fraber

Hi - I know that I am a bit late to this "party", but if you are interested in doing a traditional show, using G bugles and some traditional music - how about the Cabs Alumni? We are alweays looking for horn, drums, color guard, etc. We have a relaxed season - one weekend off per month and we don't kill ourselves during reheasals. There are no scores to shoot for, only the satisfaction of entertaining the crowd. Check out the Cabs web site - www,cabs.org and check out the Alumni section. You might also look at the Media section. There are videos that go WAY, WAY back. If you are ever in the area, stop by abd say Hi. Frank Zuber Cabs Competing - 1973 - 1980 Cabs Alumni 1998 - 20??

One person that has been around a LONG, LONG time is George Hayek of the Cabs Alumni and he has a remarkable memory. I would ask him and see what he can remember,

I have to say (WAY, WAY BITD), Moe Knox had taken a picture of a horn player holding his pants up - with one hand - AND try to play his horn (Valve/Rotor or just valve?). I played a few shows with a broken left shoulder and had to use a padded snare stick to prop up my right arm and play. I tied a string to the rotor and my thumb so I could play. The crazy things we do for this hobby!! If you told a psychiatrist what we willingly put our bodies thru, AND we pay for the priviledge, they would bring out the special white jackets. GOD, I love this hobby!!

I agree with Fran: 1) It gives folks like Ritchee Price and Roger Grupp... guys who physically cannot do a full-show drill anymore... a chance to do what they do best, which is.play at a ridiculously high level of proficiency. If there's no place anymore in DCA for people like that, perhaps it's time to think about where we are heading. I have a suggestion that MIGHT make all happy. If, like Richie Price and others, CANNOT march, there would be NO penalty given. HOWEVER, if they are physically able to march and elect to stay in the pits - there should be a penalty given. Do not award points for a "Park and Bark" player because they are too lazy to put the effort in to be on the field.

I giess that there are a bunch of people getting ready for Wildwood a bit earlier than most the Cabs Alumni! We have our camp weekend in Wildwood April 25 - 27.

I was at the show as a performer, so no review as I saw no one. I can tell you trhat the house was PACKED. The best attended indoor show I have seen in quite a while. Thank you to all that were in the aidience as your response to our show was greatly appreciated. Frank Zuber

If you still have the itch to perform again, why not an Alumni Corps? We (the Caballeros Alumni) are always looking for new (old? lol) talent. We do a full field drill, but not nearly as frenetic as a competitive corps. If you are interested, check the Cabs web site (Cabs.org), click on the Alumni and see our schedule for the next few months. We'd be happy to welcome you to the brotherhood/sisterhood of the 'Bells. Frank

Ray, Fran, et al How about a gathering of the more "experienced" people and have a round table(s) discussion about our activity. have a tape recorder on each table and record the "I REMEMBER THAT......" We can all look up the scores of a show or season, but not the personal stories that went on behind the scene, or just stories and memories. After a bit, rotate members to new groups - each person will feed off each other for new stories. Just think of what we have lost with the passing of "lefty" Meyer of Sky, Jim Costello of Hawthorne, Vince Bruni of Empire, Pepe, and on and on. All of there thoughts, memories and stories are gone and can never be duplicated. Think of what we could learn from Jimmy Russo, Lou Storck, GEORGE HAYEK (a Caballero from 1946!!!)David Bruni, and sooooo many more. We need to preserve this for future generations. This could take place at next year's HOF dinner or other time when they would be togeter.

It's not just you. I marched under Cos for many years. White ball cap, Golf shirt and khaki pants. If I didn't know better, I would swear that is Cos in the pic. Having said that, if there was a way......................

Not to throw a monkey wrench into the mix - but have you considered an Alumni Corps? The rehearsal time is quite a bit less intense, both off season and in season. Also, there might be less pressure, performance wise, for a new person to the hobby. With a year or two of experience under your belt, you will find it quite a bit easier to match the performance level of more experienced people. In any case, whichever way you decide, please join us in the drum corps activity. As with your military family, you will acquire a new family to share your life with. As a suggestion, if possible, come to the DCA show over the Labor Day weekend. You will have a wonderful time, meet lots of people and most importantly, you will be able to see which corps ,ight fit your needs.

I'll be marching in Hawthorne with the Cabs Alumni - we were rained out on Saturday. I marched my first parade in 1961 or 1962 - can't quite remember back that far!!

I am speaking ONLY for myself, but as a member of an Alumni corps, the lack of respect shown by DCA to the Alumni organizations is very disturbing. The Alumni corps work hard all year, put paying butts in the seats and are not even mentioned in the video.

Cathie - May I add my thanks for the review of the Alumni Spectacular. As good as your review was (and I am NOT complaining in any way), an even more detailed review is always appreciated. Even if we are not being judged, we would like to know where we need improvement - intervals, distances, timing, etc. Without those kind of comments, we do not know where the fans think we should improve. Yes, there is a great deal of respect and love between the Cabs Alumni and the competing corps, and vice versa. The competing corps is what we once were, wish we still were and help make us as good as we are. Their presence in the stands give us a boost - make us perform just that bit better - we do not wish to either disappoint them or let them down in any way. They help keep us young, if not physically, at least in out hearts. Please excuse me if you think that I am complaining about your review in any way. It was among the best we have received in quite a while. Please continue. Thanks

I totally concur. You have NO idea the thrill, rush and energy you supply to us. Due to medical problems, I was only able to march the Flamenco company front. This was the year you came rushing in as we were starting. When the Alumni heard AND FELT your presence, there was an immediate surge of energy. The energy translated into a higher level of performance. We were there to entertain the crowd, and we are happy to do that at any time. HOWEVER, having you in the stands is what we enjoy the most. You are both our past and our present and our future - you are what we were and what we wish we still were and what we want to be. Congratulations on a great season!

