Drum Corps International 1984 Yearbook

M CORPS·tJNTERNATIONAL.1984 Directors amf Management ON THE COVER World Champion Garfield Cadets Jli,s it:i Finale . ..- Photo 8 •t,1. Regiorillls · i~ 10-14 CREDITS ' World Championships 15-17 ~ Writer~TomKinney Photography-Bruce Fritz Desjgn and Printing-..:-KMS Graphics &Design c aifield Cadets 18 Bl~eDevils 20 .. . $~ta C~ara. Van~~:rd 22 Produced with the coopetation of Phtnt9m RegitMnt . . 24 Don t'esceone and the DCI Staff .. Madj~on Scouts . . 26 SuncoasfSound 28 ,;ls sr1arkling and f[aiqles~ in Sptrit of Atlan~,;1. • ;i. 30 th~ross:.Jighting of the post- :ff t<!elancers · ~ 32 Cayaliers 34 fin,;,.ls ritual.as they were in . .27th Lancets 36 performance all season, the Bri~gemen 38 Garfield Cadets solemnly Skf'Ryders 40 accept what's rig[ztfull!t theirs , 42 cr1ssmen - the 1984 DCI World Championship, in the ajtennath of Miami/s Last ,, ·· . night. . ·

HILE ever-evolving with their ceaseless stylistic innovations and an W eye turned ever toward new artistic horizons to conquer, modern era drum and bugle corps often seem little related to their forerunners - the militaristic marching bands. Yet, on the most fundamental of levels, modern corps, with the guidance and support of Drum Corps International, are very much related to their predecessors. The link between past and present lies in the common ground of discipline and perseverance, which are no less important, no less stressed today than when marching bands were still contingent of military detachments. It is discipline that keeps young performers moving when the thermometer hits three digits, it's discipline that keeps corps directors constantly scouring for new material and it is the discipline of Drum Corps International that allows for a smooth artistic flow during competition.

4 The verdict is enlightened adjudication ... in the first degree! T HEY are the royalty in the Roman Colosseum, Can they tune into an innovative artistic statement, and can whose gilded thumbs dictate the margin between they adjudicate fairly within the slightest margin of error? aesthetic life and death! What, in fact, are they looking for when 128 brightly-clad They are the executioners, whose ultimate and virtuosa performers, skilled in a wide range of disciplines, incontestable judgments determine the sway of fate for scatter to the winds over a those gritty competitors who have cast their lot at their feet. spacious football field? They are the judges for DCI-sanctioned drum and bugle Why, in the first place, corps competitions, and are not unlike referees, those would anyone want to shadowy figures who haunt sporting arenas - always in thrust themself into the the background, yet always a primary factor in the final midst of such a precarious determination. and controversial They can be seen winding their way through the ranks of position? performing drum corps, but they are not the focal point. For Don Angelica, past They are omnipresent on the field of competition, yet they judge of judges who must remain aloof and removed from the emotion of the stepped down after the moment, from the spectacle that is unfolding in front of 1983 performing season, it their watchful and discerning eye. was simply a matter of Over the past decade-plus, their job has been made paying past dues to an increasingly difficult by the rampant and ceaseless Don Angelica- Looking back activity that had yielded so advancements of the progressive drum corps, who are on a forward looking man many benefits to him dur- always striving for the next level of sophistication. From the ing his competitive years. staid militarism of the original marching bands to the \"I was a trumpet player since I was seven years old, and I highest pinnacles of artistic achievement, the judges have got into drum corps when I was about 13,\" the amiable and had to match the rapidly evolving corps step for step. effervescent Chief Judge recalled, looking back on his career The corps- especially the most highly competitive units in drum corps. \"I joined the Holy Name Cadets, now the in the upper echelons - have progressed over the years Garfield Cadets, and marched with them from 1952 through from Sousa to Stravinsky in their varied choices of '58 and taught with several corps from 1960-63. repertoire. On the field, in motion, they have gone from the \"I got into judging when I was too old to march in junior metronomic marches of old to Russian ballet and modem drum corps,\" Angelica continued, lost in his memories. \"I dance. In fact, each successive year issues in a brand new was always fascinated by it, and I thought that judging genre of corps, who in tum challenge all the past precepts of would be a payback for all I had gotten from the activity drum corps styles. myself.\" But how do the judges themselves hold up under When he was Chief Judge, Angelica and his judicial scrutiny? Under judgment? Are they truly objective, or cohorts were anything but unaware of the obstacles merely arbitrary? Are they capable of recognizing and constantly being thrown in front of them by the rewarding talent when it parades before their eyes? compulsively innovative corps. Some corps in particular seem to delight in making their job challenging. As Chief Judge, he scrapped to keep personnel on top of the latest

5 developments, not only within the discipline of drum Barry Swain, one of Angelica's former charges, is an corps, but in the greater arena of artistic accomplishment as emerging figure among DCI judges. Swain, like most other well. For that reason, he encouraged the judiciary to attend judges, is a former drum corps performer, and at 29 had year-round clinics on a wide variety of subjects to keep already logged over ten years of judging. Swain attended them abreast of latest trends. many of the clinics and workshops that Angelica \"I'm a conspicuous consumer of the arts,\" he quipped coordinated and swore by the heightened awareness they confessionally. \"As Chief Judge I made sure that I saw the had brought to his judging skills. latest things that were happening on Broadway and at the \"When I first saw a dance group at one of our clinics, I opera company in San Francisco. I went to all the ballets and thought 'they don't execute,' \" Swain shrugged. \"At first it many dance recitals and I encouraged the other judges to do threw me, because it seemed to make what we did all wrong that, too. - all our emphasis on precision and execution in drum \"I paid $100 for a ticket to 'Nicholas Nicholby' just corps. Yet, here's these artists, supposedly the best in their because I had to see what it was all about,\" he continued. \"I business, and they could care less about execution. did that because if somebody did something that might \"But what the clinic made me realize, was that people relate to our medium, I'd better be on top of it to give some who pay $35 to see the Joffrey Ballet aren't looking for direction to the judges.\" perfection, they're looking for expression,\" he noted. There's no question that dance has crept in the back door \"These kinds of learning experiences broaden our of drum corps and in recent years has made a bold and perspective on drum corps performances and help us to brazen exit out the front door. Almost overnight, many prepare for new things the corps are trying to achieve.\" corps directors moved to solicit dance and movement Swain's baptism into the medium of dance typified the instructors, as well as choreographers, to drill their troops type of educational experiences Angelica attemped to in the subtleties of movement. impose on the judicial staff. It was his job to keep on top of During his tenure as Chief Judge, Angelica monitored the judges, who in turn must keep on top of the corps. this trend, watching related mediums out of the corner of Angelica saw an altered emphasis on the type of judges that his eye, moving quickly to educate the judge's staff in dance should be recruited in the future to keep in step with the appreciation. demands of an ever-changing medium. \"We tried to move in the direction that we saw the corps ''The thrill I got out of being Chief Judge was in finding moving in, and when possible, even to anticipate them a the young, raw talent, and in making them good judges, as little bit,\" he pointed out. well as keeping the tradition alive of hiring better and better \"I think dance will continue to be a spectacularly judges,\" he stressed. \"That's because the activity has important phase in our development over the next several become more aesthetically satisfying, yet also more years,\" he continued. \"After all, how much can you do with aesthetically demanding. \"So we'd better have guys who a flagpole? But the human body in movement can be can understand the intricacies that some of these drill absolutely fascinating.\" designers and musical arrangers are coming up with, or we're going to be in real trouble,\" he added.

It is only natural to expect corps directors to be at variance with some of the verdicts handed down. After all, these are artistic temperaments in action. It is surprising, however, to AS DCI Executive Director Don Pesceone pointed out, discover that beyond the usual minor beefs, there are _rt. nobody had strived harder than Angelica to make relatively few criticisms of the DCI adjudication_structu_re. discerning selections in recruiting new judging talent. All the judges who admit to be human, also readily admit to \"Don has been a major force in recruiting judges for drum a given margin of human error. At the same time, they feel corps, and although it's pretty simple to train a person for that their decisions balance out in the long run. the position, the potential \"There's always a screw-up in every kind of judging-in for being a good judge has every kind of system for that matter- but I think that all to be there in the first things considered, we've picked the right winner the last place,\" Pesceone observed. eleven years in a row,\" Angelica stated. A former judge himself, \"I honestly feel that very strongly,\" he emphasized. Pesceone said that \"Consistently, over the years, there's been very, very little \"finding the right person is criticism against the winner. When you're eighth, maybe a difficult and lengthy you thought you should have been seventh, and ~hen process\" that involves an you're sixth, you thought you should have been fifth. That exhaustive search into the kind of reaction is easy to understand, and is to be expected. background of the \"But, if you take your corps out of the picture, and ask prospective judge. yourself if you think everything else was OK, most people \"It takes a combination say that it was. If they say yes to that question, which they of having good, strong and do 99% of the time, then we're not in bad shape,\" he added. open-minded people with Still - do the judges have the flexibility to respond to a either a drum corps startlingly new concept when it is showcased on the field for background or a the first time? Isn't a corps, which is pioneering new Don Pesceone, background in education,\" territory, at a distinct disadvantage? Won't there at least be Executive Director of DCI he added. some lag time between innovation and appreciation? Noting that DCI has \"No!\" Angelica responded briskly. \"Usually it works to independently contracted up to as many as 100 judges for its touring schedule, Pesceone said that the recruitment of a good adjudication staff was a grueling process of discrimination, in which the deciding criteria was the flexibility to flow with the constant creative innovations of drum corps directors.

7 their advantage, because it isn't something people have with would gear itself to winning the National seen forty times before.\" Championship as determined by themselves, not by the He cited as an example a new corps, busting into the top judges. That's looking from my experience as a judge and as twenty-five for the first time that year. a band leader and a person who's been in corps activities for \"They had a real creative drill, and a real imaginative a long time. musical program, and the judges recognized it and \"So, my own perception would be to be sure that the rewarded them,\" he observed. \"They might not have been drum corps members had a two-track involvement, one in as accurate as some of the corps they beat, but the judges which they geared themselves up to winning the National responded to the freshness of their approach. Championship determined by judges - because there are Angelica, upon stepping down and passing on the so many variables in the judging process that I would want judicial reins to his successor, was convinced that the the judges to declare that my corps would eventually be first judges' staff has been rigorously prepped for the sudden, - but not to be dependent upon judges to decide if they thunderstorm-like arrival of new ideas - even welcoming truly have won the contest,\" he concluded. them. But, he readily admitted that even they can be caught Upon close scrutiny, the judges seem to score well in all off guard. the captions, with maybe a few knock-down points to be \"Now, if you get too far out, and we've had some taken away for the givep margin of human error. In judging examples of that in the past, the judges may not be as far out the judges, the verdict has to be enlightened adjudication - as you are just yet, but we make them catch up real in the first degree. quickly,\" he acknowledged, reassuringly. Thumbs up! ■ But as long-time drum corps activist and judge Bernard Baggs pointed out, the ultimate enjoyment of this rising recreational art form should always be in the mind of the beholder. \"If I were to start a drum corps today, knowing what I know, I would say that first of all, what you have to do is have a philosophy of what that corps is all about,\" he said upon consideration of a hypothetical question. \"You have to understand that the business of competition is a method, it's not the end. It is simply something that everybody understands as a way of motivating, but ultimately I would want to be sure that the corps that I had something to do

.8 • CORPS IN FINALE • With the competition completed and the tension mounting, the competing corps filled Miami's Orange Bawl in a colorful panorama of blending uniforms, anticipating the crowning of the 1983 World Champion.

