Scerpella
-
Posts
8,161 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by Scerpella
-
-
I'm sorry, but the uni's still don't impress me, even after seeing a whole corps wearing them. IMO, they kinda look like Pioneer w/white pants and "Scout" hats (Madison is the only group I've ever seen who made those hats look cool).
Best,
CJT
youre right about Scouts resemblance to Pioneer a few years ago,...never made the connection!
-
1973 Santa Clara Vanguard, Selections from Fiddler on the Roof
-
I would almost vote for "Legend" since that was one of the first drum corps recordings I ever heard - however I've got to proclaim BD's "One More Time, Chuck Corea" (82 version) as the the mostest awesomest concert I've ever heard.
What about 81 and 83?
-
Hands down - MacArthur Park 75 Madison.
Second... what was the name of Bridgemens concert in '77?
Was it Maynards Pagliacci?
-
73-76 Madison was dominating DCI, with a 4th,2 2nds and a 1st.
During '73 - '76, SCV went 1-1-2-3, which is better than Madison's 4-2-1-2.
I'm glad someone else brought that up :) cuz I really wanted to but didn't wanna come across like a jerk
you jerk!!! just kidding
Youre correct about SCV, but I was making a qualitative judgement not quantitative. 75's all but undefeated season led me to say it.
-
P.S. Muchachos did NOT win pre-lims. They were more than a point below Madison. In fact they were in third place. Sorry to ruin the myth . . .
P.P.S. Still my third favorite show of all time (behind '74 SCV and '74 Anaheim).
Thank you Paul. Every time this urban myth gets repeated it obscures the fact that Madison in 75 was THE powerhouse, their only loss coming in DCI midwest prelims. 73-76 Madison was dominating DCI, with a 4th,2 2nds and a 1st. As great and entertaining as Muchachos were, NOBODY was going to take the title from Scouts that year. They were a juggernaut.
Scott Stewart repeated the same facts you recounted to me 26 years ago.
-
I'm going to ask one of those directors if he knows. If he tells me I'll have to answer in code.
I'm kind of sure that he and others know who won prelims on that fateful day.
Madison won, and that is from someone who was in a position to know.
Why do folks become intrigued about the motives of who ratted on Muchachos? They cheated and if they did win, then it would have been an invalid win. So what if other corps did it too? They were also cheaters. But somehow its always Jersey! :P
-
I don't know about this one, maybe someone can confirm. I do remember one great story from 1985. The school we were staying at had their football team beginning their practices during the time we were at Camp Randall. When we returned from Quarterfinals, we discovered that a lot of our personal items were missing from the gym. We quickly retaliated and found their football gear safely stowed away in their vented lockers and proceeded to use our God given gear to water their helmets and pads...I wonder how their practice went the next day.
Gee I hope it was actually football players as opposed to some corps scumbag you should have been peeing on.
-
Nikk...
Unbelieveable.
You have chunks of guys like me in YOUR stool.
^OO^
Sheez, you have taken fawning admiration to new depths
-
That's a question I've asked myself repeatedly since Scott Stewart stepped down last year. After attending finals week, I finally have my answer.
I showed up to the Scout's rehearsal on Friday and walked over to the horn arc. They were practicing the part in the show with all the sixteenth-note runs. I was immediately impressed - what a cool effect. The more segments they played, the more I started to hear an in-your-face style I feared would no longer exist. They also had some great lead sopranos - as one would expect any good Madison hornline to have. Yet, as I looked around at the staff, it depressed me to recognize so few faces. It reminded me how betrayed I felt when certain staff members left - many to other corps (namely BD). On a break I spoke to some current members about a few of the changes that had taken place. Some were very disturbing. Under new management there has been a big reduction in free days, allotted rehearsal time for I&E, and sleep. Madison was always a corps that could rehearse for 6 hours, yet be so intense and so efficient that it was as if we had rehearsed for 10 hours.
I tried to keep an open mind as I walked over to the field for coordination. Once they started, I immediately noticed the first two changes I was truly excited about: the color guard and the movement in the drill. The guard was spinning like no Madison guard had spun since 1999. The rifle toss with an emphatic yell on the catch gave me goose bumps. And the hornline was really moving! Plus, they were clean to boot. Their field entrance was spectacular. The average age may have dropped four years, but as they moved across the field in a company front, it was hard to imagine them looking any more intense/intimidating/powerful.
