billm

"Ask the Arranger" (Only subscribers to Maestro Rick Connors' publication will get that, but, if you don't "get" the mag, you are missing some VERY cool columns by the reknowned Mister #312!!!) Bill Moore

James, Lad, I was gonna comment on how TALL those two fine folks seated on the perimeters are! Sorry we won't cya @ G.A.S.! I'll beep the horn as I cross the border into Pennsy! Bill Moore

I saw G.D. on Sat. Still as nice as he is gifted and talented! I believe the guy carrying the contra is C.W., originally with St. Brendan's, of Clifton. Sat in with Brassmen, in Bridgeport, and plan to again, in Elverson.. great fun, and a real privilege! Bill Moore

Lovis was a soloist with BSGK, but not in the featured duet, as you noted, Ray. Bill Moore

The bari soloists are well known, of course. Do I get bonus points for the contra bass player on the move? Bill Moore

Tom, "...pre scripted continuity." VERY well stated, and delineated! It is difficult for us "old-timers" to read this without heaving a gentle "sigh" of familiarlity and sentimentality. The visual aspect of this "continuity", from early days thru the '60s, was the familiar movement progression from one end zone to the other, which I always felt, from the perspective of the stands (audience) "read" like the opening and closing of a book, from opening page (Fanfare/OTL), thru the leafing of pages, and development of plot and climax, to the closing of the last page (Exit/Final Fanfare). With all the wondrous development over the Seasons, and into the 21st Century, in DCA and DCI, I still miss that format, and that continuity... Thanks for the memories, and, talking about memories... As to the original purpose of Nanci's thread, I LOVED all the Senior Corps Show in '64... BUCs, HURCs, SKY, Interstatesmen, Yankees, et al. '65 was a personal fav Season for Jr. Corps, Boston, Garfield, BSGK, topped by the Royalairs' Phenom Show and performances..."Bally Hoo", "Alexander's Ragtime", etc., etc. Theme Show, Theme Style, whatever, it can be hit and/or miss. '69 SKY Show was a blending of entirely disparate styles, from Rock to New Orleans to Classical, that somehow wove together into one of my personal fav Shows, connecting unlike tunes with a performance identity immediately recognizable, so... who coulda know'd?, eh? (SIGH!) Bill Moore

Andy, John, Another local circuit that was a pretty decent breeding ground for developing talent was the Garden State Circuit (Johnny Grass, Matt Dennison, etc., etc.). I remember competing against 3 all-girl corps in that circuit, including the Pompton Lakes Stardusters (unis a bit like Audobon, in pink and white ), the Paramus Mountettes , and the Corvettes (my vote for one of the most obscure corps ever), who featured a very small horn line, but marched a contra bass, in '65! Fav corps from that circuit were the Manhattanaires (another fine black corps), Lakeland Goldenaires and C&W Townsmen... (Fran mentioned Manville Crusaders on this thread. I remember competing against them when they still had the Church affiliation... Sacred Heart... Bobby Vivalo, mello buddy from BSGK, started out there.) Bill Moore

Maestro Musich... how could anyone not recognize that nobel profile?! (Why is it photos of SKY GUYS & DOLLS elicit such off beat/off thread issues as consumption of bathroom supplies?!) Bill

I'm still waiting for Ray to tell us who the cymbal players are (unless I missed it...)! Bill Moore

First time I saw "United" was in Missasaugua (sp.?), Ont., in late '90s. They did a top rate exhibition. I was fascinated by the snare line, pushing their rubber tired rack around the field. Always wondered whose idea that was... Maybe if SKY Alumni had one we'd still have Andy Lisko and Ray Priester in the line... sure would be cool to see 22 snares pushing one around, eh? Bill Moore

Andy, The Cisco Kid is the current Director of the Legends Corps. I know most of the guys in the photo. Picture was taken in Plymouth, I'd say. The real stumper in the photo is gonna be the guy to Cisco's right... near impossible to indentify him widout his seegah! Great photo! Great guys! Bil Moore

Well said, Rick! A gentleman, top shelf player, and gracious, knowledgeable and generous instructor... Maestro Tommy Martin... Any brass player who ever spoke with Tommy has become a better horn player, just from being with him! Donny and Frank... does anyone need higher recommendation and praise than what those two have said here?!!!? Looking forward to hearing the growth I know Mr. Martin will contribute to! Bill Moore SKY Alumni Brass

Condolences to you and yours, Rick. I remember the last time I had the pleasure of sharing a moment with your Dad. As always, I walked away with a smile. Bill Moore SKY

What a great idea, Jimmy! USAF, Vietnam Era. God Bless our Troops, and the civvies working hand in hand with them ALL! God Bless You, young man, and a special thought for the safety of my nephew, Cap't. Matt Rogers, chopper driver, USMC, Persian Gulf. Bill Moore

Yeah, rip-roarin' Frenchie solo! Just looked at Hy's chart. Top's out at high "A"s, and "G#"s (slip slide, on a G/D horn). Kinda similar solo in "Skyliner" a couple of years later. That was Hy again on solo, in '62 and/or '63, Andy, no? Bill Moore

