cabalumnidrummer

There's the big parade in Plymouth on November 17, including St. Kevin's, Blessed Sacrament, Park City Pride, Connecticut Alumni, Boston Crusaders Seniors and Cabs Alumni, among others. Extra added bonus is the 'Reunion Concert' of Alumni corps that night in the Pilgrim Hall.

Left to right: In their Sunriser days, Frank Diliberto (now playing with both the Selden Alumni and Blessed Sacrament), Frank Dorritie (World Buglers' Hall of Fame) and Ted Sasso.

The '65 DCA (the first) technically was not really in the Bridgeport area, though it was in Connecticut. Jonathan Law H.S. Not sure of the town (Milford perhaps?) And yes, the renovations to Kennedy Stadium are great. Beautiful place for a drum corps show once again. Many memories associated with that great venue. My first two DCA's were there: '66 and '67. The 1970 Barnum saw us perform in a downpour which resulted in the 'Instant Replay' show later that season, and was a major turning point in our season. The one and only 'World Open Senior Invitational' was there in 1971, a Sunday afternoon contest that Sky won handily. I also attended the 1965 World Open there which of course was Junior only. BUT: How many folks remember that both the Skyliners and the Hurricanes put on exhibitions before the retreat that night? I distinctly remember Wes Hobby announcing that the two corps, the first two to win the Senior W.O. in '63 and '64, had declined an offer to be judged for a head-to-head for a '65 title. They said they would rather win it in a regular contest against all the rest of the top seniors.

I posted on the blog as you suggested. Thanks again!

One week to go! Looking forward to getting in front of a crowd and playing again. Should be a good show.

Regal Corps Quantum 7000's with the nylon tip have been my favorite stick for many years. I initially resisted the shortened sticks when they first became popular. But I've tried the Hardimons, preferred by many of my colleagues, and I just don't like the longer stick now. The Regals have a very comfortable feel (and the shorter stick is less likely to get caught up in my uniform shirt sleeve).

So many of us fit into this category, Don (I was born in 1948). And it's also probably true that a substantial number of us 'boomers' are the bulk of the current Alumni corps memberships. I've expressed the feelings to several friends that once many of us can't march and play any longer, the Alumni Movement is destined to fade out as well. Sadly, I believe the majority of the current DCI and DCA corps members simply won't feel the same pull to continue on as Alumni in the future the way we have. Most of us who are 'lifers' in the activity grew up in drum corps, whereas many of today's members have come to it later, and leave it after a few years. I hope I'm wrong.

Thanks for the memories, Nanci! I love checking out all of your historic postings here. I'm amazed at how many I remember personally. Crazy how some details stick with you so many years later! I recall that this article about the Bucs' 'hat controversy' was in the copy of Drum Corps News that I bought at the 1965 'Evening With the Corps' show at Carnegie Hall. I clearly remember reading it on the subway heading home to Queens that night! Amazing, huh? (Ironic side note: That was the last time I was in the 'Hall' until I went to a concert there just this past Monday.)

I'm just guessing here, but I figure it's got to be Ray Luedee. I never knew him personally, but competed against him and his Hurcs lines many times. 1969 Hurricanes' show is among my all-time personal favorites.

MOE KNOX SIGHTING! Last night at the Brooklyn United's 'Music Under the Bridge,' I was enjoying one of the corps, and had noticed David Rice doing his usual great job of capturing great moments of the performances. Suddenly from behind the curtain another photographer stepped out to take a picture, and there onstage was the legendary Moe Knox! What a thrill it was to see him, and doing what he loves. I know Park City was trying to get him to ride down to the show with them, and they obviously succeeded. Moe was inducted into the Brooklyn Drum corps Hall of Fame at the show. What a great night for Moe and all who love, admire and respect him! Nice work, Park City! And by the way, you guys looked and sounded like a million dollars. Great performance! Congratulations, Moe!

