Sweendoc

What a great time had by all at the docks! Super performances by U.S. Navy drum and bugle corps, Annapolis drum & bugle corps, Heartliner from Germany, Sacramento Freelancers, and Ghost Riders. The massed ensemble was open to anyone who wanted to perform. What a treat for me to be able to stand beside the legendary Donny Allen and super soloist Frank Ponzo! Thanks to my friend Mike Siglow for bringing a music stand. Afterwards met some nice folks from Heartliner at a restaurant on the waterfront. Glad to represent Steel City Ambassadors along with Bob Fitz and John Gruphofer.

Thanks Donny!

I can't find any news about the performances on Thursday evening on the docks. What corps/mini's, etc. are scheduled? DCA's webpage just lists time but no line up. Is there a posting somewhere with this information? Thanks

Jim, just read your post about 150th Gettysburg. Many of us there were former drum corps guys. At the battle of the bands on July 5th I was there having marched with Derry Patriots, Erie Thunderbords, Westshoremen, and Steel City Ambassadors. Several friends who were former Butler Vagabonds, a few former members of the Bridgrftermen, Concord Blue Devils, and various other corps were also in attendance. Many of the other buglers I met at the reenactment battles had drum corps experience. I also had the privilege of meeting Mr. Frank Doritte just after our brass band performed in town. I was surprised yet pleased so many reenactors were former and current drum corps people! By the way, I meet you a few years back at Gettysburg College as were waiting for the corps, Hanover Lancers, Cadets, etc., to perform for the brass band festival.

It was all about price. The Duratone was the same horn as the Ultratone. The Duratone had a brushed chrome finish rather than the highly polished chrome, but it was 40 percent cheaper! That's why we bought a whole line of Duratones for the Derry Patriots in 1973. Kept the cost down, the inside of the bell had the highly polished look.

Wow! Great time at rehearsal! It's such an honor to stand and play in a lead sop line with the likes of all those great players. I wish all those who have passed on were here to see it...Rob, Denny, 2 Bernie's, Don, Ed, Bill, and anyone else I left out, we miss you!

Junior corps for about 10 years in the Derry Patriots, then I marched RCA and DCA with Erie Thunderbirds in 1976. The Patriots folded in "77 or at least did not do field competitions and I chose to go to senior corps because my friend marched there. Several of the former Patriot members did march DCI with the Royal Crusaders from Finleyville. Because I had left the corps (Patriots) a year earlier, I did not accompany those who went to Royal Crusaders. Spent a year with the T-Birds then ended up with Westshore and then Steel City competitively. So I never technically marched DCI, although I would have relished the thought of being a Madison Scout or a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard!!!

1980 Westshoremen, we did a concert for the hotel patrons in the swimming pool in Canton, Ohio. Ray Eyler (horn instructor) sat on an inflatible raft! The sopranos were in the deep end of the pool, which was funny because most of us were short! (Except tree!). One of the judges at the competition later that night remarked, "I hope you guys got the water out of your horns!". He made his comment on his judging tape, we did okay although I can't remember where we placed that night.

Don truly was a great guy, very sad news. We all will miss him. Rest in peace.

Bernie Halgas, one of Steel City Ambassadors alumni founding members, lost his battle with cancer on December 29, 2008. Bernie played soprano and was a member of the board of directors of the corps. Bernie always reminded me of Raphael Mendez, both by his appearance and his playing. He was a great guy and will be sadly missed by the entire Steel City family. From one half of the "Prima-Donna" clan, farewell old friend...

Terrible blow to the drum corps community. I met Cozy at the 2006 DCA finals. My wife and I stayed at the Doubletree in Rochester along with the CorpsVets and Renegades. Cozy saw my Steel City jacket and introduced himself. I told him we knew John Zaragoza with the CorpsVets and he smiled and we "shot the breeze" for about 2 hours! I had the honor of marching in finals with the CorpsVets as a member of their A-Squad. In my brief encounter with Cozy, I realized that he truly was a class act and an all-around fun guy.

