Tony Flores Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 It's in my signature...a little D2 Corps out of Cedar Rapids. Had a very very talented staff teaching us, and fellow marching members. Finished Runners up at D2 Finals and placed 21st at 1/4 finals. From time to time i pull out v3 of the CD;s and play that show. It was the start of something great had the funding not run out after the 96 season. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfrontz Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 1 hour ago, Tony Flores said: It's in my signature...a little D2 Corps out of Cedar Rapids. Had a very very talented staff teaching us, and fellow marching members. Finished Runners up at D2 Finals and placed 21st at 1/4 finals. From time to time i pull out v3 of the CD;s and play that show. It was the start of something great had the funding not run out after the 96 season. Just linked the Quarters performance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfrontz Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 On the 1994 Boston Crusaders. I posted this on RAMD back in the day. Typed the whole thing out. Quote "Yankee" Magazine, August 1995 Roaring From a Mighty Chromed Throat An inside look at the savage, captivating world of drum corps competition "New England Scene" by Peter Manning Last August I returned to Manning Bowl, a sagging, whitewashed stadium tucked between a residential neighborhood and a haggard commercial strip in Lynn, Massachusetts, to visit some ghosts of my youth. The Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, one of the nation's oldest drum corps - and my alma mater - was sponsoring its annual competition, one of the last big-time drum corps shows in New England. The evening breeze carried that unmistakable sweet, acrid aroma that I will always associate with drum corps - crushed grass and diesel fumes from the buses of touring corps parked around the stadium. The 1994 Crusaders had a big corps with just over 100 members, an exciting show, and a good chance to make the finals of the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships - just days away at Foxbourough Stadium - a feat that would again place the Crusaders in the highest echelon of national competition after decades of competitive struggle. I couldn't wait to see my guys storm the DCI Championships, a show that's a night at the opera and a sonic tractor pull all in one. They had been on the road for seven weeks in July and into early August - getting on buses in little towns in Minnesota, getting off in Wisconsin, sleeping on gym floors at schools and on buses, rising, eating, showering, practicing, competing, and moving on to the next town - one by one outscoring middle-echelon rivals: The Troopers of Casper, Wyoming, The Velvet Knights, and Sacramento Freelancers, leaving one last corps between the Crusaders and a ranking in the top 12: the Colts of Dubuque, Iowa. Drum Major Chris Holland, a philosophical, streetwise 21-year-old from Dorchester who's been marching with the Crusaders since age 12, said, "This is our time again, now, after having to fight back from near extinction." Drum corps borrow from - some would say abduct and adulterate - all musical traditions, from rock and roll to ballet. Like conventional marching bands, they march in kinetic routines to the music that they play, trying to pack as much punch as possible into the 11-minute 30-second performance time limit. Each show is graded by a panel of nine judges who assess such things as drill design, carriage, overall visual effect, instrument playing, and field and ensemble execution. Unlike conventional bands, the spine-tingling sound of drum corps is inherent in the physical properties of the horns. Bugles are pitched in G, a key chosen by horn designers centuries ago as ideal for projecting sound through the roar of battle. Assemble 60 competent, experience players, the horns chrome plated for a steely edge, add a good drum line, and you get a metallic 600-decibel din that ###### up the hair on the back of your neck. I was 11 when I saw them for the first time at Dilboy Field in Somerville. On a misty night, the Crusaders emerged from a fogbank, suddenly illuminated by the stadium lights, roaring from a mighty chromed throat. Those were the Crusaders of legend, winners of 27 out of 29 competitions in 1967, a consistent national contender, runner-up in the 1970 VFW competition in Miami. But two years later, the corps nearly died. The Hyde Park headquarters burned down, the corps had its worst season in memory, and by 1973 it was down to 45 members led by a dozen scrappy veterans. They played a lot of marches, anachronistic even then. Fans still admired the Crusader spirit, but the group was outdated and out of step with the slick new world of big-time drum corps. Wednesday afternoon at Foxborough Stadium is cool and overcast. The