BariBrian

If I had a corp, and didn't want to get nailed in competions during the year, I would not try to back out of anything that I didn't have a VERY GOOD reason for.

VERY TRUE STORY In 1975 the Avant Garde made membership that year, later towards 1976, we faced a problem of not being able to fulfill our touring obligations to the fullest. We were told, (and I'm paraphrasing) that if we do not meet our obligation then we can expect no help from DCI in any way in our future. None of us knew what that meant, being rookies. However, we were able to make it back to DCI that year in Philly, with a better show, a more talented corps, and we were destroyed. placing 39th. I'm not sure if not touring had anything to do with the score, but just the week before, the corps that we were beating up to that point would have placed us somewhere in the top 25 for certain. I'm sure that nothing like that goes on now, but,, DCI was still in its infancy then, and who knows how or why things work the way they do. However, alot of eastern corps had there problems in those times HUH?

Also, there was a major difference between their Prelim Preformane and the finals. They were very good in the prelims, but they were fantastic in the finals. ON FIRE. I thought I was witnessing a major upset in the making. Same in 75

Actually, the Purple Lancers came in 10th that year. The times that day were all screwed up. The Corp that I marched with (The Emerald Knights from Saratoga NY) were scheduled first that Morning. When we arrived, we found out that they had moved our step off time up by 15 minutes. Three of our members that arrived by car and were tied up in the heavy traffic that the show caused, watched us step off without them.

Individualism is missing in my opinion. Once again, I mean no offense to the corps of today, in fact, I find you all very talented. More then we were back in the day. Its just that back then, most corps had their own VERY distinctive style. You didn't even have to see the corp back then. You knew who they were, even if they were warming up around the corner. I suppose if I had any complaint about the corps of today (aside from the electronics) Its that few corps have an identity. Now, I know I'll hear that there are pleanty of corps that do, and I'm sure that you have a great point. Before you do though, let me just say the following; 27th, SCV, Hawthorne, Kilts, Blue Devils, the Troopers (Jim Jones), Phantom Regiment, Anaheim Kingsmen and yes the Garfield Cadets. These are just a few great corps that worked hard to keep their Individualism, and a couple of cases are still doing it. The corps today are superior in talent and resources , but many fall into the "Cookie Cut"idea of an excellent corp, and they are excellent, but, no personality that endears them to the fans. Fans still talk about Hawthorne and the Bridgemen, because they stood out. I've been following drum corps for close to 45 years now, and the corps have steadily advanced in music and talent and design. They just (IMHO) lack identity. Find a style, Preform it well, don't be afraid to play it loudly when its time and don't forget the past, meaning that just because you're moving forward, it won't hurt to look back and learn. Its a great discusion. It says you never stop looking for ways to be excellent. Its says that you don't want to be stagnant

Most of those things at one time or another were done by the Bridgemen in the 70's & early 80's (except for the artificial sound equipment) Get your hands on some of their DVD's and see what inovation really was. No Offence meant

Which Emerald Knights Keith? My Emerald Knights from Saratoga were sponsered by the Bethesda Church, for a short time

Was an "exception" made here, and the letter of the rule was not enforced? Yep.....however, I think most would agree that a horrible injustice would have been done to the corps if the circumstances were not considered, and was certainly different then any other overage case in drum corps history. GB I must RESPECTFULLY disagree with you on this point.,,,,I agree that they (SCV) should not have been disqualified. JUST as I believe that the three eastern corps. should NOT have been. The KIDS in those corps had no control over choices that were made, JUST as the SCV KIDS had no idea, and even if they had known, how do they over ride an administrative decision? . It was their sweat and dedication all year that was ruined. Corps are not just some icon or name. They are made up of kids that work hard, sometimes go on tour with not enough money to even eat properly. I had to stand on corners during coin drops and car washes and whatever, to raise money to do something I loved more then Breathing, as MOST of us did. NO ONE who had to do that, deserved to be disqualified. Anyone that says different, is NOT thinking of the individuals that make up the organizations Saying that the WHOLE corps. should be punished for an individuals decision, is kinda like finding one bad apple in the bag, and then throwing the whole bag away

BRAVO!!!!!!! This is excellent! Disqualifing a whole corps full of innocent kids, because of a rule infraction was completely out of line. Penelties should have been made, for certain. I can not speak for every corps from 75, but I KNOW there were MANY more marching over age. What a shame, and such terrible long term effects for that FINE , FINE drum corp.

I totally agree. Their Hornline was among the finest I have ever heard. I always loved to compete against them, because I got to hear them. For what its worth, they were a fine corps as well and very much under valued in NY.

