joesilver

JC we did not play El Cid! What song did you mean? Great review and pictures! I am glad you got to meet Pat Ferrante and Fran Burke. Two great guys. Regards, Joe BSGK

OK I give up. Who is Jim Mallen? LOL

Hey Bob, you are missing an 07 somewhere on your drum corps resume! LOL

On Sunday October 1st 2006 the Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights celebrated the founding of their organization 60 years ago. The Golden Knights started as a parade corps in 1946 and then entered the field of competition in 1952. The Golden Knights disbanded as a competing Junior corps in 1973, reorganized as a Senior corps for 1 year in 1975 and have been active since January 1991 as an Alumni corps. Practice was stopped at 3pm and Mr Richard Burns, our horn instructor ( who has been with the Golden Knights since the early 1950's ) marked the occasion with a short speech commerating the anniversary. Our Director, Dan Murphy bought the corps a round of drinks to celebrate and then it was back to practice.

The Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights will once again perform at The Army Of Hope Picnic sponsored by the New Jersey Elks. This years fund raiser will be held at the Old Bridge New Jersey Elks on Sunday September 17th. Noon to 4pm. To those of you who live close by and would like to stop in and support our Veterans, directions are below. The Golden Knights are scheduled to perform at 115pm. The letter below describes the purpose of The Army Of Hope. Army of Hope Committee Dear Troop Supporter, Last year, the goal of this committee was to honor our Fallen Heroes from New Jersey that gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Freedoms during the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. We also pledged to assist those families of our Fallen Heroes in a fund, New Jersey State Elks Charities, Inc., through donations, fund- raisers and raffles. The support of this mission was overwhelming. . This year our mission is not only to honor and remember those Fallen Heroes, but also to raise money and awareness of those that have been severely wounded from New Jersey while serving active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many of our soldiers are returning with missing limbs, loss of sight and hearing and in some cases the loss of being able to make capable decisions. Whether it be in making a house assessable for their disability, helping to get their needed prosthesis or getting their loved ones to where they are rehabbing, we as loyal Americans, need to show our support of our Brave Heroes that have disrupted their lives so we did not have to disrupt ours. OLD BRIDGE #2229 Old Amboy Rd. 08857 (908) 679-5556 * * * Rt. 9 South to Ferry Rd. Turn right. Left on Old Amboy Rd. Lodge is approx. 1/2 mile on right. OR * * * Rt. 9 North to Spring Valley Rd. Jug handle, cross over Rt. 9, turn right on Old Amboy Rd. Lodge is approx. 1/2 mile on left. OR * * * Rt. 18 West to Rt. 9 North. Take Spring Valley Jug handle, cross over Rt. 9, make right on Old Amboy Rd. Lodge is approx. 1/2 mile on left. OR * * * Rt. 18 East to Ferry Rd., make left. Take Ferry Rd. to Old Amboy Rd. make right. Lodge is approx. 1/2 mile on right. Army of Hope Picnic September 17th 2006 Old Bridge Elks Lodge #2229 12pm-4pm Honoring New Jersey's Armed Forces and their Families $20.00 Donation $5.00(children under 10 years)

The Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights will be appearing at The Birchwood Manor in Whippany, NJ tomorrow, Sunday August 6th 2006 at 3pm. This is a fundraiser for children with cancer. Please visit their web site! http://www.twokidsfoundation.com/ Also, The Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights will be appearing at the Elks charity event "The Army Of Hope." This year, the event will be held at the Elks Lodge in Old Bridge, NJ. This very worthy fundraiser is to benefit the wounded veterans from the Iraq-Afghanastan war. The date is September 17th, 2006

1968 Hawthorne Caballeros Bobby Burke who was 18 at the time. He could have been the youngest soloist to play with a DCA corps at that time.