flfllidil&I . Ht~ ii 9 • CORPS IN FINALE •

10 Drums Along the Rockies Knights, ninth; Hollywood tallied up a 76.30 mark for first found in the lower reaches of Knights, 10th and Argonne place, while Spirit was a the final 10. In seventh were Blue Devils, Vanguard Rebels, 11th. distant second with a 65.65. the Cavaliers, with a 52.75, skirmish in class of their own Though they struggled to a On a typically blistering hot while the 27th Lancers TIREE distinctly separate fifth place finish and a score of Pennsylvanian mid-summer inhabited eighth and the kirmishes were being 47.05, the Troopers were the day, Garfield's sweeping Mass Bridgemen came in ninth. The waged simultaneously at DCI's sentimental favorites, drawing provided a temporary cool Lancers tallied 52. 70, the early Drums Along the Rockies the wildest response from their front, assuaging a fever pitch Bridgemen 52.35. regional June 25 - one for the western fans and they audience. Down another 11 points, in first two places, for third launched their 25th It was not, however, a 10th with a strong showing through fifth and another for anniversary season. disappointed Spirit that was Les Eclipses from the last six spots. It was to be a year of languished far behind the Longueuil, Quebec, a Kicking off another annual nostalgia and retrospect for the Cadets for they had edged out Canadian corps. inaugural regional from the traditionalist-minded corps the powerful Madison Scouts, More than just watching towering visage of Mile High and its leader Jim Jones, one who early in the season were scores, though, the corps were Stadium in Denver, the Blue that would see the Troopers struggling with a new program sizing each other up. Early Devils from Concord, elicit many standing ovations, and a new look. They were regionals are a time for assess- California took their status as many wet eyes. dancing more, the opener ment, strategical plotting and defending World Champs Befitting their status among Colas Breugnon was classically evaluation. Also, they are time seriously by edging the Santa the western inland states, the tinged opera, a departure for for reconsideration, and Oara Vanguard by a little less Colorado legislature adopted the Scouts and they were among those who were to than two points. the Troopers for the year, sportingnewuniforms. In fact, successfully affect changes It was immediately apparent presenting them with a there were so many changes were the Cavaliers, later to that scoring in 1983 would be proclamation. that for some drum corps redeem themselves in the significantly lower, at least at It was an unusually early novices there may have been finals with a strong finish. first, as the Blue Devils came in start on another season with some doubt as to whether they The season was still young, nearly 12 points under their many more battles awaiting were even seeing the but time was becoming a winning mark in '82 with a eager contestants on the road legendary Scouts. premium. 72.10 to the Vanguard's 70.35. to Miami. Atlanta and Madison played In the second flight of tag in the point game right DCI Canada Regional competition, it was the DCI Regional East down to the final moments of Crossmen, from Philadelphia the World Championships, but Garfield turns the heat up Garfield gives notice, sets on an overcast day taking third with a 54.15 while the DCI East Regional tone for season to come or the Sky Ryders, from Kansas belonged to Spirit. The Scouts were fourth and the Troopers, G ARFIEID Cadets tallied 64.15, not far behind, (Garfield pulls away from from Wyoming fifth. Director George but a sizeable spread still over the pack) Far below them six non-DCI Hopkins might as well have the Suncoast Sound, who I T was that rare occurence in members scrapped for sixth in plastered posters up around nonetheless fared very well. drum corps competitions, the one-day contest without a downtown Allentown, or have The Sound had a 57. 90 for an overcast day that slipped preliminary. It offered the read into record a fourth, and in the process into the midst of an endless opportunity, however, of proclamation stating that his served notice that 1983 would procession of hot and sunny giving the smaller corps a corps would be the force to be be a year during which they days when DCI Canada was chance to become familiar with reckoned with in 1983. would assert their new held on July 8 in Hamilton, the adjudication procedure At the DCIEast Regionals, strength. They finished ahead Ontario. and to improve performances from the floor of J. Birney of several top corps, including But the absence of sunshine by listening to the judges' Crum Stadium, on July 2, the 27th Lancers and Bridgemen. did nothing to stem the hottest critiques. Cadets showed the rest of the Another pair of surprises fire in drum corps, the Garfield Topping the bottom six in corps how far they had come were provided by the Cadets, who romped through only the third drum and bugle by boasting a great bulging resurgent Alliance of yet another regional leaving corps contest of the young margin of nearly 11 points over Arlington, Massachusetts, in the Madison Scouts a far season was a youthful unit second-runner the Spirit of fifth with 55.20 and the distant second. from Houston, Texas, itself a Atlanta. scrappy Knights of Geneseo, Garfield pulled away from newcomer, the Night Hawks. With large, jubilant Fourth Illinois, sixth with 53. the pack, leaving the others to Other competitors included: of July crowds turning out to Perhaps even more eat its dust while scoring an Blue Knights, seventh; Black root for their favorite New surprising were the high 81.20, more than a full nine Knights, eighth; Emerald England corps, the Cadets caliber corps who were to be points ahead of the Scouts.

11 Madison tallied a 72.15, light winding down, Garfield was putting together what would an appropriate setting as the 12 years ahead of its nearest rival proving itself untouchable, be a devastating show by the finalists would three weeks the Knights of Geneseo, Madison and the Bridgemen time they reached Miami. later meet again in the Miami Illinois in third with 66.60. were discovering how far they Second the previous year in International Championships, Oose behind was the Alliance had to go, and several smaller Ypsilanti, the Scouts kept up with the first five corps finish- with 64. corps were enjoying the their good track record with a ing in exactly the same order as Canadian fans, notorious for temporary prestige of 74.20, followed by the they did at Whitewater. their unabashed support of competing with the best. Crossmen in fourth with 67.95 Garfield was up to the task, any quality drum corps and the Cavaliers in fifth with a demanding and taking first regardless of regional identity, DCI North Regional 66.55. place as it had all year without had even more to cheer about Rounding out the final field fail, registering an ~6.10 to Rolling Garfield racks up than usual with two of its own of eight were the Knights, from topple defending champs the making the final eight. Near- second first in two days Geneseo, Illinois in sixth, the Blue Devils, who took second ing the cutoff point marking IF it hadn't already become consistent Alliance, from with an 84.85. the end of the first season, apparent that the Garfield Arlington, Massachusetts in Oose to the top two in third Canadian drum corps buffs Cadets were going to be a seventh and the flashy but was the Vanguard, just proudly watched as Les formidable force in 1983, it troubled Bridgemen in eighth. beginning its annual surge Eclipses, from Longueuil, must have seemed obvious The Ypsilanti regional toward peaking in the World Quebec and Dutch Boy, from after back-to-back DO marked the end of the first Finals, with a strong 83.75. nearby Kitchener forged their Regional victories in Canada, season and the time for drum More than eight points back, way into the seventh and then Ypsilanti, Michigan the corps to return to their home the Phantom Regiment held eighth positions. next day. bases to tour local circuits. It down fourth, while the It was to be a harbinger of Although the New Jersey- was also a time for reflection, to Madison Scouts were close even better things to come as based corps failed to dominate work out the kinks and to gear behind in fifth. the two corps would go on to with the absolutely prohibitive up for the big push leading It was to prove a microcosm both finish in the 25 top thoroughness of the previous eventually to the impending of the 1983 season: Garfield, member corps at Miami. day's contest in Hamilton, on World Championships. Blue Devils and Santa Gara The Bridgemen came in fifth July 9 at Rynearson Stadium There was still plenty of time vying for first; Phantom and with a disappointing 56.80 and on the Eastern Michigan for revision and adjustment, Madison grappling for fourth, the realization that they had a University campus, they still however, and the consistently and the Spirit of Atlanta and lot of work to do before the managed to finish four points successful corps like the Suncoast Sound battling for summer was over, while the up on their nearest competitor Bridgemen and Scouts, would sixth. surprise corps of the contest the Phantom Regiment. woodshed with their troops As they did all year, was Boston, who finished sixth Garfield racked up 82.85 getting ready for a strong Suncoast and the Spirit were at52.50. points for its second first place return to the second season. neck-to-neck at Whitewater, One of the smallest corps on in regional competition in two Atlanta again pulling it out in tour, the approximately 50 days, while the Regiment, DCI Midwest Regional the end. For Spirit it was a members, with a scant 20 from Rockford, Illinois scored a redemption after being shut horns, a mere 18 color guard 78.85. Garfield emerges victorious out of the finals at Whitewater girls and a handful of drum- Defending DO North from first clash with Western in 1982 when they finished mers, blew everyone away Regional Champ, the Santa powers 13th. For Suncoast, it simply with delightfully crisp drills Oara Vanguard was Tu!,1; first dash between marked another milestone on and a surprisingly big sound. elsewhere, allowing Garfield pstart Eastern corps the the path to its ascendency Still, the biggest hit of the to stroll in to the finish line Garfield Cadets and the two which would culminate in night was the two Canadian quite alone. But the fated Western powers-Blue Devils Miami. The Sound first broke corps who drove their fellow meetings between the great and Santa Oara Vanguard - into the top 12 at Whitewater in countrymen wild with their Eastern hope Garfield and the occurred in Whitewater at the '82, taking 12th, and DO_ patented fun, freewheeling two Western powers- DO Midwest regional, July 30. Midwest '83 was the first time and entertainment-oriented Vanguards and Blue Devils - Although the Cadets had the new corps had placed so shows. Dutch Boy took 7th were not to materialize until blown through previous high in open competition with a 48.35, while Les Eclipses the end of the month when opposition like a tornado in a against the top DO member was 8th at 46. 95. After the they would all meet in gift shop, the annual Warhawk corps. But Atlanta held its edge World Finals, those standings Whitewater. Stadium shootout was eagerly by the slimmest of margins, would be reversed, Eclipses at Trailing not far behind were awaited by drum and bugle just a mere half point to take 19th, Dutch Boy at 23rd. the Madison Scouts, still corps fans as an indication of sixth while the Sound held With the first season struggling a little, but slowly Garfield's true strength. It was seventh.

12 Less than two points behind corps members left the War- Phantom, on the other was the Cavaliers, celebrating the Suncoast Sound were the hawk stadium field, marched hand, had left its somber but its illustrious past on its 35th 27th Lancers, a corps that had straight through the athletic elegant Spartaats to the ancient anniversary with felt its performance level to be building and on out the other Greeks, from whence it had performances that grew more above its scores throughout side without losing the beat. come, lightening its load with sophisticated each time they the season, with its snappy Whitewater was a highwater some sweet Tchaikovsky. As it assumed the field. With a new dance routines including mark on the season, as it is has always expected of itself, sixth place finish in a tough jigs and lilting British scores every year, delineating the end the Phantom Regiment had field, the Cavaliers were such as Danny Boy, originally of experimental performances assumed a difficult program showing great promise of derived from Londonderry Air, and the beginning of the long and the pieces were just begin- things just down the road. an old Celtic fiddle tune. concerted march on Miami, ning to fit into the right places. Highlights of the show Lingering just to the rear of now just three weeks away. The Scouts were also included the interpretation of the Lancers in ninth were the The wheat was starting to building momentum for Jade, an original composition Freelancers, while the charg- separate from the chaff. Miami, crashing those penned by alumnus Michael ing Cavaliers were in 10th, the sidelines a little harder each Boo just for the occasion, surprising Geneseo Knights DCI South Regional time, dancing with more and Celebration Suite, an 11th and Sky Ryders 12th. more abandon, tightening it appropriate concert and the DCI South - the heat of If Whitewater didn't already Championship night looms up for the final onslaught. insignia piece The Pines of pose enough surprises, hold Each performance of Memory Rome now played as a closer. ahead enough suspense and from Cats seemed to wring a The Freelancers, from excitement for corps and their HELD in Atlanta on new interpretation from the Sacramento, California joined fans, a new twist was added in August 13, DCI South Broadway score. the melee headed toward the '83 - a would-be measles was the last regional before the Atlanta may have been winner's circle in Florida with a epidemic that threatened to Miami Championships and as burned to the ground by strong showing, taking strike all present, and was only such provided a springboard Sherman, but it was the seventh a shade to the rear of at the last minute cut off at the catapulting corps into the treacherous sister from the the Cavaliers. pass. Somewhere between the impending finals. south, Suncoast Sound that In eighth were the Sky withering heat and drenching With the heat of Champion- took the Spirit out of the Ryders, the Crossmen took humidity, not to mention ship night now just one week Georgia capitol. With no other ninth and the Knights of mosquitos the size of late away, corps were hoping that visage but Miami sparkling in Geneseo finished at 10th. fifties' Buicks, were one or two the catapult was on target, the Floridians' eyes, the The tough corps, the ones corps members with since a miscalculation could Suncoast Sound finally who pace themselves through contagious cases of measles. mean disaster. managed to flag the Spirit the season in anticipation of its Somewhere along the tour Scores had been slowly down from behind, reversing climax, were bunching toward they had contacted the fast- climbing through the season as the preliminary results in the the top, and the Florida spreading virus, and it was reserved judges began finals. Suncoast seacoast was now beckoning, , decided by the Center for loosening up a little on the tallied a fine 81.05 to slither by impatiently, calling them to its Disease Control (CDC) that adjudication choke collars, and the Spirit with an 80.80. lapping shores. ■ every member of every corps were finally nearing the Another corps on the mend had to be vaccinated. magical 90 point mark. Picture, if you will - if you The Blue Devils - the only can - a massive effort on the corps besides Garfield to win a part of the CDC,· coordinated DCI regional all summer - through the Wisconsin slipped past a vastly improved Department of Health, and suddenly threatening involving thousands upon Phantom Regiment for its first thousands of corps members place, scoring an 87.40. The lining up dutifully outside the Regiment came close at 85.85, Warhawk athletic building. while the Madison Scouts - Although DCI was under- another immensely improved standably concerned with the corps - was third with 82.15. impact of vaccinations on Featuring a delightfully performances, the effort was paradoxical repertoire, the organized so slickly and Devils jazzed the joint to The 1982 World Champion efficiently that it nearly became jukebox heaven with its clear Blue Devils defend their title a part of the show. Performing and pure sound. in Miami's Orange Bowl.

