kstein

When I ran into Mason at the airport prior to the 92 season, he gleefully told me about the plan for the program. He was giddy about the fact that "everyone loves a patriotic show" and predicted that veterans, adults, children, pets - everyone would love it. After the wonderful (my favorite) 1990 show and the terrific 1991 show, this was just such a step backwards in terms of visual design and overall concept. All Star people will tell you the 1992 hornline was the best (I agree), but it just look and felt like the world's best HS band patriotic show. Terrific talent in the corps and gorgeous brass charts, in particular, but just not a great package. The pandering plan of Mason did not result in "everyone loving" the corps. The boos continued, even with a patriotic show. Kind of got the same vibe from Cadets this year. The Christmas concept just seemed to forced and cheesy, and was an unfortunate package for a very talented group of kids.

The noise from the corps warming up has been a problem in Allentown every year. Likely not solvable due to the geography of the area and the limited amount of space for the corps to warm up.

Paging Barbara Maroney...and a good forger to work on her birth certificate.

Madison has had one of the top staffs in drum corps for the past two years. Their placement with these staffs is a matter of record. They can change the "parts" of the staff - and opt for one high profile "name" over another, they can hype all they want on various forums, but until their design is substantially improved and until they can prove they can recruit a much higher caliber of talent, they are nowhere near the Carolina Crown product, as it stands today. I root for the continuing existence and success of all drum corps, but honestly I don't think the hyperbole has helped the Scouts at all. A humble, low key, hard working, hard recruiting effort is what's needed now to get these guys near the top 6. Sadly all I see is a repeat of the last few years' "plan". So, in answer to the initial question of the OP, no.

I believe Saturday the 9th. First I heard of it was when I started seeing videos of the corps on Facebook. Like you, I am terribly sad not to have been there. Joanie said it was absolutely lovely.

Michael, Many of us didn't know and sadly missed this opportunity to celebrate Bob's life. Apparently it was a rather quick decision made by the family, but I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the heartfelt speeches and the performance by the Star U gang. I spoke to Joanie last week and while many of us wish we could have been there, clearly the ceremony was healing and helpful to the family, so I am very, very glad for that. Best, Karen

The back-to-back losses of Bob Lendman and Bill Cook is so devastating for the extended Star of Indiana community. While we've known for decades that we only had Bill on borrowed time, the news of his passing has shaken and saddened all of us. As the first DM of Star, Bill and I had a funny and wonderful relationship, which started off during the first camp when several of my Jersey friends and I assumed he was the corps hall custodian. When he insisted he was Bill Cook, the eccentric philanthropist who had funded this whole thing but we had yet to meet at that point, we actually asked him to produce his ID to prove it. Amused, he did just that...although that may have been the last time I ever say him with his wallet on him! And so began my introduction to a dear friend, a treasured mentor, and perhaps the only drum corps fan whose enthusiasm and love for the activity matched (surpassed?) my own. Most of you will only ever know of a fraction of what Bill has done for the activity. His intellect, kindness, and integrity may only have been matched by his humility. I am a better person for having known him, and he certainly used his time on earth to make it a better place. Bill was also a funny, eclectic, and stubborn individual, and I hope as we are able to reign in our sadness over the next few days that we can begin to share some of the wonderful stories so many of us have and share those treasured memories of a dear friend, so terribly missed. May you Wish Upon a Star forever, dear Bill. My love to Gayle and Carl and all of those who knew and loved him, Karen