Actually Blessed Sacrament was all male from 1954-1970 Girls came in for the first time in 1971 and also 1972. Before BS was a competing corps they were a parade corps and girls were in the parade corps. Joe BSGK

Robbie the next time we see each other ( probably Reilly show ) remind me to tell you a story Joe Smith told me when he was a Baltimore cop regarding Nick Rizzi. I don't know if you ever heard it, but it is funny. Back to Skippy Groff. He also played a very nice solo on Till There Was You and wrote a great arrangement of By Love Possessed. The Reilly alumni corps also played it. Joe

I believe Skippy Groff played the soprano solo on "The Stripper"

I have marched in Junior, Senior, and Alumni so I think have a good perspective on this. Alumni Corps gives me the chance to still play my horn and perform. It is not on a Junior Corps level but at this stage of the game it is all fun. For the past 15 years I have been able to hang out once a month with people I used to hang with in my teenage years. We come to practice once a month, have a few with some old friends and laugh a lot. What could be better? What is really cool about it is that the guys in my sections are also all friends with each other. And to further expand on that, the people in my section marched in corps I competed against. Corps represented in my section are Boston Crusaders, St Kevin's, 27th Lancers, Blue Stars, Bridgemen as well as my corps, Blessed Sacrament. Years ago we might have never talked to each other because that is the way it was then. But now with Alumni Corps, those barriers are not there. As far as a level of performance, we have been complimented on our soprano line may times so we must still play pretty well. So it is just not a bunch of old fat has beens sitting around talking about the old days. I have nothing negative to say so it is all good from where I am.

Anyone old enough to remember or perhaps heard of the epic fight in Bridgeport, Ct 1968 between Boston and St Lucy's? Or Boston and Blessed Sacrament 1964 Pittsfield, Ma. How about Blessed Sacrament and Blue Rock 1968 Morristown, NJ or Blessed Sacrament and Garfield 1964 Clifton, NJ to name just a few. Now. these were rivalries. Not just a 1 year rivalry but rivalries that went on for years. And there were many others I am sure. Peace, Joe

I don't know if Squanto will be there but Blessed Sacrament will be there.

Anaheim was probably my favorite corps of the DCI era. I competed against them many times with 2 diffrent corps. Their horn lines were powerful and blended. The drum line used a lot of visuals in their drum solos, so for a horn player like myself they were fun to watch. But the biggest reason I like Anaheim was the guard, especially the rifle line. Blue Uniforms and those black boots. I watched them outside of Ithica stadium in 1974 and then on the field. Their class, military bearing and swagger was something I had not ever seen in another guard. There were some that came close but Anaheim was it. In 1977 we ( Blue Stars)partied with Anaheim in the Pacific Ocean. Anyone remember that? I also remember watching what I remember to be a drum quartet ( 4 snares I think) win the Gong Show on TV! When I marched Blue Stars I remember the people from 1972 telling me about DCI Finals. That they had beaten Anaheim 6 or 7 times in a row in 1972. So when they announced Santa Clara in 3rd place, Blue Stars knew they had won. And when they announced Blue Stars in second place, they were shocked. Thanks for the memories and good luck! Joe

Gus is the only instructor in Drum Corps to be able to walk into a practice at Blessed Sacrament at any time and teach or talk about technique whenever he wanted to. The door was always open to him. That is how highly he was thought of. Gus loved to talk about the technical aspects of horn playing and he always had everyone's attention when he spoke. I was lucky enough to have Gus as an instructor and a friend. I will remember him for his passion for helping other players improve their playing as well as being one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Gus I won't forget what you taught me about ballance and blend. Joe

If any of you are planning on competing Saturday, sign up starts at 2 pm. The earlier you sign up the later you go on. It is going to be mix and match,meaning that all horns are not in a group nor any other sections appearing together. There will be a ten dollar charge.Walk-in entries for the I & E are permitted. Just a reminder that the Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights alumni will be hosting the 2005 Cavalcade at the Ritacco Center in Toms River NJ on Saturday October 15 at 7 PM. The Ritacco Center is on the campus of the Toms River North High School on Old Freehold Road in Toms River. Appearing in exhibition will be Archer Epler, the Light Brigade, the Yankee Rebels, the Reilly Raiders, St. Kevins Emerald Knights and the Golden Knights. There will also be an I & E competition at 4 PM in the same location. There is a $10 entrance fee to perform in the I & E. Show tickets are $12 and allow admission to both events. There will be sufficient show tickets available at the door. There will be food and beverage service all day until 9 PM. Hope to see you there. For further information, call Rich Green at 732-842-6964 ge for every category you compete in.