13 Slick and sleek Garfield August, where things could prevails in Orange Bowl get hot enough for Satan to comfortably field a corps. F AR above the drooping Yet, it didn't seem to phase palms and ubiquitous sea the toughened, self-motivated grape trees, beyond the young troopers who had towering girders of the braved worse on a daily basis imposing Orange Bowl, up, up throughout the summer, who and away in the general had long ago proved that direction of the heavens, great neither hell nor high waters, chunks of clouds floated nor Miami in August could aimlessly like cotton ball keep them from doing what mountains, assembling and they did best-perform under dispersing only to reassemble pressure, and with the greatest again as evening closed slowly of finesse, at whatever in from the east and the 1983 temperature. DCI World Championship Down yonder, down among drum and bugle corps the sheltering palms, where competition finals began in heat battles humidity for earnest. dominance, things were about The place was Miami, to warm up a great deal more. Florida, if you hadn't guessed As early evening descended, already from the skyrocketing to the East the white puff thermometers. The time was clouds were heightened by a August 20. Itwas the year-or darkening sky, while so the aficionados said - of westward, where the sun was restraint and sophistication in slowly departing, a still light drum corps performances. It sky supplied an aura for was, of course, the year of the blackish clouds, as the first dance again, too. exhibition corps hit the field. And, if you happened to While daylight's last speak to a smattering of corps lingerings indulged in its Kneeling as if in anticipation of receiving knighthood from members, you'd find that it waning moments, the their Queen, the Dagenham Crusaders, from England, was also the year of the all- audience was treated to a rare climaxed a rousing medley of Beatles' hits in an exhibition terrain motorized vehicle. delight, a first-ever show performed during the night of finals in Miami. Even if defending World performance during a World Champ the Blue Devils were Championship by a British unseated by a slick and drum and bugle corps, the with no kids, no instruments, British champions for the last powerful Garfield Cadets in Dagenham Crusaders. The no money and we started off as three years. We think we will their efforts to repeat, they foremost corps in their nation, a traditional drum and trumpet repeat again this year.\" were undefeated off the field in they had just commenced a corps,whichissomething The preceding comments equipment cart competition, a tour of the states, their peculiar to our country. After were authored by a soft- slight compensation according presence indicating an effort to winning every championship spoken British corps director, to some corps members. solder a link between in England as a band, we John Johnson, with a gently But most of all, it was the American and foreign corps. changed to a drum and bugle lilting cockney accent. His 117- year of Miami in August. If the Performing a medley of corps in September, 1978, and piece corps had just finished summer wasn't already long Beatles' hits, the Crusaders we've been the first fully its first tour stateside, and he and hot enough for the were warmly received with equipped such corps in reflected on what they had thousands of competing drum rousing ovations, and what is a Europe. Since that time we've learned. and bugle corps members who DCI World Championship but been instrumental in \"This is our first trip here had trekked up one side of the slices of life, cross-cuts from a organizing Drum Corps and we undertook it as an continent and down the other, broad swath through culture? United Kingdom, we now educational experience. Miami was waiting for them at \"I formed the Crusaders by have 42 corps and the We've been going around the the end of the road, Miami in myself in 1968. We started off Crusaders have been the United Kingdom winning

14 DCI staffers Pat Plarski (left) and Robert Briske (middle) join veteran director Jim Jones of the Casper, Wyoming Troopers at Miami's Orange Bowl. every championship for a long \"The glorious thing about time and coming to the States music is its infinite variety, the was the next obvious thing to rhythm and pitch, the do. We've learned a lot and dynamics and everything else we've enjoyed it a lot. The about it. The same thing is kids have become very good true about entertainment. I friends with kids in your corps don't think that drum corps and I think it has been really should be cloned so that we worthwhile.\" are all alike. This is what we Johnson admitted felt about our show. We are sheepishly that his young going to be true to ourselves. corps had felt dwarfed by both We're the only one left with the sheer physical enormity of boots, and that's too bad, America in comparison to because they'll probably bury England, and even more so by us with our boots on.\" the overwhelming Twilight slithered down sophistication of their around the verdant tropics as American counterparts. their season in many ways fell three captions. We had a fair, the Sky Ryders, from \"It was a very strenuous short of its mark, no corps to if rudimentary drum line for Hutchinson, Kansas, tour from Boston all the way perform Championship night those days, with four and assumed position on the field. down, and we had a show was given a heartier reception four, two bass, two cymbals, First off the line, they were every evening. Our country is than the Troopers, from 12 bugles and four color riding high, blasting horns to so small that touring isn't Casper, Wyoming, under the guard. I played with the the heavens, bringing down really a problem, and we stalwart guiding hand of University of Nebraska band the walls of Jerico. Though didn't have any idea as to Director Jim Jones. Performing for four years where I was in they slipped a notch in '83, what your drum corps have to a pre-show exhibition, the charge of the drum section from 11th to 12th, they had still go through.\" Troopers evoked an earlier and taught senior corps in managed to make finals two Johnson said British corps epoch in drum corps with a Lincoln. Then I went into years in a row, after busting scrutinized videos of American sparkling special silver service as a navigation cadet the barrier in '82. groups, trying to learn from anniversary show. Racing and marched in a drum corps After a year of trial and them without becoming mere through a repertoire that read in secondary fly school in tribulation, the Bridgemen, of clones, aping styles down to like a history lesson, they California. After the war Bayonne, New Jersey had the smallest detail. glowed on the haunting Ghost when I came back to Casper, encountered an uphill \"We have a number of Riders, and glittered on the they reactivated the senior struggle, including the loss of consultants, and most corps in rousing Battle Hymn of the corps and after a couple three some key staff, just to be in the the UK are doing that now. Republic, their standard now years I felt that we should start finals. Throughout the Our instructional team is for so many years. a drum corps and give the kids season, they had lost to corps English but we have an Even critics of the legendary a chance to do the same thing whom they would ordinarily American consultant, and corps were brought to their that I did and liked so much.\" beat, but somehow had pulled what we've tried to do is to feet by the solemn elegance of It wasn't until the late fifties it together for the last nights. retain the British·flavor. That, the sentimental tour de force that Jones formed the modern It wasn't all they had pulled along with what we get from when they executed Sunburst. version of the Troopers, together, pulling a last minute you, is our theme. We've Jim Jones, auteur, mentor, putting together uniforms trick out of a magician's cape, studied videos, and the one director and founder, a from boy scout gear, and mak- the unpredictable Bridgemen thing we try not to do is to handsome older man who ing sea rves from J.C. Penney unveiled a show-stopping copy. You can see a Trooper himself looks like someone cloth bought by the yard. He's drum routine involving and a Vanguard show, you'll from American history books, seen corps change 360 degrees blinders lashed over the faces see them all over there (in reflected on his glorious corps' several times over and he's of percussionists and they England), because they've career. supported the innovations wailed the tar out of their seen the videos, but of course \"I started in a Sons of the right down the line, but he still skins. It may have been the it isn't executed nearly so Legion drum corps when I wonders at times why tradi- single most spectacular well.\" was 13 years old in Casper, tionalist-minded corps such moment in prelims and finals, Although they failed to where I was born. At 15 I was as his can't compete as as the reputed Bridgemen make the finals, although corps director, teaching all effectively anymore. percussive caption exploded

15 like a string of firecrackers one \"I have been a member of \"Our drum corps means a We've got a lot of young kids. after the other to the delight of the corps for40 years, starting great many things to us. One Kids nowadays would prefer an astonished audience. at the age of seven as a playing is discipline. A lot of the kids to stand on the street corner Favoring clean lines and a member and growing up come to the rorps because of a and maybe get into a little slickly understated delivery, through the ranks to become lack of discipline in the home, drugs, or something, but not the Cavaliers, from Rosemont, director. I am retired from the and they are actually looking our kids. Illinois, fired off next, New York City police depart- for discipline. One of the other \"Our corps has a rich eventually moving up one ment and I've entered on a things that the corps means to background, even though we place from 10th to ninth after second career, which is social them is the male image, come from a poor area of the finals. In their35th anniversary work with young people.\" because a great many of them Bronx, South Bronx. year show, which featured James Arthur Lathen is are from broken homes, However, the kids have an original composition fade, the Director of the Warriors Drum where the mother is the awful lot of pride in Cavaliers fielded a drill that and Bugle Corps, which is dominant factor in the family. themselves and they work flowed like water going sponsored by the New York So it's not just for music and very hard together to downhill. With a thoughtful City Mission Society Cadet marching that they come, but accomplish goals - together juxtiposition of colors-using Corps. They don't have big for a lot of social reasons, too. - which is a little difficult for the traditional green base - fancy buses, or endless tour \"Fortunately for us, in the inner-city kids.\" they shifted moods from a schedules. They don't have past few years we've been able When it comes to being an spring-like daring to a rich aspirations of winning the to travel wherever the expert about the socially embroidered patterning. For World Championships in the national contest is. Prior to redeeming values of drum one effect they combine yellow near future, although they that time we were restricted to corps involvement, Lathen and green, the other red on have done well in their own the New York area because of ought to know what he's green. The crowd gasped at circuit. They do have a lot of funds. Unless the national talking about. rifle corps suddenly pride and a lot of love for their contest was within 100 miles \"I am a living product of it, somersaulting head over tail, kids and they feel they give we couldn't make it. But we and had it not been for the to retrieve a flying weapon. something back for the effort have come a long way and are drum corps I don't know Executing some stunningly given. in a rebuilding process now. where I would be today. I was deft jigs to accompany their anglophilic exhibition, the 27th Lancers gave the audience a whirlwind tour of English customs. The Revere, Massaschusetts corps likes to play revolving patterns off against each other, circles versus stars and so forth. There is always something tasteful and refined about a Lancers show, and this was no exception, as they took 10th. Far away from the field of combat, a pensive, thoughtful man watched the competi- tions, knowing that his corps may never make the finals, yet no greater testimony to its character-building qualities exists than he. Little is said about the inner city corps, the ethnic minority corps, yet they do exist, even flourish far from the green- splattered lawns of suburbia, The Sky Ryders, from Hutchinson, Kansas, released multi- deep inside the ghetto walls. colored balloons skyward as the familiar silky rainbow unfurled.