I marched in that show, and in fact The Avant Garde Toured pretty much the same tour as Spirit so we got to see them perform alot that year and let me say that I totally agree with you. They were Massive, they were new and exciting and they were Freakin LOUD!!!!!!!! Not as polished perhaps as 79 & 80, but 100% MORE EXCITING. My ears were almost bleeding after seeing them for the first time in Virginia that year. WOW

Yeah They were great. Always entertaining and always different. One of the very best in the early 70's in my opinion

Found this also on the Blue Rock website 1974 DCI East Cawley Stadium - Lowell, Ma. 1. Hawthorne Muchachos 83.65 2. Garfield Cadets 77.60 3. Purple Lancers 76.85 4. Cardinals 76.10 5. 27th Lancers 74.35 6. Blue Rock 73.35 7. Pembroke Imperials 69.95 8. Bridgemen 68.00 74 was not too bad of a year for them and many others. Sadly we lost them after this in Jr. Competition

Keith it seems to me that you are corect about 73 as well, but I couldn't find a score for them

Have you lost contact with the people you marched with? Sign In Major Shows Submit Scores New Scores Links 2010 Scores 2010 Calendar 2010 Contest List Contest Search SEARCH Year (YYYY) Corps Name Show Name City of Show Show Date FOR Friday August 16, 1974 Ithaca NY DCI World Championships - Prelims STADIUM: Schoellkopf Field DCI Position Corps Score 1 Madison Scouts 87.750 2 Kingsmen 86.850 3 Santa Clara Vanguard 86.600 4 Kilties 84.450 5 Troopers 84.400 6 DeLaSalle Oaklands 84.000 7 Muchachos 83.050 8 Phantom Regiment 81.800 9 Cavaliers 81.650 10 Purple Lancers 81.600 11 Blue Devils 80.550 12 Blue Stars 79.400 13 Polish Falcon Cadets 76.950 14 Commodores 76.700 15 Black Knights 76.450 16 Blue Rock 75.900 17 Regiment Militaire 75.750 17 Royal Crusaders 75.750 19 Garfield Cadets 75.150 20 27th Lancers 73.500 21 Percussion-naut Patriots 72.050 22 Pioneer 71.100 23 Beverly Cardinals 70.450 24 Squires 70.150 25 Precisionnaires 70.100 26 Bridgemen 69.400 27 Valley Grenadiers 69.250 28 St. Francis Xavier Sancians 68.800 29 Americanos 68.050 30 Pembroke Imperials 67.450 31 Marion Cadets 67.100 32 Surfers 66.150 33 Argonne Rebels 65.300 34 Toronto Optimists 64.600 35 Audubon Bon Bons 64.350 36 Charioteers 63.750 37 Boston Crusaders 62.600 38 Grenadiers (NY) 62.500 39 Guardsmen 61.000 40 Belvederes 60.750 41 General Butler Vagabonds 60.250 42 CMCC Warriors 59.650 42 Gauchos 59.650 44 Emerald Knights (NY) 56.600 45 Iron Brigade 55.200 46 Northern Aurora 54.600 47 Sir Thomas More Cadets 51.750 48 St. John's 51.450 49 Silhouettes 50.150 50 Floridians 49.950 51 Mello-Dears 49.650 52 Defenders 44.900 53 Appleknockers 40.550 54 Legion Vanguard 40.200 55 Les Chatelaines 39.950 56 84th Bucktail Regiment 27.000 57 Kinsmen 22.800 Show results for this contest with repertoire information. Click on the corps name to display detailed repertoire information for 1974 and the scores for all contests for that corps. Related Shows: DCI World Championships August 17, 1974 The schedule information on our site reflects our current understanding of the plans of the various circuits. Be sure to check with the circuit or show sponsor as the schedule is subject to change. Send your comments about this site to info@corpsreps.com for general site comments and questions scores@corpsreps.com for score additions and corrections Copyright © 1996-2003 Maher Associates, Inc. Hosted by Modotech, Inc. - specializing in Internet applications for insurance. The Brass Shop for your brass and percussion needs, including new instruments, repairs and preventive maintenance programs. Historical Drum Corps Publications Blog Preserve Our Corps Memories - thousands of restored corps recordings available to make custom CDs. Fleetwood CDs also available. Drum Corps Miniatures

My Avant Garde friends will hate me for this but I really liked the Watkins Glen Squires in 76. Superb show and well done

Actually, it was 1974 and they came in 16th in the prelims at Ithaca according to CorpRep

I mis understood. Sorry,,I thought you were talking in any given year, What year were they top twelve? 73?

I might be wrong, the old memory ain't what it use to be, but I believe they marched in the 72 DCI's although I'm not sure of their placement. Thats somthing you'd find on Corprep

Oh Man,, I'll never forget the Bellville Black Knights and how impressive they were. I was also very impressed with the Precisonaires that same year

Thanks Donel, but be careful. Don't wanna make your Hubby Jealous =)

This is another great point. We had so many choices back then. Even the choice of Good person / Bad Person. I was brought in a town that was very tough and economicaly depressed even back then. However, it was also a town that supported (This is no lie) Seven (yes 7) drum and bugle corps all at the same time. Many of thos corps were responsible for making great kids out of kids that could have gone either way. As they disapeared (the corps) the kids started making other choices, some good, but most not so good. Hopefully someone at DCI with VISION beyond its members finds a way to develop new corps, or else even the Elite corps will someday sucumb from lack of membership with no places to draw from

Donel I wish you and Greg the very best with the New Year and the Excelsior. I wish that I were in the position to march, but thats a long story. However, if there are ANY Avant Garde members out there reading this and are local. I certainly hope that they embrace another oppurtunity to capture that feeling that we all had together once again. It was a feeling that I've never experienced since. All you AG members out there in the Capital Dist area MARCH LOCAL!!!!

BRAVO my friends. VERY well said

I would just make one correction here if I may. The Volunteers were not part of that original Merger. It was between the Spieglaires and the Emerald Knights. I salute you for what you are doing with Excelsior and wish you the very best. I will also say that if ANY of my old friends are out there and considering marching again to please march with our LOCAL friends in Excelsior. Best wishes Mrs. Mataruga