Bossop

This could have serious repercussions! If the idea caught on- then All-age DCA corps would be doing it. Next, the alumni corps would want to get into the act. But this, of course, would be unconstitutional. It would be subjecting the audience to a cruel ande unusual punishment!

Just a thought. What if the non-G7 corps organized their own drum corps association as an alternative to DCI? Let's say DCE (Drum Corps Experience)- and in the shows they host, like the Crusaders show in Lawrence, limit the competitors to non-G7 corps. This would force the DCI corps to tour more enmass, as the number of shows available to them would be limited. The new circuit would still have tours; show hosts would see that other corps are still big draws, and those who are opposed to the bandification of drum corps would be free from the influence of Hopkincism.

We Crusaders Seniors have sold tree ornaments with the corps emblem. Nothing says Christmas like a Waldo Christmas ball.

Hope the bus ride is better than the one you experienced last year. If I were Donald Trump, I'd fly you up, but alas, I'm not. Good luck. Art

The most exciting indoor shows in my memory were the Drumfests the Princemen used to run in mid April in the Boston Arena. I think the very first drum corps show I ever saw was in 1961 when Prince and Hawthorne played "Serenada" together. It was also the Spring debut for all the great Boston area junior corps. I can remember the anticipation when the 27th Lancers made their first appearance in competition in the late 60's.

Are there any "alumni corps" today that restrict membership to actual alumni? Hawthorne tried it for a while, but then opened up their ranks to outsiders. My Boston Crusaders Seniors have around 52 horns when everyone is in attendance, but only 5 or 6 ever marched in Boston as a junior. Although we have the Boston Crusaders DCI corps, distance from our home base and lack of interest in marching in an alumni corps (since their musical resume includes many musical experiences beyond drum corps) keeps them from joining. Besides, we are as old as their parents and grandparents. I think of "alumni" as meaning an "alumni of any corps from the past." The first alumni corps had mostly members who marched in the sixties. Some of the new alumni corps have membership who marched in the seventies. Only time will tell if the next generation will get involved, but it doesn't look promising.

Marched in Boston Crusaders, so saw only the 3 corps following us. Was watching as a fan, not as a critic. Self evaluation, we were very pleased with our performance. Our best sop. soloist and 3 solid melophones couldn't make the show, but we are happy to have the depth and talent to still perform well. This may not have been true a few years ago. We thought our dynamics (which we really work on) were good, and both horn and drum lines were clean. We enjoyed the crowd response when our ballad, Time to Say Goodbye, ended with Conquest. Who said marches are passe'- the crowd loved our encore of El Capitan. Park City Pride- I always enjoy their routine of show tunes and patriotic music. Modern drum corps people who like sophisticated arrangements and "art forms" may not dig their show, but I certainly do. It's what the best drum corps of the early sixties sounded like. and of course, they have the "sex cymbals." Bridgemen- Always put on a highly entertaining show. My personal favorite tunes tonight were Bolero- different from Madison and Boston's arrangement- they make it their own. and I LOVED the Rainbow Connection which brought back memories of when my daughter and I used to sing it. William Tell and In the Stone were as strong as ever. Hawthorne was up to their usual excellence with Larry Kirschner doing a great job filling in for the recovering Jimmie Russo. Lonely Bull, MacArthur Park were my favorites for the evening. Horn line a little smaller than usual, but still large and powerful enough to knock you on your buttocks. At the post show party- Swing House performed. Everyone in my corps (the Boston Crusaders) was extremely impressed by this brass ensemble directed and orchestrated by Larry Kirschner. An All star line up of drum corps and band folks, most playing "G" horns, but some playing "B flats" and sounding great. Drummer on rap set was outstanding. Playing standard jazz pieces that you can name- the screamers sounded like Maynard Ferguson on steroids- and I mean this in a good way! I feel sorry for anyone who went to bed early and missed this show. Only down side of the event was the announcement that next year's show will be the last. The empty seats show a harsh reality. I'm hoping that next year's show will be such an overwhelming success, that Larry Hershman will reconsider. The Crusaders had a wonderful time, and don't want to see the fun end. Thank you, Larry, for having us!

Everyone has a story, so here's mine. I was at Disney World last Feb. (2009) with my grandchildren when I experienced some achiness in my shoulder which I had been having for a few months. Thought it was arthritis, but my family insisted I check it out at first aid. Winded up having 4 stents. The only ride I got to go on at Disney was the ambulance ride. Three weeks later I was marching in St. Patricks Day parades with my Crusaders. Now if I could only overcome my spinal stenosis. My best advise is to keep a positive attitude, heavily involved in doing the things you love best. Art

I don't even remember the Interstatesmen and the Pittsburgh Rockets Alumni Corps performing. Do they still have alumni corps?