16 born and raised in the South from one design into the next, long been skilled in imparting shatters into nothingness. Bronx myself, and during the spinning off and swirling back. the fleeting impression of a Her papers are in order and late forties and early fifties we It seems like it's been several conquering army on the her pedigree is intact, backed were going through a great years now that the Suncoast advance. With sweeping with an impressive catalog of many social changes as far as Sound and Spirit of Atlanta movements, set off by elegant accomplishments. She's Pat gang wars and that type of have been pushing and shov- dashes of Tchaikovsky, they Birch, and though not exactly thing is concerned. The cadet ing for the same placement, move brazenly forward like an a household word elsewhere, corps took us gang leaders - and this year it was the Sound advancing army ready for the the movers and shakers in that yeah, I was one of them - who came out on top, slipping big push. Then, they lighten moving and shaking town, turned our energies into more by the Spirit for sixth, after up and dance spritely as if New York, have long known productive resources, and dropping from a fifth in the waltzing over eggshells. her name. She refers casually showed us that we could use prelims. Nobody, however, Suddenly, they would strike a to Leonard Bernstein as our energies for something was complaining in the jubil- design and hold it as if \"Lenny\", without any other than making zipguns.\" ant Suncoast encampment, figurines carved from granite, affectation, as if he were just From not knowing how to nor was Spirit - it was their then just as suddenly they another acquaintance. She play anything, Lathen best finish in several years, would be on the move again, discovered John Travolta, and parlayed a talent learned on after falling to 12th last year. she danced in the original and percussives into a scholarship The Sound seemed vastly legendary Broadway version at Fame high school in New more self-assured, more of West Side Story. She York, where he graduated mature pacing in their choreographed Grease on with the likes of Diane Carroll presentations, more patient Broadway and on the silver and Billy Dee Williams. From with their horn attack. Their screen, as well as its sequel there he went to Julliard on show displayed a sense of Grease II, which she also another scholarship and whimsy, some skillful prop directed, and she's done worked under world famous work, punctuated with a choreographed stints for symphonic director Arturo snappy delivery. television shows Electric Toscanini. If they had planned it that Company and Saturday 'Tm proud to say I've got 12 way, the Madison Scouts Night Live. doctors that graduated from couldn't have peaked at a In Miami in 1983, she did the Warriors and five lawyers. better time than they did commentaries for a television We have kids who were starting with DCI Midwest in production of the Inter- turned around from hardcore Whitewater and reaching national DCI Championships drugs and have gone out and fruition in Miami. Though along with Chuck Mangione, made a real mark for they failed to break the 90 trumpet player. Birch is an themselves, and they come point barrier in '83, as they Gail Royer, corps director of astute commentarist on most back to give service, because had done in the previous year, the Santa Clara Vanguard, every aspect of American they remember their roots. they had also tackled an from Santa Clara, California, culture from the street to the They, like me, don't know extremely difficult regimen, and Chairman of the DCI stage. She was greatly im- where they'd be today had it had made numerous Board of Directors, delivers a pressed with her first glimpse not been for drum corps.\" significant changes from witty and insightful of drum corps in Miami. Easing up a notch from uniforms on up, and came out welcoming address at the 1983 \"They are wonderful - it is ninth in '82 to eighth at the smelling like a rose when it World Championships in like watching a kaleidoscope. I Orange Bowl, the Freelancers, was all over. Dancing like Miami's Orange Bowl. was really impressed with the from Sacramento, California, fools, blasting horns as if precision and some of the featured a popish show with a signaling the end of the world, ideas the kids have. The nice array of popular songs by they bedazzled onlookers by the crowd erupting as usual shapes are wonderful. The Barry Manilow, Even Now, the end of the year. Perhaps with a Phantom show. Rockettes would be very and Breaking up is Hard to Do, their crowning moment, Although their music is the jealous, I think. by Neil Sedaka, comple- though, came after obvious strength, the \"It is a funny hybrid thing mented with a fortified per- competition, when on an Regiment continues to use these kids are doing, because formance. Consuming large emptying field they sang a silence as a deadly weapon, it starts from a whole military amounts of turf, then con- cappella You'll Never Walk the loudest noise in town, as base and now they have taken tracting like a snail, the Alone to a hushed crowd. instruments abruptly crash to it so far away from that that Freelancers moved effortlessly The Phantom Regiment has a halt, holding a note until it they're pushing it into

17 Celebrity color commentators Patricia Birch and Chuck Mangione flank broadcast anchor Steve Rondinaro in a quiet moment of reflection and obseroation prior to the DC/World Championships. choke. The title would have to be wrenched away from them. Playing selections from Leonard Bernstein's Mass the crowd shot to its feet as one. On the field 128 pairs of legs snapped into synch as it anchored to a single organism, as formations took shape, dematerialized and came together again. They left the field with rabid fans something else, something the sound, which is all right. After Friday's prelims less drooling, like they used to say altogether new. But I sense The restriction is that they than a point separated the top in vaudeville, for that last that they can't really go as far only have these 13 minutes. I three corps. Santa Clara had a piece of pie. as they would like to because did notice with the Bridgemen loose grip on first but only by Next came Santa Clara, of the things that need to be that they started a little tap three-quarters of a point, flaring out like emissaries judged and the limitation on routine last night and they while Garfield and the Blue from a Busby Berkeley movie time, those things that have to barely got going on it and they Devils were tied in second. It to take command of the field. be presented, and maybe it is had to rush on to something was the first time all year that From their opening just as well that they can't. I else. I made a note of it and I the Cadets had failed to win a interpretation of Giannini's notice in some cases that it is asked them about it today. competition, but they symphonic movement almost lost, the roots, and for They said they had bounced back with a renewed through the Aaron Copland moments you don't know lengthened it a little, but their sense of destiny. pieces that have become their quite what you are watching. requirements for the other No corps outside of trademark, the Vanguard was \"But, the mix of things that things that they needed to California, the Blue Devils and going for the artistic jugular, are going on is fascinating and show the judges also came the Vanguard - had won the turning in a magnificent very lively-it's terrific.\" into play so they couldn't DCI finals since 1975 when the performance. As a dancer and continue with the routine. It is Madison Scouts were Accepting the prerogative choreographer, Birch noticed a little like an ice skating victorious, and the question of the defending champ, the that movement on the field competition, and I sort of was, could Garfield keep the Blue Devils went off the line was hampered by certain wonder if they shouldn't just edge they had found during last, cashing in their chips in built-in restrictions that define divide it into compulsories the regular season? one final effort to retain their what drum and bugle corps is like they do with figure The Cadets had their title. It was yet another all about. skating. Then they could do opportunity to prove magnificent effort, and again \"There are moments when I one really traditional thing themselves first, taking the the audience was left gasping think they would like the and be able to go bananas and field in the third slot, as and wringing its hands, dance to go even a little do what they want to do. I feel smooth and shiny as stainless stunned by the consumate further, because it is still in that right now, they are a little steel, making it immediately professionalism of the Devils, most cases a background to bit stuck in the middle.\" apparent that they would not but it just was not to be. ■

· eld Cadets break . ia stranglehold . tr~inetl.color:paidanda s -llS brilliant ts .as. it:ioas consis.tt,it owri . ld Outets .. ery contest en~ in 1983 ~he hi$h · mmit of,·d,ii,p. a,rps success I . 0 1 11

19 I N 1983 for the fourth straight year, the Garfield Cadets improved their final placement in the International Championships by a significant margin over the previous year. The oldest active competitive mrps in the history of the activity, Garfield had languished well below the it started breaking down a little magical top 12 borderline right and now I think I have enough up to 1980 when they came confidence in myself that I can roaring back with a 10th place be friends with them and still finish. In successive years draw the line when I have to,\" since, the New Jersey corps Hopkins said. has zoomed up to seventh in There wasn't any problem '81, then third in '82 at regional except for the other captions coming ever so when it came to being loose on Montreal. preliminaries at Miami where close but not touching, the the field of performance, Finally, in Miami, the they were edged out by less consumate finesse, all were however, as the dancing Garfield Cadets reached the than a point by Santa Clara. typical traits of the '83 Garfield Cadets proved throughout the apex of achievement in drum Furthermore, it had all been Cadets. season. and bugle corps, topping a written in the stars. The Cadets For one of the youngest \"One of the things we felt torrid field with a crowning had targeted the Champion- directors ever to pilot a drum was that marching was a type victory to bemme the firstnon- ship as a future goal as far back and bugle corps, and in his of dance,\" explained Mike Califomia corps to win the as 1979 when a 22-year-old was rookie season, Hopkins was Cesario, program coordinator. World Championships since hired right out of corps to head convinced at first that his age \"It was a controlled way of the Madison Scouts in 1975. the percussion staff. Then would prove moving the body and it If that weren't enough Director Dr. Richard Santo, disadvantageous. seemed to us that there was a distinction already, the Cadets and his hand-picked successor \"The other day, Zingali said, way to integrate a modem and were also unbeaten George Hopkins, together 'well, it took me two years to a ballet approach to dance into throughout the '83 season, formulated the philosophy make you a human being,' \" the kind of marching program winning every meet, every and goal objectives which were Hopkins chuckled, that we wanted to see. For us it to culminate in a flawless '83 surprisingly relaxed on the eve isn't dance and marching, but season. of the finals. \"That's probably rather one kind of extension of \"When I started here, back true. When I started here I was the whole thing.\" in 1979, they had a lot of 22 and now I'm only 26. I never Based on the final results of problems and it was basically a talked to the kids because I'm the last show of the 1983 drum transition year,\" recalled still too close to them in a lot of and bugle corps season, the Hopkins, who took the reins ways. They are only five years Cadets weren't the only ones from Santo after the '82 younger than me, and their who felt that way. ■ season. \"That's when we hired interests are my interests for the brass staff we now have, the most part, so I tended in and which is one of our biggest the beginning to be very assets. Also in 1982 we hired distant from them, not let them George Zingali, drill designer, get near me or anything like and that's when we really that. Most of them are deathly started to move.\" afraid of me.\" Move, they did. By stressing As the '83 season movement and by deftly progressed, though, and the integrating modem and ballet Cadets swept through show dance forms into a marching after show undefeated, format, they shot to the top of Hopkins slowly realized that the class. The finely woven he could loosen up with his mesh of movement and music, corps a little. the color guard flirting with the \"This year, end of last year,

(::hampio mu formJdab ook ,Miami in wat

21 • BLUE DEVILS• Devils were on the field, and the '83 Blue Devils the it was nice to see,\" he smiled. appearance of a strong Of course the Blue Devils franchise during a building were on the field. What in the season. It also reminded devil did Atlas mean? Seawright of another unit he \"There comes a point had recently managed. where a show has \"It was a very similar year personality, where it clicks, to 1981,\" he recalled, smiling has a groove, a pulse and it slightly. \"They came out in becomes a living entity Montreal in '81 and did the reaching out to the audience best show they had done all and grabbing them as season and I couldn't have individuals,\" he responded , been happier, even though quicker than a whip. we lost. I felt the same way \"Those individuals become this year. This corps did the a group and they roar, and best job that it could do, and it when those people on the was great. \" F Yet, came the finals, and field reach that climax and say If the similarities between OLLOWCNG on the heels of your own grea test like the good thoroughbreds 'here's what we have to offer '81 and '83 continue into the success isn't an enviable that they are, the Blue Devils you and they give and give '84 season, the rest of the position to be in, but after a were there en masse, 128 cool and the audience gives back corps had better take notice, record-setting World cucumbers ready to go to - that's arriving. The Blue because the '82 Blue Devils Championship performance market, ready with an icy Devils have been what I were argueably the best drum in Montreal, it was exactly dispatch to hit those hot licks consider the best corps at and bugle corps ever to hit a where the Blue Devils found and to make all that jazz with achieving that point, that fi eld . ■ themselves - between a rock those squealing horns. sense of communication,\" and a hard place. Taking their option to Atlas shrugged . However, the Garfield perform last on the bill, the It may not have been the Cadets were resolute in their color guard chorines, athletic most fitting of climaxes for ambition to dislodge the and agile, but still silky director Jerry Seawright, entrenched Blue Devils from smooth swaved across the whose brilliant career ended their throne as returning field booted by the honking with his retirement with the champs in what would prove horns, giving it their best '83 finals, but after steering a pitched battle to the very shot, and it was good enough the most successful drum and last performance of the for a strong second place bugle corps in the modern season . Still, the Concord, showing. Still, as brass staffer history of the event, he didn't California corps didn't go Ray Atlas, who just the year have any complaints. down easilv - and Garfield before had marched in that Seawright readily admitted had to take them to the limit all-time charnpion unit, that '83 had been a tough year to w in. noted, it was a hard season. for his corps. Not onlv were the Blue \" It was a tough year, \" It was a slow building year Devils up against a roaring meshing all those for us, and our drill was a hot corps in the Cadets, but personalities from the varied very difficult drill, but as we thev also had to reckon with a backgrounds, and trying to matured in the season so did large influx of newcomers, beat last year's corps, which the corps,\" he reflected. manv coming out of bands was the ultimate corps,\" he Was Montreal '82 hanging with little or no previous sighed in the closeness of a over the Blue Devils drum and bugle corps muggy Miami night, his throughout the '83 season? background. corps fresh off the field. Was it too much to live up to? \" It was tough battling past At the same time, the influx images and putting together a of talented youth from the show and becoming one unit, marching bands, despite but I think we finally arrived their lack of experience in at that point at which the Blue drum corps regimen, gave

