LancerFi

Also, back in 93/94 I'd say over 70% didn't even know we were back together and performing at finals. The internet was not what it is today....

Hi Cutey! I too thought it gave the guard and corps a massive look with the rifles in khaki - sometimes the completely different uniform seemed to stick out a bit too much in places and with such a bright color it wasn't like it could be blended in. If I remember correctly at finals in Montreal the rifles did wear the red uniform and the exchanges seen in the Whitewater video at the end of concert were taken out. Also Spitfire was replaced by Danny Boy. There were so many changes by the time finals rolled around but the rifle work was ab fab in my opinion. I don't remember prelims as clearly as finals. Someone else will have to remember for me if the red jackets were worn during the day.

Nobody but the Kingsmen rifle line that is....

You know what, I believe you are right about that! I can't imagine what we looked like side to side but I had it pretty easy during most of the show staying 2 off of the 50. Don't know if while setting up various forms how I might have arrived there though.... Yep, not much fresh air on those stormy bus rides.....eeeeekkkkkk!

WOW indeed! I saw them at prelims in Philly. WOW is definitely the word and I was a Madison lover but on that day I was hard pressed to pick my favorite corps and show of the day!!!

I'm not sure about the other corps but I can tell you that we had the full downpour during our 13 minutes. Laying down and spinning was especially pleasing... I don't know how we held on to our rifles that night. I also remember getting back on the bus and with the humidity, I could not peel my uniform top off. That had to be one of the most uncomfortable bus rides I remember. 2 inches of water on the floor, windows all fogged up, and no chance of feeling dry what so ever. I need to go to corpsreps to see how many penalties there were - i.e. pieces of equipment dropped. Hey, fabulous pictures!!!

When you think about how little was and is worn when it's 110 in the shade, it may as well be underwear. We wore bathing suit tops with shorts much of the time. Especially in 1993/94 - the heat just felt hotter.... for us older members. I was 34 but at first my arms felt like I was maybe 94.....

I'm not sure if I totally agree with the above. Although it was a very different time when I marched, it was my experience that many people in the early 70s who could have gone to BAC, 2-7, or anyone of the D1 or even top 12 corps did not for many reasons. It was not for lack of talent nor would it have been a problem making the lines of those other corps but many times friendships were formed and loyalty was a huge factor in either joining or staying a year or 2 or 3 extra in a corps (in this case the I.C. Reveries) that was Division 1 but did not have a full complement and attended mainly local shows. Saying that these corps are not deserving of a member kind of puts these corps in a bad light. To evaluate what your organization is doing wrong and fix it might be overgeneralizing. Many years we (2-7) could not fill our lines and had people filling spots. I hope you don't think that only DIV2 & 3 have recruiting problems. I still see corps looking to fill spots here on DCP - top 12 corps. Of course as I said in the beginning, it was a very different era and there were so many fabulous drum corps within a few miles of Boston that recruiting did become somewhat of a problem. Just my 27 cents.

Thank you my dear. I appreciate what you've said. Because you've done such great work not only with the band but with your winter guards your opinion is very important to me. You don't know how much you've taught me just in conversations about drum corps. I could give you a ton of examples, but just know that I'm happy that you understand exactly what I've said (as usual).... What I don't know after marching 10 or 12 years could fill volumes and that's why I appreciate all opinions and ideas. Unfortunately I was more interested in being a member than learning the logistics of drill, etc. The fact that I was offered Denise's position for the 1982 season is beyond my comprehension. I was the rifle instructor for all of 3 weeks however there were no rehearsals during that time and my insecurities got the best of me. I attended 2 or 3 meetings with Zingali's replacement and after all is said and done, I believe he did a terrific job however I wasn't so sure while mulling over my future as the rifle instructor and the shoes that we were all going to fill. There's alot more to it but I'd rather not talk sour grapes and remember the good!

I'm not sure what experience has to do with how the activity has grown. Of course I believe that most people love/loved their corps and loved their era. I really believe if you didn't love the era or years that you were a member and look back and say it wasn't a good product then there's something wrong. You volunteer to get the crap beat out of you and the discipline and work ethic that went and goes along with being a member builds character. However, many times when you get to the top tier corps design and guard it's a preference rather than just an idea. Your opinion of a which guard is cleaner or which design is better (or any section) is just as valid as someone who marched 10 years in my opinion.

I too don't remember anything remotely like this! The best run through I was a part which I felt should have been done at least twice a year (but we only had time to do it once) was each section doing the show while the others sat in the stands. It really made me appreciate even more the other sections of the corps and the feedback from some of the horns and drummers blew me away. They had heard we were pretty good and thought we looked during sectional but until they saw a full run thru they didn't realize how much was involved. They also felt that they missed so much with just one view. In 79 or 80 again done only once, Zingali had us watch a video of our rehearsal - it was one of the weekends we used the N.E. Patriots field in Foxboro. It really does give you a new appreciation for the work that is put into a 13 minute show.

I have the original picture if you need it Steph. Both of my sisters are in this photo. I have others of this parade as well....