Because he chose never to be the public facing "voice" of Star of Indiana, many don't know what an important part of that corps' history Bob played. Bob was working for Bill Cook when Bill got the nutty idea to start a corps in Bloomington. Bob was the person who talked him through the financial part of the process, found the busses and trucks, brought in the key support staff and instructional staff, and convinced the veteran members who came to march there that this was indeed a "real" deal. Bob and Moe Latour called in tons of favors to get the corps bookings that first year. (We were on first, but we had a full slate of shows.) Bob kept everything running from behind the scenes, and without him there not only would not have been a Star in 1985, but there likely would not have been a Star of Indiana ever. When you consider all he did for the Pink Team, as well as his outstanding contributions to both the Blue Stars and the Phantom Regiment, it is truly hard to think of many people who contributed more to this activity and impacted more young lives than Bob. I met Bob in 1985. I had come from the Bridgemen to check out this crazy new corps that this even crazier millionaire had decided to start in Indiana. DeLucia, Dubinsky, Zingali, Sylvester, Cesario, Kerschner, and others helped to coax me there. The idea that somebody might have figured out how to fund my beloved activity For Real was the main attraction for this particular age out. I didn't believe my beloved Bridgemen would be able to even limp to the field for another year, knowing full well how tragic their finances were, and this seemed like the ideal situation in which to start and run and drum corps and I wanted to see it for myself. So I found myself at a school in the middle of a cornfield in the Fall of 1984. Somehow, I believed that I was just another anonymous member of the several hundred or so young people auditioning that first camp. We had done some musical work on Friday and Saturday morning, and were told to be on the busses out in front of the newly purchased school at 1:00 to go to the IU Fieldhouse to do some marching on Saturday afternoon. My Bayonne mates and I were ambling towards our rides at a few minutes to 1:00 - pretty good for "Bridgemen time"! Suddenly, a broad, bearded guy grabbed me by the jacket and slammed me up against the side of the bus. He quickly got nose to nose with me and growled. "If you're going to be the drum major for this goofy bunch of little kids, you need to set the example for them starting now. Get on the #### bus at 10 of, and we leave exactly at 1:00." With that, he let me go, and I staggered onto the bus - ###### off and confused. "Who was that jerk?" I asked Moe Latour. "Oh, child, that was Bob Lendman", Moe told me in that gorgeous, syrupy Bayou drawl of his. "Bob Lendman? Like, Phantom Regiment Bob Lendman?" I croaked. Moe just smiled at me. I quickly got off the bus, introduced myself, and apologized. Bob just grinned at me and said "I heard you Jersey kids learn fast." It was the beginning of a long and wonderful friendship. Frankly, being the old lady in a corps of young Hoosiers had its share of challenges, and Bob was particularly sensitive to how difficult being in a rookie corps was for a handful of veteran age outs and he made sure to give us plenty of opportunity to blow off steam, when it was absolutely necessary. That Summer was a blur of strange travels with a very young corps that was better than any of us expected it to be, but my memories are full of pre-retreat cocktails with Gail Royer, introductions to so many of the directors and staff I idolized in the activity, and friendships initiated with long ago Phantom and Blue Star members, all courtesy of Bob. The years after 1985 saw Bob still tirelessly working behind the scenes with Star, while both of us now worked for Cook Inc. When on business in the New England area, we would gladly grab George Bonfiglio (always Mr. B to me!), and we would share wonderful stories over long and wonderful seafood dinners. I would travel back to Indiana and on to nationals to help his amazing wife Allison run the Bloomington show - best show I've EVER seen in terms of organization and management - and we'd always catch up and compare notes during Finals week while trying to help others enjoy their experience, whether veteran corps fans or newbies. I left Cook, Bob retired (or as close to it as he ever got!), and our visits got more sporadic. I had the pleasure of marching with his grandson in the first Star Alumni event ("you're little Joey?"), and I thought of Bob, Allison, and their wonderful family often...but life, as it has a way of doing, took us in other, busy directions. Still, I expected to bump into the Burly One at shows for the next 20 years, but Fate, God, whatever, apparently had other plans. For those of you who march today and don't know your history, for goodness sakes ASK SOMEONE! Bob, Allison, and many others like them made it possible for this activity to survive, to grow, and to be what you know today. For those of you who knew Bob, consider yourself lucky. I know I do. For those of you also lucky enough to know Bob's wife Allison and their wonderful family, please extend your hugs and prayers. They'll need them, they deserve them, and they'll never, ever ask for them. There's is a family I truly feel blessed to have known, and consider every moment I've spent with them as a gift. One I likely didn't deserve. I've buried far, far too many friends in drum corps. For a cranky middle aged lady of 46, I feel like I've lost too, too many friends. But this one hurts so very, very much. This one individual - already a legend before I met him - made my very strange and uncomfortable age out year choice an adventure to remember, and the beginning of a friendship I treasured. How many of us can say we made the difference in the "life" of a corps? Can anyone else claim to have impacted the lives of 3 outstanding organizations and all of the amazing young people who passed through their doors? I am heartsick to have to say goodbye to the very wonderful Bob Lendman. I can only hope that the amazing folks who have gone before him are waiting with a cold beer, open arms, and a very loud hornline. With love to a dear old friend, Karen

You are a sweet and funny guy, Ray Fallon. Unfortunately to count back the number of years since I was one of the lucky kids marching in the Bridgemen we would have to use all of our fingers and our toes - twice! And we'd still be well short... Happy Thanksgiving to you and your gang! Karen

Oh Sara, Jerome is not quite as old as, er, some of us... (Happy Thanksgiving!) KS

Missed seeing you in the video Jimmy, but Jerome did a terrific job! Hope you're planning on making the trip to Plymouth an annual thing. Miss you guys! Karen

It's amazing what you can do when you buy quality equipment and take very, very good care of it. The King 2 valve G bugles were at Star Hall the very first day of the very first camp. You had to wear gloves to pick them up AT ALL TIMES. And the very amazing Eric Lund was the "doctor" who took care of anything that needed repairs. Same horns for the duration of the corps. And, yes, they sounded great and were fun to play. (But I'll give most of the credit for the great sound to the amazing musicians that played them!) Cheers! Karen

Definitely the two best responses I've ever heard for the Cadets. Winner right here.