It was great going on (rather) early in the Alumni Spectacular ("marched" with SKY) , 'cause we got to see a number of the other Corps perform. As always, EVERYBODY was GREAT!!! It ain't easy doing what we do, especially with the limited rehearsal time, advanced years of many of our members, travel challenges ($$$), etc., so we should all be very proud and happy with the quality of Showman/womanship, across the Activity! It's especially rewarding and great FUN to see/hear the different approaches to "Classic D&B" represented on the Field. Only regret?... Too bad ALL the "Alumni" type Corps out there couldn't be involved! Would LOVE it if Reilly could set up their chairs, and BSGK, Yankee/ Rebs, Kevin's, Florida Brass, Simcoe United, etc., and the Midwest and West Coast Alumni Corps could all be there, together... I know, I know... logistics! LOL! (Personal regret... didn't get to see Bahston! Dang, maybe next year!) Anyways, thanks to ALL for ALL yas do. Stay healthy, and a successful '09 to ALL!!! Bill Moore SKY Alumni

"Joe"??? Anyways, thanks for the nice woids... and thanks for pronouncing "aluminium" correctly! Our Ontario brethren will be appreciative, I would think ("Jolly Good Show, Guido, Old Man"). Now that I'm retired off the day job, I'll be lurking about more. Would love to honor Nanci's request for photos, but by the time I went thru all these posts, anything I have to contribute would likely be a duplicate, or woise! Travel Safe! Best of Luck to the "Xtreme" Gamers! Bill Moore

Yeah... quite sure that's what it is. Seen photos of the entire corps, with a line of those tromboney-type bass baris. Jim Wedge showed me a 2 valve King Bugle Trombone (in G/F, of course), that I believe he got from Madison, but that horn was from the '70s. I THINK 27th used those type horns for a while, but I believe Mr. Wedge said they were not Kings (or the one he had did not come from the Lancers?). Great hint by whoever it was mentioned "Force" and "Air"! Recognized the distinguished (future) Col. Crawford right away, but I get so little opportunity to lurk this terrific thread, that I had to scroll thru a bunch of posts, to find out if anyone got it. Bill Moore

Andy, As usual, that is some creative commentary (...grows on you."?...very good! )! Was the photo from Bergenfield H.S.? Not too many in that shot still with the Corps, eh? Bill Moore

Joey, Love the avatar (See, I do know what an avatar is, I just don't know how to use one! LOL) John Birks Gillespie... what a talent! Great seeing you and playing together again! Keep up the good work! Bill Moore

Many Thanks to the Reilly Raiders' Family for presenting another Great Performance, and wonderful opportunity for old(ish!) Friends to meet and greet. It is a daunting Task to plan and execute a Show like the Shamrock, and you all do it so very WELL! If it wasn't for your hard work and dedication, we would have one less Venue of this sort, and those of us in the "Alumni" Corps Community would lose out on a terrific opportunity! Sitting in the caferteria with guy and gal friends from BSGK, Archie, Y/Rebs, Blue Rock, Osmond, Bon Bons, Liberty Bell, SKY, Holy Name, CABs, Lucy's, St. Kevin's, 27th, Cardinals, etc., etc., I was struck by just how much D&B History was represented there, at any given moment, that evening. On behalf of SKY Alumni and Blessed Sacrament, the 2 corps I was privileged to play with, Thank You ALL for the wonderful reception, and opportunity! GO Green! (BTW, didn't get to see anyone... too busy "getting it together" to perform, but... Every Corps deserves a standing "O"... all the Time!... it ain't easy doing what we do!) Bill Moore

Nanci, # 2 is Joe "Trog" Rizzolo. As Andy notes, Joe Jr. marches contra with his Dad these days. Rich "Hoffy"'s last name is Hofstetter, our "Man in Blue" from Hudson, NY. Konga and Billy T.!!! How we all miss those fine gentlemen, and fine, fine, musicians! Thanks for sharing the photo. An updated photo would include Joe Chizek, Jr., Rich "Diesel" Evans, Big Paul Lott, and James "Irish" Moran. Me too, if I didn't have to play bari. Love me some contra bass, yes, yes, yes! Bill Moore

John, Fast Frankie, Yeah, like we horn players could even MANAGE a parade without a snare line! ... and what horn player ever complained about marching too FAST in a parade (OK, 180's a bit of huffer, but, when our man Solomon bangs out that 134 bpm on his bass, the entire SKY Alumni horn line wants to make him President!)?! Carry on drummers... where'd we be widout youse?! Oh yeah, and the Folks on the steep hill who yell "Play Something!".... ?? ... I politely respond, "We ARE playing something! It's called a 'street beat'!" Bill (my Daddy marched snare, and so did my Son!) Moore

James, A better clue might be how many Corps have these guys NOT played/marched with, eh? (Don't forget "M/Ex...", my fellow alumnus!). What a great photo, BTW, and what terrific, terrific gentlemen, ALL! Bill Moore

Joe, Thanks so much for the great photos of SKY Alumni! The Olds, G/F Valve Rotor is a Bass Bari. In the next photo, the horn is also an Olds Untratone, G/F Contra Bass. Also in the ranks at that time, you will find an Olds sop, same type, as well as a FH, again the same, and an Olds Duratone Bass Bari, G/F valve rotor, with the satin finish. All terrific instruments, still... The valve/slide horn you mention having played, originally, was, of course, a G/D horn. I used to play a Gerzen Titleist in parades, as recently as 8 years ago, but contributed it to the SKY uniform fund, for auction on EBay. BTW, many of us marching in the ranks, at that parade, are former Garden State competitors, from the West Paterson Royalairs, Paterson Lamplighters, Imperial Guardsmen, Hilltoppers, etc. Long time ago, fond memories still! Who'da thought, at that time, there'd be so few Shows, and so few D&B Corps in any given parade, as we see now?! Thanks, also, for the great shots of our great friends in the Hawthorne Cabs! Just beautiful! Bill Moore SKY Alumni brass instructor