Russellrks Posted January 31, 2004 Share Posted January 31, 2004 I'm curious. When I marched I don't remember if flags had started spinning yet (I aged out in 1976). I know they were spinning in 1977 but when and who was the first to shorten the poles and start spinning those flags? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastcoastjazz Posted January 31, 2004 Share Posted January 31, 2004 First to spin flags was St Anthony's Band from Revere, MA in 1972 Visual designer was George Zingali. he then took the idea to a local drum corps he taught. Other notable alum from the St Anthony's program include Marc Sylvester & Wanda Conway. The band program also ran a Winter Guard that later became Quasar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottwdubois Posted January 31, 2004 Share Posted January 31, 2004 Fred :) You really are a walking drum corps encyclopedia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LancerFi Posted January 31, 2004 Share Posted January 31, 2004 (edited) In 72 - 2-7 had a line called the "trick flags"-there were 6 of them. The flags were lime green to make sure they were not missed. One included Margaret (Peggy) Twiggs, who went on to teach some of the finest guards in the land. Let me see if I can attach the picture of the original 6 in drum corps marching into a show......I'll try it on the next thread... Thank you George and Margaret.... Edited January 31, 2004 by LancerFi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LancerFi Posted January 31, 2004 Share Posted January 31, 2004 See below, I received one answer from an original trick and made a phone call to another who is a family member of the director of 2-7, guess it was Margaret "Peggy" Twiggs. However seeing as they GZ & PT were best friends for about 20 years, we'll let it pass. He did invent double silks! And many other things as you probably know. "It was Peggy and the trick flags... end of 1971... beginning of 1972 - and we had it in the show in 1972. It wasn't Zingali..." I do however believe he must have added a lot of work for the line!! I'll have to call Mae and ask her about St. Anthonys and whether they were also spinning..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dci_chica_no1 Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 cool, that's am awesome question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsBusDriver Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 First to spin flags was St Anthony's Band from Revere, MA in 1972Visual designer was George Zingali. he then took the idea to a local drum corps he taught. Other notable alum from the St Anthony's program include Marc Sylvester & Wanda Conway. The band program also ran a Winter Guard that later became Quasar. ...Umm, it had to be earlier than that. We did a 3 count flag spin during "If I were a rich man" in '70. And if we did it then, then other flaglines must have been spinning too. There are lots of Guards "spinning" albeit only 3 or 4 count spins on the '71 World Open tape I have. So are you talking about a "continuous" spin as round and round and round for umpteen counts? Then I would have to agree that it was 2-7 first on field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarnia sam Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 When I was in the colour guard back in 71 (Marching Diplomats) we did spins. Not many, but we did them. We weren't the only ones doing them either. Regards, John Swartz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malibu Posted February 11, 2004 Share Posted February 11, 2004 When you ask, "Who was the first?" I think you should be more specific....like who was the first in drum corps. I mean, if you want to give credit for THE first, then I think credit should go to the Italian Flag Hurlers.....see info below....also, one could say this group "could have been" the first drum & bugle corps. I have written to them asking for a time line. Italian Flag Hurlers Sbandieratori Ducato Caetani.....presented by the Lazio region of Italy Sbandieratori Ducato Caetani will give a spectacular display of the traditional Italian art of flag-hurling at this year's Lygon Street Festa. The roll of the drums and the blare of the trumpets take onlookers back in time to the atmosphere of the middle ages. The performers vault their flags into the air, expertly catching them and move in and out of choreographed military formations such as the phalanx, circle and wedge. The colorful, joyful display recalls ancient battles and keeps alive a unique centures-old folkloric tradition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malibu Posted February 11, 2004 Share Posted February 11, 2004 I just got this info from Sbandieratori Ducato Caetani, move the flags according to music of drums and trumpets, probably is an invention of the last 50 - 60 years but if you want to go in the history of moving flag we have some document dated 1637 is a CODICE = a ancient book named "L'ARTE DI MANEGGIAR L'INSEGNA = the art of flag handle in this book with images are described movements, tecnique, ect. it was considered as a special sport useful to prepare to the use of the sword So there you have it.....the ITALIANS were the FIRST to SPIN a flag. You know what else is interesting, Zingali and most of Revere were/are Italians.....no wonder they pushed the envelop for color guard.....it was in their blood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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