crowd is howling for the hometown corps as soom as they march through the gate. One fan, no doubt a former Crusader, shouts, "Eat 'em up, Boston!" The corps, in their timeless China red jackets, spreads out on the field in three long phalanxes. The PA crackles across the night field like on a thousand other nights, calling the corps to enter the arena. "The judges are ready! Drum major, are the Crusaders ready?" Holland swings around on his scaffold platform at the front of the field, salutes cripsly, and leaves his fist hanging in the air for a moment. "Boston Crusaders, you may take the field in competition!" A crash of gongs and bells rises from the drum line. The phalnxes swing to horizontal and collapse. Accelerating, the full corps converges on the midfield. Menacing chords swell from the horn line. A cross forms. The chords darken, the dissonance only as maddening as the volume and the thudding, crushing accents from the pit. The color guard, bearing oversize red, purple, and blue flags, runs in a massive circle around the cross. Lurching into the finale, dissonant chords lashing up from the field, the Crusaders form up into cross forms again. The corps plunges forward, the cross fully formed, finally finding a resolution chord as the crowd stands up, clapping, screaming, fists pumping into the air. Holland punches the accents, teeth clenched, pushing for every last ounce of power. The squared-corner cross collapses into an Orthodox cross, and the Crusaders loose one last devastating shock wave, a titanic chrome fist of sound. Outside the corps' gate, the kids break ranks and fall into hugs. Good job. Their score - 83 - is the season's highest. As the Crusaders' buses leave for rehearsal at the school where they're camped for the week, the Colts' score is announced over the PA. Mike Woodall, a former corps member who was drum major in the leanest years of the 1980s hears it and bolts, flying by the churning crowds in the parking lot and hops into the first bus. "You beat the Colts!" Woodall shouts. He runs to the other two buses and plants the madness of this moment on each one. When I joined the Crusaders in 1974, they were fallen champions, an antagonistic tribe of 60 competing against corps twice their size. Longtime instructors left and a large contingent of players quit, leaving the corps with nothing but memories of numerous national and local titles it had won in the 1960s and early 1970s and a savage, captivating esprit de corps. The kids wore T-shirts under their uniforms that said WE WILL NOT DIE. And they meant it. In 1975, my first year marching with the Crusaders in the DCI World Championships in Philadelphia, there were 400 competitive drum corps in North America. Now there are just over 100. What happened? As the baby boomers aged and the old neighborhoods fell apart, fewer kids looked for community in the old places, the churches and the VFW halls. But the drum corps also fell victim to what some would call the professionalization of competition. DCI was founded after the 1971 season by several of the biggest and best corps, who were tired of being a sideshow at veterans' conventions. DCI organized its own competitions. Winning became the driving force. Professionals were hired to orchestrate music and choreograph drills. The best corps traveled to shows all over the country all summer. The costs of competing shot up so that some corps' budgets passed $ 1 million a year. George Bonfiglio, director of the 27th Lancers of Revere, Massachusetts, folded his corps in 1986, after mortgaging his house to support it in the early seventies. "To stay in this league, we needed $ 300,000. We didn't have it." By the late 1980s, hundreds of drum corps around the U.S. were bankrupt or disbanded, leaving a few "elite" - DCI's word - corps and vast graveyards of wasted dreams. The drum corps bins at local record stores disappeared, the drum corps newspaper columns vanished. New England circuits all but disappeared. And the Boston Crusaders stood alone. Out back of the Kickemuit Middle School in Warren, Rhode Island, the horn line and color guard return for the last full-corps run-through before the semifinals. The guys in the horn line and drum line drop their pants and toss them on the sidelines to march in their underwear in some kind of tribal ritual. The run-through is polished and powerful. Holland calls the members to the front of the field. They surround him. "That was the best run-through of the year," he says. "But when we go in, we want the best warm-up of the year AND the best show of the year. You agree with that?" The kids render but a single shout, a guttural grunt of surrender, commitment, and elan. It was their best show of the year. The crowd was on its feet, screaming approval. Maybe it was their size - they fielded a corps with 24 bodies less than the 128 - person limit. Who knows what went