skymello2 Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 Excelsior's Open House was held Sunday. It was a great time and a good turnout. Thanks Art, Lydia and others for setting up such a great day. Here is a press release : From the November 15th Albany Times Union, Region Section Page B1. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Musical tradition returns to region Troy-based Excelsior corps sets sights on marching in parades and eventually competition By LEIGH HORNBECK, Staff writer First published: Monday, November 15, 2004 TROY -- Many wore T-shirts from a long list of defunct marching bands, but the Excelsior Drum & Bugle Corps is preparing for a musical resurgence in the Capital Region. The Excelsior corps was founded in February by men and women who used to march in bands that folded for lack of funding and membership. They marched for groups with names such as the Avant Garde from Saratoga Springs and the Speigleaires from Troy. Marching taught them competitive spirit, discipline and gave them lifelong friends. It is a tradition they are now trying to revive and pass on to younger generations. On Sunday, Excelsior held its first formal rehearsal at the Lansingburgh High School, and about 100 prospective members showed up. Participants included horn players, percussionists and color guard. The event was organized by Drum Corps Associates. "There is a whole generation who haven't experienced what we did. ... We made social contacts you never lose," said Nick Avossa, 40, who was a drum major in Avant Garde. The band folded in 1985. He and his wife, Carol, also 40, traveled from Kingston for the practice. They met when they were in Avant Garde. On Sunday, she led a color guard practice in the school gym. "I've twirled a flag for years. When you start twirling, you will either twirl everything from clothes to shoes or never again," Carol Avossa said. Excelsior's goal is to march in local parades next spring and eventually to participate in competition, said the organization's executive director, Art Cornell, 32, who played in the Shenendehowa High School marching band and as an adult in New Jersey's Hawthorne Caballeros. There are no tryouts for now, the corps is taking everyone who is interested, he said. Horn players and percussionists occupied the high school music rooms. Jay McBride, formerly of Avant Garde and Capital Brass, led a small group in playing "Softly" and "Shadow of Your Smile." Across the hall, Cornell taught 10 percussionists the basics of holding drum sticks and playing together. In the hall, Bradd Kelly a freshman at Shenendehowa, and Kurt Schrader, a Mohonasen High School student, held soprano bugles, a change from the B-flat trumpets they play in their school bands. As a teenager, Schrader's father, Jim, played the drums and saxophone. He encouraged his children to become involved in band, he said, because of the skills it teaches. Kurt Schrader's older sisters joined the Syracuse Brigadiers because it was the nearest marching band. "It's good to finally have a corps in this area," Jim Schrader said. Rich Scanlon, 51, and Scott Walsh, 44, both of Troy, became friends as young men in the Speigleaires. Scanlon played mellophone, and Walsh played baritone horn. "I said, 'Hey kid, get away from my stuff,' " Scanlon joked about their first meeting. Lydia Plante of Troy wore her 1960s Speigleaires Jr. Drum Corps jacket. Others interested in joining the corps Sunday were new musicians. Nancy Scott-Horan of Albany was learning how to play a horn for the first time. "Seeing the pageantry out on the field gives me goose bumps," said Scott-Horan, who describes herself as a "drum corps bug." She said she and her husband have followed competitions all over the East Coast. "It's a great opportunity to be involved in something like that." PLEASE BE PART OF EXCELSIOR...SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS www.excelsiordrumcorps.org Thanks Dan Hines Events/Business Manager Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSGreen Posted November 16, 2004 Author Share Posted November 16, 2004 Updated email address for Frontier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyBassDrum Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 (edited) THE FIRST BRIDGEMEN REHERSAL IS COMING UP JANUARY 9TH AT ST ANDREWS IN BAYONNE-YOU DONT WANNA MISS THIS!!! FOR INFO GO TO: http://www.bridgemen.info Common down & be part of history-everyone is welcome!! Edited November 30, 2004 by BennyBassDrum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skymello2 Posted November 19, 2004 Share Posted November 19, 2004 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////EXCELSIOR///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //***************************************All-Aged Drum and Bugle Corps************************************// /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ................................................................................ .......Is Having it's SECOND.......................................................................... ....... .............................................Full Corps Rehearsal....................................... ........................................................At...................... ................................. .................................The Waterford-HalfMoon High School............................. ..................................125 Middletown Road Waterford, NY............................. ...............................................Sunday 11/28/04.......................................... ..................................................12:00 Noon............................................... ........................................................to...................... ................................. ....................................................5:00 pm.................................................. Brass Players Please bring Any and All "G" Bugles that you own Bring Your Mouth Piece and Any others that you might have Percussionists Please bring Your sticks and any pads that you own Color Guard Performers Come Dressed to Perform :) :P :) B) :D B) b**bs <_< :o <santa> BRING FRIENDS http://www.excelsiordrumcorps.org/ For Driving Directions //////////////////////////////"EXCELSIOR" Dr m and B gle Corps Needs "U"////////////////////////////// Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skymello2 Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 (edited) Excelsior ////////Be a Part of it .............................Sunday 11/28/04 .........................12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM .....................Waterford-HalfMoon High School ...............http://www.excelsiordrumcorps.org/ ..............................for driving directions ..............................Dr m and B gle Corps ......................................Needs ........................................"U" SEE U>>> ALL THERE!!! B) :) :worthy: - :devin: Dan <santa> Edited November 23, 2004 by skymello2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skymello2 Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 (edited) EXCELSIOR Full Corps Rehearsal #2 (message from Jay McBride) Comments: The Corps just finished it's Second Full Corps Rehearsal. Thanks to Terry Stoliker for getting us Waterford-Halfmoon HS to use. The facility was Great. The Horn Line was able to finish a section of "As Time Goes By"/ "Portrait of My Love" and I must say that it is on it's way to being performed very well. The Mellophone Section did a very good job of Mastering an eighth note run in the score. Both The Soprano and Baritone Sections also did very well with their respective parts. This will be a very good sounding Horn Line once all the parts are taught. I understand that both The Color Guard and The Percussion Section had a good rehearsal as well. We cannot let the momentum stop. "Excelsior" has Great Promise and it is important that we continue to progress at this rate. If we do we will be The Best Group in Any Parade or Exhibition in 2005. Our next Horn Rehearsal will be held on Sunday 12/05/04 Location and Time TBA. It is VERY IMPORTANT that All Brass Players be in attendance. I look forward to working with you then. Let's make "Excelsior" The Best Corps in The Parade !!!!! Jay McBride "Excelsior" Dr m and B gle Corps NEEDS "U" Edited November 29, 2004 by skymello2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skymello2 Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 EXCELSIOR Message from Jay: Rehearsal on December 5th has been canceled !!!!!!!!!!!! The next Full Corps Rehearsal for "Excelsior" will take place on Sunday December 19th. The time and location will be posted on The website http://www.excelsiordrumcorps.org/ . You will also be notified by e mail. We ask that all corps members practice their parts and exercises so that we will be able to pick up where we left off on the 19th. Remember YOU are Excelsior and this will be GREAT !!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyBassDrum Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 This thread is dedicated to new competitive DCA field corps as well as new non-competitive alumni performance groups. If you are helping start a corps and want your information posted here, reply or PM me the data and I will add it to this post. <Listed Alphabetically by Corps Name or location if name isn't determined>**************************************************************** Location: North Fulton County, Georgia Webpage: "Alliance" Contact Name: Contact Email: info@alliancedrumcorps.org Contact #: Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization efforts Other Info: Location: Bayonne, NY Webpage: "Bridgmen Alumni Corps" Contact Name: Contact Email: Bridgemencorps@bridgemen.com Contact #: Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization Efforts Other Info: The Bridgemen P.O. Box 354 Bayonne, NJ 07002 Location: Glenside, PA. Website: Crossmen Alumni Contact Name: Kevin McDermitt Contact E-Mail: CROSSMENCORPS30@OPTONLINE.NET Contact #: 215-237-0911 Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization Efforts Other Info: We had a great turn out for our first rehearsal on Oct 24.th. Our next rehearsal is on Nov 28.th at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Glenside, PA. Location: Bakersfield, CA Webpage: "del Sol" Contact Name: Contact Email: delsoldrumcorps@yahoo.com. Contact #: (661) 363-5945 Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization efforts, Parade 05, Competitive 06 < 2004 Bako Xmas Parade> Other Info: Sierra