Contents DCI Executive Staff What ls DCB ....................... 2 In this space, we usually show a photo of Don Pesceone and Don Santa Clara Vanguard ............. . 4 Whiteley in a more-or-less formal pose. The truth is, they are generally far Phantom Regiment ................. 6 too busy to pose, so this year we show them doing what they do best- Blue Devils ........................ 8 working for drum corps, in conjunction with the DCI Board of Directors. Don Pesceone, in the foreground, is the Executive Director of Drum Madison Scouts ................... 10 Corps International. He has been a member, director, and judge of drum Bridgemen ....................... 12 corps. This first-hand knowledge of drum corps, combined with his Spirit of Atlanta ................... 14 business experience, enables him to help make the world of drum corps 27th Lancers ..................... . 16 truly professional in management and organization. Blue Stars ....................... . 18 Don Whiteley, handing out information in the background, became an avid corps promoter while producing a drum corps movie for his TV Crossmen ........................ 20 station. Soon, he was running the \"Drums Along the Rockies\" contests North Star ........................ 22 each summer. When DCI needed a full-time Public Relations Director, Guardsmen ..................... . 24 Whiteley was a natural. Kilts ............................ . 26 Pesceone and Whiteley-two men who, along with their staffs, Cavaliers ......................... 28 deserve major credit for the activity's expansion during DCl's eight-year history. Because of their efforts, drum corps enjoys better management, Color Photo Feature ............... 30 greater popularity, and a brighter future than ever before. Freelancers ....................... 36 Garfield Cadets ................... 37 Boston/Oakland/Offensive Lions .. 38 Troopers/Squires/Greece Cadets .. 40 Senec a/Wausau/Velvet Knights .... 42 Judging Corps Competition ........ 44 DCI East .......................... 46 DCI Mid we st ..................... 48 DCI North ........................ 50 DCIWest ......................... 52 Class\"A\"Champions ............ . 54 All-Girl Champions ......... . ...... 58 DCI Champion ship ......... . ...... 59 Recaps ........................... 60 Fans ............................ . 62 Credits DCI Yearbook Staff Editor/ Linda Hilton Linda Hilton, heading the yearbook staff for the third year, is a legislative assistant in the Wisconsin State Senate and a freelance editor. She Cover Design/ Christos Theo is also Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Madison Scouts. Christos Theo, a former Madison Scout, is currently head percussion DCI Staff Writer/ Saucy Cutlip arranger and instructor for the Scouts. He is entering graduate school in Aesthetics Education at the University of Wisconsin, and is a graphics Principal Photographers /Dick Deihl designer at WHA-TV in Madison, Wisconsin. Art Luebke Saucy Cutlip, a freelance writer, is a former producer at WHA-TV in Madison. She is currently serving as associate producer for WHA's telecast of Color Photographers /Brian Domenoski the 1979 DCI Championship, and is co-chairman of public relations for the William Stiles Madison Scouts. Dick Deihl is a former staff member of the CapitolAires and an avid Auxiliary Photographer / David Page corps and color guard photographer. He is employed by American Family Insurance in Madison, Wisconsin. Printing by American Printing and Art Luebke is a former Madison Scout and current Board of Directors Publishing, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin. member for the Scouts. He has produced many TV specials and movies about drum corps as a producer /director of WHA-TV, Madison, where he is This is the official Yearbook of Drum Corps now Executive Director of Friends of Channel 21, Inc. International. All contents of this book are copy- Brian Domenoski is a freelance photographer, an avid corps fan, and a right© 1979 by DCI. No portion of this book may student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. be reprinted without the express written consent David Page is a high-school student and corps fan from Bloomer, of Drum Corps International. Drum Corps Inter- Wisconsin, and our youngest contributor. national Executive Office: P. 0 . Box 192, Villa Park, Special thanks are due to Doris Wentland in the DCI public relations Illinois 60181. Drum Corps International Publicity Office : P. 0 . Box 5551 , Denver, Colorado 80217. office in Denver for many types of assistance; to an unidentified photog- Recordings of the Drum Corps International rapher for several color photos furnished by the DCI office; and to Benoit Championships for 1979 may be ordered by Morin, a Madison Scout from Montreal, for providing French translations to writing Drum Corps International in Villa Park. the photo captions for French-speaking corps.