Interestingly enough, the now common phrase 'burn out' never seemed to exist in the sixties to my knowledge. The goal of most junior corps kids was to play with one of the big senior corps, not retire from drum corps. This seems to be another DCI-era phenomenon. I suppose it's no coincidence that senior corps, especially east-coast DCA corps, flourished in the late 1960's, early 1970's with the influx of the 1960's era age-outs. Also, it seems that many of the 60's age-outs are now among the most ardent and dedicated members of today's alumni corps. When we joined our local corps, it became part of our entire life. It wasn't just something we auditioned for, did for a few years, and then moved on to other things. Sadly, it seems that just isn't the case any more.

From the 'Class Reunion' Thread: "A bunch of folks from the St. Catherine's junior corps..... John and Ted Sasso, Frank Dorritie, Bill Hightower and others..... joined Sun for the '63 season, and it was the first season the corps really put itself on the radar screen against the top senior corps of that era." --Fran (Haring) I believe the NY corps, particularly St. Catherine's, Loretto, and Selden were very competitive with St. Kevin's. As you can see from Fran's post, many Queensmen went to the Sunrisers, and helped turn them into a major contender. As for the other corps, I know there were many people from both Loretto and Selden who went on to Sky, Sun and some to Hawthorne, far too many to name. Some of Selden went to the NY Kingsmen with Bob Bunce before continuing on in various senior corps. I'm not sure about specific members from Floyd Bennett, but I believe quite a few went to Sky and Cabs.

True story: Summer, 1962, I'm a 14-year-old kid who is getting very interested in drum corps for the first time when I discover that St. Catherine's Queensmen rehearse on the parking lot of Green Acres shopping center, not far from St. Albans, and a 10 minute walk from my home. Several times I walk out there to watch and become 'star-struck' by the drumline: Orus Cavnor, Billy Cobham and Jack McQuillan among them. In September of that year, I attend my first-ever field show on Randall's Island, hosted by the Queensmen. The contest the next day in Union City would turn out to be their last ever. During the off-season, I buy 'Brass By Night' and play it all winter, ad infinitum. Fast-forward: Spring 1963 -- Green Acres -- The Sunrisers are rehearsing and learning their drill on the same parking lot. Many familiar faces are in the line such as Cavnor, Cobham, Dorritie, Hightower. Plus, my older brother is personal friends with Frank DiLiberto, John, Ted and Fred Sasso who live in our town of Rosedale, NY. I dream of the day I can join them. In May, I attend the second Carnegie Hall 'Evening With the Corps' show mostly to see them and the Skyliners as well as the top juniors, Garfield and Blessed Sac. Somewhere between 1963 and 1965, that all changes when I meet Frank (Blackie) Langton who lives in the same town, but marches in Hawthorne. The rest is . . . well, see my signature: not what I had originally expected! Who knows how different things would have been!

I can just picture it now: The corps sets up on the bandstand of the Gazebo. A crowd gathers on the Boardwalk as they begin the first song to listen and enjoy, when suddenly . . . "Watch the tram car, please. Please watch the tram car!" cuts through the air and scatters the crowd!!

You know, I actually wondered about that as I typed my list! All those talented men, brilliant arrangers and instructors, and who do you choose to write? I like your idea of a 'committee' of writers, and I'd add Dennis D. to that group. What a varied and interesting routine they'd create! From my own experience, I had great clean-up guys in Bob Peterson and Jack Pratt. Of course, the quiet, unassuming man in the corner advising everyone on technique would be the great Bobby Thompson. Oh, and if you wanted to use rudimental basses, Nick Attanasio would be the first one I'd nominate! WDCHOF member, and still marching with a fife and drum corps in his late 80's!

Add to that group: Bobby Thompson Danny Raymond Bob Peterson Billy Kaufman Charlie Poole George Tuthill Dennis DeLucia Jim O'Hara Ray Luedee Les Parks Jack Pratt Duke Terreri and of course Eric Perriloux!

Thank you, Liz! My apologies for not remembering her last name. Jamie always struck me as one of the best any time I saw her leading the Hurcs.