I will not go to Finals as long as it's in that acoustic hell hole. I limit my shows, and really beyond Allentown only catch only a few other shows if it's very convenient and has a set of corps I'm interested in seeing. I had Fan Network this year, but don't plan on having it next year. My answer is similar to that of dozens of friends and family members who all probably count as dinos to the folks here. We've been spending thousands and thousands of dollars since the mid-70's marching, attending shows, sending checks to corps and to DCI, actively working for years (mid-80's to early 90's) with the Drum Corps Foundation to make the experience during Finals week as enjoyable as possible, teaching, judging, and sponsoring marching members. It's come to a rather abrupt halt in the last few years for most of the group. Don't think anyone notices, and I don't think anyone cares. But you asked, and there's your answer. Reasons? I think most people got over the G bugles (although most of my gang still miss them), but the addition of electronics has been pitiful and badly done Every Single Time. The Chop and Bop programming has left many of us sadly missing the music of drum corps, and woodwinds will certainly be the final nail in the coffin for many of us. I miss being close to the kids, and having memorable shows that I hum for years afterwards. Boycott? I guess we're not quite there yet. But I think you can safely pencil in 40 or so people who were hard core, die hard supporters of the activity for decades as pretty nearly checked out. Karen

Best drum major ever, and one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure to meet. I was fortunate enough to meet George when I was a clueless young first time DM at 15, and the afternoon I got to spend at his clinic made a huge impression on me. When I ran into him a few years later, both as DM of the Bridgemen and then of Star, I was so startled that he remembered me each time. When I confessed that to him, he slyly added that he was"...always watching the progress of his students." Always an educator; always a gentleman. I was in awe of him, I adored him, and he touched so many, many people in such a positive way over the span of decades. Too soon. Yet another one too soon. Rest peacefully. My very deepest sympathies to his family and his many, many friends and students. Karen

Don't be silly. If this wonderful dream were to become a reality, looking to Mason to "lead" the corps is clearly the wrong direction. Frankly, the Scouts can have him! The two best candidates to be director of the new, back to their DCI roots Star of Indiana are Becky Saddlemire and Amber Sears. Both have the passion and integrity, not to mention the organizational and people skills. Either lady could do a wonderful job in this role, and both have more connected, long time drum corps insiders in their Rolodex and at their disposal than I think they even realize. If only the stars were to align... (And it's about time that DCI has a top organization run by a woman.)

Now there's a man who was paying attention in school! (Great answer.) KS

And it seems like only yesterday that Trudy and Alan Denton were introducing us! Sorry, Mike. I realize I don't load up my sig with details. Just an old arm waver you've known for too many years to count. Apologist was a lousy word choice from a woman up too early and not yet fully caffeinated, so for that lazy word selection you do have my sincere apology. Enjoy the show, Karen

You had the distinct advantage of having a corps that has existed as a drum corps for decades. I wish Star had the same deep pockets of talent to draw from. It would have been nice to have many, many more years of Star drum corps members from which to choose. That said, I haven't heard a single word from any of my fellow Star alum to indicate that this was anything less than an awesome experience for them, and I am so happy for all of them. I believe that my time in pink made a positive impact on the activity I love, and if that is to be my drum corps legacy, I am more than pleased with that.

No, Mike, Jim was instrumental in destroying a drum corps I gave my ageout year to help start for his own selfish reasons. I, along with many others who had marched the Bloomington show for several years with other corps, believed the area was ripe for a corps of its own and Bill dangled the possibility of doing just that and we jumped at it. As ageouts and veterans of other corps, we truly believed we were starting something that would be enduring and wonderful and would give so many kids the opportunity to march that we had enjoyed. We had the same dreams as many long time drum corps members: to see our corps grow and improve, and to see generations of kids take it to new and different levels. You know, the stuff you got to do with the Cavaliers. We would love to be sitting in the stands year after year, comparing our thoughts on how the new crops of "kids" are doing and pointing out whose youngster was finally old enough and talented enough to march this year. We never got that opportunity. I think you are well aware of just how "Indiana-centric" Star was for all of its years. Many other top corps are now benefiting from the deep pool of talent that school music systems produces, but parents (including many of my friends) now have to decide if they are comfortable with their kids going to BD, PR, or the Blue Stars, for example, rather than sending them just down the road to Star. You have been a consistent Mason supporter and apologist, so I suppose this response is to be expected, but the "kick your puppy" comment was truly uncalled for and beneath someone of your ability. If you don't realize how many people were adversely affected by his decision years ago, then I'm certainly not going to convince you otherwise. Who knows; maybe we could have seen a 300 person Star Alumni performing last night next to their wonderful, enduring, active DCI corps? I think you and your fellow alum got to do that just a few years ago. It would have been nice if we had the same opportunity. I'm not wrong, Michael, and I think you're honest enough at heart to know that. But you and I will never see eye to eye on this issue for a myriad of other reasons, so I'll end my comments here. I think perhaps that anti-G7 team could come up with a better, more credible flag waver for preserving DCI than Jim, but that's not my fight to fight. I hope you and the rest of the gang enjoy the performances tonight, Karen

You might feel differently if you were a Star member or Alum, or an Indy kid in the 90's waiting for a chance to march.

Now that's funny. Mason could have "left this thing alone" and allowed Star of Indiana to continue its life as a drum corps and educational platform for all the young people in Indiana. He could have raised his own capital to do Blast, if that was his bent. Instead, he cannibailized it to make his own "professional thing". And he's going to lecture others to keep DCI intact. He continues to be the ultimate hypocrite.

Be sure to trot out Bonnie for the solo!