Santa C:lara falls just short in last-ditch effort mavement, the Vanguard remains the symbol oft d,,were· the only co , s tc, def eat the red hot Garfiel '$ea$0n. . \" i: ·, , • • • ·

23 rrHE Santa Oara Vanguard J. made a valiant last-ditch run at the World Championships in Miami, falling just short, as short as you can be and still wind up in third place. Leading after preliminaries, in a surprise showing nothing short of perfection, the Vanguard led by less than one point over the Garfield Cadets and Blue Devils, who were tied for second. In many ways the spinning on a dime, pivoting Championships capped a like whirligigs. Small color frustrating year for the guard deployments spun off Vanguard, one that saw them from the corps' body like little edged out by perennial home aster.aids, self-supporting state rival the Blue Devils space stations, then returned several times by less than a like clockwork point. But it was also a year It was clearly the Vanguard, that saw them defeat the the masters of precision, the Devils in California for the first mobile symphony on wheels. time since 1978, and they did it Whether he would admit it or no less than five times. not, Royer knew they were Director Gail Royer, as ready to go for it. It is said usual, was understated in his among those corps members surprises each year. There are, excitement, an instant after assessment of the corps going and fans in the know that however, rather stringent finals. into the finals, despite their Royer is a master of pacing, criteria for deciding what's \"So I went ahead and tried lead and their impressive that he holds his troops back right to put in a Vanguard out and I made it,\" she showing in prelirns. until the last possible moment show. continued. 'Tm totally glad \"They're still not performing before unleashing them on the \"Our focal point is, from that I'm here - it is a dream for up to potential yet, not yet- it opposition. He, of course, both a visual and musical me.\" hasn't happened,\" he pays those rumors no mind. standpoint, that it will be an Christine Magee, on the shrugged during a break in \"No, I have nothing to do artistic endeavor, that it be other hand, a guard captain, practice, eyes cast down at the with that- that's wrong, I'm acceptable to the public and has been with the Vanguard ground. \"Hopefully, it will not a master of pacing,\" he that it will provide a learning for six years, a veteran. For her, happen Saturday (the night of denied, flatly. experience for the people in it has been a lesson in corning finals). \"It just has to do with having the corps,\" Royer said, cutting out of herself. \"We had a rough year this time, which we never have to the quick. \"I've grown up a lot in these year,\" he continued. until we get here - the In '83, for the first time, the years,\" she reflected. \"It finally \"From Whitewater on we intensified rehearsal,\" he Vanguard opened up its drum got me to talk, I used to be had 10 contests in 12 days, so continued. \"The instructional line to women. Peggy Watson, really shy. Now I'm guard we didn't have any rehearsal staff and the corps really know from Tucson, Arizona, didn't captain, I have to yell and time at all. Basically, the that when you get to the wait around for an invitation scream all the time. There's a rehearsal time we had here championship city then that's when she heard about it, she lot of emotion attached to the these three days is the first what it's all about, so we're came right over. corps,\" and most of it comes we've had, or at least the pushing real hard now. \"It has been a dream of mine out in a Santa Oara Vanguard longest since we left home the \"They're sharp kids and to march with the Santa Oara performance. ■ 21st ofJuly.\" usually they react, clean things Vanguard, and I turned 20 this \"It was, however, difficult to up a bit,\" he added. year, so I said ifl don't do it this take Royer's typical Royer and company are year I probably won't do it and downplaying seriously when always searching out new when I tum 40 I'll probably the Vanguard took the field by twists for an ever-changing regret it for the rest of my life,\" storm the night of finals, show, finding a few good she blurted out in obvious

OM REGIM Phantom lightens load with\" . chaikovsky

25 • PHANTOM REGIMENT• , , D YNAMIC Phantom the Phantom Regiment, show they had just Regiment drum major though it is just the drum performed, and in sadness Curtis Matlin likes standing corps and we are people, not because it would be his last. tall, at attention, and he gods,\" he exclaimed. Phantom Program doesn't mind admitting it. \"I think the reason the Coordinator Dr. Dan \"The Phantom Regiment Phantom Regiment is so good Richardson was also keyed has alwavs been tough, they is because we get the best,\" up after the show, pacing really are a regiment,\" the he continued. \"The people back and forth in the outspoken voung man who really want it come here. darkened area outside the stated, still wound up from People who don't want it, stadium, pausing here and the finals show which had they weed themselves out. there to reflect on the show. just concluded. The instructors won't let us \"I was very pleased with Matlin stood on the beaten get by with anything, and our progress this year,\" he down grass of the Orange that is what makes the stated. \"We tried a new Bm-vl parking lot, sweating difference.'' technique, a new drill style, a bullets as he thought about The Regiment, always a different kind of music - it what it meant to be in the corps which performs best was a completely new show. In 1983 the Phantom Rockford, Illinois corps. under pressure, was able to \"There was more Regiment, still steeped in the \"They fit my personality a come up with that key show emotional impact in the classics, performed a light lot more than some of the when they needed it the most show, it was more colorful, and highly familiar medley of swinging corps, because I'm in 1983, taking fourth in finals happier,\" he continued. Tchaikovsky, somewhat of a more of a regiment type for the second straight year. \"Spartacus was a little drastic departure from the person,\" he continued, \"We had a couple of down depressing, but this year the previous year. laughing. performances throughout the show is happier, more \"This year we have \" I like to stand at year, sometimes when we exciting, more fun . Last received standing ovations attention!\" shouldn't have had one, but year's show was somewhat during the show rather than Originally from California, when we really needed to, we dull.\" just at the end of each show Matlin moved to Milwaukee did it,\" Matlin said. After two years of like we did last year,\" to perform with the Rive1men \"At Whitewater, we had a exhaustive work on their Richardson said. of St. Croix, Minnesota, couple of fantastic extravaganza production of \"The audience can relate to before joining the Regiment. performances, only rivaled \"Spartacus,\" did he really the music,\" he continued. After seeing the ferocious by the one tonight, and of think it was all just a dull and \"They have all heard the '1812 Phantom from the sidelines course, tonight was, I depressing affair? Overture' and they all know for yea rs, being on the field couldn't believe it, I was \"Not dull, nor depressing, it. They can sing it, hum it w ith them was being in a amazed, I didn't know they really ... heavy is the word,\" and clap their hands to it. dream for Matlin. had it in them ... \"he added, Richardson laughed, noting Spartacus was not fun . It was \"It is amazing, being with trailing off in wonder at the that he didn't want Phantom an experience that I'm glad to be known as the Swedish we went through, but film director of drum and nonetheless it was heavy.\" ■ bugle corps. \"When the kids got off the field after Spartacus, they were just emotionally drained-it was a hard show to perform,\" he explained.



27 W HEN they crashed the sidelines toward the conclusion of their 13 minute workout, the Madison Scouts were so foreboding in their intensity they almost frightened the front row Floridian fans from their seats. Some of the fans, in fact, seemed so fidgety that they must have feared the Scouts were soon to commence trashing the stands. It was, however, just part of their continued emphasis on dance, which has given their movements a sense of forceful purpose that at times approaches the frightful. They were also intimidating the field as far as authenticity, important thing to the the road it is just about for their opposition, scoring a as far as demand and as far as Madison Scouts.\" together and it's starting to fifth place finish for the second incorporating basically the Stewart is truly the eternal come off the way we straight year, with a whole corps into it,\" he Scout, having been with the anticipated. Unfortunately, in tremendous rally in the latter continued in the positive, corps since 1968 when he was this business credit comes a half of the season, after a slow straightforward way which is just 15. For seven years he little bit too late. But we are start. distinctlv his. played baritone, and was on its very happy with what we are The Scouts have been \"So v-ie are right on the path marching and management doing, and with the way the aiming their rifle sights on we want to be on,\" he added staff for two more years. Then guys have pulled off an almost dance for the past few years for good measure. he became director, eventually impossible book, so from our and the results are beginning It's not hard to believe what adding to that the title of standpoint we are really to manifest. Their show in 1983 Stewart says when you watch executive director. satisfied,\" he added, no doulJt built slowly with a fluid the crisp rifle work, always a \"Now I serve as the director summarizing the sentiments of movement of the captions in a Scouts' trademark. Now, with 5lash executive director, many top corps directors. steady crescendo from start to the additional emphasis of coordinator, dictator, and All in all, Stewart had no finish, following the lead of their dance work, the riflemen basically the whole shot,\" he complaints. crackling sharp riflemen who go off like a string of laughed with an easy, self- \"Dancing and putting out a seek to curry favor through firecrackers. deprecating sense of humor. show that is extremely persuasion and negotiation Stewart said the Scouts had If there was a problem with challenging as well as rather than all-out war. several further objectives to the Scouts' fine show in '83, communicative with an Scouts Director Scott accomplish with their dancing Stewart felt it was tackling an audience is something we will Stewart, a corps staple since soldiers. overly ambitious program. certainly continue to pursue,\" the late sixties when he \"Basically, dance is just a \"We put out a show where he said. marched for Madison, very good communicative there were no holds barred - \"Of course, hopefully we explained that they would art,\" he pointed out. \"So is we were extremely can do it a little bit smarter in continue to stress dancing. music, and we want to blend ambitious,\" he acknowledged. the future so that the judges \"It is still just a beginning, the two together. \"Also, we put out an almost can catch onto it also.\" ■ and we will continue to \"The drum corps field is as impossible musical 'book,' an incorporate more and more good a place as any to try it almost impossible visual book dance into our program,\" he on,\" he continued. \"We feel it and together it was almost an said, standing in the parking can convey our music. It impossibility to pull it off,\" lot outside the stadium after certainly has energy, it is Stewart continued. his corps' fine finals difficult and it is challenging, \"We suffered through most performance. so we are just using it as one of of the season because it was a \"I do think that the dance we our ways to communicate with show that was going to take all have already put into the the audience, which has season to fall together, and program is certainly leading always been the most now that we've hit the end of

• SUNCOAST S..OUND • Sunny sound of south is a winner in '83 Caught in a frozen moment, the poise exhibited by these diaphanous dancers of the Suncoast Sound demonstrates the discipline it.~k to achieve their first top 12 breakthrough in 198:3. flome state favorites, the Sound broke into the top corps;\" taking a phenomenal sixth place.