There are several shots that Moe has taken of our drumline that show me pretty clearly. Two in particular from 31 years ago that I now own, I never even knew existed until a few years ago are special to me. I was able to buy them about nine years ago when Moe brought out some of the old proof sheets from his vast inventory at an alumni show. The first: Our drumline in concert at my very first contest with the Cabs: June 11, 1966 in Longbrook Park, Stratford Connecticut at the Connecticut Yankees' 'Parade of Champions.' The second: A closeup of the line at my very first American Legion Nationals, August 28, 1966 in then DC, now RFK Stadium in Washington, which we won. In both cases, the pictures' main focus was on Hawthorne's famed first timbale player Bobby Hoffman, whom many know better for his days as the Bridgemen drill designer and staff member. Obviously, I treasure them for my own sentimental reasons. I'm the baby-faced kid who had the privilege to play bongos that year, alongside a drum corps legend and learn much from him.

That would be the same George Parks of Buccaneer fame, and who still runs a camp for drum majors. The two majors from a band I work with here in NY went recently and loved it.

Absolutely! I didn't mean to imply that only Jimmy and David were tops. I was just following up on wishbonecav's post. Others I thought about afterwards: From the 'old days,' Walt 'Winky' Winkelman and Butch Anderson, George Parks, Joe Genero (okay, he was the horn instructor, but also a heck of a field major!), Phil Gentile. More recently Josh Decker and Russ Batch stand out in my mind, as well as the young woman whom I recall seeing with the Hurricanes (shame on me, I don't recall her name! Someone please help -- Jamie something?). They all possess those intangible qualities that go far beyond simply a good conducting ability. Corps leaders in more ways than you can list. I know there are many others too, so please forgive me if I left out your favorite. Bottom line, I think many of us feel TAFL is off base with his observation. Either that, or as Liz says, we've just been lucky!

Sadly, TAFL, unless or until you've had the privilege to be in a corps under the leadership of a major the likes of Jimmy Russo, you just won't get it, ever. I've had the honor of being led by him in both the Cabs competing corps and the Alumni, and he is more than a figure on the podium. He is part of the heart and soul of the corps, on and off the field: a motivating force, a field commander, a showman, a leader who exudes confidence and makes you want to give your best. From what I have seen of David Bruni, I am sure the same is true of him for Empire. You simply have no clue if you've never had the opportunity to be with one of the great ones like Jimmy or David. How unfortunate for you.

The song is the important fact -- I may be mistaken on the year: It may have been 1987 -- Should have checked before I posted!

If you go for a traditional bottom-basket type stand, I highly recommend the heaviest heavy-duty Pearl. I had one and I loved it. Strong, easy to adjust, never slipped, no matter how heavy the drum. Sorry I don't know the model number for you (it was a gift from my son). I had it for 9 years until someone knocked it over and broke it in a freak accident. I replaced it with another brand that shall remain nameless, because a friend insisted it was 'just as good,' and less expensive. Only then did I discover how much better the Pearl was.

Some of my favorite 'goosebump' moments: (showing my age!) Juniors: 1988 Garfield Cadets' 'Appalachian Spring' opening hit and the reprise of it at the close of the show. Audio recordings still do it to me, and the video is even better. 1989 Santa Clara Vanguard's closer of 'Music of the Night' -- Slow-moving company front and horn pop before the whole corps 'disappears' under the black cloths. Seniors: 1969 Hurricanes' 'Walk on the Wild Side' -- One of my all-time favorite corps productions. 1969 Yankee Rebels' first production of 'Requiem For an Era' -- the original and the best they ever did it. Col. Truman Crawford's masterpiece. (Watched it from the starting line at the first show of the year in Hamden, CT and had to follow it as the crowd went wild for them!) 2003 Caballeros' 'The Prayer' with Curt Hawkins' beautiful solo. Even the YouTube clip gives me chills.

I'm guessing that would be Scotty Poulsen, Kilties' DM from 60's-70's. His cousin Wayne Poulsen is a rudimental bass drummer with us in the Cabs' alumni.