Without the traditional Madison entrance, it was nice to see so many fleurs-de-lis in the show (3 large ones and 2 smaller ones). They eventually did their run-through and I liked it a lot. I was getting very excited for that night's performance when I heard a current Madison employee speak about placements. Quite honestly, it made me sick to my stomach. That type of discussion would have never taken place with Scott around. In general, the staff and the members NEVER cared about the scoring. All that mattered was that we did our absolute best and that we entertained night in and night out. That was it.
That incident put a sour taste in my mouth so I started to have other doubts creep into my mind. Was there too much ballad time? Was the ending exciting enough? Was Madison still Madison?
I got to the stadium for semi's and my seats were in a great location - fairly low in the second level, and on the 40. When it was finally time for Madison to perform I got chills as I saw them take the field. This was it. The Superman suits were on; it was go time. They looked and sounded amazing. They were clean AND entertaining. I got goose bumps multiple times - the type of goose bumps I can only get when watching Madison perform. When they released their final note I was so proud. So proud to have been a Madison Scout. So proud of the current Madison Scouts.
The following day was the Scouts' final rehearsal. Typically this is a rehearsal filled with pranks, and I wondered if that would still be the case. When three contrabasses came up to play the sop trio in the opener, my question was quickly answered.
That night I was going up the elevator in my hotel when someone looked over at me and saw I was wearing a Madison Scouts' shirt. He said, "They had a great show tonight," nodding at my shirt.
"Yeah, they did, didn't they?" I responded.
He came back, "Ya know, they really should have placed a lot higher."
It was unbelievable how many times I heard that comment when I marched. Not being concerned with the whole judging element of drum corps, I never knew how to respond to a statement like that, and that was still the case. I just looked at him and smiled.
Yes, Madison is still Madison.
- Ted Martin
Scouts '97, '99
Nice report Ted. I have to take issue with you on one point however. Scouts were 14th last year. Surely you dont think Scott is gone for any other reason? The excess free time issues and the talk about scoring are naturally going to change when a new group comes in. Sal and Bob Wall are Scouts too dont forget.
You may have heard from some alumni before on this, but Madison used to care VERY much about those things, and Scott was the chief proponent of that philosophy. I was there. Scott is a unique person in drum corps. MDBCA first mission was to get Scouts back in finals, that was accomplished. I dont think the overall philosophy has changed much however.
PS go to my site if youre not already a member
-
I marched for four years with the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps. From 1991 to 1993 I was lead baritone with the corps (even though I played Euphonium) and placed in the top 3 at 5 different Individual & Ensemble Competitions (DCM and DCI), winning 2 of them. In 1994 I was one of two field conductors (a phancy name for Drum Major) for Regiment.
1. How could you be a lead bari with a Euphonium?
2. Glad YOU said that about conductor!
Anxiously awaiting the telecast and DVDs.
I do think youre a bit hard on Scouts unis but truth be told I think theyre either a work in progress or a work to be tossed ot. Fix them or get rid of them I say.
-
Channel One Suite - Blue Devils '76-'77
This was really the 1st "production" that was done in DC, and was the longest "production" for years, over 7 min long.
Back in the day, by the time the last note of the tune was completed, you felt a sigh of relief.
Out of the 7 min, I believe we played "notes" 6 min solid...............the dbl strke rolls at the end of Channel One were a ##### :P
Channel One in 77 was definitely a juggernaut. It had none of the halts that 76 version had. BD was definitely on cruise control.
-
[The "jazz" piece I'm thinking of isn't the jazzed up Yanky Doodle Dandy, but the other piece that we played right after that for concert (that piece was the Ray Baumgardt orginal score I alluded to). It didn't have a name, so I don't know what the helll to call it.
Dan
That was a helluva little number . . . there was some real screaming going on there. Was that you, Dan? I've got the World Open album, which is great because it has Argonne, too. When I saw the Scouts playing JCS in '99, I yelled, "Go, Argonne", and nobody knew what I was talking about. Oh, well.
You were lucky to be marching in '71 . . . what a great year in corps history.
Ed
I was marching in 71, but not with Madison!! We were getting our butts kicked by them! I really started to become a fan in 73. And finally joined in 77. The screamer for Madison back then was none other than the great Chris Metzger.
-
Also, why do people today assume that they were the number 1-2 corps? Way too much "mystique" is made of this thing.
Dan Guernsey
Madison Scouts, 1971-1977
Madison Jr. Scouts, 1970
Because they were f-ing good. Although, as I said, they'd have had a hard time beating Madison and even SCV and BD. Mucs had great horns/drums and lots of excitement, but the drill was nothing compared with those 3, or 2-7. And Madison was cleaner all the way around. Maybe, just maybe, they were 2nd in Prelims. Can't we get one of those top 6 directors who saw the sheets to fess up? Of course, some aren't around anymore. We need a Warren Commission investigation.