What Is DCI? The squares on the map tell part membership may go beyond twelve of the story. Sixty-eight-count 'em, to allow a corps to retain voting sixty-eight-DCl-sanc:\":tioned shows status if it did not qualify during the this summer, not counting prelims at current year, but had been a finalist some of them. In 19 states, the for the three consecutive preceding District of Columbia, and two Cana- years. Also, a new rule in 1979 will dian provinces. Five regional cham- provide for a championship contest pionship shows, indicated by stars on among the 13th- through 17th-place the map. The greatest summer yet of finishers in prelims; the winner will top-calibre drum corps, from San be an ex-officio board member of In 1974, DCI moved its cham- Jose to Boston and from Montreal to DCI, and will receive DCl-scale pionship for the first time, to Ithaca, Orlando. appearance fees, for the coming New York. In '75 and '76, Philadel- That means more money for the / year.) phia, Pennsylvania, was the site. A ( corps that compete. More oppor- \\. Today, as in the early days of its record 31 ,000 witnessed finals in ' tunities for them to pit their skills existence, DCI is an organization of Denver, Colorado, site of the '77 and against the very best competition. / drum corps, for drum corps. It is the '78 championships. The selection of More publicity for the activity. More ) vehicle which enables corps to en- Birmingham, Alabama, as the 1979 opportunities for long-time fans to / courage and govern the development location marks the first appearance of see their favorite corps in action. And of their own activity. the \" show of shows\" in the South. _ more opportunities for the uniniti- Meanwhile, DCI initiated re- ated to see a corps show for the first gional championships, following the time. same format as the international In short, it means a healthy championships, and undertook the activity, growing in popularity and sponsorship of several other high- gaining strength internally. And that calibre competitions annually. Cham- is what DCI is all about. pionships were added for class \" A,\" all-girl corps, individuals, and en- Drum Corps International was sembles. The newest addition is the founded in late 1971 when the contest initiated in 1979 to determine directors of America's top drum and the best of the corps placing 13th bugle corps met in Indianapolis to through 17th at the DCI Champion- discuss the problems facing their ship prelims. individual corps and the activity as a To ensure the standardization of whole. Primarily, these were prob- rules and judging, the DCI Board of lems brought about by the rapid Directors determined that judges of expansion and growing sophistication major competitions should be assigned of the activity. Foremost among them by the organization. The DCI staff were the rapidly accelerating ex- was given the responsibility for stan- penses necessitated by more ad- dardizing competitive rules, judging vanced instruments and more wide- techniques, and judges' exposure to spread touring, the lack of standard- \\ all highly-competitive corps. Through ized rules and judging techniques the combined efforts of competing across the nation, and the need ) corps, the judges themselves, and the for highly qualified and well-trained I DCI organization, the entire activity corps management. has experienced a greater quality and The directors decided that con- The first major project of DCI uniformity of judging, not only at certed action was required from as to host a championship in which , championship competitions but at within the ranks of drum corps itself, very major corps participated, thus if these problems were to be allevi- for the first time truly determining an ated before they could destroy the ~ international champion. This first DCI activity. Drum Corps International / Championship was held in 1972 in 1 was born. Its purpose: to \"organize , Whitewater, Wisconsin- also the site 1 and unify leadership in drum corps,\" of the 1973 championship. and to open avenues for the top A requirement of the DCI Board corps to work together for their own of Directors since the organization's good and for the betterment of the inception was to ensure that the entire drum corps activity. major competitors would always be Membership in DCI would fluc- in attendance at the championship tuate each year, and would be competition. Every member of DCI is composed of the top 25 corps at the required to participate. Because of DCI Championship. The top twelve the great expense this requirement would be voting members, while entails for the corps, it was also those finishing 13th through 25th established that the International would be non-voting members with Championship would be moved to a many of the privileges extended to different drum corps area every two the full members. (Now, full voting years. 2
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ * ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ • ■ ■ •• ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ @·· ■ ■ ( -most contests throughout the U.S. conditions of the corps, including Western Europe, and Japan, and ~and Canada, Now, DCI sponsors a their management structure and their many instructors from these countries biennial Drum Corps Rules Congress, finances, such that the corps can have traveled to North America to at which all interested drum corps continue to thrive and exist. We can observe and study our corps tech- managers, instructors, and judges can best accomplish this by first strengthen- niques, which are somewhat more meet to discuss and adopt rule ing the management base in the top advanced. A corps from Japan ap- changes, and to clarify their under- corps, then reinforcing that on down to peared at the DCI Championships in standing of the application and inter- smaller corps.\" 1975, and one from Holland is slated pretation of rules. DCI has also initiated various to appear this year. DCI also ex- But, true to its original purposes, measures to ensure that member changes films, records, and literature DCI undertook much more than corps are adequately and fairly reim- with interested parties in many lands, organization and standardization of bursed for appearances, regardless of and hopes to send several top corps competition, It soon became obvious their order to finish . This enables all on a tour of Europe in the near that the demands on DCI were far nationally competitive corps to share future if funding can be located. too great for a part-time staff, In the financial burden of touring, But what about new corps? December, 1972, Don Pesceone was Another goal toward which DCI Doesn't DCI hope to expand the named full-time Executive Director of has made great progress, thanks par- activity by creating more units? DCI, a position he still holds today, ticularly to Don Whiteley's public \"Not necessarily,\" says Pesceone. The DCI office soon expanded to relations staff, is to strengthen the \" We specifically don't want to en- include a full-time Publicity Director, popularity of, and thus the support for, courage the formation of new corps Don Whiteley, and several auxiliary the activity. One mark of success has with little chance of survival. At office personnel. Each year has seen been the expansion of corps shows present, our priorities have to lie with an increase in the workload of the into areas not previously considered ensuring the continued growth of DCI office, reflecting its increasing viable markets...:....for instance, the existing corps and broadening our acceptance as a central clearinghouse Rocky Mountain area and the deep support base. Once these goals are for all facets of drum corps. South. Another hallmark is the in- accomplished, the new corps will One important activity of DCI creased interest of the public media, come-but they'll come at a time, has been the organizing and con- including the televising of the DCI and in an environment, where they ducting of national and regional Championship throughout the U.S. have a good chance to survive.