the mello guy

Thanks big W for your kind review of the Brassmen.They are a great bunch of drum corps people to be playing with.I have been with them now for about 5 years ,and enjoying it alot. Billy Di Paolo St.Joseph Patron Cadets feeder corps-1964-65 St Joseph Patron Sea Cadets -1966-72 Long Island Sunrisers-1972,73,74,75,76,77,78,80 -2007 Sun HOF 2005 St Ritas Brassmen Alumni 2005---------

On DCA archives,they left off the July 17th 1976 Providence show. The scores are Sunrisers-87.20 Caballeros-86.65 Bucaneers-83.30 Skyliners-82.60 Hurricanes-79.75 Scores recorded by D.C. news

Come on Fran,you could'nt have been that bad in M&M.Especially in 78.We only lost 3 shows that entire year.We placed 2nd in those 3 losses.Just a thought here,there should be a motto for all drum corps people."In dreadful heat,monsoons,windstorms, and buggy nights,the show must go on.LOL

Like Fran said,Hot as hell. Man as soon as you stepped across the field you could feel the heat just rise up from the carpet as if we were disturbing it.Looking across the field reminded me of those movies of the French foreign legion, marching across the desert.You could see the heat rising.Doe's anyone remember those certain nights marching on grass fields,and you would be kicking up a swarm of pesky gnats.Every time you took a breath,you would inhale a load of them. Billy Di Paolo St Joseph Patron Cadets feeder corps 1964-65 St Joseph Patron Sea Cadets 1966-72 Long Island Sunrisers 1972,73,74,75,76,77,78,80,2007 St Ritas Brassmen Alumni Corps 2006-present

Maybe next year we could coax Mr Hightower into playing with the group.Would'nt that be a worth a price of admission.

The Sunrisers alumni ensamble will be making their first time ever performance in Garfield and again in Bridgeport.With so many of us in different alumni corps,we got together and will give it a go and have some fun.We will be playing a couple of John Sasso 1966 charts.Looking forward to playing.The Brassmen probably won't be doing Garfield,but will be in Bridgeport. Billy Di Paolo St.Joseph Patron Cadets Feeder corps 65-66 St Joseph Patron Sea Cadets 67-72 L.I.Sunrisers 72,73,74,75,76,77,78,80,2007 St Rita's Brassmen Alumni 2006-present Sun HoF 2005

There you go,thats what I'm talking about.Hanging in there and toughing it out.You were all very fortunate to turn it around in the same season.(very difficult)

I look back on my rookie season in Sun and recall that winter in (71) the corps was about to call it quits because of lack of members.The few vets in Sun decided to keep it going no matter what,and somehow we scraped together 36 horns and about12 drummers.We made a strong effort by DCA finals and came in 8th that year.The next two years were very difficult,again for lack of numbers.The 74 season being the worst(25 horns)We were fortunate to have a small nucleus of members who stuck it out and eventually add new people with that nucleus.1975 was to be a breakout season,and in 76 we went out with 42 horns and came in 3rd place in finals.The great Sunriser corps would come following that season.I will always be proud of being part of that building process to a championship caliber corps.I have been blessed to have won a few championships.I think of all the great players in senior corps with much more talent than I, who never won a title.To those players I have the utmost respect for because they were dedicated to their corps.To the Crusaders or any other corps that is inactive or corps struggling with getting members(my Sunrisers corps included) Hang tough and may you all be back to the field of competition. Billy D. St Joseph Patron Cadets feeder corps 64-65 St Joseph Patron Sea Cadets 66-72 L.I. Sunrisers 72,73,74,75,76,77,78,80,2007 St.Rita's Brassmen 2006-present Sun HoF 2005

Sorry to hear of Crusaders going inactive.Competed many times against them in the 70's with the Sunrisers.Good luck in the future. Billy D. St.Joseph Patron Cadets feeder corps 64-65 St Joseph Patron Sea Cadets 67-72 L.I Sunrisers 1972,73,74,75,76,77,78,80,2007 St Rita's Brassmen Alumni 2006 to present

I was getting changed in the parking lot and I heard your show from the backfield.Liked the music and you sounded great.Wish I would have been in front.I know most of your members and they are all solid horn players with a ton of drum corps experience.Wish you all the best in Rochester. Billy Di Paolo St Joe Patron Cadets feeder corps 1964-65 St Joe Patron Sea Cadets 1966-72 Long Island Sunrisers 1972-73-74-75-76-77-78-80-2007 St Ritas Brassmen Alumni corps 2007-08-09------- Sunriser HoF 2005 DCA champion 1977,1978,and 2007 Class A champion

Tony,I won't be at Wildwood,but I will see you at the alumni picnic. Billy Di Paolo

It was great to see you again Fran.Tony,if I knew you and Donna were at the show I would of stayed around a little longer.Sorry I missed you both.