jkyeag

We are saddened to report that Glenn Opie passed away last Sunday, August 11, 2013. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, Kansas on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. Glenn had a major impact on the lives of thousands of young people, the community of Great Bend, and the drum corps activity in general. Please keep Sandra and the Opie family in your prayers. http://bryantfh.net/sitemaker/sites/BRYANT1/obit.cgi?user=1062385Opie

Perhaps the following link will help you fill in the blanks regarding Sandra, including those related to gender: http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=57da81c4-d1fa-4438-b8b9-6e2478272910

This was Sandra's line. Frank Minear (Kenton's lead trumpet player) penned the Kenton scores(Fanfare for the New, and Malaga), pulling them directly from Kenton's charts. Kenny Norman arranged Stars and Stripes, including the C strain (which everyone avoids). Yes, we were playing the lendary Olds Ultratone valve/rotor bugles. I too, would love to hear today's players give these a try.

So, could a corps named after an American Legion post (Argonne Post #180) do well in VFW national competition? Maybe only Tony knows! ; ) As was the case with many things, Argonne's relationship with the vetrans organizations was a little unique. Argonne was clearly and American Legion drum corps. However, our rise as a national power was driven by our participation in the VFW National Championships. In 1968 our "bus ticket" to VFW Nats in Detroit was a thank you card to Argonne Post #180. Literally, each member had to turn in a thank you card to get on the bus. Having said that, most of our fathers had dual memberships in both the AL and VFW. The bigger issue was having to explain to the Kansas State AL Music Committee why we turned down the prize money ($5,000) for winning the AL State Championship and went to Detroit. They were not pleased. Of course, the American Legion had a tendancy to schedule their national conventions to coflict with school start times. That, often times, made it easier to justify. Jeff Yeager Argonne, '67 - '74 Kingsmen Alumni Corps, '07

It absolutely did NOT die in 1971. It was unleashed. Unfortunately over the last 40 years the activity has morphed into something that not many (including probably the founding DCI Directors) would have imagined. Those who have taken the time to read the entire thread (despite the title) are probably a little more informed. Irrespective of the trials and tribulations, I wouldn't trade my eight years in the activity for any other period. I am thrilled to have experienced the height of veteran drum corps activity, ...and I am proud to say I am a charter member of DCI. It was a great ride. Jeff Yeager Argonne, 1967 - 1974 Kingsmen Alumni Corps, 2007

This is an interesting point, ......but by the late 60's/early '70s the money required to support a regional or nationally touring corps had outstriped the financial means of most local AL and VFW posts. Outside sponsorships were being sought. Remember the First Federal Blue Stars and the First National Bank logo on a Cavalier base drum? Keep in mind also that most AL/VFW state and national music committees were manned by those with no/limit musical backgrounds. They were simply veterans trying to support their respective organizations. As the activity grew in sophistication, that became problematic. Had this model survived, the activity would have died with the veterans organizations that controlled it. Things had come to a head.

I would again refer you to Jeff Mitchell's post on the Evolution of Scoring Performance (section II - The Era of Transition) at: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.ma...32f13681d7b7c09 There were differing interpretations of the "Total Show Concept". Musical evolution through the 70's was substantial. Those changes did take hold, and were contantly evolving. If your view of the "Total Show" was one of a themed/theatrical presentation, ....not so much. The thought that shows during this period were piece together may be a little misplaced (IMHO).

Looks like we are there. I think this is were I jump off the band wagon.

I am not even sure how that works. The sheets that have impacted DCI era corps have been evolving for 40 years. It will never be an apples to apples comparison from year to year.

Emil Pavlik

Please see the following for varying perspectives on the "Summer of '71". This is really a pretty good thread. http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/inde...howtopic=108401

Those who have taken the time to read this thread probably want to see these pictures from the 1971 World Open parade and show. There are many pages. Make sure you see them all. Most everyone was on the East Coast in mid-July, 1971. Great, great memories....... Thanks, Baja. http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/inde...67&st=16470 Jeff Yeager Argonne 1967 - 1974 Kingsmen Alumni Corps 2007

Argonne's interpretation of the total show concept was different than the vast majority of corps in 1971. Sandra believed that the total show concept was about the merging of of the musical components (drums and bugles) with the visual to achieve an integrated musical presentation. It was NOT that you needed a themed show. In the 5.0 LP, Sandra held the '68 and '69 Kilties up as examples of corps with a similar approach. In the late 60s, it was generally believed on the Great Plains of Kansas that the road to the top of the brass pile went through Racine, Wisconsin. It was clear that these young men where getting instruction that others were not. They were very, very good.

Abigail, Are you going to post your capstone project so we can read it? Allie,.....Allie,....Allie.....

Here is some more scoop on Sandra: http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=5...b9-6e2478272910 and a picture, too. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2196/227701...9d7a997e1_o.jpg