Rollo Tomasi

Probably just a urban myth, but I heard that Madison was involved with two judge fatalities back in the day. One the result of a rifle strike and the other was a heart attack (captured on the judges tape in the box). Any validity to these?

A shocking notion indeed. Utilizing skajerk's logic, we should be paying more to see midseason shows that precede "watering down." Don't be "that guy."

Good stuff. I remember that insert report in the '83 DCI broadcast that focused on Klesch and the fact he was a choral major. Don't remember the college. Was it UMass? They had video of Klesch walking around on campus, grabbing tree limbs with his coke bottle glasses. Gotta love it! I believe there is a tremendous amount of respect and admiration between Klesch and Prime. It would be a tough challenge to succeed Prime anywhere, but Klesch's '85 arrangements for Garfield are amazing. It would be great to hear some Prime arrangements from Crown, or Vanguard, or even the Cavaliers. His ability to write around the incomplete two-valve bugles cannot be overstated. He was able to write within a comfortable range in the "heart" of each instrument. As a performer, you felt that he must have written the book around "your part." The activity is lucky to have these guys as part of their history. They, along with Wayne Downey, Jim Ott, and the other great arrangers are what separate drum corps from other pageantry arts. It's interesting to note that Van Doren has always considered the '85 Troopers as one of his greatest achievements. If you saw the corps live that season, you could understand why. They sounded remarkably symphonic and different than any corps on the field that season.

Myron held an informal clinic on drill writing in Bloomington (SCV's "Carmen" season, don't remember which year). It was extremely informative and Myron was very impressive as a creative designer, instructor, and manager.