cabalumnidrummer

As promised earlier, the full explanation of my nursery rhyme clue: "Jack Sprat could eat not fat, his wife could eat no lean." Jack's full name and title: Capt. John Sterling Pratt, U.S. Army, retired. I saw his initials on his briefcase when we first met, and realized that 'Jack S. Pratt' lent itself to a perfect nickname we could use for him, though we seldom, if ever, said it to his face!

He is also the author of several drumming books, a few of which are now being re-published in beautiful new editions. At least one includes a DVD of him playing several of the pieces in the book. All the more remarkable, since he recently celebrated his 80th birthday in January and has recovered nicely from serious illness.

Jack is very good. When the full name is revealed, I'll fill you in on how the clue is even more appropriate.

Two of the 'GIANTS' of drum corps drumming. They were instructors of some of the top eastern junior and senior corps of the 50's, through the 70's, when corps had 'drum lines' and not 'percussion sections.' Privileged to have been a friend of both, and I consider the man on the left among my most influential mentors. Here's a familiar nursery rhyme that can provide a clue to the first one's identity: "____ ____ could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean."

I know this is about a DCI corps, but I posted it in the DCI Forum and there has been absolutely no reaction. Maybe I should not be surprised. I wonder how my fellow vets and alumni will react. Read on: DCP 'Front Page' news item: "Casper Junior Makes America's Corps." I find it ironic and sad that the idea of a single Caper resident, a high school junior who 'made it' into the Troopers, is a news item. It strikes me as a sad commentary as to how the junior drum corps activity has 'evolved.' What does it say about our current 'system' that a kid from Casper being accepted into the Troopers is cause for a news story? It seems to me this is backwards. Am I the only one? Does anyone else feel as I do? I realize the neighborhood drum corps concept faded away long ago as corps accepted more and more out-of-town members. However, this just seems so odd (and sad) to me that it's actually big news that he has qualified march in the corps that bears the name of the city in which he lives. And from the way I read the article, he is the only one from Casper. I guess my age is really showing.

If any other corps did something like this, it would be a non-story, but since it's The Cadets it consumes 57+ pages here. But then, they stirred it all up with the announcement of the 'unveiling,' etc. Turns out it was a big to-do over some simple color changes. Frankly, I think it would have been interesting if they had never said a word about it in advance, and just did it at the first show without any warning. I kinda think fans may have gone crazy in favor of it, if they saw the uniform adjustments in the context of the show concept without knowing what was coming. The surprise factor might have worked to their advantage, with both fans and judges alike. We'll never know.

I find it a rather ironic and sad fact that it's considered 'front page news' when A Casper resident 'makes it' into the Casper Troopers. Does this strike anyone else the same way? Sad commentary on how the activity has 'evolved' from its original roots. Just my own opinion.

I believe it's the Mashantucket-Pequot Tribe if I recall correctly. Funny true story: I once asked a friend who goes to Foxwoods quite frequently how he liked the museum that the tribe has there. His answer: "They have a museum?" Those Pequas were on Long Island (as in Massapequa, one of the many homes of the Sunrisers over the years). There was quite a good competing winter guard back in the 1960's from there, the 'Pequa Squaws.' Oh, and the ship in Moby Dick is the "Pequod." Close, but no cigar.

He told us all along after the recall election, "I'll be back," and he was absolutely right. You can't keep a good man down. See? Nice guys don't always finish last.

You know, Andy, I might have known you'd say something like that! I like Jim's idea of the sash with the hospital gown. Add a sombrero, and probably no one would notice anythng is amiss. Thanks to all for the well-wishes. The therapists are hinting I might be out of here and heading home on Saturday. Current goal is to be at the first show in Wildwood to cheer on the troops. And Fran, you just know no one and nothing is capable of keeping Wayne in line! Lord knows I've tried!

I can't answer with total authority on this Donnie, but I would guess the answer to that would be "Yes." I believe Les Parks began teaching Garfield in 1961 or '62. I can check with some of our corps members who were there then for a definitive answer for you. Sorry for the delay with a reply, but I've been hung up with a little thing called a hip replacement in recent weeks. Still in physical rehab, but hope to be home later this week.

If I recall, it had more to do with where and in whose directions the sticks and trophies were thrown. One corps chose to hurl things into the stands while the other just threw them around the field. Just saying, that's probably the difference in the way the Legion responded. By the way, I'm, typing this from the dining room in my rehab facility where I'm working my way back from hip surgery. We have two computers here at our disposal, and I can read every post, but cannot open any of the pictures. It's killing me to see who is in feature #425!! LOL. Looking forward to going home in a few days and being able to get back into the game!

It's definitely on our schedule (Caballeros Alumni).

Ah, good possibility! The Pilgrim Sands is in Plymouth, MA where Blessed Sacrament appears just about every year for the Thanksgiving Parade and Alumni Reunion Concert.

In addition to being the arranger and horn instructor, he was also one of the Hurricanes' field generals for many years.

Sorry, double posting.

Carnegie Hall, 1963 or '64. (Pretty sure it was '63) 'Desafinada,' (sp. ?) 'The Fox Hunters,' and 'You Made Me Love You.' Not sure if he played all three, but I think he did, long before I met him and worked with him teaching a corps in Brooklyn.

Thanks, Frank. Let's see, surgery on the right shoulder this past December (sling?) and left hip replacement (leg rest?) in May. Gee, do you think there's a possible connection here? I've only been doing this for about 50 years. My goal is to get to Wildwood for the first show. That's about 6 to 7 weeks after the surgery, and it seems realistic. I might still be using a cane (or a walker!) but I think seeing all my friends in the corps will be a morale boost that will be badly needed by then. Definitely will be at the Grand Prix. Good luck to you in your return to competition with the field corps. They are lucky to have you!

I'm sure a very proud and happy Lou Burke is smiling down from above. Nicely said, Bob!

If not the whole world, at least a lot of us!

As Jeff Ream said, that's pretty much any/every circuit, from the smallest for standstill corps to the top, a.k.a. DCI and DCA. Unfortunately, I believe the judges, on all levels, often have a way of 'missing the message' and sometimes interpret the sheets differently from what was intended. Again, I think this happens, and, I might add, not necessarily done intentionally. It's going to happen in any kind of subjective grading system. I saw it in the school system when it came to grading state 'standardized' tests. People using the same criteria, the same rubrics, receiving the same training for grading, often arrived at scores that varied widely. It's human nature, a consequence to be anticipated when subjective evaluation is involved.

One might justifiably say that D.D.'s pen is/was mightier than many a saber.

Had things gone differently the past few months, I'd be there. I had really hoped to make it for the 65th anniversary celebration, having been to the 25th, the 35th, the 50th, the 60th . . . you get the picture. Unfortunately, my hip surgery was postponed to May 3rd, so my chances of getting to Hawthorne on the 14th are slim to none. I will be in the midst of my early physical rehab, probably not even home yet from the rehab facility. I wish all who attend a great time. I'll be with you in spirit. Hoping to be mobile enough to be at the 'Cabs at the Beach' Wildwood show on June 18.

Gentleman number 2 was inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2008. Following the 2010 season, I read that he 'retired' from playing with and teaching full-time the alumni corps he has instructed and played with for many years, though he still has a hand in the drum arrangements, from what I understand. He taught that same corps when it was a junior contender.