29 • SUNCOAST SOUND• I T was the perfect time for Fisher pointed out. tell - there is almost literally the sumph1ous sunny While the Sound has used what I call running around sound of the south known as \"Greatest Love\" to greatest the field.\" the Suncoast Sound to make effect as its closer for the past Suncoast also built around its move when the DCI World several seasons, Aquarius, its several stellar soloists in its Championships were on with its sixties theme built solid stage show. virtual home turf in Miami, around it, was something \"I think one of our and the hot new corps did new. Although they had built strongest features this year is just that. concepts around musical the fact that we've had a Not onlv did the Sound not scores before, it wasn't until number of members of our miss its opportunity to break '83 in Fisher's opinion that it corps who've been able to into the top 12, they did so all started coming together. play solos,\" Fisher explained. with a flourish darting all the \"What we changed was \"This has allowed us to way up to sixth. that we built the marching feature more members of the Blending a crisp military show and the guard show to corps doing solos than we've look and precision complement the music,\" he ever been able to use before,\" movements with a light and pointed out. \"That's what he continued. \"You'd never soft jazzy score, the Suncoast consistency, and even we've been doing all along, have thought some of them Sound under the direction of patience. but we really did it this year. would have been able to play Donald Fisher looks to be a \"The first couple years we \"We want a show that is that way, and they're still force to be reckoned with in thought we were doing pretty exciting, and we want one fairly young,\" he added, the near future of drum good, but it has only been the that's going to move,\" he licking his chops as he looked corps. From the beginning, last two years that we have continued. \"This show ahead to next year eagerly. ■ Fisher said, the corps has had a number of our moves quite a bit as you can known what look it was after. members stay,\" Fisher \"We have an identitv as far recalled. as we are concerned of a jazz \"I felt the performance of program with a military the corps had finally come to background,\" Fisher said in a the point of consistency in soft southeast coast drawl. 1983, though,\" he continued, \"Our uniform is in a as if the whole thing had been military style, but our style of a grand master plan, music is jazz and we try to executed perfectly. \"The blend those together,\" he second season, especially, we ,vent on. were improving with each \"We trv to build our performance and we have program around the music been very steady ever since. because that happens to be \"I feel you have to be very currently our strong suit, steady if you are going to especiallv our horn line the continue to move up,\" he way they've been playing. added. We then build the percussion The Sound has also and with that finish the whole benefitted from a consistency show. We make the drill fit of staff, with few defections around the music so that it and more quality additions can be effective,\" Fisher said. each year. Fisher credited Like its southern sister the Program Coordinator Robert Spirit ofAtlanta, the Suncoast Smith with a large share of its Sound shot up through the rapid improvement. ratings like a cork heading \"Robert Smith has put the toward the surface. Now, just whole program together a few years after forming, so that the marching goes they're already a seasoned right along with the music- and savvy crew, showing he is also the horn arranger,\"



31 T HE spirit of the new \"I was trying to give Atlanta circles, that type of thing. I marched without him. It will South, as embodied in the their own identity and set new wanted a new look,\" he also be his first year- in a long Spirit of Atlanta, is going to standards for drill design .. . added. time - without them. rise again ... and again and and, after tonight's show, I'm After a strong start in '83 \"I really didn't know what again, each time coming closer real proud of them,\" he said punctuated by edging the drum corps was until 1976 to the top, if corps members enthusiastically, wiping the Scouts in the DCI East regional when I went to the Atlanta and their staff have anything to Florida humidity from his and a good performance at show and saw one for the first say about it. brow. DCI Midwest, the Spirit hit a time - I was just totally It ain't just a bunch of \"I think they accomplished a Sargasso Sea of progress by amazed,\" he said reverently. crackers whistling dixie, either. lot and let people know that mid-season. It wasn't \"I was 14 at the time. Then I Spirited performances over Atlanta was back,\" he anything that a little of mom's heard they were going to start the past several years have continued. downhome cooking couldn't a corps in Atlanta, so I went done nothing to lessen that Formerly an instructor with fix, Martin recalled with a and tried out. It was a totally prophesy, and despite a slip the Madison Scouts, Salas said chuckle. new experience for me. It felt backwards to 12th in '82, they he had attempted to make an \"We got back to Atlanta, the like a big family. came back strong in Miami to artistic fusion between all the kids spent a couple days at \"I've seen this corps come a log a seventh place finish, their captions. home, slept in their own beds, long way and I've seen people best since, '80 in home sweet \"What I've tried to do is to had some of mama's good come and go to other corps home Alabama. feature all the sections and to cooking, got their energy level because they wanted to win,\" After the slight setback in take a modem art approach - back up and had a couple of he continued. \"Well, I couldn't Montreal, Director Freddy make modem art- as good rehearsals at the stadium do that. I had to stay with the Martin wanted to make sure opposed to just lines and in Atlanta,\" he drawled Spirit of Atlanta and make they had enough Spirit in '83 to something of the corps that I make a strong comeback bid. was with instead of going to a Since they'd been tough in corps that already was brass and general effect, but established. I feel like I have had been lacking in the color accomplished personal goals, guard caption, the first thing that I've done the best that I he did in the off-season was to can do. I've gone as far as bring Sal Salas down to design I can go.\" some new visuals. Will his life go on without \"Sal was our major drum corps? improvement, Martin \"I don't know,\" he laughed, acknowledged. \"He is the but only half kidding, \"I'll just visual coordinator, he writes havetowaitandsee.\" ■ all of the drill and he coordinates all of the color guard work. \"To have a real strong visual marching and color guard caption is something new for wistfully. \"All that made us a the Spirit of Atlanta, and lot more comfortable with something that has not been what we could accomplish our strength in the past. This going into the · year we felt like it was as strong Championships.\" as drums and brass,\" Martin The Spirit is a new corps, added. starting in '77, and hitting the Caught up with just outside top 12 by '79, where they have the Orange Bowl seconds after stayed, refusing to be his corps' final performance, dislodged. Marching member Salas explained his personal Gary Korizon saw his first goals when he first arrived in drum corps gig at age 14, soon Atlanta at the beginning of the after joining the Spirit in its '83 season. first season. He finally aged out in '83, and 1984 will be the first year they will have

• FREELANCERS• Free-floating Freelancers seeking perfection With their crisp concepts for design the color guard kept their cool in the mid~t of precise executions for the Freelancers, from Sacramenito, California, it was till in a day's work. With consistency and spark, the Freelancers took a strong 8th in '83.

33 • FREELANCERS• image. \"The change in direction of the musical image of our corps is starting to take place little bit by little bit, and we hope next year to change even a little more dramatically,\" Emmons patiently noted. \"The Freelancers have had a couple years of really battling with the type of music they want to lock into, but one thing we don't want to do is to get ourselves so locked into a specific idea that we can't get out of it,\" added l A ]HILE the Freelancers the veteran staffer who has V V continue to reinforce spent time with several top an already potent floor show corps. with more luster, more \"I find that to be a problem polish, Director Parker Silva sometimes with some drum continues to fret about their corps,\" he continued. \"They lack of an identity. do get themselves locked into Perhaps living in the an identity and a thing that shadow of two home state they want to do and it is hard powerhouses, the Blue Devils for them to escape, because and Santa Clara Vanguard, when they try to slip back out start that kind of bothered us, has given him cause for this of it, all they get from the because we had wanted to go continual-and somewhat community is 'well, that's not up the ladder in the DCI undue - concern. Maybe, you.' I think it is definitely up organization, but after we got just maybe, he worries too to the corps to decide what the show done we got rolling much. they are.\" along pretty good,\" he Other corps should have Director Silva, whose reluctantly admitted. such problems. After a very personal drum and bugle With a snappy, popish respectable ninth place finish corps experience extends show featuring some If it was a tougher show, in 1982, in '83 the Freelancers back to the 1930s, started the . contemporary composers you couldn't have guessed by fielded a consistent and Freelancers from the remains such as Neil Sedaka and watching his corps members forceful performing corps of a senior corps in 1963 and Barry Manilow, as well as a as they floated lightly across which swept into eighth has piloted it since. jumping drum solo based on the field, seeming to barely place, and established Despite his ongoing a Chuck Mangione piece, the skim its surface. If it was a themselves as a power to be concern with their identity, Freelancers kept things tougher drill, then it seemed dealt with-on their terms. he did feel that their hopping in '83. to suit them. After all, there is also the performance regimen in '83 If anything was changed, it \"We were just trying to problem of saddling yourself was a marked improvement. was the undertaking of a make that next step up by with an unwieldly image, an \"We tried to take another more complex drill, some making a better product, a identity that fits poorly and is step, to go up another notch more difficult musical little harder show, a little hard to shake. Pete Emmons, in both quality and maturity arrangements. harder drill. I think we did it, management personnel for and to make some advances \"We went for a harder but I don't think we quite the Sacramento, California this year,\" he said in his demand, a little tougher drill reached what we tried to do,\" corps and former drill trailer, resting from the and better arrangements - said Silva, still striving for designer, pointed out the Miami sun after another hard we just tried to put a harder that perfect show, the potential pitfall of being workout. overall show together,\" Silva ultimate goal of all drum locked too tightly into an \"We had a somewhat slow explained. corps lifers. ■



35 demanded, the '83 Cavaliers almost self-disciplined. The dazzled audiences management and the director throughout their nostalgic together set down the rules season. and the guidelines, and the De Grauwe felt that the corps members and officers new and improved Cavaliers do the majority of the had enjoyed a successful and discipline,\" he added. triumphant anniversary To be traditional, De season. Grauwe would probably tell \"The corps came along you, doesn't mean to be very well in 1983,\" he noted, ~tagnant. While foreseeing proudly. \"We had a very little by way of drastic talented horn line this year, changes in the near future, he whereas last year that was said that they are constantly one of our weakest captions. in the process of changing \"But it was a young corps and adjusting their show last year,\" he reflected. \"I from year to year. T IME wasn't an abstract possibly looking at some of think it has aged \"We make a lot of changes, concept for the Cavaliers our songs that had made the considerably, and hopefully and very seldom keep the in 1983. Nor was it just a way Cavaliers famous in those 35 we will continue to move up a same program - our of marking the beat, a mere years that they've been in few notches. complete program for two measurement. Time was existence,\" De Grauwe \"This corps has also moved years,\" he stated. \"We've something they were explained. extremely well on and off the never done that. We've thinking a great deal about. \"We went through a lot of field,\" he added. always made either a change The Cavaliers, from old numbers, and we worked in our opener, or our drum Rosemont, Illinois, toasted on one for a couple of solo, or the closer, or at least their 35th anniversary in '83, months, but it just wasn't the somewhere along the line. celebrating it with a special corps of 1983- it just didn't \"Each year we kind of just composition- Jade written work, so we went to one of sit back and wait until the for them by Michael Boo - our alumni persons, Michael season is done with and we'll and with a sharp new show Boo who is a music major and all go back into hiding and get commemorating a proud we had him write an original out some records to see what tradition. composition for us,\" he kind of changes we're going Starting slowly with continued. De Grauwe has a good bit to make,\" he added. tentative performances that \"We called it Jade, because of his own past - his own And besides, they've got often left them behind lesser that's the stone that you give time - tied up in the time on their side, time and corps in the judges' ledgers away on a 35th birthday, or Cavaliers, so it was a special tradition. ■ early in the season, time was anniversary, and it's also the year for him, too. also on the Cavaliers' side. By color green, so everything \"I marched with the seasons' end, they not only just worked in Cavaliers from 1955 through had patched up the holes, but perfectly,\" he beamed. 1962,\" he remembered they made finals easily, Whether it was because '83 fondly. \"In 1971 I took on the improving from 11th in '82 to was a special year, or simply cadet corps, and in 1979 I ninth, a fitting tribute to the since it has always been their managed the A corps as well traditional all-male corps. tradition to do so, the as again in 1982-83. According to Director Cavaliers were especially While seemingly a Adolph De Grauwe, who has sharp on the field in Miami. militaristic trait in a corps like spent a good part of his life They carried a cutting edge the Cavaliers, discipline is with the organization, the going into the World something they have creation of opener Jade was Championships. successfully handed over to divinely fortuitous. With lines like the graceful their members. \"We were looking at going consensus of birds in flight, \"They are quite well to a traditional type show like folding in or out as the disciplined,\" De Grauwe we've always put on and particular flocking formation shrugged. \"In fact, they are

i<;h to d;light man; fdns in 1 'ige witli refine work ar;id _the . mn, itbe Lance m,Jided an . ,. ··, ., _, - .·• ,