\" management seminars. Personnel and Canada. Obviously, DCI is a lot more than from corps of every size and level of Pesceone admits one of his the top twelve corps in the world. It's achievement attend. Budgeting, fund- dreams is to see drum corps competi- drum corps people working for the 1 raising, insurance, show sponsorship, tion become truly multi-national growth, the well-being, the recog- publicity, and management philo- some day. He sees no reason why nition and support-indeed, the sur- sophy are just a few of the topics DCI must be restricted to the North vival-of the entire activity. You covered. \"Our top priority,\" says American continent. Indeed, the corps might say DCI is the future of drum Pesceone, \" is to make the working activity is flourishing in England, corps. 3
Santa Clara Vanguard The Vanguard is an \"idea.\" Artistic. Subtle. Classic. Definitely a separate idiom. Director Gail Royer's conversa- tion about the Santa Clara Vanguard is liberally sprinkled with words and phrases like these. He speaks of the Vanguard with the quiet passion of an artist who really understands what his work is about, whether everyone else does or not. \"We've been accused of not being exciting,\" he says with no apparent concern. He shrugs his shoulders. The Vanguard was assembled in Santa Clara, California, in 1967, with Royer leading the way. By 1972, the corps was ranked third in the world. Since then, they have been third twice, second once, and first in '73, '74, and '78. That record is un- equaled. If that's not exciting, what is? Royer continues: \"We've been accusedof not being very exciting becau~e the things we do are often very subtle; w.e hope they are also very artistic. We work to be creative in all three areas of show design. Horn music, percussion, and field movement each should feed off the other: No jarring spots, nothing that sticks out.\" The phrase for that is \"total show concept,\" and the Van- guard is credited with its develop- ment. \"Audiences are far more discern- ing and far more intelligent about what's good than they used to be,\" he contends. \"We like to take , something new and challenge the audience to think. We want them to discern that we're doing a beautiful thing. We want to sell it without ' cramming it down their throats.\" iJ1111!\"..::ill..i', But don't they want to win, too? Of course. \"We always want to be competitive,\" Royer concedes. \"We want to play and march a perfect show. If we do that as well as is humanly possible for us, then we stand a good chance of winning and we'll be very entertaining at the same time.\" Innovative, competitive, artistic, subtle, classic. Exciting? Very. Director: Gail R. Royer, 671 Bell- flower, #6, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Repertoire: Verdi Requiem / Gayne: A Ballet Suite-Adagio, Lezghinka, Hopak / If You Believe (The Wiz). 4
Phantom Regiment than just one. Alternates have a partner and rotate into the show on a regular basis, so everyone gets his or her chance. There will, however, be no alternate for the classical music pro- gram that has come to be a trade- mark of the Rockford, Illinois, corps. The tradition had a humble begin- ning. In 1969, when the Phantom Regiment was reborn, the staff began working with the recordings available from a local public library. As it happened, those recordings were skewed toward classical music. These, coupled with a written score from a local music store, fathered the Regi-' ment style that has become famous coast to coast. Now, of course, the corps has What has 280 legs and walks While incentive is a useful ingredient the resources and the expertise to go around humming a contrapuntal to the success of Rockford's \"alter- with any style they like. So will they phrase from Wagner's \"Die Meister- nate\" plan, Lendman claims some of switch from their heavy-duty classics? singer?\" Did you guess the New York their most talented members are Not on your life! Rockford's \"class City Symphony? Wrong! If your answer was the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, you are correct. \"Wait a minute,\" the discerning corps fan will respond. \"A drum and bugle corps only has 256 legs!\" Wrong again. Although drum corps rules state that 128 is the maximum number of members allowed on the field, the Regiment travels with 140 members. \"Our buses seat 140,\" says director Bob Lendman, \"and we prefer to travel with full buses.\" The twelve alternates have full member- ship in the corps and play a vital role in the Regiment's success. Their avail- among the alternates because they act\" is definitely preferred by the ability means the corps never has to must be counted on to step in Regiment's marching members, march fewer than 128 and can handle wherever needed. This means learn- claims Lendman. They will tolerate no the unexpected illness or injury. ing many positions in the drill, rather suggestions of moving toward less weighty selections. That's good news for drum corps fans, who have grown to love the Regiment's departure from more familiar music. In fact, more than one corps nut has been seen leaving the stadium with arms directing his softly- whistled bit from Beethoven. Director: Bob Lendman, Route 5, 29th Place, Sterling, IL 60181. Repertoire: Finale (Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Saint-Saens) / Malambo (Ballet Estancia, Ginastera) / A Minor Piano Concerto (Grieg) / March of the Dwarfs (drum solo) / In the Hall of the Mountain King (Grieg) / Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral (Die Meistersinger, Wagner). 6
Blue Devils they could loosen up and let it happen. Before long, it was \" Look, Ma, no music!\" While drum corps fans won't This year's Blue Devils of Con- out any improvisational surprises dur- hear this kind of improvisation on the cord, California, will give drum corps ing a contest, but when the Blue field, they will reap the benefits as fans all the jazz they've come to Devils are not on the field they're the 1979 Blue Devils wail out their expect from the two-time interna- learning to bust out. more personal, more involved brand tional champions. During early season practice, the of jazz. For the Blue Devils, the contem- staff suggested that corps members porary jazz tradition is as old as the fool around with some music exer- Director: Jerry Seawright, P.O. Box corps itself. When the \"Blue Crew\" cises. Soon, the use of improvisation 135, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. staff, led by director Jerry Seawright, began to open up the Blue Devils looked for music for their brand new musicians. Even the kids who felt Repertoire: Chicago Ill Suite (Ken- corps in 1971, an acquaintance uncomfortable with the lack of struc- ton) / La Suerta de las Tontas / The loaned Jerry a record album by a ture at first found after while that Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. relatively unknown jazz artist. Sea- wright, a jazz buff himself, listened. He particularly favored one selection, \"Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor.\" The rest is history for both the artist, Chuck Magione, and the Blue Devils, Magione, one of the hottest talents on the contemporary music scene, is said to credit drum corps as a contributor to his rise in popularity. Magione's music, and that of other contemporary American artists, has certainly contributed to the Blue Devil's rise in popularity, too. So this year there will be more jazz-but with a new feel. Improvisation is the key. According to many, improvisa- tion is the heart and soul of jazz, with each musician achieving intimacy with his music as he teases and woos his tune's theme to arrive at his own personal interpretation. The very na- ture of drum corps competition rules 8