I too had the same privilege as Rabbit sitting between the two greats this past Sunday. Riggie was my childhood idol, and by the way still is, and Curt amazes us all with his mastery of the horn. How lucky can I be?

Hey Gary, thanks for your kind words on my site. Good luck on your endeavor to get back on the field. Are you going to compete as the Erie Thunderbirds? Any chance you guys will get Bink Kist and Gary Bernas out of retirement to march? I had a great time coming to the T-Birds with them in "76! Gregg

Just a note: The alumni corps was a "one-time" get together, after 30 years. There are no plans to continue this effort. Although maybe we'll try it again in another 30 years!

For anyone interested, I've put up a webpage as a tribute to the former Derry Patriots and the Derry Patriots Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps. I'm not a pro at this web stuff, so it's pretty humble. But I figured someone ought to post a page for our old corps. Address is www.freewebs.com/sweendoc Eventually I will change the sight to derrypatriots.org, but for now it is the site listed above. I appreciate any comments on the stuff posted. Thank you in advance. Gregg Sweney

It was back in January and I was bored. My student teacher was doing her thing and I was setting at my laptop reading drum corp planet posts. I thought it would be a good idea to ask who was left playing G bugles. It seems that now in retrospect, it was a bad idea. My humble apologies to anyone who is so annoyed at this thread. It was not my original intention for this thing to go on and on and on and morph into what it has. I was just interested in knowing who was still playing on G horns. Again my apology to those who have been offended.

Just trying to engage in intelligent conversation, that's all. Whether or not you agree, it's okay to discuss anything we chose to including G and Bb horns!

Sorry guys, I really didn't intend this to be a G vs. Bb thing... But what the heck, since I stirred up a hornets nest, let's go one step further. Has anyone ever thought of starting a new organization or circuit to feature G lines only? I remember the old RCA and other circuits. I realize it's a question of economics, but would it be permissible for a corps to compete in two different circuits? Would DCA allow Renegades or anyone else for that matter to compete in a G only circuit? I know some will agrue that the 3 valve G horns played today are technically not bugles, but you must draw a line in the sand somewhere and I believe it to be the switch to Bb horns. So has anyone ever thought about creating a new circuit?

Is it safe to assume that sooner or later everyone will be using "any key" instruments? Is it inevitable? Will Kanstul and others stop making G horns? I guess what I'm saying is, " is the G Bugle dead?" It sure seems that way. With the exception of those few corps mentioned, the passion to save G bugles is gone. The corps that I thought would not acquiesce were some of the first to switch, e.g., Cabs, Bucs, etc. It is somewhat reminecient of the old horse soldier not wanting to relinquish his faithful steed for the newfangled mechanical horse. "You can't stand in the way of progress!" is the mantra of those who subscribe to such philsophies. Although some still maintain a pious-like devotion of affection to G horns and to a soon-to-be forgotten era. I guess that's why I teach history and do Civil War reenacting. Does anyone else feel this way, or is this just the rantings of a gray-haired 50 year old?

Thanks for the info. Good luck to the Hurcs this year, but I'll sure miss the G horns.

While viewing some DCA corps sites, I've noticed that the Hurcs are going to sport new Bb bugles. This is their language on the webpage. Any Hurc out there please tell me about Bb bugles. I think Scout House from Canada uses Bb bugles, but is this the way the Hurcs are breaking it to us that they are switching to "any key" instruments? What corps are left in G? Are there any? I don't mean this post to be a place to argue G vs. Bb, heaven knows it's been done quite enough, but I'm interested in knowing the remaining DCA corps left in G. Am I correct in guessing that Empire, Brigs, and CorpsVets are using G bugles? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks

In our little alumni corps, (Steel City) we have 4 contras. One of the guys plays a valve-rotor horn. He does this by choice. The rest of the guys play 2 valve horns. The valve-rotor guy loves the stability of holding the horn, plus he contends that it is easier to finger!!!

Hey Paul, good to hear from you. I'll bring my Bach to rehearsal and let you try it out. Maybe you'll like it too! Gregg