CrossmenAlumni Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Just some fun facts for all you history buffs out there... The following was transcribed from a letter talking about the new merger that took place between the Keystone Regiment and 507th Hornets which formed the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps: Letterhead: Delaware County Junior Drum & Bugle Corp.Date: December, 1974 Dear Corps Parents and Interested Persons: Enthusiasm and excitement is at a fever pitch. Why? Our Board Members, our Executive Director, our Field Director and our corps members visualize a brass section of 65 to 70 horns, a percussion unit of 35 to 40 members, the color guard consisting of 55 girls. This will enable us to field a marching unit of 165 talented boys and girls. Delaware County would be represented by a high powered drum and bugle corps. How did this become a reality? After many years of successfully competing in the Class B and Class A field events and winning many honors and awards, it was becoming evident that many members of Keystone and 507 were becoming restless and uncertain as to their future in the drum corps world. Both corps had prospects of losing many talented kids and being relegated to a parade marching unit. This would have ensured us of the loss of additional members. Thus the idea of merging all this talent into a new Class A corps was born. Could this happen? Is it possible? Many questions had to be answered regarding the new Board of Directors, the Director, Instructors, the Parents Associations of both corps, finances and equipment. Will all these parents work together as a single unit? We had no doubts as to the corps kids joining together enthusiastically. All these doubts can now be put aside as the organization has been formed and is presently preparinga schedule of activities for the purpose of operating and remaining solvent. The corps anticipates the support of all the parents and interested persons. The structure of your new corps is as follows: 12 Board Members - Listed on letterhead Executive Director - Dennis White Field Director - Harold Robinson Business Manager - Joseph Knapp Instructors - Brass - Ray Eyler, Percussion - Eric Landis & Bill Kaufman, Color Guard - Bill Cowper & Joe Aiello The next step was in naming the corps. A contest was held within the membership and a list of names was settled on. Voting took place, and a new name was chosen. Here is the list of names that were voted on: 1. Keystone Regiment2. 507 Hornets 3. 507 Regiment 4. Iron Crossmen 5. Crossmen 6. Penn Brigade 7. Blue Brigade 8. Genesis 9. Blue Horizons 10. The Pennsylvanians 11. The Marauders 12. The Insurgents 13. Penn Raiders 14. Silver Buccaneers 15. The Silver Crossmen 16. Black Hawks 17. Philadelphia Brassmen 18. Imperial Lancers 19. Trojans 20. Pennsylvania Blackhawks 21. Royal Vanguard 22. Pennsylvania Cavalry 23. Valley Princemen 24. Union Raiders 25. Midnight Caravan 26. Vigilantes 27. Phantom Brigade 28. Black Knight 29. Swordsmen 30. Pied Pipers 31. American Patrol 32. Phantom Patrol 33. Pennsylvania Cadets 34. Suburban Knights 35. Valley Knight 36. Ghost Raiders 37. Spirit of "76" 38. 1st City Troop 39. Screaming Eagles 40. Mohawks 41. Pennsylvania Atlantics 42. Delaware Valley Brigade 43. Delco Devildogs The Crossmen's first public performance was on April 11, 1975 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. It was part of pre-game ceremonies for a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorge9295 Posted December 14, 2003 Share Posted December 14, 2003 Nice Job Gary. Could you have imaging marching for the Trojans or the pied pipers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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