attreides Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Spotlight on the Corps Did You Know.... The Buccaneers won the very first DCA Championship? Back in 1965, when DCA was a fledling circuit for senior corps, The Bucs won the first DCA Championship ever held. The Buccaneers all-age competitive corps of Reading, PA in 2006. Photos courtesy of The Buccaneers Organization. The Buccaneers have lots of "heroes" in the corps. Some members sacrifice a great deal to be part of the "Balance in Blue" as the corps celebrates its 50th year in existence. There's Corps Director Jimmy Gruber, who took over the corps in the mid-1990s, when it was down and out & couldn't make finals. His hard work and dedication have rebuilt this corps, with its long and storied history, back up to a place of prominence in the activity. Then there's Walter Street, a 54 year-old baritone player from Pittsburgh, PA (and Band Director of Avonworth H.S.) who is celebrating his 40th year in drum corps with the Buccaneers. He had a knee replaced a few weeks ago but is determined to march the season. He travels in with his son, Adam, and both are in their third season with the Bucs. Mike Nederhood of Seattle, Washington has boundless enthusiasm: In January, he picked up roots and moved to Pennsylvania to be a Buccaneer. He'll take the field with The Bucs this season as a tympani player. Greg Jackson (snare line photo - 2nd from the right) drives 7 hours from Columbus, Ohio every week to play in the snare line. Jeff Piscitello (snare line photo - 5th from the left) is in his 10th year as a percussionist with the corps and his 4th as percussion captain. Let's not forget all the people behind-the-scenes people; they are the unsung heroes of any corps. Their hard work and dedication to the "Balance in Blue," have helped drive the corps to the place where it is today. The Bucs have won three VFW National titles and six DCA Championship titles in 1965, 1968, 1979, 1980, 2005, and 2006. The Buccaneers will take the field this season in pursuit of their third straight DCA title. The Bucs promise a challenging, entertaining program this season. Catch all the talent that will thrill audiences at Tournament of Stars on Saturday, June 23rd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attreides Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Spotlight on the Performers Did You Know.... Ed Hayward and Kevin MacTaggart play with THREE corps!? Ed Hayward (left) and Kevin MacTaggart (right) performing with Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights. Photo courtesy of Jackie Fritsche. See her Flickr site for more great corps photos. They're both proud members of Blessed Sacrament, Light Brigade, AND the Mass Brass Mini Corps. That's why they've earned the nickname "The Dynamic Duo" with Blessed Sacrament. Ed Hayward's drum corps resume: St. Kevin's Emerald Gems 1954-1960 St. Kevin's Emerald Knights 1961-1966 St. Kevin's Alumni 1999-2001 Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights 1997-Present Light Brigade 2001-Present Mass Brass Mini Corps 2002-Present Princemen Chorus & Brass Emsemble 1996-2002 Legends of Drum Corps 1997-2002 Member of the Buglers Hall of Fame Kevin MacTaggart (left) and Ed Hayward (right) performing with Light Brigade. Photo courtesy of Jackie Fritsche. See her Flickr site for more great corps photos. Kevin MacTaggart was a soloist with the 27th Lancers. Both he and his brother, Don, played the soprano solos in 1971. Check out "Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?" 1971 Concert piece. Kevin MacTaggart's drum corps resume: St. Theresa's Band (West Roxbury) 1962-1968 27th Lancers 1969-1971 27th Lancers Alumni 1993-1996 Light Brigade 1996-Present St Kevin's Alumni 2000-2002 Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights 2002-Present Mass Brass: 2002-Present Catch all the talent that will thrill audiences at Tournament of Stars on Saturday, June 23rd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attreides Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Spotlight on the Performers Did You Know.... Phyllis Silverstein's career in drum corps is a family affair? Phyllis Silverstein (center) performing with Blessed Sacrament at the DCA Alumni Spectacular in Scranton, PA in 2003. Photo courtesy of corpsreps.com, where you can find MORE great corps photos. Phyllis started her drum corps career in the Archer-Epler Musketeers at 13 years old playing bells with Archie. In 1982-83-84, when "Archie" competed in DCA, she was probably one of the youngest players to ever compete in