Bob P.

Too bad that we were in the "ticks" era or we would have scored better! Judges didn't know how to evaluate the "box" and ticked us like crazy, negating the GE points we got. But it didn't negate the applause and appreciation from the crowd!

Thanks for the kind words - Sun was always one of my favourites, mostly for their classical music bent and wonderful arrangements. Les Dips also had a penchant for the classics - '66 was all classics Cole Porter, Ravel, Sousa Tchaikowsky, Mascagni and Ireland. I consider Porter melodies to be classics. Too bad we couldn't execute them (tough arrangements) as well as Sun did theirs. Salut, Bob p.

I'll bite. Most of the most memorable are 1st of something. All with Les Diplomates as FH, Lead Soprano and horn instructor: 1965 - Appearance at Carnegie Hall - the aspiring musician in me took in all the significance. Finally didn't become a professional in music, but did end up as an Engineer. 1965 - 1st competition with Les Dips at Toronto Shriners - 1st time was on the same field as Cabs. 1965 - 1st Canadian DC Championship 1966 - Dream 1970-73 - Member of Les Dips production team and horn instructor. 1973 - 4th place DCA, 1st in drums. 2007 - DCA Alumni show as part of Les Dips Alumni corps. I noticed just a few minutes ago that this section is for historic junior corps and all my experience has been with senior corps. It is true, however, that until 1970 I was at junior age, i.e. less than 23 years, so that should count.

Phantom Regiment 1996 PR 1997 I like dark serious music!

As long as you are dressed properly and drink plenty of fluids, it doesn't matter if the heat is dry or humid its exposure to the sun that matters. I have worked in the Sahara and the Persian Gulf (hot and humid) and properly protected from the sun, I prefer the dessert to the Gulf. BTW, properly protected doesn't mean suntan lotion, but long loose sleeve tops and loose trousers - not topless (tank tops) and shorts. In the dessert, that is cooler!

I haven't done the math yet, but, statistically I think we would find that there isn't a strong correlation between corps size and placement. And we would need about 20 years data to see if there is a correlation for one to draw the conclusion that you have drawn. Also, the corps size number should on a relative basis, not not on an absolute basis, i.e. % size of average that year. Then the data would be equivalent from year to year. Again, quality in design and execution trumps quantity.

Thanks for that. We did the Bridge in '72 & '73. Getting back to Preston Scout House, they were filled with GE in the late '50s and early '60s, such as the "cranking up" of the tin soldiers in the March of the soldiers. Other Canadian corps with great GE (gimmicks for some people), were the Jolly Jesters and of course yours truly corps, Les Diplomates, with carousels and rotating blocks and triangles. I loved the Sunrisers, particularly for their mostly classical music repertoire, but I do remember hearing a great version of Sing Sing Sing in the alley behind Carnegie Hall in '65 - I am pretty sure that that was Sun. Salut, Bob P.

Probably in '65 at Bucknell U. stadium, where Preston appeared as exhibition. They did the March of the Toys as part of their show, if I remember correctly. I was with Les Diplomates then. Salut, Bob p.

And your point is? Things change and it will always be that way. I am from that era (marched junior and senior from '63-'74) and march (dance) alumni now. I enjoyed it then and I enjoy it now. I like Broadway musicals and lament that they (musicals) aren't as good as the Cole Porter, Rogers Kern etc. years, but I thoroughly enjoy the Corps of today. Corps small and big have not disappeared because they were replaced by performing arts groups, but for other reasons - mostly demographics. I am looking forward to see how these march (dance) performing arts groups evolve further. Respectfully, Bob P.

I think that most Alumni use the instruments used in the past, i.e. G bugles, whatever they can "drum" up (excuse the bad pun). I know that Les Diplomates use modern instruments (Bb and F), with an Eb tuba thrown in for good measure. Also they have a sax. Preston Scout House also use Bb/F instruments, but, then, that's what they used BITD.

Not sure about the "mallet instruments " to the field in '69 as a "watershed" year. I think that besides Preston Scout House before '69, that Madison Scouts also used glocks in early '60s and late '50s, as many other corps, certainly here in Quebec.

Little Rock Nashville Powder Spring Winston-Salem Annapolis Allentown - Fri & Sat All this starting from Montreal and doing 5600 kms (3500 miles), the usual summer tour.

Much like so called movie music! Just sound effects for the action. Ironically drum corps take movie music to the field, which, in effect ends up being sound effects for the drill. Bob P.

Glad to see that it worked out - sometimes the simplest solution is correct - we engineers tend to complicate things! Salut, Bob P.

I stand corrected! My apologies. I should have remembered, since I was a friend of Maurice Legault and family, who were part of the musical staff of the corps. Maurice and I were with the Diplomates at that time.

Les Companions was a senior corps, so if we are permitting that, there were also Les Metropitains, Les Vics and the one that pretty well started it all from Québec -Les Diplomates. Les Grenadiers also ventured into the states, but not DCI.

Would if I could, but we are from Montreal and usually on our tour with Annapolis the previous stop! Hotels are fine in Annapolis, though!

Also agree on both, but the hotel accommodations near Chester aren't very good - the Best Western service was terrible.

Well it is still a major hassle, especially for those who don't speak English very well, be we (Les Diplomates)are much better prepared now, so we should be a good 80 strong for the show. I think that it is even a bigger problem for American corps to come to Canada. Something about packing guns? Salut, Bob P.

Yeah, I (french horn)was in that box. Got killed by the tick system, score-wise, though, because the judges didn't know what to make of it! By the Dream of 1966, the box had morphed into a triangle rotating and then splitting into two triangles. Salut, Bob P.

Thanks for this mini review (preview) of the Canadian corps that will be at the DCA Alumni show. Les Diplomates are looking forward to appearing at the show and renewing some old friendships. Also, thanks for not "spilling" the beans completely on our cool concept for the show. Salut, Bob P. Les Dips '64-73, 06-16 PS. This is Les Dips 10th anniversary of Alumni activity

The best way to tell is to look at the length of tubing for the first and second valve. Clearly the lengths are longer on the G instrument. Many of my present fellow players thought that a mellophone in G was bigger than in F, but that is wrong - the F is longer than the G. The old G mellos were in fact just big bore and bell G bugles and had even worse tuning and intonation problems than the G bugles or trumpets.

I think so, since that allows the use of the higher partials, which are chromatic. I believe that this is the main reason for the "distinctive" sound of the G instruments, that, and the fact that the lower notes of the longer length G instruments contain more harmonics - its physics. Warning, I am an engineer and I can do the math!

No kidding! Sun was one of my favourite corps in the '70s, along with Buc. I have always enjoyed corps that played mostly "classical" music, like the Dips. I think Sun had girls (ladies) in the horn and drum lines about the same time as Les Dips, circa '70s - another reason I liked them. Salut, Bob P.