Madison Scouts for the corps' always supercharged appearances and shooting the rifle line members into instant celebrity status. The guard has spent much of the winter in stretching, creative move- ment, and mental concentration exercises, as well as equipment technique. Their ability to electrify will be enhanced in '79 by even more Being a star is just an awful lot of all-male rifle work. Total body difficult equipment work and more fun. For members of the Madison involvement and dance technique sophisticated total movement. Rifle Scouts rifle line it means a letter from made the rifle itself just one more line devotees can expect a vigorous some cute girls that begins : \"We part of a moving organism. Madison's performance from Madison's magnifi- would like to inquire about the bag of tricks included full-force disco cent men, whose prominence has purchase of one Madison Scout Rifle moves, roguish flirting with the made the term \" excitement\" an Person,\" and ends: \"Please send one crowd, and breathtaking physical understatement. willing to be a souvenir so we might flexibility. The flags also got in the hang him on our trophy wall.\" act, joining in a little disco and the Directors: Scott Stewart and Bill Definitely fun! Scouts' legendary hat bow, a supreme Howard, P. 0. Box 948, Madison, WI It wasn't always so for the guard touch of male elegance once exe- 53701. members. Until 1973, there weren't cuted only by the rifles. Repertoire: The Sorcerer and the any rifles at all in the Madison, The new style was a smashing Latin / Bohemian Rhapsody / Wisconsin, corps. Even then, a success. Show after show, the crowd Granada Smoothie / Pieces of Madison rifle line member wasn't went wild, producing new excitement Dreams. exactly swamped by groupies. Things have changed. More than 40 kids tried out this year before guard and rifle instructor Sal Salas selected ten. Mere expertise with the equipment is no longer enough. These young men must characterize and interpret the Scouts' powerful music. They need the skills of actors and the physical abilities of dancers, an ability to learn quickly, and no hang-ups about doing things others might be afraid to try. Madison's 1978 scene-stealing rifles made what can only be described as a quantum leap in opening up the concepts surrounding
Bridgemen Bobby Hoffman, program direc- started. After the busby went, I asked tor for the Bridgemen of Bayonne, how they like the colors. A Hell's New Jersey, has been accused of Angels motorcycle gang member dreaming up deliberately outlandish who plays drums summed it up. He ideas. He insists he just falls into was standing there with all his chains ideas. Like the way the Bridgemen and leather garb and this huge, got their long yellow coats, which grizzly beard. He explained, in his shocked the corps world and were own way, that there's no way he is immediately dubbed \" bananas\" when going to wear light pink to play the they were unveiled a few years ago. bass drum.\" Something had to be done about Hoffman was left with two things the old corps uniforms, so Hoffman -the modified cossack coat design took to the drawing board. \" I wasn't and the corps' desire to use its dying to be radical,\" he insists. \"We traditional colors of gold, black, and just needed new uniforms.\" white. Back to the drawing board. He began by toying with a Hoffman eased his frustration by cossack idea, based on Russian uni- attending a special opening at Har- forms. But there were minor prob- lem's Apollo Theatre, starring Stevie lems. First, there was that small hat Wonder. \" I was watching the crowd that cossacks wear-and Hoffman arrive, and a big car pulled up believes a corps needs big hats on outside the theatre,\" Hoffman re- the field. Then, the coat was black, members. \"This guy stepped out in a and he didn't want black. Finally, bright yellow coat, with big pockets with the bicentennial only a year that had his initials on them. And on away, maybe the Russian look was a his head was this floppy black hat. I little too-well-Russian. But there only had to replace the initials with was still that nice shape to the jacket. the Bridgeman 'B'.\" By February, Hoffman presented \"You see,\" says Hoffman, \" I just his design. The cossack coat now fell into that.\" And that's how you came in an array of colors-light build a banana. green for baritones, yellow for so- pranos, and so on. The hat, a huge Director: Jack Dames, 781 Avenue A, busby, paid honor to the bicen- Bayonne, NJ 07002. tennial. Did the corps like it? Repertoire: Pagliacci / Dancin (The \"Well,\" Hoffman said, \"when I Wiz) / Spanish Dreams / Boogie brought the busby out, the cat calls Woogie Bugle Boy. 12
Spirit of Atlanta When grits fits . .. why not swing mood-setting fanfare of \"Georgia on with it? My Mind\" will precede their opener, No one is suggesting that every and later in the show, drum corps Spirit of Atlanta staff member loves to fans will be treated to a little tune eat grits, but they do have a healthy called \"Sweet Georgia Brown\" done respect for that famous standard- Basie style. bearer of Southernism. Stylism must sometimes give way Corps director Freddie Martin to other considerations, however, says an audience has certain expecta- and Atlanta's staff opted for some tions of a corps based on the corps' trade-offs when choosing the corps' home state or area. He cited the opener, Buddy Rich's \"Nuttville.\" Troopers of Casper, Wyoming, as an Martin said last year's music tended excellent example of how stylism can to spotlight the horn line; this year's be enhanced by regional identity. show, the staff decided, should in- The Troopers' selection of the Old clude a tonic for their ultra-talented West cavalry uniform and their use of drum line. He explained that the some thematic music links did much drum line contains some incredible to build the unique Trooper image. musicians, and that each member of Atlanta's first year out, in 1977, the section reads music. \"Frankly,\" he told them a lot about the comfort of shrugs, \"they got a little bored last doing your own thing. \"We deliber- year.\" ately stayed away from being It is safe to say that if the drum Southern,\" says Martin, \"and we line got bored, the audience did not. found we were just not happy with Nor are they apt to be bored with that.\" There is no substitute for the the Southern fare offered up by Spirit worldly wisdom that comes from a of Atlanta in 1979. And that ain't season or two in the drum corps whistlin' \"Dixie\"! trenches, and Spirit's 1978 show slipped into its native Southern style Director: Freddy Martin, 4994 Austell with mighty fine results. Those who Road, Austell, GA 30001. listened closely even heard the corps whistle \"Dixie\" as it entered the field. Repertoire: Nuttville (Buddy Rich 1979 will find Atlanta keeping its Band) / Sweet Georgia Brown (Count heritage up front and visible. A Basie) / Let It Be Me. 14
