Who were the Innovators?

[ironlips]

These "who-did-what -first" discussions are fascinating to a person who first marched onto the field in 1962.

True story: At a 1985 Freelancer camp, Marc Sylvester, sporting an unorthodox (surprise!) hairstyle walks by Pete Emmons who slyly comments, "What the he*l kind of a haircut is that?" Without missing a beat Marc replies, "It's asymmetry. You invented it."

You want innovators?

Bill Ludwig - first to place a horizontal valve on a G bugle(c. 1928).

Jim Donnelly & Scotty Chappelle - first to use bugle tuning slides to access accidentals(c. 1952).

Scout House Bugle Band - first major contender to use bugles in Bb and Eb(c. 1954).

Jim Donnelly and Caesar La Monica - invented the French Horn bugle(c.1940).

Dominic DelRay- invented the Mellophone bugle(c.1963).

Jerry Shellmer - first to use horizontal keyboards(1969).

St. Catherine's Queensmen - first corps to perform it's show at Carnegie Hall (1962).

Long Island Sunrisers - first DCA corps with a female colorguard(1969).

[MaxwellNotes]

These "who-did-what -first" discussions are fascinating to a person who first marched onto the field in 1962.

True story: At a 1985 Freelancer camp, Marc Sylvester, sporting an unorthodox (surprise!) hairstyle walks by Pete Emmons who slyly comments, "What the he*l kind of a haircut is that?" Without missing a beat Marc replies, "It's asymmetry. You invented it."

Good stuff!!! :)

[MiamiSun76]

Caesar La Monica - invented the French Horn bugle(c.1940).

Thanks for reminding all of us of the great Caesar LaMonica, Founder of the Greater Miami Boys Drum & Bugle Corps (Vanguards/Wave) and his devotion to the arts in South Florida. His contributions extended far beyond the corps and included his concert band which performed free weekly concerts in Bayfront Park, and many many original compositions.

[uncle z]

I could be wrong, but I think Cavaliers was the first to do the "walk over." They were also the only corps (top 12) to do so.

And in 1982 they put a pause into the music as the corps was in mid step so not only did they walk over but they also stopped with one foot above the guard for about a beat or two then continued the step.

Uh uh uh, that was put in late in '81. Take it from someone that was there both years. B)

BD was the first to ground timpani I believe in 1980. they were marching tympani cariied out by 4 guys but then grounded just inside the side line and played by one of the 4. I think the other three marched cymbals.

Wrong again. Kilts, 1978