I agree with all of the above posters. Kidsgrove has been wonderful addition to our "local" activity. I hope that they will be back soon - maybe every two years? Frank

To my family. We all have several families - the one we were born into, our childhood friends, school and work friends, etc. In one way or another, they make up our family life. Outside of the family we were born into, I feel that our Drum Corps Family is our most important one. We choose to spend many hours in a close and loving environment(well sometimes not quite so loving!! lol). Then we go out and join a larger family on the night of shows. We all share a deep and abiding love for what we do, and we appreciate all of the others that share our passion and love. We all share the same field of combat and ask for nothing but appreciation for our work. Unfortunately, all of us cannot be winners, but I wish you all were! Those that do not finish in first place do not work any less hard than the first place corps, and sometimes they work harder to overcome the lack of bodies. To all the members of my extended family, may you do your best out there this weekend. I will be on the field with you this weekend, if not physically, then in spirit. The only thing I ask of you is that you perform to your best ability, and, if possible, find that last little bit of ?????? that you have to go over the top. I do know that by simply attending, I am a winner - no matter who wins. Now having said that, let me be a bit biased and say - I hope that everyone is at the top of their game, does the best job possible, and that the more immediate of my extended family (the Cabs) win. I am not a "wordsmith" nor have I expressed myself adequately, but I hope that all (performers and attendees) have a good time, arrive home safe and add several new friends to your family. Sincerely, Frank Zuber Caballeros 1973-1980 Cabs Alumni 1998-2010 (out medically for 2 years, but hope to be back) 'Phone Company Forever

I forget the exact year (mid '70's). Cabs were at the American Legion Nationals in Miami Beach when Jim Costello told us that he was changing the entire off-the-line drill. The ending position was the same for everybody, but he had NO idea where any individual started the drill from!! In order to solve the problem, we all got to the end of the OTL drill and proceeded to learn the new drill - BACKWARDS, so we would know where our starting position was. Needless to say, we were all concerned - we had to learn the drill twice. We all thought that Jim Costello was crazy, but we believed in him and trusted that he knew best. Jim was right and we pulled it of exceedingly well. As an aside, I can still remember sitting in the shallow end of the pool, my horn in pieces around me so I could make sure it was cleasn, in and out.

For several years I have been thinking of all of the history that ha been lost with the passing of the "old timers" - Jim Costello, "Lefty" Meyer (sp), Vince Bruni, and on and on. There are the records of the scores and accomplishments of those long ago days. What we are losing are the personal stories and the behind the scene stories. Is it possible to have a roundtable gathering of our "veterans" to just sit and talk about the old days? Imagine all the stories that would flow, one following the other. Just place a tape recorder in the middle and record everything for posterity. Who knows, there might be enough interest to have two or more tables going. I think that we need to do this sooner, rather than later, before we lose more of our family. Any interest in this idea?

I have had the pleasure of knowing and being taught by Larry for many years. We are all cognizant of his arranging and composing abilities, but few of us (me included) know of his lyric capability. You have said what many of us wish that we could to all those that have served, are serving and will serve to protect us. Larry, it is an honor and a privilege, to have known you all these years. Frank Zuber Cabs 1973-19809 Cabs Alumni 1998-20??

First. Congratulations on a FANTASTIC 2011 season!! This is a great promo video.

White Baseball cap on the podium (Cabs) - I am not positive, but I would bet my bottom dollar that the cap was in Jim Costello's honor. Jim (Cos) always wore a golf shirt and a white baseball cap during our performances. For a definitive answer - I hope that someone from the Cabs Competing Corps will answer. The way this year's corps improved from Wildwood to Rochester, I can't help feeling that Cos wasn't involved in some way. He always found a way to bring the best out of us. Jim - they did you proud!

Cathie - Thanks for your review of the Alumni Show. All comments are greatly appreciated. In answer to your question about doing double duty (Alumni and competing corps in the Cabs - not really). It takes much to much time and effort, not to mention not being able to be in two places at the same time, to do both. Currently, Frank Ponzo, one of the Cabs soloists, retired from the Cabs competing corps and joined the Alumni. After several years, he again retired, for a year or two. As you heard , he is back and in full form, still able to "bring it home." He is the closest we have to a "double duty" member. I am a past member of the Cabs competing corps and temporarily retired from the Alumni

There are several personalities that have stuck with me for many years. Most I have marched with, some I have briefly met and or competed against. My most memorable person is Jim Costello. Other than my parents, probably the most influential person in my life. As for personalities or characters: George Parks (whom I briefly met, MANY years ago), George Del Monte, Jim Russo, Lou Storck, Jack Pratt, Ralph Silverbrand, George Hayek, Tommy (Bucky) Swan, Larry Kerchner and many others. Most are Caballeros, as they are the ones I have marched with and consider my Family. There several I have left out and I apologize for that.

To those that knew him as a Father figure, a mentor, a friend, or as some mythical figure (either as a contemporary figure or as tales and stories told) James J. Costello. "Cos" to those that knew and loved him.