Bossop

The Crusaders Seniors of Boston wish to announce their Fall Open House to be held on Sunday, Oct. 28th, at the Lt. Norman Prince VFW Post (The Prince Palace) at 428 Main St. in Melrose, MA from 1.00-5:00. It's an opportunity for prospective members to check out the corps as it prepares for the November alumni show in Plymouth, MA. Positions are available in all sections, but we are especially anxious to increase the size of our guard for next year. Our corps was good sized this year (35 B, 16 P, 6 G, 3 HG), but we anticipate an increase for next year and want to get an early jump on securing instruments and purchasing uniforms. Questions?- Call the corps phone at 617-448-0556 :) :)

As for playing music that was originally linked with other corps; my corps, the Crusaders Senior Corps of Boston, certainly has a rich drum corps tradition in association with the Boston Crusaders Junior Corps, yet we have on occasion played music originally written for other units. In the early 1990's we played a medley of tunes associated with other drum corps from the Boston area. This medley consisted of: Someone to Watch Over Me (Hyde Park Crusaders), Dancing In the Dark (Kevins), Tropical Heatway (St. Mary's Cardinals), Now and Forever (Majestic Knights), and Danny Boy (27th Lancers). We have also played When a Man Loves a Woman (Blue Devils) and Masquerade (North Star). With Rick Connor (who taught the Cardinals and North Star) being our music instructor, we will probably play some of his arrangements (Ole) but still keep most of our show Boston. With the Prince Post now sponsoring our corps, I'd love to see us play an old Prince tune, but that is up to the instructors and the corps president.

I know that the St. Kevins Emerald Knights and the mini-corps of the Manchester Muchachos (Amosqueog ? Sound) have been planning on performing.

I hope to see you there. It's a great weekend; parties all over Plymouth. The alumni corps are the feature, not just an adjunct to competing corps. If the weather is good, it's a beautiful combination of New England, history, and drum corps. If you like seafood, there are many excellent restaurants. Also a great Chinese restaurant, pubs, and the morning brunch at the Radison (where my corps, the Crusaders stay), can't be beat! :)

Hi Nancy, I was glad to see your photos. No need to apologize, even if some of your pictures didn't come out as you would have liked. We appreciate your efforts. Art Kellerman Crusaders Senior Corps Vice President

Drum Corps show starts at 6:30 P.M. on Saturday. November 17, at Memorial Hall, usually featuring 7 or 8 alumni corps. (Yet to be announced) Last year it was Hawthorne, Blessed Sac, Park City Pride, Conn. Alumni, Crusaders Seniors, Light Brigade, St. Kevins if my memory is correct. (I think I left out one.) Other years, there were the Vallyaires, Manchester Muchachos, Mighty St. Joes, Kilties, Holy Trinity, and a few others. All units march in the parade that is the same morning of the show. The main sponsor is the Plymouth Rock Foundation. The night before (Friday, 16th) there is a free patriotic show at Memorial Hall. (no drum corps in this one) The web site is www.usathanksgiving.com and the phone number for drum corps tickets ($25 I think) is 508-746-1818

The Glens Falls show featured the Hawthorne Cabs Alumni, Boston Crusaders Sr., Light Brigade (nee 27th), St. Kevins, Toronto Optimists, Scout House, and the host corps, Excelsior. It was a fine show, but the attendance was disappointing. Where were all the folks that are clamoring for good old fashioned drum corps? I hope Excelsior and the co-host Lions Club sponsors this again next year, but you can't expect artistic successes without a financial success. Another fine annual alumni show is the one held in Plymouth, MA the weekend before Thanksgiving. It's in historic Memorial Hall, and features top alumni corps in concert. And of course, Plymouth is the place to be around Thanksgiving time. If not, the Pilgrims would have landed in Albuquerque.

]I performed with the Crusaders Sr. of Boston and haved mixed feelings about the award for crowd appreciation. First of all, I can't complain about the three corps voted most entertaining. They did the most complete visual shows, and that takes extra effort for members in our age group. They deserved the recognition they got. I probably woulded voted for them too. So there is absolutely no sour grapes on my part. We just have to be aware that this could become a popularity contest with the larger corps and their fans cramming the ballot box each year. If there should be a competitive "Alumni Division" of DCA... that is another issue, and I feel most alumni corps personnel would not be in favor of it. Bossop