27th Lancers The 27th Lancers of Revere, Massachusetts, stage a show that has been conservatively compared to a three-ring circus. To the crowd's delight, a variety of equipment spins, twirls, and flies through the air. The Lancers handling the equipment are similarly active. Inevitably, all this equipment and activity ups the odds that something could drop, break, or get in someone's way. When these catastrophies occur, an old show biz formula applies: the show must go on. But, unlike other forms of entertainment where an error or the uncontrollable rampages of fate can provide an amusing moment, drum corps must absorb or disguise their mistakes. To do otherwise can prove costly on the judges' score sheets. That added pressure of competition has sired a wide variety of inventive precautions against imminent disaster. It helps to be prepared. It also sabre, but was so involved in her tradition of wearing nothing beneath helps to be blessed with an eerie performance that she was unaware of his kilt but the aforementioned pride. sense of what can go wrong. Using a it. When these or other emergencies It is fairly safe to assume the lucky check and re-check system, the arise, the Lancer staff seeks prompt winner becomes a textbook example Lancers manage to foreclose on most medical help. of advance preparation. calamities before they happen. Occa- On one such occurance, an age- sionally, they don't. Drum sticks have old question was answered. A Lancer Director: George Bonfiglio, 35 S. become airborn and flagpoles drummer, wearing the Scottish kilt, Cambridge St., Revere, MA 02151. dropped. Maybe a spat falls off, or fainted and was taken to a hospital. someone walks right out of a shoe. The attending physician could not Repertoire: Folksong Suite (excerpts) No one panics. A drummer once help wondering aloud what was worn / Open Wide / On the 20th Century broke his drum head during a par- under the kilt. The young drummer, I Danny Boy. ticularly intense performance and, thought to be still unconscious, much to the astonishment of the groggily responded : \"A lot of pride.\" judge, continued playing on thin air, Presumably this drummer was never missing a lick. better prepared than he admitted, More serious miscalculations but there is one catastrophe that 27th have resulted in injuries. One young Lancer snare drummers hope to woman in the rifle line overshot a avoid. It is rumored they flip a coin toss and the returning rifle broke her before the DCI Championship and nose. Another cut her ear with a the winner inherits the Lancer 16
Blue Stars \"' ~~'.;/:~-- learning and plans to build theory classes in the Blue Stars' training. In '79, the horn line has experienced a lot of technical studies and intona- tion training. Above all, Hill believes in giving kids a positive experience. \" They give so much time,\" he says, \" and we must give them something solid in return.\" He contends the activity brings out the best in a person because it asks members to perform to potential. Take last year's Blue Stars horn line at the DCI Champion- Don Hill, head brass instructor things get a bit hectic during the ship: \" They played beyond their for the Lacrosse, Wisconsin, Blue winter, with corps charts to write and potential and they knew it. That was Stars, is an intern music teacher. He is rehearsals to run, the music educa- the neat thing. \" bearded and serious-eyed, and seems tors in corps seem to find time for Hill and percussion man Steve older than his 25 years. everything. Don Hill says he spends Smith, both music educators and Blue about 24 hours a day in music; Stars alumni, see rewarding times The older and wiser impression multiplies with further conversation. whether working or relaxing, he's ahead for the corps. Hill is working Don Hill seems to have a firm grip on always listening. toward the time when the Blue Stars will produce \"a totally musical Hill finds his roles in school and his role as music educator. He entered graduate school in musicology after corps more than just compatible; he program.\" A conversation with him likes and needs to do both. \"School completing undergrad work in music gives me the chance to watch kids leaves the impression that that theory and history. \"I was spending 12 learn and grow, but I love the out- program is well on its way. hours a day in the library,\" Hill says, and-out professionalism of drum Director: Dave Kampschroer, P. 0 . \"and I was learning a lot about music. corps,\" explains Hill, \" especially with Box 1841, Lacrosse, WI 54601. But there was a missing ingredient- peop/e.\" It was then that he decided a DCl-level corps.\" Repertoire: St. Louis Blues / Birdland The Blue Stars are on the to become a teacher. receiving end of Hill's experience. He / La Fiesta / Strike Up the Band / More and more corps are staffed believes in getting away from rote Children of Sanchez. with professional music educators. It is ideal for both corps and staff, who can spend school months in school and corps months in corps. While 18
Crossmen Stunning strength, dynamic pres- An even stronger portent of about them.\" But though they may ence, drama, and a swirling cape are things to come may have been the have been controversial, they made all ingredients of the popular hero Crossmen's living \"mascot\"-an ap- the Crossmen the most-photographed from another world, Superman. This parition that appeared at the DCI corps around, and gave them a year's drum corps season will find Championships high atop the back unique identity. They also serve as Superman in the form of the Cross- grandstand. This slightly spooky indi- interesting \" props,\" and will blend men from Delaware County, Pennsyl- vidual stood tall above the crowd, nicely into the corps' 1979 repertoire. vania. Fans can expect to be sent raising and lowering his cape dra- In fact, they make the addition of \"out of this world\" whenever the matically to reveal to the uniniti- \"Superman\" a natural. Crossmen appear. Elements of the ated that they were witnessing the Despite the familiar capes, the show will feature John Williams' Crossmen. The result was electrify- Crossmen have a new style and a much-acclaimed music from the ing. Was it a bird? A ghoul? Super- new flavor, brought about by a popular \"Superman\" film, as well as man? In retrospect, one can guess combination of new staff and a totally other numbers including \"Meeting of that perhaps it was, indeed, a \"Meet- new show. Robinson promises the the Spirits.\" ing of the Spirits\" with \"Superman.\" corps has retained its strength in all Indeed, this show may have been At any rate, the capes that did so sections, and is focusing major efforts previewed last year, for those sensi- much to establish an image for the on improving its marching and ma- tive to omens of things to come. Crossmen will be back this year, neuvering. Fans everywhere can look Certainly the capes were in evidence. although director Harold Robbins to the Crossmen for a \"super\" show Shortly after their appearance at the says they will be shortened somewhat in '79. beginning of the 1978 season, the to give marching members more Crossmen had gained a reputation flexibility. \"Those capes created quite Director: Harold Robinson, 1413 Nec- for using them to best advantage on a stir,\" he says. \" Fans were adamant- tar Lane, West Chester, PA 19380. the field. ly hot or cold. Nobody was neutral Repertoire: Slavonic Dance #1 - • V (Dvorak) / Meeting of the Spirits (Mahavishnu Orchestra) / Tiger of -~ San Pedro (John LaBarbera) / Music from \"Superman\"- The Planet Kryp- ton, Superman (main title theme), and Can You Read My Mind (John Williams).