By the way, what was Madison's concert in '71? It was a short, jazzy thing. Was it also from a fantasy movie, like the other tunes that year?
I think concert was Alice in Wonderland. The short jazzy thing you refer to was a 16 bar transition of Yankee Doodle. Madison used it alternately over the next few years as a back sideline warm up.
-
Has it ever been verified that they won Prelims (not Semis . . . please)? I've never heard a score for that show. Their GE score would have been very high, but a guy in the corps (who was also, believe it or not, in SCV '72 and '74) told me they felt they were dirty that day . . . hard to say if they would have beaten Madison, not to mention SCV and BD.
According to corpsreps.com, they DID participate in prelims, but their score was never released. Anyone else?
Score was never released. And no video exists at least to my knowledge. And believe me I have tried to get it.
If you were a corps director of one of the top 6 corps, you would have seen it. The sheets were destroyed shortly afterwards. I know its sexy to think Hawthorne won, but the facts as relayed to me by someone in the above named grp of directors, is that Madison won.
-
1988 was a superb year for all drum corps,too close to call for me,but how would you of called it ?
Do you agree with the placements ?
Do you concur with the conspiricy theory's over the Scouts win ?
BD 3rd ?
Suncoast too ahead of their time ???
I thought we Madison folks were all "grassy knoll conspiracy" nutjobs. But when Madison wins, its okay to consider conspiracy?
The fact the scores were not divulged to other judges to my mind, makes '88 the ONLY year in modern drumcorps where the outcome was 100% unbiased. The real question that should arise from that year is why DCI dumped the format after only one year? BTW, 88 Madison was not my favorite year and the win was as much a surprise to me as others. The way it was arrived at however means (to me) it is a valid championship. Under the old tick system, there were a number of champions that were not the favorite. But nobody could argue that they were not the best at accomplishing what they set out to accomplish. The 1988 format went a long way to attempt to establish a bias free outcome. Pity they discontinued it.
-
Based on what I've seen so far...definately NOT a fan. There's nothing on them! The pants are too tight, and look bare without the stripe. The light green doesn't look very good, nor the half Fleur de Lie. I would rather seen the top be all the same color (dark green), with a full Fleur de Lie, the sash, and the red sparkle gauntlets.
Maybe I'll like them when I see them in person for the first time in Menomonie, but I highly doubt it. It's going to take a lot of convincing for me to like this uni...
As I stated in my review, the DM has a difference in his uniform Id like to see on all the marchers. The half Fleur de Lis is red instead of green. Cesario, you listening? Please please please, we need some RED. The idea of a stripe on the pants was I'm sure discussed. Consider this however; The last two years, critics have hammered Madison for bad foot technique. A stripe serves only to emphasize this and phasing as well. I think we will see it in time, but the staff is going to have to feel confident it will not be a negative attention getter. Bring back the red sash. Its an easy and cheap fix. Im sure right now someone is firing up Photoshop to see how it would look.
Another thing worth mentioning. Madisons Equipment truck and coaches have been stunningly decorated. (See pictures in my website) If public rolling-down-the interstate-image means anything, then your average civilian passing Madison on the road is now going to know exactly what a Madison Scout is and what he looks like.
-
On an almost perfect night at Pershing Park Field situated directly
on the shores of Lake Michigan, 5 longtime favorites of SE Wisconsin
drumcorps fans got together to provide a highly entertaining evening
of drumcorps. Being June 13th and either the 1st or 2nd show for all
the corps performing, glitches and jitters were bound to be present.
But the story of the night had to be how the two main corps in
contention, Colts and Scouts, seemed to have very little of the early
season rust, and both gave polished performances. Madison
particularly, fresh from a two week boot camp in Whitewater seems on
a mission to prove to the drumcorps community that 02 was an
aberration.
With the exception of the blossoming Colts, every corps performing
tonite has either earned a national championship in its history or
come pretty darn close, so the venue fairly reeked with Drum Corps
historical "gravitas".
