Drumbo

Holy Cow. Whats your criteria for the Bucs with only an 88? I would see tho point spread to be closer. Maybe a tie.

Are you serious? Cabs in Second Place

I read Tom Peashey's article with great interest, In the Cavalcade of champions program book,and found it very informative. However, what I found very out of line, was the reference to many corps, their locations, and no mention of the Reading Buccaneers 6 undefeated seasons and the winning of 6 DCA Championships. Tom did refer to the Renegades, Minnesota Brass, Govenaires and other great corps about their fine performances,what they are doing, and their wonderful contributions to the overall success of DCA. I say is this a flub or a snub? C'mon Tom, you and DCA are suposedly a fair group, what were you thinking? Surely it was an oversight. It had to be for sure! Drumbo

Fran was there sitting in a folding chair, on the track, in front of Section F

Scores were up last night. I checked after returning from Wildwood around 1:30 AM but their were no recaps and they still were not posted as of Sunday at 1:00 PM. All corps weren't bad considering the first show jitters. It was hard watching the Sunrisers after seeing so many great shows back in the day. The Cabs also didn't look good. Their show was just a ho hum show from the past, and with only 4 snare drummers it was really hard to take. Especially when the Cabs alumni had a full legion of percussion, that although playing a strictly rudimental show, did play well and most of all,entertained the auddience as did the rest of the corps. Soloists Kurt Hawkins, and George Hadley were almost at mid season form. You cant call them trumpet solos as Kurt still uses a 2 valve bugle and George is using a "G" horn. A very fine performance The Reading Buccaneers have another Bobby Jones signature drill that never stops, and again their choice of music was very good, playing a semi classical show that was very recognizable. Rich Hammond's drum line again cooks up another barn burner with a "killer pit." Again the Bucs are to be delt with.

Buccaneers are going to be in the area but I am not sure what parades they will be in.

Dare I say the word "March?" There is a plethora, (If I can use your word,) of wonderful concert marches available that, God forbid, are not military . And BTW what would be wrong with something from the military? The Marines have been exciting crowds with it since for ever. Their are also many pieces of operatic literature available that would be outstanding in a drum corps setting.

If we are going to include "Of All Time," Then how could we forget Butch Anderson?

You are right Fran, George, like John Wayne, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Red Skeleton, he will never be replaced. OOOPS, I forgot to add in Pepe Notaro. And BTW, I have heard you sing!!!! But I am glad that you and Barb participated in this great tribute.

You are right Fran, George, like John Wayne, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Red Skeleton, he will never be replaced. OOOPS, I forgot to add in Pepe Notaro. And BTW, I have heard you sing!!!! But I am glad that you and Barb participated in this great tribute.

I remember Marcia and she was very good. Probably saw Laurie Kunzel but I don't remember her. Lets not forget Josh Decker of the Bucs prior to Chuck Jacobs. In my humble opinion he was the best i have ever seen in drum corps. When he directed the Bucs Alumni at their home show in Reading, To a man the members of the Alumni credited him with drawing out the best they have ever played. They sounded better than ever and it was amazing how Josh drew out the secondary parts and exploited the Dynamics as he did. They were the best that night.

I would think that his people skills and charisma would far and above out weigh his conducting. "Perhaps not the best:" Ray I know you have been to a lot of shows and have been in the activity for many years. But how many of todays drum Majors have you seen that are equal to his conducting. Not too many in the DCA ranks, thats for sure.

None! What we have now is only the begining. It won't take long for ambitious dtrectors to push the envelope to enclude all types of gismos etc. Went to a Marching Band show last Sat night and only 2 bands out of about ten used sound. It was very refreshing to hear some of the bigger bands just wail without any electronics! No sound for me!!!!

I noticed in the last couple of midwest shows that Eastern judges were involved. Namely, Judy Ulchinsky, John Stauffer and Not sure but I think Joe Nee is from the East. The 2 shows That I am refering two were both in Minnesota. St. Paul, and St Peter

I am a drum corps fan from way, way back. I haven't ever seen a bad drum corps or a bad show. Although, I have to take issue with those that say the Renegades were dumped for various reasons. What is the East coast Bias, and what games did Minnesota Brass play? Someone said if that were true, (the games) why did the Scouts score so well. Thought the Renegades had a great show and was glad to see straight ahead drum corps rather than the "dead" stuff they have done in the past It was rather refreshing. But perhaps it wasn't quite good enough. C'mon drum corps fans, stop insinuating that the establishment is against them or anybody else for that matter. Aplaude their efforts and the fact they came all the way from the "Left Coast" to participate as did SoCal Dream As for the Cabs fans, I think you will readily agree that had they had an up to date drill, rather than old style drill that they performed, they would have been right up there in the upper echelon of the final 3. Their music was as always, superb, and their drumming wasn't all that bad either. As I have been a Bucs fan frrom the 60's when I first saw them, I must say that I am pleased with their score and placement. I also have a relative who is high up in their instructional staff, so that too will influence my thoughts. But I love Drum Corps and as long as it has drums and bugles in it, I will love watching them and that includes Minn,Brass, Kilties, the cabs and all others who played their hearts out. Finally I wish the "Soothsayers would stop saying things like,"It was riged," the judges are Biased, playing games etc.. It is a competive sport where someone wins and someone loses and that is the facts. Like football,"on any given Sunday"

Boy you guys had a great time............Sounds like the Crossmen in the 80's with those delapadated 04 GM coaches 1959 models

Sayer............Conversely A corp that might be mediocre with a great drum line still has a chance

Thanx for the great review. AS the body grows older so do the ears and it is hard for me to hear all of the nuances that you guys do. I did appreciate your honesty and thoroughly enjoyed the review. One question.........Why nothing about the Bucs Drum Line? Arguably one of their stronger points!

I have noticed that most of the PA judges spend a lot of time in front of the pit this year. I tried to get an answer out of my son but all he did was grumble alot. Could it be that they are listening for pit to brass coordination. But the amount of time that I saw different judges doing this seemed very long for that.

I agree with that!!! I am an old drummer and it is sometimes hard for me to recognize who is better etc. But I can read the recaps and the Bucs have been consistantly ahead in the last two or so years. so whether they are dirty or not, how do you explain that? Another thing you must remember is that the Snare line is very young and has few veterans. So give the Battery instructors a lot of credit for achieving what they have. I personally am glad that my ears are not as good as they were because I can enjoy all of the lines and not consistantly pick out errors. Their is a lot of drumming in Drum Corps and thankfully the writers and instructors come closer and closer to being a ligitimate percussion ensemble than ever before. Lets hear it for all corps drum lines, horns, guards too.