T HE 27th Lancers, of situation. Bonfiglio said they had Revere, Massachusetts, In keepingwith its strived in '83 to regain that plunged headlong into restrained but whimsical edge. movement in 1983, touch, the shadings of New \"The Lancer color guard introducing a delightful England in autumn, the staid has been the standard of the dancing militia along with a earthbound appearance, the industry in years past, and reconstructed color guard. Lancers deployed forces in a we wanted that status back The innovative movement, fashion reminiscent of an again,\" he stated in no an Anglo-Celtic jig style of English jig. uncertain terms. dance consistent with the \"We did some things from \"Our color guard now is an corps' image, and the Camelot, which is a British excellent one and we are refurbishing of its once- type· theme, and our opener continuing along in our quest potent color guard were was a William Walton piece to get back to the number one enhancements that greatly called \"Orb & The Scepter\" position,\" he added. pleased Director, founder - we tried to do the things Identity, for Bonfiglio and and guiding light of the we do best,\" Bonfiglio the Lancers, is the key to Lancers, George Bonfiglio. explained. keeping in tune with their \"The 27th Lancers have \"We also tried to stay valued heritage. For the given credit for, not always been more or less a within our idiom,\" he second straight time in '83, something that sat well with military type corps, so doing continued. \"We are the 27th they were forced to revise many Lancers. some dancing this year is new Lancers, a military type their program in mid-stride in For Tracy Patti, for seven to us,\" he noted, jabbing a corps, so we can't get too far order to reestablish that years a Lancer color guard finger in the general direction outside of that. ·British and identity, a position he doesn't trooper, who aged out at of swirling competitors far Scottish folk songs fit our relish being in. Miami, it was a strong Lancer below on the floor of the style, and that type of \"Our focus is to maintain squad. Orange Bowl. dancing fits our idiom also.\" our identity, because we have \"The majority of our \"It has also been a little bit Always known in the past found over the years that to performances were up to par, of a challenge for us,\" he for the strength of its free- try and maintain your and to be honest, I don't think admitted . 'We brought in a flowing color guard, integrity and identity- these our scores have shown what girl who has been teaching are the most important our performances have been dancing lessons during the things,\" he said. this year,\" she said, course of the winter, and we \"When we came out at the exhausted, face flushed after brought out a new color beginning of the year as we the Saturday night show that guard uniform because the did last year with some climaxed her career. traditional Lancer red extensive changes and \"The corps just kept on military uniform just isn't departures from the things going and going, whenever appropriate for a dancing we have done in the past, it we were put down we fought didn't work for us. So, once right back and the score again, in mid-season we had would go right back up.\" ■ to do a complete show changeover,\" he added in evident displeasure with the thought. Spot the Lancers some key staff changes, enough to floor a lesser corps, not to mention their youngish corps members, and despite a slip from sixth to 10th place in the Championships, it was by and large a successful season. For some, in fact, the season was more of a success than their shows were ever

' ,· I througb'somestrictlyoff- inglike little bi,:ds'across'.fhe ho. of the m,any visual hifi1fks tha .. : Bridg' ·. , . : .

39 E VEN for the scrappy, play-it-as-it-lays Bridgemen 1983 was a year of trial and tribulation, of false starts and heartbreaks. Down most of the season, beaten repeatedly by corps that they would usually drub, somehow, incredibly, as the World Championships were unfolding in Miami, the Bayonne, New Jersey corps reached deep down into their bottomless bag of tricks and pulled out a dandy, a blind- \"We tried doing a few to keep that distinct \"This is probably the folded drum line that different things with the Bridgemen flavor while tightest staff I've ever been stunned audiences at prelims corps this year and one of adding some depth to its with in my life,\" Bandy and finals. them was changing the image content. enthused. \"Everyone gets Patched up but not beaten, of the kids in the public eye - \"We knew that we could along. It's like a big family.\" down but not out, the gutsy a lot of it was cleaning up the never make an about-face as For those who may have corps, under the last-minute corps' act,\" he added. far as changing any design or feared a fade to gray on the leadership of Dave Bandy- The last thing they wanted concepts of the corps in just part of the perennial crowd who became director at the to do, however, Bandy one year,\" he acknowledged. favorites, Bandy promised last possible minute - pulled clarified, was to render it '\"Hopefully, we are trying to that there would always be a it together and more than unrecognizable as the swing into it in a two to three Bayonneforthejudgesto acquitted themselves in the flamboyant, performing year program to turn things kick around. \"It's a big end. Bridgemen, known around into a bit more of a challenge, but we Drum major Larry Rebillot, throughout drum corps. solid package, yet still pooled everbody together on in his second and last year \"Initially, we tried to make holding on to the Bridgemen the staff and we are out for with the corps, pointed to the the image a more entertainment scheme.\" the audience, just like we main distinction with this and sophisticated one rather than Bandy predicted hot new have always been, just like previous Bridgemen units. to change it, to tone things things for 1984, some we always will be,\" Bandy \"Sheer determination - down a little bit, more of a surprises, some reprises and declared. \"I think everyone because this year we didn't direct comedy without so perhaps even some prizes, on the staff feels that drum have it,\" he stated flatly. \"We much futile slapstick,\" Bandy period. corps eventually is going to weren't the Bridgemen at the confirmed. \"Then, slowly \"Next year we're going to have to take a hard look at beginning of the season. We we've been trying to reinstate be a lot more solid early in the what they are trying to sell or were, but we weren't. some of the older Bridgemen year and it's going to be a lot market to the gate, and we \"But by the end we pulled things that the audiences more entertaining early, all need a Bayonne, we will it through and I feel more of a love.\" because of a number of always need that kind of Bridgemen now than I did Rebillot reaffirmed Bandy's things: the number of kids drum corps.\" ■ last year at the same time,\" he statement, noting that they signing up for auditions, added proudly. had been looking toward preparation, the 'new staff' As well as dealing with enhancement of the old will have had a year of inopportune staff changes, image,not to do away with it. experience, and so I think the Bridgemen were also in \"The idea is to blend true things are going to click the midst of trying to art into being the most fun together during the winter transform their old image as corps in DCI, while still being instead of July, which was the the clown princes of drum entertaining; being case this year,\" Bandy and bugle corps. sophisticated and good at the prophesied. \"We got off to a shaky same time instead of just Fused together by tough start,\" admitted Director being fun and outrageous,\" times, tempered in the thick Bandy, a veteran show he said. of conflict, they discovered designer. The goal, Bandy said, was something about themselves.

• SKY RYDERS • , 'Sky Ryders score second straight ticket to finals Somewhere over in the vicinity of an available rainbow, Sky Ryders fly- their colors, as the Hutchinson, Kansas corps perfonned a jazzy version of the Jayhawk State song, \"Home on the!Range\" in 1983 and kept the crowds coming back for more:ij

41 • SKY RYDSRS • T HE clattering old vehicle, though functional, lurched down the main thoroughfare, toward Miami and the Orange Bowl, like a runaway Sherman tank. Inside, the average age couldn't have been much more than 19. The temperature, on the other hand, in the absence of a workable air conditioner, was easily in three figures, with a humidity factor beyond that of actual rain. Young though they were, the more than one hundred drum and bugle corps per- formers were professionals, and as such were psyching up for the destination waiting at road's end, where in a few hours they would have 13 me,\" she sighed. \"I hug the tribute to continued big hit. minutes to lay their entire kids and cook their meals and excellence that they were able Nor did they forget their season on the line. generally do what's needed. to make the top 12 again. strengths. The horn line, Despite the heat and \"I think it is an education in This was especially true in always their bottom line humidity, the tension that itself, both musically and light of the slow start early in started slowly, too, but the hung in the air, an older getting along with others and the season, but then caption doubled its score by woman stood in the aisle, traveling under adverse according to former Director the end of the season. seemingly relaxed and conditions at times,\" she George Tuthill, slow starts While most corps have happy. Holding on to a went on. \"Buses break down are endemic to their program. gone overboard into dance in luggage rack for all she was and they get sick - all kinds \"I felt we started slow, recent years, the Ryders, worth, Carol Boeke talked of things happen, but the which we always do, but I known for the nifty tossings about her life on the road with rapport with the kids is just think we improved greatly- and turnings of its snappy the Hutchinson, Kansas great, they are just super we felt we had as good a corps rifle line, have remained drum and bugle corps. kids.\" if not better than last year,\" more interested in \"I have a daughter in the The Sky Ryders fielded a he commented on the eve of athleticism. Sky Ryders, and I'm a bus relatively restrained show in the '83 finals. \"We haven't worked into mom,\" she laughed. 1983, at least in comparison to The Sky Ryders made some dance the way other corps \"I've done everything the adventurous productions changes in their show for '83, have, say where some are there is to do from the they had undertaken in the some of which were approaching ballet or the secretarial work to traveling past. successful, some which may stage. We are more into with the corps and I've gotten Still, generous amounts of have compounded the slow athletics,\" Tuthill explained. to the point of when the corps visual excitement and a start. They adopted a more \"I think our rifle and flag lines goes on the road, I want to go continued emphasis on subdued uniform, and they would be better termed along, I don't want to stay at entertainment helped to dropped their trademark athletics than dance.\" ■ home,\" she continued. propel them into the top 12 finale \"Somewhere Over the There are good times and for the second straight year. Rainbow,\" which was later there are bad times, but you Despite a slight drop from resurrected. On the other have to survive the latter to 10th to 12th - the first time hand, their jazzed up enjoy the former, she pointed since its inaugural season that rendition of the Jayhawk out. the Kansas corps had failed to State song, \"Home on the \"It has been a very improve its final rating from Range,\" barely recognizable, rewarding experience for the year before- it was still a yet strangely familiar, was a

CROSSMEN• Philadelphia\"s Crossmen survive tQPsy-turvy year ' _ . , r,iaking a strongpoint wi!h their best s:.T forward. Playing to the orowdr and ·. ,·th,gu'sto afta t9,;t,e, W<r!e just a fi :v of the . . · r9s~me11:,sh,~ m 83.

43 I T was a topsy-turvy year for the Crossmen out of Philadelphia in 1983, one that saw the corps soar to heights early in the season but fall from the grace of the top 12 by the time finals rolled around in assembled. August. \"Well, first of all, I'm The Crossmen began the founding director of the competitive season in fine Crossmen, starting the corps form, adding an atypical in the fall of 1974,\" he said. Western swing to their touring \"My background as far as regimen, first hitting Drums 1 music isn't too significant. I Along the Rockies, where they played a snare drum in a drum took third. From there they corps for ten years in the went further west, missing middle to late-fifties and early many of the Eastern seaboard sixties. drum corps contests they \"We're located in the usually compete in. Delaware Valley area of Still, in the Denver DO Southeast Pennsylvania,\" he Regional, the Crossmen placed continued. \"We do have a lot just behind the Blue Devils and of kids from out of state, the Santa Gara Vanguard, numbering some 35-40 from all while edging out the Sky over the United States and Ryders and the adopted Canada, but the rest of them hometown favorite Troopers. are basically from the In their next regional meet, Delaware Valley or within a the Crossmen also fared well, 150-mile radius of there.\" claiming a fourth at DO North, Robinson said that their trailing just behind the repertoire - which in 1983 unbeatable Garfield Cadets, consisted of Russian and the Phantom Regiment and Ludmilla, Concerto del Rodrigo the Madison Scouts. In the and their standard, Russian process, they outscored both Christmas Music - was the Cavaliers and the by Miami. membership if they fall short selected on the basis of Bridgemen, ooth units that It was not to be in Florida, as on the third year. entertainment factors and would come back to beat them surging newcomer Suncoast They will be looking forward to usually were immediately in the finals. But still their Sound broke into the top 12, at a rousing comeback in 1984. recognizable. scores were rontinuing to sixth while the Crossmen fell It was the seventh time in \"I want to hear something improve and it looked like a to 13th, edged out by the 12th just nine competitive seasons that I enjoy, which means promising season by the mid- place Sky Ryders. Still, the that the Crossmen had made something I can walk away summer break. Philadelphia-based corps DO membership, but after from the show whistling or However, they hadn't remained on the DO Board of their best finish in their short something that people who progressed far enough by the Directors on the basis of its bi- history in 1982 in Montreal pay a lot of money to come in time they hit the DO South year provision, which allows when they took seventh, it had and watch drum corps can also Regional, and although their for a unit with two straight top to be a disappointment. relate to - in other words, score had climbed into the low 12 seasons to maintain Especially since they had taken relateable types of music,\" he seventies, it only gave them a two consecutive eighth place noted. ninth place finish out of ten finishes in the previous two And it's a good bet that in final corps. Already some of years. 1984 the Crossmen will be the corps that they had beat Harold Robinson, corps back, relating to their earlier in the season were director for the Crossmen, said audiences and having their pulling away from the his members came from all audiences relate to them. In Crossmen and it was starting over the continent, but mostly fact, if all goes well, perhaps to look like they would have a from their immediate area, as the judges will relate to them as tough time making the top 12 he recalled how the corps was well. ■