Vista Performing Arts Society Open House on September 25th at the Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Location: Albany, NY Webpage: "Excelsior" Contact Name: Art Cornell Contact Email: Scram2@nycap.rr.com Contact #: 518-869-3371 Current 2005 Status: DCA Class A Participant Other Info Location: Dallas, TX Webpage: "Frontier" Contact Name: Chris Green Contact Email: frontiercorps@mindspring.com Contact #: 214-599-9891 Current 2005 Status: DCM/DCA Competitive Field Corps Location: Greensburg, PA Webpage: G Force Contact Name: Randall Kratofil, Corps Director Contact Email: director@GForceDBC.org Contact #: 412-601-0152 Current 2005 Status: DCA Class A Other Info Location: Houston, TX Webpage: "Gulf Coast Sound" Contact Name: Jason Rose Contact Email: GulfCoastSound@hotmail.com Contact #: TBA Current 2005 Status: DCA Class A Participant Other Info Location: Denver, CO Webpage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/colodrumcorps]"High Country Brass"[/url] Contact Name: Paul Auster Contact Email: pgacolo@aol.com Contact #: 303-466-1849 Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization Efforts Other Info: The first meeting of the High Country Brass senior corps in Colorado will be on Sunday November 7th at 1pm at the Straford Lakes Clubhouse in Westminster. The clubhouse is west of Federal at about 114th. Location: South Shore, MA Webpage: "Imperials" Contact Name: John Stark - Board President Contact Email: info@pathwayproductions.org Contact #: 781 424 7841 (cell) Current 2005 Status: Parade/Exhibition or Class A participant? Other Info: The Imperials from the South Shore of Massachusetts 640 Linwood St. Abington, MA Location: Jackson, MS Webpage: "Jackson Generals" Contact Name: Director: Nolan Jones Phone: 601-624-9634 email: NJones@JacksonGenerals.org Current 2005 Status: Other Info: P.O. Box 320551 Flowood, MS 39232 Location: Troy, MI Webpage: "Lakeshoremen" Contact Name: Contact Email: lakeshoremen@yahoo.com Contact #: TBA Current 2005 Status: DCA Class A participant? Other Info Location: Madison, WI Webpage:Madison Alumni Corps Contact Name: President, Dan Scerpella Contact #414-817-6574 Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization Efforts Other Info: Mailing Address - 3114 W American Drive Greenfield, WI 53221 Location: Clairton, PA Webpage: "Mon Valley Express" Contact Name: Jeff Danchik Contact Email: MonValleyExpress@aol.com Contact #: 412-882-0475 Current 2005 Status: Unknown Other Info Location: Nashville, TN Webpage: "Music City Legend" Contact Name: Brent Unger Contact Email: nashville_drumcorps@yahoo.com Contact #: TBA Current 2005 Status: DCA Class A participant Other Info Location: Cleveland, OH Webpage: North Coast Rock Contact Name: Kevin Gamin Phone: 440-212-2869 (NEW NUMBER!!!) email: northcoastrock@yahoo.com Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization Efforts Other Info: Yahoo Messenger ID - clevelanddrumcorps Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut Webpage: "Park City Pride" Contact Name: Don Beach Contact Email: cyrcle@comcast.net Contact #: Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization Efforts Other Info: Exhibition/Alumni Corps, Founded January 2004 Location: Olathe, KS Webpage: "Prarie Sound" Contact Name: Jeff Dancinger Contact Email: skyryder85n87@yahoo.com Contact #: Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization Efforts Other Info Location: Greenville, TN Webpage: "Presidents" Contact Name: Bill Clendenon Contact Email: prescorp@xtn.net Contact #: 1-(423)-638-6275 Current 2005 Status: Unknown Other Info Location: Selden, LI, NY Webpage: "Selden Cadets" Contact Name: Ron Francois Contact email: seldencadets@yahoo.com Contact #: 631 473-7701 Status: Active Alumni corps Other Information; After five rehearsals, Selden's Alumni corps is made up of former members of the Selden Cadets and other LI drum corps. The corps is open to anyone on Long Island with a DC background and is currently putting together a 2005 show as a "Tribute to NY Drum Corps of the Fifties and Sixties". In addition, a committee of alumni and others from the LI area are actively pursuing reorganizing the junior corps. Location: New Orleans, LA Webpage: "Southern Silver Star" Contact Name: Mark Ryan Contact Email: Babsryan@charter.net Contact #: 985-774-8711 Current 2005 Status: Initial Organization Efforts Other Info: We have had one rehearsal in October and had a good turnout the next rehearsals are on November 7th and December 12th at Bonnabel High School in Kenner, Louisiana from 12:00 noon until 5:00 pm. Location: Dansville, NY Webpage: "White Sabers" Contact Name: Mike Culver - Recruiting Director Contact Email: contra331@yahoo.com Contact #: (315) 331-6813 Current 2005 Status: Class A entrant after years in exh/parade Other Info <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Please correct the Bridgemens webpage to http://www.bridgemen.info George Lavelle is our director Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSGreen Posted November 30, 2004 Author Share Posted November 30, 2004 Updated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyBassDrum Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Updated <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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