Sometimes I get the feeling that people that have not marched and give disparaging remarks about what a corps is doing, or what a show is worth may not realize how much work goes into any given season. Not only in most cases does management, the staff and members believe what they are doing is golden, they work their arses off to sell a show, whether they like and enjoy it or not. I marched more shows I didn't like however I still worked at 1000% as a team player to make that show a good clean and effective show. So when I hear that this or that is not as good as....I'm not sure if everyone truly understands how much blood, sweat and tears one must go thru to effectively sell that show. Also, the things that take place during all days and tour are very draining on both staff and members. The thing that most irritates me are comments about corps that have won many titles and will continue to.....you can like a corps or a show or hate it, however to speak like those directors, management and staff don't know what they are doing might not truly understand the logistics of putting a championship corps together year after year - you can speak badly of them and disagree with them but I feel until you've made their kind of history, I would try to learn from them rather than hate on them....

Jim, thank you so much for remembering my Dad with kindness. He went full out from maybe 1963 to about 1969 or 70. During the early 60s he was the manager and I remember a get together where he gave the reigns to George and the rest is history. He thought it was a great idea that I join the Reveries as it was the original feeder corps and where my sisters had begun and that's where I met lifelong friends, some went to 2-7 and some to North Star. In 72 or 73 I was going to march in 2-7 but Pa Scopa didn't love the idea because of my age but as you know by 1974 the guard had 11 and 12 year olds although you never could tell. I too am teary eyed thinking about the friendships we made so long ago - we didn't know it then but they would be everlasting. I too think of the years we marched as more of a homie crowd. The guard was mostly a Revere crowd during our era as well. I'm so happy that you're here on DCP to share your memories and stories. I truly look forward to your posts! Your parents were such wonderful, kind people and I will always remember them.

As far as I remember she was a sabre.....we did have a rifle from Canada in 1979 - Michele was her name.

I have to tell you, we went to look at the house and we were very interested in buying it. One of the alums (a real estate agent) asked me if I was buying it because I loved the house, or because of the memories. I truly couldn't answer, it would have to be both. I was there when they poured the foundation on that house and the amenities it had I had never seen before. I was always blown away by the room to room intercoms. It seemed like a huge house when I was a child and it was bigger than life as I grew to be an adult. So many evenings that turned into mornings putting double silks on their polls the night before Bayonne. Living at the bottom of the street 3 houses down had its advantages - being on call was usually a blessing although I didn't know it then.... I do have to say that I thought many a winter night I would die as we pulled (I mean slid) the equipment truck into the driveway - a sheet of ice.....I used to pray - however I had great faith in Paul (Pa) Scopa....RIP Dad.... Oh did I love that man. And he loved every kid he ever met.

Have to go with my own 27 - 1980

You know, when you mention the example above, I must say that even after marching 10 or 11 years, I am no authority on horn lines nor drum lines. So, maybe had I paid more attention to what it is that truly makes one horn line great and another not so great, it would only be my opinion of the style and what sounds good to me. Also, I kind of took up my own little space, trying to be the best I could be. I could have soaked in more information however I never saw myself aging out and becoming an instructor although I would have loved that life, I believe some people are performers, others are teachers and some are both. :)

In 94 after our performance one of the commentators was not kidding when he said George B breathed the corps, bled the corps.....and so on (paraphrasing here) He and the entire Bonfiglio family gave up not only their home lives but their home many times to raise money to keep the corps afloat. I've witnessed so many selfless acts by each of them which showed their love and devotion for the corps but more importantly the kids! Their door was always open and in the beginning (circa 67) the house would be full of members and friends. That continued on for years and years. Christmas Eve was a very important night for George B. - usually the DM and captain would visit and bring a bottle - George loved that! Many would visit that evening, not just the bossmen-but I believe he really was tickled that we would be there and not home - however we were home! And on Mothers Day, Patsy would get her usual 27 roses. I don't remember not practicing on Mother's Day and that was always a part of the day. Anyway, just a few cents added from a lifetime of memories.....

I truly loved the 1981 2-7 show.....no bias at all, I just thought is was maybe the most well rounded 2-7 corps ever fielded.

Ike Ianessa - RIP... had a certain method of teaching as well as making sure a lesson was learned the first time. He was the greatest!!

double post

I can remember in 1976 going with Jerry Boyle on Friday evenings to the rink in Saugus for hockey practice?-game? The only other people I remember being there was Sharky and Michael Dustin - I don't remember specifics or even remember the team traveling but I do know that there was a heavy Roslindale influence It may have been midnight, however I also remember bowling on Friday evenings at midnight as well. I guess I had alot more energy back then....could burn the candle at both ends....

I loved marching parades...odd as that may sound. Anyway, I wish there was a corps close by, I'd be happy to help fill the ranks for parades......

That's who I thought it was - Tim Higgins - I thought they marched later than Giant. Bobby Cassidy was my crush I think.... :P (when you say Mike's older brother, I'm not sure who you're referring to) I ended up with a different Bobby..... Thanks for the info!!