Chiquita Banana.

Let me begin with my disclaimer right up front -- I am a fan of Sun and Cabs. I have old ties to both -- one of my early instructors was a Sunriser drummer. I have had many friends march there and several drummers I taught also played there. I have even stronger ties to Hawthorne than Sun (see my signature), but nevertheless feel very strongly about the comments made here about both corps. I feel like Fran Haring and several others, that is was good to see the Sunrisers simply make it onto the field again. At a time when we are losing corps, others have been trying to get on the field but can't return to competition, and yet others must pull out of the first show, I'm happy they were even there. They showed up, performed, were scored, and now have feedback to work on improving their show. They have a corps on the field. Not everyone can say that. Can they be better? Of course. But they have a nucleus to begin rebuilding this once-proud organization. As for the Cabs, they performed 90 to 95% of a new show, with many new members. They made it to their 65th season, they were there to compete, they were good, but not great - yet! -- but they too now have the judges' feedback to use as they work to complete and polish their show. That's why there's a whole season, not just one contest a year. Been there many times with them (in another life!) and I know they will improve significantly. They always do. At first I was flattered by the comments about my Alumni Corps drum section, but coloradocorps has made me look at them in a new light. I wouldn't say our book is strictly rudimental but of course it primarily is a rudimental show. As an alumni corps, what else would anyone, especially our fans, expect? We seek to re-create the corps shows of our memories and that is what entertains the audiences so well, as you acknowledged. I see nothing wrong with that. I am very proud of the section we put on the field last night. Furthermore, they love what they do out there, and isn't that what drum corps is all about? I hope everyone has a great season.

Not only that, Frank, but give him a pair of drumsticks, and he will still play for you. His favorite is the old Les Parks classic solo known as "Hickory Dickory Dock." (You'd recognize it from the recordings of the late fifties and early sixties.) George originally played it as a snare drummer, but nowadays he insists we play the snare part for him, so he can play the tenor part fills. We've been trying to get him to play a little with us sometime at one of the Spring stage shows. Who knows, it may happen yet!

Are the Bushwackers not also in the show? I thought they were listed initially. I'd hate to think they had to pull out of this show. Don't like to hear that about any corps.

Called George this morning. He is planning to be in Wildwood this weekend to march in exhibition with the Cabs Alumni at the 'Cabs at the Beach' contest. To my knowledge, he has never not been involved in the Caballeros' organization in one capacity or another, since helping to found the corps in 1946. Imagine, 65 years and still out there marching. Fran, I know you have often said George is your hero, and I totally agree!

Sort of what I was thinking too. Many corps are reaching the point where they wear a 'costume' version of what used to be a uniform. They look like theatrical costumes of what a wardrobe designer imagines a uniform ought to be. Frankly, I don't care for most of the recent designs, including just about all of this year's new ones. Just my opinion. Maybe I shouldn't criticize. After all, I've marched in a corps whose uniform broke away from the 'military' mold 64 years ago.

There's nothing I'd like better than to see a strong showing from both the returning Sunrisers and the new Windsor Regiment. Some long-range 'ties' I have to both corps' personnel and/or staff has me hoping they both have successful inaugural outings and productive, satisfying seasons. Good luck and much success to all the corps this season, but especially to my 'alma mater' Caballeros. Go Cabs! See you in Wildwood.

I believe that was "Classical Gas," not 'Tropical.'

Amen to that, Fran! "Carpe Diem" and enjoy it while we have it!

Maybe he's referring to that Mike F. guy or some unknown rookie?

Hey, Tony! I thought those 'Fran Haring Tribute shirts' WERE your uniform!

Center snare, Hall of Fame member, drum instructor for Mighty St. Joe's both as a junior corps and the alumni corps. Intitials, LD.

Cal was a Jersey guy (former Cab), and I don't recall him teaching at Sun. He and his wife had an indoor guard, the Colleens from Sayreville, NJ that was excellent. I seem to recall they won most of the guard shows I attended in the 60's and early 70's. I don't know what corps he might have taught.

Great contest! I went to that show as an impressionable 16 year-old, and it solidified my desire to march in a senior corps some day. I always thought it would be Sun, but fate had a different path in store for me. No regrets! I also played that record for hours and hours on end once it came out.

Two more greats, to be sure -- and how in the world could I have forgotten to include George Tuthill?? That man was a musical genius, to put it mildly, and one heck of a nice guy as well. We still play some of his charts in the Alumni, including his drum arrangement for 'Cha-Cha Flamenco!'

This is really awesome. I had to watch the parade this year due to my surgery recovery, and I was impressed with the crowd's reaction to every group. I was especially touched by the warm reception and reaction to our Caballeros and our Cabs Alumni. I am really proud that one of the drummers let Anthony play on his drum during a stop. We in the Alumni try to do that every chance we get. You can never recruit new fans too young!

Andy, you and I must qualify as 'super-fossils!' We both know these men and their accomplishments, yet thousands marching today know little or nothing about them.

You're a fossil if you know these names and you can name the corps they taught, both junior and senior. Many of them were state, and National Champions when those titles meant something (and a bunch of DCA titles as well): Dreitzer, Perriloux, Thompson, Angelica, Parks, Costello, DeLucia, Kubinak, Kerchner, Genero, Cluna, Bunce, Freising, Shellmar, Poole, Denon . . .

In addition, he also taught: Geneva, Rochester, Blessed Sacrament, St. Catherine's, OLPH, St. Andrew's, . . . and probably others I am not aware of. Little-known fact: He filled-in at Hawthorne for a few weeks during the winter of 1970-71, where I first met this legendary individual. He was a snare drummer in the famous Sons of Liberty Fife and Drum Corps. He brought rudimental bass drumming in marching and maneuvering corps to prominence with his Blessed Sacrament line. In his later years, he returned to teaching ancient corps: The young drummers of the Colonial Musketeers of Hackettstown, NJ, and St. Anselm's Fife and Drum Corps of Bay Ridge Brooklyn benefited from his expertise.

I hate to break up your little exchange, fellas, but can we get back on topic here? We all know what a great sideline marker Andy makes, (so easy to find the 50 when he's there!) and how invaluable our contras are, but how about giving some attention to the famous drummer on the right in picture #426? The new subject was the drum instructor of a national champion junior corps, as well as several other famous eastern junior and senior corps over the years, including the tremendous drumline of a notable contender from Queens, NY. Additionally, his students/proteges have gone on to instruct various DCI and DCA Championship corps. More than one of his drum corps drummers has become famous in the rock/jazz/fusion musical fields. He is also a member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame.

From the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame biographical entry for Jack: JOHN PRATT Jack Pratt is one of the most prolific percussion writers in the drum corps community. He served as rudimental drum instructor of field music with the U.S. Military Academy band at West Point from 1950 to 1969, and was one the first to urge the use of large drum lines, paving the way to modern percussion sections of 30 or more members which began to appear on the contest field by the late 1960s. As an exponent of large drum lines, he urged that the level of difficulty not be reduced and that various performance factors not be sacrificed. His contributions and achievements in drumming were further recognized when he was inducted as a member of the world-wide Percussive Arts Society. He taught the Interstatesmen in the 1960s, when he introduced the rudimental bass drum to the drum corps community, as part of his unique concept of percussion voicing. He has been associated with a number of other corps, including Geneva Appleknockers, Troop 12 Indians, Kingsmen, Lakers, Criterions, Hawthorne Caballeros, King’s Regiment, Doremus Post, Crimson Kings Tri-County Cavaliers, Rochester Grey Knights, Ambassadors. He has judged for the All American and Metro All American associations.