Regimente Militaire

[KeithHall]

This corps was a merger from Louisiana with Bleu raeders and Stardusters. What a sound from what I remember and doing "Marche Militaire Francais" for an opener. What ever happened and why didn't it last?

[Bleu Raeder]

This merger could have skyrocketed Louisiana back into top 12 status. I am unsure of the details but the merger was essentially voided headed into the 1975 season. Bleu toured but never was able to climb out of the 60's point range. I will try to recollect some more and post. There are a couple of other Raeder's on the board from time to time, maybe they can help.

[pooh bear]

This corps was a merger from Louisiana with Bleu raeders and Stardusters. What a sound from what I remember and doing "Marche Militaire Francais" for an opener. What ever happened and why didn't it last?

The Grimthorpe Colliery Band rendition of "Marche Militaire Francais" is excellent - one of my all time favorite pieces.

I remember seeing this corps in Geneseo, Illinois and touring with them back in "the day" (Colt .45's).....

[LSU GRAD 82]

This corps was a merger from Louisiana with Bleu raeders and Stardusters. What a sound from what I remember and doing "Marche Militaire Francais" for an opener. What ever happened and why didn't it last?

If you ever lived in New Orleans you wouldn't have to ask that question. Too many Chiefs and not enough Indians. Too many "Huge Ego's" that can't or wont see the bigger picture. Too many "Me's" and not enough "We's." Get it now. Always been like that and always will............

[Jd83]

LSU, don't hold back. Tell us how you REALLY feel.

Although that was before my time, LSU is right. From what I was told, the members got along, but the staff and management clashed. Again, I wasn't there. A basic problem of drum corps in New Orleans in general is that there is so much to do there. Drum corps had to fight that to recruit and retain members.

Marche Militaire Francais is one of my all time favorite New Orleans drum corps tunes. I would have loved to have played it as a member of the Bleu Raeders or Louisiana Southernaires.

[bobbyo]

This corps was a merger from Louisiana with Bleu raeders and Stardusters. What a sound from what I remember and doing "Marche Militaire Francais" for an opener. What ever happened and why didn't it last?

I remember seeing Regiment Militaire in 1974 (I believe it was in Marion, OH or Butler, PA) and I agree great horn line. They must have stayed either in the same school as we did or we shared a practice field...still remember their concert number - Make Me Smile - It was a shame they only lasted a year.

I stumbled across a Louisiana Drum Corps History website a while back that has some info on what happened.

Here's the URL

http://www.louisianadrumcorps.org/regiment...aire/index.html

[Stardusters1971]

I remember seeing Regiment Militaire in 1974 (I believe it was in Marion, OH or Butler, PA) and I agree great horn line. They must have stayed either in the same school as we did or we shared a practice field...still remember their concert number - Make Me Smile - It was a shame they only lasted a year.

I stumbled across a Louisiana Drum Corps History website a while back that has some info on what happened.

Here's the URL

http://www.louisianadrumcorps.org/regiment...aire/index.html

As a former member of the Stardusters 1968-1971, the Bleu Raeders 1972-1973, and the Regiment Militaire 1974, I can only say what I remember. It started three years before with the Stardusters.

The history of drum corps in New Orleans and it's suburbs is interesting to say the least. After the most successful season in NOLA corps history (1971), problems with the management broke apart a corps that was destined for greatness. After putting in the highest 1st day prelim score at Dallas VFW (86.95), 12 corps went on on the second day and all recorded higher scores. We, as members, were told that parts of our management would not go fight for us witht the VFW officials. After all, we were beating on a regular basis 2 of the corps who beat us. And we did our finest show of the year, we truly peaked at the right time. One week later at American Legion (DCI wasn't born yet), we beat the 2 corps that beat us at VFW, by sizable margins including the National drum trophy. Three weeks later the Stardusters broke apart and the Bleu Raeders were formed.

The Raeders made DCI finals in it's 1st year of existence. Placing 12th in finals. A bus accident going to American Legion ended the season, which was truly magical. We had the best 34 man horn section in America, even though 2 horn players had wax in their mouthpieces so they couldn't play. We needed the bodies for the drill to work. The drum section under Marty Hurley, clearly played the most difficult book since Blessed Sacrement of the mid 60's. A 5.0 in difficulty at every DCI event is proof. The triples did not record a single "tick" all season. The 1973 season, wasn't quite as good, but never the less, it was still fun.

In 1974, membership was down in the "Dusters" and the "Raeders" so an olive branch was offered and accepted. The members and the staff got along, but like all things, there were disagreements. The real problem was money. And money can lead to arguements and other things, and that is what really did everything in.

I can tell you a a lead soprano in 1974, the opener was tough. Playing March Militaire Francaise at 144 bpm's was brutal. Then came Legend of the One Eyed Sailor, not slow like Devils, again it was up tempo. We didn't know how to play anything slow. Make me Smile was a break for us, we extended it from the version the "Dusters" played in prior years to more match the "album" version Chicago played. Then we played Caberet, and lastly the Way We Were. We had 62 horns that year, and sounded like 84.

You have to remember, in those days, directors and instructors had regular jobs then they had Drum Corps. It was tough. Corps didn't have corporate sponsors or big paydays. You shook cans on the corner, sold candy, cleaned apartments, anything to make money to travel. Then the directors borrowed money on their homes and other things, because like the kids, they loved it too. It was in their blood, just like ours.

Truly great times, just wish I could turn back the clock. I'd love to do it all over again.

Phil