44 • MEMBER CORPS • Member Corps jostle for pole positions S OON after the starter's the beginning of each new While the jostling and gun is discharged at the competitive drum and bugle vying for position among the beginning of a long and corps season.The top top 12 will eventually garner arduous marathon race, performing corps, finely corps the status of serving on runners start sifting into tuned and deserving of pole the DCI Board of Directors, While they don't receive a position, naturally positions from a previous much is also to be gained by vote in the annual Board of gravitating toward the part of year's competitions, will making the top 25, or Directors meeting as do the the pack they will continue to assume front-runner status establishing what is known as top 12 corps, member corps compete in throughout the from the start, scoring high in DCI membership, usually can attend the yearly session course of the contest. Some their first contests. The from 13th to 25th placements. and participate in important will move forthrightly toward middle range corps tend to be DCI membership falls discussions and seminars. the front, others will linger in a little more fluid and the middle and there will interchangeable, and at times always be those in the back. just plain topsy-turvy. Here, Yet, each runner is the bottom range of the top 12 competing to the absolute corps and the upper echelons ceiling of his or her abilities, of DCI member corps bump pushing those God-given and challenge for position talents to the limit and taking throughout the year, often into consideration the shifting places right down to inevitable variables, such as the World Championships. time and quality of Every year there's some preparation, amount and skill doubt going into World Finals of coaching and financial who will make the top 12, and backing. who will make the top 25. It's roughly the same with Every year there are some key changes, new corps moving in and other corps stepping aside. The Alliance came on strong in 1983 and proved to be a corps not easily denied as they nearly were found guilty of breaking and entering into the sanctuary of the top 12 at the Miami World Championships.

Celebrating their silver anniversary in 1983, the They also will get a vote in the Troopers, noted. Jones, takes was the ultimate Troopers, of Casper, semi-annual Drum Corps a healthy perspective when it achievement, not placement. Wyoming, pulled out all the Rules Congress, and will comes to corps achievements, \"I discovered years and stops, and reconstructed some benefit from DCI prize taking each for what it's years ago, just watching this past peak moments including monies. They gain automatic worth rather than weighing little corps once,\" he recalled. the historic \"sunburst\" acceptance into DCI- them only in light of World \"It was really a minor corps, formation here performed. sponsored regional Finals placings. walking by in a parade, but Bringing audiences to their preliminaries and \"I think, when it comes to the kids were so erect and feet everywhere, they were one championships as well as the quality of the proud, and it's really a shame of the premier show stoppers receiving the advantages performance, the the way this isn't considered in '83 competitions. offered by DCI booking and professionalism of each sometimes, because despite judging. In short, member corps, corps that are much of everything, this little corps status is an extremely farther down the scale can just looked tremendous out meaningful inclusion, and still put on a very respectable there.\" one that has given many performance out there,\" he As Jones realized, it takes a rising corps - just arriving in pointed out. considerable effort just to the higher realms of the \"I get a lot of satisfaction field the least of corps. In the competitive structure - a out of watching the kids get final analysis, it's important renewed sense of purpose out there, and I know how only what the youngsters and mission. much effort it takes, even at a derive from the experience, Yet, like the marathon lower level,\" he continued. whether they finish first, runners, each corps is \"It doesn't make any second, 13th or 26th, because competing to the peak of its difference.\" like those marathon runners, abilities, all things Jones related an incident they're just going on what got considered, as veteran drum that happened to him once them there in the first place . ■ corps Director Jim Jones, of which drove home the the Casper, Wyoming realization that pride-in-self

46 Watching the Velvet Knights, out of Anaheim, California, may seem more like viewing a slice of life from the home front in lieu of their casual poses and laid back attire, but despite the veneer, they fought their way up from 21st in 1982 to 17th in '83, as the corps continues its gradual but inexorable ascension. The Knights, of Geneseo, Illinois, welcomed themselves in to DCI top 25 member corps status again striking all the way to a 16th place finish behind an admirable brass section and strong execution. The Knights had a good year all around in '83, edging out top 12 corps in several regionals. In perhaps their best showing, the Knights took sixth at DCI East, finishing ahead of the Cavaliers, Bridgemen and 27th Lancers among others. They were third at DCI Canada, 10th at DCI South and 11th at the tough DCI Midwest Regional.

47 Although the young color guard lady pictured may seem to have a few original ideas about how to deal with her director, it was all part of an elaborate act as the Valley Fever reclaimed its 18th position from '82 again in 1983. The Modesto, California corps was again in sharp and crisp form in the Miami Orange Bowl in the '83 World Championships. While it isn't always easy to tell when the more professional corps are spoofing the audience, here Les Eclipses seem to not have a care in the world, as it passes them by. But it was hardly the case, as the Canadian corps from Longueuil, Quebec were busy edging up in the final ratings from 22nd in 1982 to 19th in '83. Les Eclipses also managed to make finals in two regionals, at DCI Canada and DCI East.

48 Life in the drum and bugle corps is hardly an unmitigated good time as Boston's soloist testifies half bent backwards in concentration. Out of Somerville, Massachusetts, they moved back into member corps status in Miami in 1983. The Avant Garde missed member corps status in 1982, apparently, as they came out hungry and tough in '83 · busting back into the top 25 with a 20th place finish. The Saratoga Springs, New York corps had been there before and decided that DCI membership was worth the price of some hard work as they regained lost ground. Just another rambling and gambling day on the old Mississippi for the Colts, out of Dubuque, Iowa, which incidently happens to be located on that very same river, as the corps moved up from 24th in '82 to 22nd in 1983. As the photo clearly shows, the Colts were loose and limber in '83 and having a very good year indeed.

49 The vastly improved Dutch Boy corps leap-frogged up to Among the many newcomers 23rd in 1983. The Kitchener, to DCI member corps Ontario corps, left behind rankings in 1983 competition their Class A Championship was a unit from Maumee, in Montreal in '82 to try a shot Ohio, the Glassmen, who took at open rankings and the 24th place in Miami in '83. gamble paid off in success. Always tough and gritty The Pride of Cincinnati lived competitors, Les Chatelaines, up to their name. The Cincin- of Laval, Ontario, one of nati-based corps showed the Canada's top performing drum corps world they knew corps, were no different in what to do with a prop rifle, 1983 as they claimed the Class not to mention some snappy A World Championships. musical scores as they enjoyed a highly successful season.

50 • SCORES/REPERTOIRES • Drums Along the Rockies DCINorth World Championships June 25, 1983 July 9, 1983 August 20, 1983 Denver, Colorado Ypsilanti, Michigan Miami, Florida 1. Blue Devils 72.10 1. Garfield Cadets 82.85 Quarter Semi- 2. Santa Clara Vanguard 70.35 2. Phantom Regiment 78.85 Prehm Final Final Final 3. Crossmen 54.15 3. Madison Scouts 74.20 Score Score Score Score 4. Sky Ryders 50.20 4. Crossmen 67.95 1. Garfield Cadets 91.15 94.40 5. Troopers 47.05 5. Cavaliers 66.55 2. Blue Devils 91.15 93.80 6. Night Hawks 31.90 6. Knights 66.05 3. Santa Clara Vanguard 91.90 92.75 7. Blue Knights 31.20 7. Alliance 65.00 4. Phantom Regiment 88.45 91.45 8. Black Knights 29.50 8. Bridgemen 62.15 5. Madison Scouts 83.90 86.45 9. Emerald Knights 28.30 6. Suncoast Sound 84.20 84.80 86.05 10. Hollywood Knights 21.90 7. Spirit of Atlanta 83.45 83.60 DCIMidwest 11. Argonne Rebels 16.45 8. Freelancers 81.95 81.65 July 30, 1983 9. Cavaliers 80.30 80.55 Whitewater, Wisconsin 10. 27th Lancers 80.50 79.65 1. Garfield Cadets 86.10 11. Bridgemen 79.55 77.70 DCI East 2. Blue Devils 84.85 12. Sky Ryders 78.70 73.75 July 2, 1983 3. Santa Clara Vanguard 83.75 13. Crossmen 78.60 Allentown, Pennsylvania 4. Phantom Regiment 75.55 14. Alliance 80.30 77.10 1. Garfield Cadets 76.30 5. Madison Scouts 73.95 15. Troopers 79.05 76.85 2. Spirit of Atlanta 65.65 6. Spirit of Atlanta 72.10 16. Knights 77.10 73.95 3. Madison Scouts 64.15 7. Suncoast Sound 71.70 17. Velvet Knights 74.20 71.45 4. Suncoast Sound 57.90 8. 27th Lancers 69.20 18. Valley Fever 72.10 69.55 5. Alliance 55.20 9. Freelancers 66.60 19. Les Eclipses 70.55 67.25 6. Knights 53.00 10. Cavaliers 63.44 20. Avant Garde 67.40 64.65 7. Cavaliers 52.75 11. Knights 61.90 21. Boston 64.10 66.15 63.75 8. 27th Lancers 52.70 12. Sky Ryders 61.85 22. Colts 60.00 60.60 9. Bridgemen 52.35 23. Dutch Boy 62.90 64.45 59.60 10. Les Eclipses 41.25 24. Glassmen 63.80 61.05 58.25 DCISouth 25. Pride of Cincinnati 63.10 63.00 56.65 August 13, 1983 26. San Jose Raiders 59.85 DCI Canada Atlanta, Georgia 27. Valley Airs 58.70 58.90 July 8, 1983 1. Blue Devils 87.40 28. Florida Wave 57.50 56.35 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 2. Phantom Regiment 85.85 29. Saginaires 61.30 54.95 1. Garfield Cadets 81.20 3. Madison Scouts 82.15 30. Ventures 55.05 53.05 2. Madison Scouts 72.15 4. Suncoast Sound 81.05 31. Blue Knights 55.20 51.70 3. Knights 66.60 5. Spirit of Atlanta 80.80 32. Pioneer 53.80 51.45 4. Alliance 64.00 6. Cavaliers 77.10 33. Anaheim Kingsmen 49.00 45.45 5. Bridgemen 56.80 7. Freelancers 76.80 34. Dagenham Crusaders 49.80 45.20 6. Boston 52.50 8. Sky Ryders 72.90 35. Emerald Knights 49.30 44.50 7. Dutch Boy 48.35 9. Crossmen 71.40 36. Volunteers 49.05 44.45 8. Les Eclipses 46.95 10. Knights 70.05 37. Black Knights 49.60 43.70 Repertoires Garfield Cadets Madison Scouts Freelancers Bridgemen Symphonic Suite from Leonard Ballet in Brass Power Suite Overture from Merrily We Roll Along Bernstein's West Side Story Waltz of the Mushroom Hunters Genji Boogie Down Selections from Cats including Born Again Ahh, Quitchure Moan in' - Blue Devils percussion feature Bacchanalia Memory Cavaliers Civil War Suite Latin Implosion Suncoast Sound Don Juan Kam Evi/9 SixO.S. Summer Sketches SkyRyders La Fiesta Aquarius Ozark Home on the Range Requiem Pines of Rome Journey from Mariobronn - Santa Clara Vanguard percussion feature Fanfare and Allegro America? America! 27th Lancers Medley of Quien Sabe!Macarena On the Town Spirit of Atlanta Henry the Fifth Claire's Song Selections from the Tender Land It Ain't Necessarily So Eric's Theme There's a Boat Oat's Leavin' New York Indian Lady Crossmen Phantom Regiment We're All Together- Ludwig - percussion feature Russian and Ludmilla Scythian Suite percussion feature Armenian Dance I Loves You Porgy/Bess You is My Theme from Yentl Concierto de Aranjuez Shoshana 1812 Overture Woman Canto de/ Vien to