Cadets' on-line history book receives rave reviews

[onceuponatime]

Our new on-line "HISTORY OF THE CADETS" is drawing a lot of favorable

comments. Here are just two from celebrated names in drum corps. Check

it out for yourself at theholynamecadets.net/

IT'S A FEAST FOR BOTH EYES AND EARS

by Steve Vickers, Drum Corps World publisher (publisher@drumcorpsworld.com)

I supposed I was among the first to order a copy of the book produced

for The Cadets’ 75th anniversary three years ago. When I opened that

package, I was totally blown away by the scope, quality and extensive

research that obviously went into the project. Being a graphic design

person, I was particularly struck by the effective and easy-to-read

layout of the book and the high-quality of the printing job.

When Dave Shaw told me he and his team were working on taking the book

to another level, I was intrigued. Given the advances in on-line

publishing, I knew they would do a great job incorporating some

additional attributes that a physical printed book couldn’t offer and

what they delivered is nothing short of spectacular.

In fact, it is the finest -- without question in my mind --

presentation of a drum and bugle corps’ history that I’ve ever seen.

My collection of books that have been offered by many corps and

individuals over the last 60 years is fairly extensive . . . I don’t

think there are many I haven’t managed to snag for my archives. The

clarity of the photographic images, the incredible cross-section of

material from every year and every era of the corps’ fruitful and

successful lineage is an effective “selling tool” for whatever purpose

the organization uses it for in the future, as Dave outlined in the

accompanying article about how it came into existence.

The Internet version now includes an incredible number of audio files

-- both musical and individuals expressing their feelings about the

corps or some historical moment that they recall from their time

marching. When you download the file, please be sure to set aside a

good number of hours to thoroughly experience the variety of things to

look at and see. It’s kind of hard to believe that the individuals

who were responsible for this massive undertaking were able to

accumulate so much material and get it organized into a logical and

attractive package.

I’ve been friends with two of the team’s members -- Dave Shaw and Greg

Cinzio -- for many years. Their dedication to the Holy Name

Cadets/Garfield Cadets/Cadets of Garfield/Cadets of Bergen County/The

Cadets has always been a point of inspiration for me. I admire their

belief in what the organization meant -- and still means -- to them

and to all the young people who have marched through the program over

the last 78 years. I’ve also been friends with Greg’s dad, Dr. Joseph

Cinzio, who directed the corps during the late 1970s (he sends me an

annual birthday card that means a lot over all these years since

meeting in 1977).

Now it’s time for you to head over to www.www.theholynamecadets.net

site and check out this truly unbelieveable production. It’s worth

every minute you’ll take out of your no-doubt busy schedule to enjoy!

Steve Vickers, Publisher

Drum Corps World

www.drumcorpsworld.com

608-241-2292

A DAVID HILL REVIEW

Sixty-five years after its radio premiere on CBS -- which was 13 years

after the original charter of The Holy Name Cadets -- today's launch

of the online book, "Story Of The Cadets" recreates "You Are There,"

by blending history with modern technology, taking an entire

organization on a historical time warp, and reporting the great events

of the past.

In reading, seeing, and hearing -- through audio clips of interviews,

music, and story-telling -- of the organization's founding, its

history, and its present, "Story of the Cadets" becomes a "you are

there" way to relive the storied, multi-champion's trip through time.

It is available at theholynamecadets.net

Co-authors Greg Cinzio and Dave Shaw had the organization's archives

unlocked for us all. Using written and oral histories, photography,

audio and video recordings (there are no performance videos), the

"maroon world" of The Cadets comes to life as a "live" documentary,

both written and enhanced with interactive media. In doing so, it also

becomes the most compelling experience and education in drum corps'

history.

The timeline of any organization takes its share of twists, turns,

shake-ups, and change. In this unvarnished look at the Cadets'

trajectory from parish program to independent organization -- replete

with its highs and lows -- the reader "is there" to see how, and why,

this unit evolved from a community-based effort to its current status

as a leader in the marching arts.

From "In the Very Beginning" to "The War Years," "The Separation from

the Church," through "The Early DCI Years," the first half of the

story, and the book, provides a comprehensive, and illustrative,

outline of the business -- and heart -- of the organization. Early

practices remain today, providing guideposts even in the twenty-first

century. For me, this is the strongest half of the book. Certainly for

those of us whose history with either The Cadets, indeed with the drum

and bugle corps activity, only reaches as far back as the development

of Drum Corps International, if not the early 1960s, the question "Why

doesn't the activity return to its roots?" is answered.

The second half of the book becomes a primer in competition, offering

"Transition back into National Prominence," "DCI Trendsetters," "The

Modern Era Cadets," and "The New Millennium." Designers talk process,

teachers emphasize motivation, directors explain scoring and

placement, and all along, in every era, performers exude pride and

appreciation in the experience;" in being "a Cadet."

The last three years of competition, a fascinating triad of 75th

anniversary, toy soldiers, and the tenth championship seasons,

complete the "book." Appendices provide bullet-point timelines of

directors and corps officers, milestones, and repertoires. But for the

primary audience for the book, alumni, the first appendix, "The Cadet

Experience" will resonate the most.

"The Story of the Cadets" should resonate with anyone who lives, and

who values, the drum corps experience. For in its "You Are There"

presentation, each of us can relive the 77 year history of the corps

and the organization. Indeed, we can all share in the feeling of the

corps hymn: "For Holy Name shall always be …."

Experience it at theholynamecadets.net

David G. Hill

(Full Disclosure: A review I wrote of the 75th anniversary production

is included in the book.)Cadets' on'line history book

[onceuponatime]

In response to questions:

There is no access fee or cost of any kind.

There are no registration requirements of any kind.

This is a gift from The Cadets' Alumni to the drum corps community and other interested parties.

theholynamecadets.net/

[onceuponatime]

The CADET HISTORY BOOK is now available in two ONLINE formats:

1) To enjoy the online version of the Cadet History book, absolutely FREE, with sound, please navigate to:

Website: http://www.theholynamecadets.net/

2) For a downloadable version please navigate to:

Website: ftp://theholynamecadets.org/

It’s available in a high resolution format (172meg) and a lower resolution format (89meg). Your choice.

[ironlips]

This project is extremely well done. Kudos to Greg Cinzio, Dave Shaw and all concerned.

[onceuponatime]

A salute to the 2012 Cadets and Cadets2 for adding yet another chapter to the continuing saga of 78 years of Cadet history. FHNSAB...

www.theholynamecadets.net/

Edited September 21, 2012 by onceuponatime