Sincere condolences from the Crusaders Senior Corps of Boston. When we play the Lancers' arrangement of Danny Boy at this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade, it will have a special meaning. Art Kellerman-Vice President Crusaders Senior Corps of Boston

For over 25 years, my brother has been the woodwind tech at one of the leading music stores in Boston. He has done work for The Silver Bullet Band, Tower of Power, the Coral Reefers, Pink Floyd, and Mrs. Paul McCartney. In a sense, he is a true "Sax Therapist." He never has a day when there are not instruments waiting to be repaired or maintained. DCI corps, when they adapt woodwinds, need to have someone with his skills on their staff.

The Crusaders Senior Corps of Boston would just like to make it clear that the ideas expressed here are solely the opinions of the person making the post, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Crusaders or its Executive Board. The use of the "Waldo" logo next to the poster's screen name might unintentionally imply that the views expressed are somehow sanctioned by the Crusaders, and that is not the case. The poster is a former corps member, but has not been affiliated with the Crusaders Senior Corps of Boston for at least 5 years.

I suggested "Drum Corps Classic" and "Drum Corps Free Style" about 5 years ago. I believe that the addition of woodwinds is inevitable, and then there will be no distinction between bands and drum corps, whether we like it or not.

In 1958, the Lt. Norman Prince "Princemen" played S'Wonderful, and Strike Up the Band.They may have played those songs even earlier, but that's when Fleetwood recorded them.

You and I had this very discussion a year or two ago, and I told you that eventually (led by George Hopkins) woodwinds would be introduced to DCI. You said that you thought it would never happen. What changed your mind?

I enjoyed my recent visit with the Sun Devils, and I was much impressed. I know you will have a great year. Hope you get to read my interview with Mark Cole in an upcoming issue of Drum Corps World. Art

The Crusaders rehearse in Florida, but I understand much of their recruiting base is in Florida.

The top corps presently based in Florida is the Boston Crusaders.

I thought the Hanover Lancers were the biggest surprise in the Plymouth, MA Thanksgiving show. They were new to me and I thought they were not out of place at all among the better known corps.

Well said. I wish you much success in your goals.

I must correct you on a couple of things. I know Jim Centorino was in the Majestic Knights in 1965 because I rode to practice with him every week. I can show you the corps picture with him in it. I'm pretty sure he was in MK in 1966 too, because I believe he played the solo in Now and Forever, the corps' signature song then. (I was in Prince in 1966.) I was in the Peabody Musketeers from when they began 1959/60 until 1963. Bill Seward ran the corps and taught both horns and M&M. His daughter Charlotte was the drum major. In 1964, Jim "Papa" Lutz taught horns. They went inactive in 1965 (allowing me to get a wanted release to join the Majestic Knights). They weren't associated with St. Adelaides until after that but I never saw them in those days. I have the programs of the shows they hosted during the first 3 or 4 years including the rosters of kids, and also jacket patches; the regular Musketeers one and the St. Adelaides one. When the Musketeers started, the World Open had not even been initiated. The World Open was created by the Drum Corps News/Fleetwood Record people. First there were the records, then Drum Corps News, (I still have issue #1 from their very first year), and then the World Open. It looks like you and I went to the same college. (Salem State) What years were you there? Maybe we were classmates and didn't know it.

The I.C. Rockettes were an all girl corps from Salem, MA, but their feeder corps was the Comets, for both boys and girls. (Maybe there were Rockets before I got into drum corps, but I am not aware.) Jim Centorino played in the Comets. Hank O'Donnell was from Salem and marched in the Clippers (from Peabody/Salem) The Clippers had both a junior and senior corps. When the Clippers disbanded (around 1958), some of the younger members of the senior corps joined the Majestic Knights of Charlestown. This included Hank O'Donnell who became the drum major of the Majestic Knights. Some of the older members of the senior Clippers joined Prince. When O'Donnell aged out of the Majestic Knights, he joined Prince, becoming drum major there. Hank taught, became Superintendant of Schools in Salem, and I think, became Mayor, but my memory could be wrong. Members of the disbanded junior Clippers became the nucleus of the newly formed Peabody Musketeers. (My first corps) After about a year, some members quit and joined the newly formed Danvers Vets, renamed the Blue Angels. Later, they merged with the Reveries "Blue-veries" and after the Cardinals meged into them, formed North Star. PHHEEW!!!

My Boston Crusaders Senior Corps has had a few former Cardinals and North Star members among us, and our horn instructor, Rick Connor taught North Star for a while. We even played two North Star arrangements the past 2 years. (This Masquerade and Ole') I think too much time has gone by for those members to get into the type of shape it would take to be a modern competitive corps. If they wanted to play, alumni corps or competitive mini-corps would be more suited. Today's senior corps are really "all-age" with lots of teenagers filling the lines. The Manchester Muchachos had thoughts of competing in the past, but I don't know if they have such ambitions presently. We have 2 former Gatesmen marching with us. I don't know of any recordings of them. I can remember Benny Stafford playing the solo in Stardust. It would be good to hear them again.

Wally Curtis was co-drum major with Hank O'Donnell. It was Joe Anderson, formally of the Boston Crusaders, who became drum major after them.