DCA. She started with Archie in 1981 and is currently in her 27th year performing in drum corps. She also held the title of "President of the Board of Directors." Phyllis joined Blessed Sacrament in 2001 and is still a member. She also plays vibes with The Music Express from Cinnaminson, NJ. Her dad, Bill Wiedman, currently plays in Archie's Alumni Corps. This September, he will be the only active member to have been a playing member for their 25th, 50th, and 75th Anniversary! Bill marched in Archie from 1950-1958. Her Uncle, John Gairo, is currently in Archie's Honor Guard; he marched with Archie from 1948-1954. Phyllis has 2 sons in Archie's Alumni Corps. Johnny on soprano, who first wore an Archie Uniform at 11 months old. And Will, who is 10, plays Cymbals. She also has a cousin, Mike Snow, who plays Mellophone in Archie's Alumni Corps and another cousin, Ray Williamson, who plays soprano in the Bridgemen Alumni Corps. Lastly, there is her husband, Joe, who plays soprano in Blessed Sacrament. One of the few drum corps families still marching on. Truly a "family affair!" Phyllis Performing wth Archer-Epler at the Tribute to The Harrell brothers after 9/11. Photo courtesy of photographer Greg Palmer and Director Mark Fulcomer (of the Musketeers). Catch all the talent that will thrill audiences at Tournament of Stars on Saturday, June 23rd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attreides Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 (edited) Spotlight on the Performers Did You Know.... Wes Meyers has been the master drum instructor within the NY Skyliners Organization since 1971? Wes Meyers performing with the Skyliners Alumni. Wes has performed with or instructed great corps through the years, before settling in with the corps that's true to his heart. Wes became a Skyliners member back in 1966. He joined the corps as a snare in 1966 (under Eric Perrilloux) and took over the line in 1971. Wes instructed the Skyliners drumline when they went head-to-head with the Dennis Delucia Sunrisers drumlines (1970s to 1980s). Since 1993, Wes has brought his considerable talent to the Skyliners Alumni drumline where he enjoys reviving some Skyliners classics. Wes Meyers' drum corps resume: World Drum Corps Hall of Fame (DCHOF) 1995 New Jersey Drum Corps Hall of Fame (NJDCHOF) 2003 Life Member NY Skyliners Performer: Tottenville PAL Vigilantes (snare) 1952-1955 St. Vincent's Cadets 1956 Amboy Dukes 1958-1963 Ballantine Brewers 1964 Skyliners 1966-1970 Skyliners Alumni 1993-present Instructor: SI Lawmen, Cyclones 1963-1965 Statenaires 1966 Carter Cadets 1965-1970 OLPH Ridgemen late 1970s Garden Statesmen late 60s until they folded Melrose Blackhawks early 90s-present Skyliners 1971-1985 Skyliners Alumni 1993-present Adjudicator: 1970s-1990s National Judges Association Wes Meyers (fourth snare from the left), led by Drum Major Carl Ruocco, performing with the Skyliners Alumni in the Carlstadt Memorial Day parade in 2006. Photo courtesy of Sonny Cohen, Sky Alumni hornline. Catch all the talent that will thrill audiences at Tournament of Stars on Saturday, June 23rd! Edited April 23, 2007 by attreides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attreides Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 (edited) Spotlight on the Performers Did You Know.... Famed soloist James "Jimmy" D'Amico plays with the lead line of the Skyliners Alumni these days? Jimmy D'Amico with the Skyliners Alumni at the 2006 Carlstadt Memorial Day parade. Photo courtesy of Sonny Cohen, Sky Alumni hornline. Jimmy began performing with the Holy Name Cadets of Garfield back in 1949 (we know them as "The Cadets" nowadays). He moved up to lead soprano there, demonstrating his prowess. He played lead soprano with the St. Joseph Cadets of Newark, NJ from 1955-1956. Jimmy made a name for himself as a legendary soloist and instructor for The Hawthorne Caballeros from 1957-1961. He also served as both instructor and lead soprano for other influential senior corps of the era: The New York Skyliners and Ballantine Brewers. Jimmy returned to his first love, becoming the Executive Director of the Garfield Cadets from 1966-1969. He also served as their music arranger and horn instructor. Through the years, he found time to instruct and arrange for other corps: the Montville Boy Scout Corps, St. Brendan's, St. Lucy's, Doremus, The Saints, The Hilltoppers, The Raiders, Caballeros Alumni, Garfield Cadets Alumni, and NuBrass. He has judged for the All American, National and Eastern States judging associations. He is a member of the World Drum