North Star In the East, chances are greater another drum corps power to the than anywhere else that you could East. walk up to a crowd of strangers and Audiences love the North Star find a former corps member among and delight in their music, which them. Chances are even better that effects an impish and rollicking sense the same crowd of strangers would of fun. Corps director Jim O'Brien produce several drum corps fans. The says their audience appeal came as a Eastern drum corps tradition encom- pleasant surprise. This special per- passes many corps from the very formers' reward first showed itself small to the awesome, and mergers when the corps premiered its show in between the small often serve as a June of '76. \"I'll never forget it,\" said vehicle for survival. Occasionally, O'Brien. \"Artistically it wasn't beauti- \"survival\" becomes a roaring success. ful, and I wasn't particularly excited On a cold Sunday morning in about it, but when I turned around, 1976, two men met for coffee. Half a the crowd was on their feet. They cup later they had figured out what were really getting into it, and I needed to be done. Jim O'Brien and honestly think we've had a standing Bill Dunn were the directors of two ovation for every performance we've small corps, a scant four miles apart, done since.\" on the North Shore of Boston, Massa- Those performances have now chusetts. That Sunday morning coffee expanded to include sell-out winter produced the delightful North Star, percussion concerts, showcasing the whose steady rise to prominence- myriad talents of the North Star's 30th place in 1976, 17th in '77, and a drum line (with a little help from a solid 10th in '78-has brought yet few horns, some guitars, and a singer or two). Last winter, over 1,600 people jammed the two-night per- formance despite the concurrent arrival of the winter's worst snow. Jim O'Brien believes the North Star's brand of crowd appeal is directly related to their music selection. \"The corps plays the music that fans play themselves,\" said O'Brien, \"and this year's show will have more pop music than ever.\" Surf's up on Boston's North Shore, where the North Star is sure to make entertainment waves for drum corps fans everywhere. Director: James P. O'Brien, 106 Burrill St., Swampscott, MA 01907. Repertoire: Children of Sanchez / Bellavia/ Ole/ Medley of Beach Boy Hits (Good Vibrations, Surfer Girl, Barbara Ann). 22
Guardsmen Members of the Guardsmen very British style was gradual, but the Drum and Bugle Corps are just like 1979 season will find even more any other kids. No doubt they are extensive use of their stiff and proper into the disco scene, are as maxed flavor which drum corps crowds have out with school work and corps come to anticipate. This does not activity as anyone else, and use the mean, however, that the corps will word \"decent\" for anything which stick only to the reserved and grand gains their approval. But when they music selections that best reflect the take the field for a performance, limey influence. A Spanish-style their native Americanisms vanish into concert, designed to display the a cloud of British fog. They emerge corps' versatility through pace with a \"tally ho\" that has pleased changes and varied rhythmic styles, drum corps audiences for several will provide a high-energy inter- years. Their use of a British image is national flavor. so effective, observers can't help Throughout their show, though, wondering if fish and chips for lunch the Guardsmen will preserve the and that civilized ritual called high twinkle and majesty of their British tea are part of their normal day. presence which has caught the imagination of drum corps audiences. The Guardsmen are not really from the Jolly Old, but hail from The response from crowds across the Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates, U.S. has been echoed in fan mail carrying postmarks from Great Brit- Illinois, in the northwest Chicago suburbs. The corps likes its British ain, where a growing number of image and enjoys the opportunity to British fans write to the Guardsmen display its identity by employing a to express their fascination with the cultivated technique that sets its corps' unique style. What do British brand of drum corps entertainment fans think of the Guardsmen? apart. Their Napoleonic-era uniforms Naturally, they think it's a jolly good use a rousing orange jacket, black show! trousers with white stripes, and a very tall white-plumed shako-style hat to Director: Ray Harty, 20 N. Roselle set the scene. They produce a Road, Schaumburg, IL 60172. program filled with British music which provides a stunning backdrop Repertoire: God Save the Queen / for the corps' majestic decorum. Fanfare of the Neume I Tiger of San Pedro I Rule Britannia I Song of the Corps business manager Duane Blacksmith / Masterpiece I Green- Shepley says their move toward the sleeves. 24
For the Racine, Wisconsin, Kilts, turned back. Those who tried to fly their bout with the winter weather in made it nowhere at all. '79 made a summer bus breakdown Round Eight: A T.K.O. was seem like a mere trifling. declared on March 4, when the wet, Round one: On New Year's heavy snow became too much for the weekend the corps had its first camp. roof of Kiltie Hall. Equipment But along with the New Year came 28 escaped damage in the cave-in, but inches of snow. Members came on the corps headquarters was beyond sleds; snowmobiles replaced cars. salvage and would have to be razed. Out-of-towners who miraculously Despite the woeful winter, the arrived stayed longer than expected, Kilts will be around to heat things up unable to leave until January 3. this summer with music that cooks on Round Two : January 13, and a the field and sizzles in the stands. scheduled winter comp guard show. The fans should give them an extra Not scheduled was 18 inches of welcome. After the winter of '79, the blowing and drifting snow. Twelve Kilts need all the warmth they can hearty guards made it in, but only 30 get! spectators. The next morning found the visiting guards \"snowed\" by Director: Bill Schrack, P. 0. Box 1585, Racine's hospitality. The outside Racine, WI 53401. doors of the gym