SunSnare83

I was there at a show in upstate New York I believe (1977?). It was one of those magic nights when everyone sounded fantastic. That's when Yankee Rebels had a great John Flowers percussion section. They were on before us and when they came off the field their perc section was elated they did such a great job. It was like they were saying "you can't top what we just did". They scored a 19.0 out of 20.0 in like July! Which is unreal. Scores like that are usually in finals. We went on after them and proceeded to play a near perfect percussion execution show that night. I actually remember the feeling while playing. It was like magic we were so clean and the sound was unbelievable while playing. Was something in the air that night? Was the temperature and humidity perfect for drum corps? I don't know, but after the Rebels thought they couldn't be beat, we scored a 19.6 that night in percussion. It was a surreal night of excellence. The score sheet from the judge just said "unbelievable!". Taking home the high percussion trophy that night was very special.

I was there when 1983 Sunrisers won DCA, the undefeated Dennis Delucia perc section won the Percussion caption and the snares had no ticks in finals when there was a tick system. I was the end snare.... one of them. That was my last competition so I'll never forget it. What a way to end a drum corps career. I realize how blessed I was to be a part of that.

Just wanted to say congrats to the Hurricanes from someone who used to compete with them. It's good to see a corps come back and able to mix it up with the big boys. Now you are one of the big boys again so kudos to ya!

First and only show for me this year. From an enjoyment, entertaining, got chills point of view from my perspective (top section on 40) here they are: 1) Phantom - awesome, Spartacus, wish the guard had colors that were more visible in first half of show. Great perc section and horns. 2) Bluecoats - Great energy & percussion. Nice abs on guard! :+) 3) Cavies - Awe-inpiring visuals 4) Blue Devils - They actually moved alot in their drill this year. Great job and energy. Loved the encore from the 3rd row. 5) Crown - Heard great things about them and wanted them to do good. Horns were phenomenal at times. Show was a little boring at times. Too much slow stuff. Some is good, but too much. 6) Cadets - Look great, march great. Not as good a show as previous years. 7) Santa Clara - Wow! Great job. 8) Blue Knights - Much better than expected. 9) Blue Stars - best I've seen them in many, many years. Picked them to squeek past Boston and they did. 10) Boston - Great job and energy 11) Glassmen - Good job. 12) Crossmen - Good job. Still lots of marching errors for this time of season.

I live in Daphne, AL and marched in the Long Island Sunrisers from 74-83. My son marched in the Daphne High School Marching Band and graduated this past year. There are quite a few decent high school bands in the Mobile and Baldwin County areas. Best of luck! Can't wait to see an actual drum corps in Mobile!

Hi Scott, I noticed your marching dates and that our paths crossed in 81, 82, 83. I have fond memories of those years. Enjoyed competing with you back then.

I marched Sun from 74-83. I remember that some other groups called us the "milk and cookies" bunch since we were so much younger overall. Lots of teens, 20's, some 30s and less older. We figured our average age around 76 was about 24-25 but there were lots of young ones. I was 18-19 back then. I will say that after the shows some other forms of adult beverages were added to the milk.

George, Then your now older memory must have forgotten about the "Wail Juice" we would share before some shows! That was the best tasting concoction I ever had, but the best part was the watermelon! I think somewhere along the way someone realized a few folks were taking more than a ceremonial sip and decided it should be had after the show. Fun times and great Wail Juice!!!

Go Sun! Can't wait to hear new music!

Thanks for the link Tony. How in the world did you find that one?

No pics but lots of great memories of the comraderie between Bucs and Sun back then. I'll never forget the wooden, custom made Perc Champion emblems someone in Bucs made for us that season. I still have it. I marched snare, how about you? I also lived in Allentown, PA back then after growing up on Long Island. I worked for a company called Air Products & Chemicals in Allentown. I had friends in Bucs that lived in the same apartment complex back in '79 also. Somewhere in the years I lived in Allentown, I used to occassionally attend Bucs weeknight practices out in some cornfield in PA. I don't remember making any announcements though. I remember guys in your drumline (Skee, Danny Satchell and his father, others)

Great stuff! Thanks for posting. I've only seen the video of finals.

Congratulations 2007 Sunrisers on your Class A Championship. You've made your alumni proud!

Wow, thanks for the compliment. I loved playing Crown that year in 1979. We actually took 3rd that year after rewriting almost the entire drill mid season. We had a monster drum line that year with 10 snares. We won DCA in 1977 and 1978 and were trying to three peat in '79. Crown Imperial was strong and tight that year. Thanks again for the compliment. In fact, there are links after my name below to pics of the 1979 drum line with the smoke. I'm the snare on the left side on the end. Those were my skinny days!

New administration, new instructors, new attitude, lots of hard work and dedication by members and a supportive alumni group over the past year. Congratulations to the Sunrisers 2007 version! You peaked at the right time and like years past, came on stronger and stronger in August. Super job, now enjoy the moment! We alumni are extremely proud! Reminds me of 1977.

Great progress with Barbara Fran! Still praying for you guys.

Fran, Prayers have been coming since I saw this on the Sunrisers site. They're still coming from us and lots of others. Great news on the update. In one of those tough moments imagine all the people who have responded here and all your other friends with their hands on you and Barbara's shoulders and realize we are all behind you!

Well said. They always turned on the crowd. The Cabs were certainly a powerhouse in the 70's which made winning that year sweet for us.

See several reasons in the links below my name. Great video Sayre.

Very exciting times! For the record, Dennis Delucia was with Sun from the end of 75 through the 83 season. He started with Hawthorne in 84.

GoSun!

Hey Sunsnare06. "Go get'em in 07!" From Sunsnare83

Oh my.... Jim Lagudi (best friend and best man at my wedding 25 years ago) brought that saying to Sun when we joined in '74 and it's still around Sun generations later. So if you want to blame someone for that.... it's Jim Lagudi! Did you ever hear the "no soap radio" one? :)

Best wishes to Sun in 2007!

Hmmmmmmm. Wonder if I am a legend or just an old fart former DCA and perc champ? Yeah I know, it's the old fart. Anyway, best wishes to many of my old fart friends on the new Board of Directors. Some great ideas and decisions will come out of that group. Give them a few years and Sun will be in the hunt again.