First up were the Blue Stars of Lacrosse, WI. One thing is certain
when you talk about Blue Stars, they may be small but they are
overachievers. Stepping off with Gavorkna Fanfare, the spunky Stars
made good use of the field. Characteristically, Blue Stars show
maturity that belies its small size and age range. "Chorale and
Toccata" demonstrated some excellent hard work by the horn line. Drum
line was covering real estate in great leaps it seems. Guard and
Rifle line seems a bit small and I dont believe what they were
wearing was more than T-shirts and shorts. Still they smiled and
executed. "Follies" and "Lento" seemed a bit choppy at times and
suffered from the newness of the season. These kids are well taught
and I have no doubt in a couple of weeks you'll see smoothness in
transition. What I would love to see above all is Blue Stars become
the powerhouse they were in the early years of DCI, gving both
Anaheim and Santa Clara a run for the titles in 72 and 73. All in all
a credible performance. Look for good things down the road. Score -
45.85. 3rd place
Next up were local favorite and former juggernaut the Racine Kilties.
As Kilts are a senior corps, I don't know if they typically will
compete against the juniors or use the same judging. Guard was a bit
small but they did not lack for enthusiasm.It looked to me that the
rifle line were all juniors. In any case the Mad Plaid pleased the
partisan crowd stepping off the line with Brigadoon and Braveheart.
Then into Syne Fanfare. Now I havent seen Kilts perform for some
time, but Im used to hearing Syne as a closer. Still it was
spirited. Looking around the field, I recognized people who marched
in my era (70s) as well as folks who were from before. Not having
the fortitude to try Senior corps I have nothing but respect for
them. And you can see it as the vets screw on their "corps face" and
try to recapture the glory of their youth. Next up was Fanfare for
the Common Man. It was a very interesting rendition with truthfully a
few rough spots. But senior corps tend to start out slow as the
weekend warriors prepare for Scranton. There is time and I have no
doubt Kilts will have their performance maximized by then. Kilts
still have a few sops who can wail and they were in evidence
during "Miss Otis Regrets". This half of the show looked a bit rough
and I think Kilts will use this as a yardstick. There might be some
unfinished drill here or a need for rewrites. They finished with a
very beautiful rendition of "Simple Gifts" The crowd was appreciative
of the hard work put in by the Mad Plaid and repayed them with a
standing "O". Score 41.50. 4th place.
Next up were Dubuque's Colts. There is no doubt that you have a top
corps in front of you with Colts as the first note signalled a leap
in sound and ability. This years Colts brought Glassmen/Phantom to
mind, performing a largely classical repertoire. "Ritual" was the
first selection highlighting an excellent hornline. The jump in
marching ability from the 2 previous corps is also quite obvious.
With their slimming uniforms and plumed shakos, they all looked over
6 feet! Next up was "Song" a award winning band selection. Here again
Colts demonstrated balanced playing and excellent execution. The
intrepretive work by the guard was well integrated and appropriate,
and it didnt hurt they were all attractive young women. I will say
here that my vantage wasnt very high (the stands are only about 15
rows high) but that it seemed like Colts drill design was the area
that seemed to be lacking. Pictures seemed to develop slowly and
didnt appear to present more than moderate difficulty for the
individual marchers. Pace seemed to be uniform with nothing
happening dynamically. In my non DCI educated opinion, this will be
an area that needs to improve. In my day Colts would have been in the
top 12 on the strength of their musical execution alone, but as we
know today visual concerns are paramount. I could be all wet here as
I have no idea what the recaps say. "Dance" was next and I have to
say while I had no complaints about it, neither did I find anything
that jumped out at me. The closer restates the themes of the previous
three selections. In it we saw some of the urgency I thought was
missing from the rest of the visual presentation. Horns were crisp
and exciting. In all the Colts were received very well. They are
going to knock on top 12s door yet again this year. Score 61.50 2nd
place.
There remained two questions at this point for the partisan Wisconsin
crowd. Would we see the Scouts we love and who always make top 12 and
how would they compare to Colts? The answer to the first question
gentle readers, is that the Scouts are the Scouts. Sporting newly
designed Cesario uniforms the Scouts could only be described as
attacking the field tonite. Early version of the uniform were met
with to put it kindly "skepticism" on most internet drum corps
forums. Scouts responded with a couple of minor changes which seemed
to "fix" the problems. (Pictures included) The tunic collar went
from the two tone green to white. Strange as it may seem, it went a
long way in improving the look, such a little thing. In the other
change it seems Cesario took a cue from the main complaint repeated
in all those corps chat boards, NO RED. For the DM, The half Fleur de Lis which
was formerly green stitched in red, is now completely red. So for
those of us who wanted a red accent to match the traditional red sash
or baldrick Madison has sported since the late 70s, the red Fleur de
Lis mollifies us. One would hope that this is implemented for the rest of the corps. Who knows, maybe at finals the red sash
comes out like the green football jerseys Notre Dame always pulled
out for the big games. The second question regarding their comparing
to Colts was also answered rather early in the show. Scouts were on
fire from the first count and the 5 point margin Madison had over
Colts last night would spread tonite.