wrong? Who wants to know? So tantalizing a loss, so close, four-tenths of a point behind the Colts. Thirteenth place. Season over. I asked Helen Godena, 20, what 13th place meant to her. She thought for a second. "It's the show that matters," she said. "It's the experience that matters. The score is not something that comes from us. The judges, they're not one of us." Later that evening, back at the middle school, the kids drifted down to the practice field out back, where they observed the annual ceremonial tree burning. Offerings from members are left on its branches for whatever symbolic meaning they invest in them and retiring veterans address the members. For a few, like Chris Holland, who have turned 21 and are ineligible to march next year, Friday was their last show. It was the last moment they would wear the red and the black, severing the tribal bonds once and for all and sending them - this I know - forever searching for a sound as vast, as penetrating, as consuming as the ring of chrome. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim K Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 I loved that DCI was held in Boston, actually it was in Foxboro which was very near where I lived at that time. It was a hot, soupy night. I agree with those who say the highlight of the evening was 27th Lancers “Once More in 94.” I can also recall the talk in the stands was the exit of Star of Indiana. What I find interesting is today Star is almost on a mythical legendary level with ground breaking shows that were ahead of their time, particularly 1993. In 1994, Star’s departure was viewed by many as sour grapes. There was also speculation they would be back. I suppose I’m in both camps. It did seem like sour grapes but you can’t deny Star’s contributions. On a completely personal note, DCI in Foxboro was welcomed in Massachusetts. We used to have two huge shows in Boston: CYO Nationals and World Open. We used to see all the great corps at least every other year if not every year, but when the drum corps landscape changed, we had great shows but never shows that featured ten to twelve top corps. The competition that night wasn’t the strongest though there were some great moments. Cadets had a huge Boston fan base and could not go wrong with “West Side Story.” I loved Phantom’s “Clair de Lune.” I wish Boston Crusaders had made finals that year. I know I thought they should have made it. I also know I was probably a bit biased, but making finals in front of a hometown crowd would have been amazing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 (edited) 7.1......BD rolled into Allentown, and they lit that place up ( despite many claims Allentown hates BD). they were that. ####. good. i was in fact amazed Cadets were that close. 94 to me...i liked it better then than now. BD's Spanish Heart....so ###### good. Cadets WSS had moments ( find Charlie Poole's percussion tape)...but overall, i couldn't and can't let go of 84. Phantom took 93 next level, but Cavies left me flat. Madison was fun, but paled next to 95, and i did enjoy SCV a lot. Crossmen fun show, but still not back at 92 levels. Bk,Glassmen, Bloo all good, but not classic. magic finally making he show and more fun from the Colts. and of course the rain at quarters. I still feel if Boston had added some Conquest they're in. VK percussion absolutely out of this world. Southwind's League of Their own. but overall, a lot of good, but not as much great Edited May 2, 2020 by Jeff Ream 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tad_MMA Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 What about the Cadets' guard? The work was SO athletic, and April said on the tour vid that '93 aged out many. What? That was amazing stuff. "Cool" required them in HARD drill all the while manipulating flags. Wow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwillis35 Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 2 hours ago, Tad_MMA said: What about the Cadets' guard? The work was SO athletic, and April said on the tour vid that '93 aged out many. What? That was amazing stuff. "Cool" required them in HARD drill all the while manipulating flags. Wow. No doubt, that Cadets guard was killer good. Very athletic. To me Cadets were about as talented as you could get in 1994. They marched their tail ends off, their brass scores were right there with BD, they won percussion on finals night, and their guard was a monster. By season's end they were in the ballpark with BD. The difference when you look at recaps was really GE. BD's show was just better designed. There are some who prefer the Cadets 1994 WSS show, but I am in the camp that prefers the 1984 show. Just better design. Don't get me wrong though, I do appreciate that 1994 show. I was glad the design staff chose a lot of different music that was not in the 1984 show. Mambo was definitely a highlight from the 