Corps and New Jersey Hall of Fame. Nowadays, Jimmy has settled in with his good friends in the Skyliners Alumni, playing some classics from the NY Skyliners' best years. Here's an interesting tidbit. The first year the Skyliners played "Flight of the Bumble Bee," back in 1965, Jimmy intended to march with SKY that year. Arranger Hy Dreitzer wrote the "Bee" solo for him. In the end, Jimmy performed with the Caballeros instead. But as fate would have it, when the Skyliners Alumni decided to play "Bumble Bee" in 2006, Jimmy got to play the solo that was written for him over 40 years ago! Jimmy D'Amico (front row, by cymbals player) performing with the NY Skyliners Alumni at the DCA Alumni Spectacular in 2005. Photo courtesy of corpsreps.com, where you can find MORE great corps photos. Catch all the talent that will thrill audiences at Tournament of Stars on Saturday, June 23rd! Edited April 23, 2007 by attreides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attreides Posted April 23, 2007 Share Posted April 23, 2007 (edited) Spotlight on the Performers Did You Know.... John "Grass" Urspruch joined the ranks of elite drum corps soloists with the NY Skyliners back in 1969? John Urspruch with the Skyliners Alumni at the Carlstadt Memorial Day Parade in 2006. Photo courtesy of Sunny Cohen, Sky Alumni hornline. John started out playing with a small corps called the Carlstadt-Woodridge (CW) Townsmen and then graduated to the Hawthorne Muchachos in the mid-1960s. He went on to play with the USAF Drum & Bugle corps, and then joined the NY Skyliners in 1969... becoming one of the most prolific soloists that drum corps has ever known. When "Lefty" Mayer approached John about running for director, he accepted the challenge because he believed that what you take from something, it should be returned in some form. He was the Director of the Skyliners in 1974 and again in 1977-1980. One of his biggest contributions was in 1978, when he brought women into the ranks. "Grass" has been with the Skyliners Alumni since 2002. With his vast musical knowledge, he has become an asset to the sopranos, running sectionals. John sees his years in the Skyliners as the greatest times of his life. He has never marched with any other senior corps because, as he puts it, "There are NO OTHERS". He has his own music store/repair shop in Brick, NJ. called Master Craft Music, Inc. John was privileged to be inducted into the freshman class of the Buglers Hall of Fame in 2005. Charles Vayda, John Urspruch, and Bob Urspruch in the Hava Nagila trio (complete with yarmulkes!) with the Skyliners Alumni at the DCA Alumni Spectacular of 2006. Photo courtesy of Bob's wife, Carmella Urspruch. Catch all the talent that will thrill audiences at Tournament of Stars on Saturday, June 23rd! Edited April 23, 2007 by attreides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attreides Posted April 23, 2007 Share Posted April 23, 2007 It was 42 years ago today, Father Donovan taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, But they're guaranteed to raise a smile.* Have you bought tickets to Tournament of Stars yet? Whattya waitin' for? Tickets are cheaper ahead of time AND you get in the stadium sooner. Go to Bridgemen.com to secure your seats today! *Smiley face featured on Mary Lou Stanton's rifle stickers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmanbay41 Posted April 24, 2007 Author Share Posted April 24, 2007 It is with regret to inform everyone that the Skyliners Senior corps has asked for and have received release from their obligation to perform at the TOS. I spoke with their director Harry Eldridge Sr. about this and he said they have a plan that they will be able to field a corps later in the season. The rough winter has them playing catch up and they would not be ready and would not be fair to the TOS crowd and the corps. We here at the Bridgemen wish them nothing but the best as they battle through and get the corps out during the season. Right now we are working on adding another corps to replace them and will make an announcement within the next few days. Ticket sales are going very well, so don't delay and get your tickets!!! Hype! George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
standy Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 good luck sky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCFKING Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 I guess that means Charlie has nothing better to do!!! RF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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