where the kids had slept were drifted tight. A truck had Repertoire: Scottish Rhapsody (Mon- to ram through the mountain of tovani) I Birdland (Maynard Fergu- snow to open the doors. Score : son) / Medley of Santana Tunes I Snow, 94.6-and never mind the Faber College Theme Song (Animal penalty. House) / Auld Lang Syne. Round Three: A continuation of round two, with all the Racine schools closed for a week following the January storm; the Kilts had no place to practice. Round Four: January 21- sche- duled practice called off because of nine new inches of snow. Round Five: January 23. Ten more inches, and the national news media called Racine the snow capital of the Midwest. No kidding? Round Six: January 25-27 was optimistically slotted for the second Kiltie camp. Three inches of snow arrived, but so did all the Kilts. Round Seven: February 16-18, and the third Kiltie camp. The color guard made it, the drum line made it, and so did ten more inches of snow. Unfortunately, about 45 Kiltie horn players are from the South. Those who tried to drive up made it to southern Illinois before they were 26
Cavaliers The Cavaliers drum and bugle freedom to \"look like a beast\" on by a television commentator; as the corps of Park Ridge, Illinois, is one of tour, to get up in the morning and Cavies lined up to begin a competi- only two remaining all-male corps. just pull something on to get to the tion, he called them the first group While most Cavaliers have never bus before going back to sleep. No who looked like they owned the marched with any other corps, Bob carefully blown hair at such an early field. Larson, Rich Bruton, and Frank hour; there is plenty of time left in These three Cavies said how Bonacci, now in their fourth year the day to be charming and well different it is to be in an all-male with the Cavies, belonged to coed groomed. corps, but they also talked a lot about corps previously. Each prefers the all- Their opinions about the poten- how much it parallels their experi- male setting. tial for better performance from an ences in a coed corps. Each felt it While reasons varied, they agreed all-male organization differed. One might be nice to be back with a coed on one advantage in particular-the felt with some exceptions males can corps, but given the choice right be pushed farther physically than now, all would stick with the Cava- females, and there is less giving in to liers. \" After all,\" said one, \" you have fatigue and the accompanying loss of the rest of your life in a coed world. \" face when the whole bunch is male. Another argued that the females in Director: Donald W. Warren, P. 0 . corps he was formerly associated with Box 384, Park Ridge, IL 60068. worked just as hard as, or harder than, males. Repertoire: Santa Esmerelda / Fan- And what about the legendary tasy (Earth, Wind and Fire) / Cuban locker room mystique, a concept that Fire (Stan Kenton) / Over the Rain- has long baited the female mind? bow / Children of Sanchez. Bob, Rich, and Frank said there is no denying the advantages of living facilities that forego separate quarters. It's great to have the freedom to be yourself in a highly competitive atmosphere, and the competitive hype before a performance can start earlier when everyone dresses to- gether. And the macho image? That is tough to define, they felt, particu- larly if you are on the inside looking out. They suggested this by-product of an all-male group probably has more implied advantages than actual ones, and, in fact, can make some Cavaliers uneasy. But they particularly enjoy comments like the one made 28
1978's Capital Freelancers have changed their name for '79 to the Sacramento Freelancers, but by any name fans can expect their stately brand of Freelancer entertainment. The Sacramento, California, corps was a DC/ finalist in '76 and '77, and missed repeating in '78 by the narrowest of margins. A solid horn sound, a drum line with an impeccable reputation, and unusual and difficult color guard maneuvers have characterized the Freelancers since their first DC/ Championship appearance in 1975. 36
Garfield Cadets What corps has been just one or two places out of finals more times than any other? It must be the Garfield Ca- dets, who have competed in every DC/ Championship and have been either one or two spots too low on three of their seven tries. However, the Garfield, New Jersey, corps did earn full DC/ membership in 1975 and 1977. More important, they have earned a permanent place in the fans' hearts with their fine big-band sound and their unique finale. Picture the entire flag line, in addition to the full horn line, playing bugles in a company front. Then imagine the entire corps singing \" Amen.\" If you've seen it, you know why Garfield has a bright future. 37
Boston Crusaders Many years ago, the Boston Crusaders were a major power in the drum corps world. Although some hard times befell the Massachusetts corps, they have steadily worked their way back up and have served notice to delighted fans that they intend to regain that status. Much of the \"Beantown Crew's\" charisma stems from their unique marching style and precise formations.
Oakland Crusaders The Oakland Crusaders, Etobicoke, Ontario, performed a little magic in 1978-both in the form of some very convincing slight-of-hand tricks incorporated into their show and in terms of their astounding improve- ment after a very slow early-season start. It was not quite enough, though, and the aqua-clad Canadians were unable to regain the full DC/ member- ship they held in 1975 and '76. Offensive Lions DC/ achieved an even more international flavor when the Offensive Lions finished in the top 25 to become the organiza- tion's first French-speaking member. The Jonquiere, Quebec, corps had never before appeared in open-class competition at the DC/ Championship. DC/ forme un unite de plus en plus international depuis que /'Offensive Lions a termine a un rang superieur a la 25i~me position pour devenir le premier corp de langue Franc;aise dans /'organisation DC/. Le corps de jonquiere, Quebec, n'est jamais apparue dans la classe ouverte (open class) /ors des precedentes competitions pour le cham- pionnat du DC/.