1994 show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwillis35 Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 Here are scores and recaps from Finals 1994. These sheets are so different from what we see today. GE GE GE GE Total Music Music Visual Visual GE Blue Devils 9.8 10.0 10.0 9.9 39.7 Cadets of BC 9.9 9.8 9.8 9.8 39.3 Phantom Regiment 9.6 9.8 9.8 9.9 39.1 Cavaliers 9.6 9.4 9.6 9.8 38.4 Santa Clara Vanguard 9.3 9.0 9.7 9.5 37.5 Madison Scouts 8.9 9.5 9.4 9.6 37.4 Blue Knights 9.0 8.8 9.3 9.0 36.1 Crossmen 8.6 9.0 9.2 9.4 36.2 Bluecoats 8.3 8.9 8.7 9.1 35.0 Glassmen 8.4 8.4 9.0 9.0 34.8 Magic of Orlando 8.5 8.2 8.9 8.6 34.2 Colts 8.0 7.9 8.5 8.3 32.7 Ens. Ens. Ens. Ens. Ens. Ens. Total GE. Music Music Visual Visual Visual Ens. Music Snd. Tch. Cmp. Acc. Tch. Blue Devils 4.8 5.0 4.6 4.9 4.9 4.9 29.1 Cadets of BC 5.0 4.8 4.7 4.7 4.8 4.9 28.9 Phantom Regiment 5.0 4.9 4.8 4.7 4.6 4.7 28.7 Cavaliers 4.9 4.7 4.5 4.8 4.7 4.7 28.3 Santa Clara Vanguard 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.6 4.4 4.6 27.1 Madison Scouts 4.6 4.8 4.5 4.3 4.3 4.4 26.9 Blue Knights 4.3 4.4 4.2 4.4 4.2 4.3 25.8 Crossmen 4.4 4.4 4.3 4.2 4.2 4.0 25.5 Bluecoats 4.3 4.3 3.9 4.1 4.0 3.9 24.5 Glassmen 4.0 4.0 3.8 4.3 4.1 4.2 24.4 Magic of Orlando 4.2 4.2 3.9 4.0 3.7 3.6 23.6 Colts 4.0 4.1 3.8 3.9 3.9 3.7 23.4 Perf. Perf. Perf. Perf. Perf. Perf. Total Brass Brass Perc. Perc. Visual Visual Perf. Tch. Mus. Tch. Mus. Tch. Exl. Blue Devils 5.0 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 5.0 29.6 Cadets of BC 4.9 4.9 4.9 5.0 4.9 4.9 29.5 Phantom Regiment 4.7 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.7 4.7 28.4 Cavaliers 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.9 4.8 4.9 29.0 Santa Clara Vanguard 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.8 4.7 4.5 27.7 Madison Scouts 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.6 4.7 28.0 Blue Knights 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.5 4.4 4.4 26.5 Crossmen 4.5 4.5 4.6 4.6 4.2 4.3 26.7 Bluecoats 4.2 4.3 4.0 4.2 4.1 4.0 24.8 Glassmen 3.9 4.2 4.3 4.3 3.9 4.1 24.7 Magic of Orlando 4.0 4.2 3.8 4.3 3.7 3.7 23.7 Colts 3.9 4.1 4.1 4.2 3.8 3.9 24.0 Total Total Total Pen. Final GE Ensemble Performance Score Blue Devils 39.7 29.1 29.6 98.4 Cadets of BC 39.3 28.9 29.5 97.7 Phantom Regiment 39.1 28.7 28.4 96.2 Cavaliers 38.4 28.3 29.0 95.7 Santa Clara Vanguard 37.5 27.1 27.7 92.3 Madison Scouts 37.4 26.9 28.0 0.1 92.2 Blue Knights 36.1 25.8 26.5 88.4 Crossmen 36.2 25.5 26.7 88.4 Bluecoats 35.0 24.5 24.8 84.3 Glassmen 34.8 24.4 24.7 83.9 Magic of Orlando 34.2 23.6 23.7 81.5 Colts 32.7 23.4 24.0 80.1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwillis35 Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 8 hours ago, Jeff Ream said: 7.1......BD rolled into Allentown, and they lit that place up ( despite many claims Allentown hates BD). they were that. ####. good. i was in fact Cadets were that close. 94 to me...i liked it better then than now. BD's Spanish Heart....so ###### good. Cadets WSS had moments ( find Charlie Poole's percussion tape)...but overall, i couldn't and can't let go of 84. Phantom took 93 next level, but Cavies left me flat. Madison was fun, but paled next to 95, and i did enjoy SCV a lot. Crossmen fun show, but still not back at 92 levels. Bk,Glassmen, Bloo all good, but not classic. magic finally making he show and more fun from the Colts. and of course the rain at quarters. I still feel if Boston had added some Conquest they're in. VK percussion absolutely out of this world. Southwind's League of Their own. but overall, a lot of good, but not as much great I tend to agree with this take. I liked 1993 better. 94 was good but it felt like a lot of shows just missed the mark, even if by a little. BD was truly the one fantastic show top to bottom. Cadets had moments but could not seem to create the same GE magic they had with 1984. Great talent and they performed their tail ends off. I did like Madison better in 94 than 93 and felt they had set themselves up for that killer 95 program. Cavaliers had a very nice opener but otherwise not in the same design league as their 87-92 shows. Phantom definitely did not disappoint but I still like 93 a tad better. Phantom had a nice run with three 3rd place finishes in 4 years. And 1996 Phantom was...oh my...so amazing. I did not attend Finals and because of that there were many shows I just did not get to see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopers1 Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 If you follow the Troopers much, 1994 was a very interesting year, especially in the visual realm. Robbie Billings started to truly come into his own in visual design and technique. It's a preview of what he would be able to accomplish in Troopers and BK. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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