Rather than review each song individually I would prefer here to give
my general impressions of the performance tonite. First and foremost,
the visual prgram has been turbocharged. A larger more experienced
guard (last years fatal flaw) is in evidence this year.
Knowledgeable fan Jim Anello, remarked to me that there was more
guard work in 2 minutes of this years show than there was in all of
last years. Drillwise, the difference between Colts and Madison was
pronounced. Madison hornline started lined up on the left sideline
and performed a breath taking high speed 30 yard company front as the
front ensemble is making its opening statement. Pictures were flying
fast and furious and Madison looked like they were track athletes in
Mid July form. Foot technique, a favorite hobgoblin of the Madison
detractors was much improved from last year. The music of Cirque du
Soleil was exciting and the performance level was considerably better
than their Open House performance. This show, it seems, has
everything DCI today wants. Unless of course Hopkins Cadets rendition
this year of Malaguena signals a return to more accessible, and
entertaining repertoire fare. Due to a large number of ageouts,
Madison is at an average age of about 18 down from the typical 20 or
so. Like a rebuilding sports team, the presence of so many talented
underclassmen means good things for the future. This years group
though I believe is already off to a good start. If I know anything
about drumcorps, and last year proved I didnt, Madison will be back
in the top 12 this year, all other things remaining constant.
Madison has taken every possible knock on them from the two last
years and addressed them. Its though they are daring DCI to find
some fault with them. I think its also a safe bet staff will be
attending all critiques this year. You have to hand it to the
organization. They have taken decisive action this year, and if they
dont somehow regain some of their lost stature, then it will not be
from a lack of sheer effort. And they have taken great care to let
all who ask that Scott Stewart is still an important figure to them.
Director Sal Salas was quoted this week in the Wisconsin State
Journal. "I'm not trying to fill Scott Stewart's shoes" Sal
stated. "I'm trying to walk beside him." Very classy not to mention
political of him. Look for Madison to add many more to its legion of
fans and believers. Score 68.75 1st place.
60 odd days to go.
The "Chrome Domes", (Racine Scouts) another former national powerhouse, performed in exhibition.
To see photos of Madison at Racine, follow this link and select Photos then Racine, WI folder
-
1. Madison Scouts - 68.75
2. Colts - 61.50
3. Blue Stars - 45.85
4. Kilties Senior Corps - 41.50
Exhibition: Racine Scouts
Anybody care to review?
My review and photos will follow later tonite
-
In my feeble attempt to hold on to memories of my youth, I found a 70’s FE Olds Ultratone Baritone Bugle listed online and purchased it sight unseen. Actually it is in pretty good shape considering the age and the many hands it has passed through. Unfortunately it is missing the complete rotor assembly and I am chomping at the bit to see if my chops are still existent. I contacted FE Olds (now in NJ? What ever happened to California?) and have yet to receive a call back. Does anyone know where I may find the assembly? I have searched Ebay etc. to no avail. HELP!
Call Sandra Maddern in Racine Wisconsin. She's the director of new Day Drum Corps....I dont have her number. When I taught there, she had 3 or 4 old Ultratone Baris which were more or less complete.
-
Madison drumline? lol.... if they've ever "rocked" they've rocked dirty
As a young friend of mine used to say. "Screw you Hippy".
Not a drummer myself but go back and check the recaps during my era the late 70s, and see that Madisons line did indeed rock.
-
There was a 40s vintage Japanese film I saw a few years back which portrayed the heroic struggle of the members of the Japanese Army Bands. It was kind of a Japanese version of "Full Metal Jacket" 50-some years earlier.
The "DI" was merciless on these guys and one of the few things I remember about the film is that he told them they had to love their instruments (all of them were Yamaha) and never be without them, like a girlfriend. To that end he told them they had to have a name.
So we're treated to shots of guys practicing while repeating the names of their instruments. One image I recall is a guy playing his snare while repeating in time.. "Mit....Su...Ka, Mit...Su...Ka".
Of course they all were killed by the Americans.
-
This is nothing new, it has been done that way for a long time now.
B)
At least that is the way Tam Easterwood use to make us catch.
B)
That name is familiar to me. Did Tam march Madison in the late 70s?
Muchachos disqualfication controversy
in Historical Junior Corps Discussions
Posted
Pauls post should be pinned so we dont have to go through this exercise again!