Bobby Burke Not only a winner of DCA best soloist with Sunrisers but a soloist with 3 diffrent DCA corps. Late 60's Hawthorne- Late 70's Skyliners- 80's Sunrisers. A pretty good trifecta Bobby had a sweet sound, pleanty of range, and could triple tounge or double toungue with the best. Recently I would say Frank Ponzo. Tone, range, lip trills Currently I can't say

Popcorn Tavern 4th Street LaCrosse. I lived there every Friday for a year. 10cent tap beers and dollar pitchers. The year was 1977. Anyone remember Ozzie's?

Blessed Sacrament and Archer-Epler will be there also

Sure the Mini Corps were fun and so was the Alumni show. But the best part for me was hanging out at the pool all day Saturday with a bunch of wild and crazy guys! Here's to Mass Brass and the GK'S. Joe BSGK

I only saw The RoyalAirs . What impressed me about their corps is their dedication to what they do for our activity. Their hard work resulted in a high level of performance and entertainment for anyone watching. Whether they were coming on the field, performing or coming off the field they did it with pride and class. Thanks for the memories! Joe BSGK

Without going into a corps by corps review, I just wanted to say that I thought the Mini Corps Show was a gigantic success. First of all the venue was great. Stadium lighting and good seating make all the differnce from a viewers standpoint. In past years viewing was difficult as well as being comfortable. Secondly, the corps came on and off the field quiclky. That was very impressive. The new MCA gets a lot of credit in my book for a well run, credible show. From an entertainment standpoint I was very pleased. I am usually performing so being a spectator was a rare occasion for me. It was nice to see a blend of different styles by the corps. Some had mostly all horns and a trap set, some had more drums and auxiliary then horns. Some had a a little field show and some stood still. I guess I just liked each corps individuality. Also, the quality of the charts and the execution level that they were performed was evident by most of the corps. MCA achieved what any entertainment venue strives to do..... entertain their fans. The ultimate compliment. Thanks to all for a well run show. Joe BSGK

I hate to tell you this but Crusaders Sr did play it. I saw them at Skyliners individuals about 6 years ago. Sops were Bill, Mike, George and I thought you were the 4th. Must have been someone else. Ask those guys and they will tell ya. Also ask them about the fight at the bar afterwards. It was a fun night. Oh, you owe me a beer for this. And none of that stinkin' Bud you drink either. LOL

Hey John There is a $10.00 entry fee which goes to the cost of the medals and judges. There will be 2 diffrent categories. 1) Individuals ( Any instrument horn or drum) 2) Ensembe ( 2-6 players horns or drums but not a mixture) Are you thinking about reviving the old Crusader soprano quartet playing Promises Promises? See you in Scranton buddy

CALVACADE OF MUSIC SPONSORED BY BLESSED SACRAMENT GOLDEN KNIGHTS SATURDAY OCTOBER 15. 2005 I&E CONTEST 4PM CORPS EXHIBITION 7PM FEATURING: ARCHER EPLER REILLY RAIDERS ST. KEVIN'S LIGHT BRIGADE YANKEE REBELS GOLDEN KNIGHTS PLUS ENSEMBLE I&E CONTEST TOMS RIVER HS OLD FREEHOLD ROAD TOMS RIVER, NJ TICKETS $12.00 CALL 732-842-6964 GREENR1@IX.NETCOM.COM