_ ~ Troopers ~ . \" The Troopers are coming!\" is a familiar cry that still ,, retains the ability to thrill corps fans everywhere. Their ,1.iiii- -,R, distinctive cavalry uniforms, Western music, and sunburst are perennially popular, and their expertise in M&M un- questioned. Although they beat many finalists in this caption in prelims, the Casper, Wyoming, contingent was unable to regain the full DC/ membership it held from 1971 (as a charter member) through 1976.
Cadets of Greece The Cadets of Greece were a pleasant surprise in 1978. The 1975 class \"A\" champions astounded the drum corps world by breaking into open-class finals at DC/ East ahead of many corps with more experience and fame. To show they meant business, the Rochester, New York, corps repeated its excellent per- formance in August to make the top 25 for the first time. Squires Watkins Glen, New York, can boast of one of the more consistent corps in recent years. Although the Squires are very young, the corps has achieved associate or non-voting mem- bership in DC/ for five years in a row-the longest continuous tenure of any corps in this category. The high entertainment value of the Squires' show is equally consistent. 41
Seneca Optimists Wausau Bright uniforms, sparkling trim, and colorful double flags serve notice to the audience that this corps is out to entertain. And entertain they do. The Wausau Story of Wausau, Wisconsin, has Another former Canadian finalist, the Seneca Optimists of Toronto, Ontario, also experienced a slow start this year. The corps in the eye- catching lemon yellow uniforms has been noted for its rapid climb toward the top (thirty-fourth to ninth place in four years) and for its innovative drill design. This year, the climb was reversed, at least temporarily, as the Optimists had to settle for a finish out of the elite twelve. 42
Story competed in open class for only two years, after winning the class \" A\" title in 1976. Both years, Velvet Knights they have been among the top twenty-five corps in the world. The Velvet Knights of Orange County, California, who · placed in the top twenty-five last year after several years' absence from the championship competition, repeate_d that feat in '78. In doing so, they solidly established themselves as another California corps with serious intentions. The Knights exemplify the increasing impact of Western corps on the international scene in the past few years. 43
Judging Corps Competition What is this thing called drum changed through the years. Original- corps competition? What is happen- ly, the guard consisted of a very small ing, who is doing it, and how is a segment of the corps, centered winner determined? around the national colors. In recent The drum corps tradition in years, many more flags and rifles America dates from the military fife have been added. The present role of and drum units of the American the color guard, in addition to pre- Revolution, through the bugle bands senting the national colors, is to bring of the early 1900's, to the modern visual color to the program through drum and bugle corps. The latter has the use of specially-designed equip- evolved into the most disciplined and ment and choreography, and to precise audiovisual display of musical frame and enhance the audio-visual pageantry in existence anywhere in presentation of the musical segments the world. Although all the per- of the corps. formers in Drum Corps International The pageantry of a drum and corps are under 21 years of age, the bugle corps competition combines musical and marching excellence of the military precision of West Point, which the corps starts out with the these corps is unmatched in any the musical blend and excitement of maximum number of points, and other youth performing art or sport. a well-directed symphony orchestra, loses one-tenth of one point for each Perfection is the name of the game. and the showmanship of a Broadway error. The three execution captions, Spectators who are accustomed musical. The objective of each corps judged primarily by judges on the to marching bands or concert groups is to entertain both the drum corps field, are tear-down captions. In the will see differences in drum corps \"purist,\" who understands and appre- more subjective build-up captions, instrumentation. The bugles vary in ciates the fine points of the activity, on the other hand, each corps begins size to create the \"big band\" sound, and the novice. its performance at a hypothetical ranging from the smallest bugle, a Each corps, however, has another \"zero,\" and is given credit during the soprano, through the french horn, objective-and that is to win. This is show for what it does, up to the flugle, mellophone, baritone, bass- determined by a rather complex maximum number of points. The baritone, and contra-bass. Not all judging system, administered by the build-up captions include the three corps carry this entire variety of group of men and women on the general effect captions, judged from bugles; each corps creates its unique field and in the press box. These are the press box, and the musical sound through its own blend of the judges-well-trained authorities analysis and exposure captions, upper-, middle-, and lower-voiced in their respective fields, or captions. judged from the field. horns. Beginning with sopranos in It is their job to determine the capa- Now, let's take a closer look at 1977, one-valve bugles began to be bility and expertise of each corps, in each of these captions, and what is replaced with two-valve models. In the caption they are judging. involved in adjudicating them. Of 1979, for the first time, a corps may course, there is room here for only use two-valve bugles of every type if This contest is being judged an overview, omitting many of the it wishes. under the rules and scoring system finer points of judging. The techniques of the percussion approved by Drum Corps Interna- sections are unlike those utilized in tional. The major components of that Marching and Maneuvering- other musical activities. Tonal oppor- scoring system are: Execution-1 n judging the precision tunities are added through the use of of M&M, it is often the minute the marching tympani and various Marching and Maneuvering- failures that separate one corps from mallet instruments, as well as the Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts. another. Interval between members, more traditional snare, tenor, and Marching and Maneuvering- distance between ranks, covering of bass marching drums. The vast variety Exposure and Technique . . . 5 pts. files, dress of squads, and other types of percussion accessories adds special Marching and Maneuvering- of fronts are among the areas sam- effects and color to the over-all General Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 pts. pled by the marching execution musical performance. Drumming-Execution . . . . . . 12 pts. judges. Even the slightest error means Although many of the musicians Drumming-Percussion the loss of a tenth of a point. The have musical backgrounds beyond Analysis . ....... . ........ . 8pts. member who is out of step earns a their corps affiliation, most do not. Drumming-General Effect . . . 10pts. tenth of a point reduction for every Those who enter as beginners are Bugling-Execution ........ . 15 pts. trained from scratch by the staff of Bugling-Musical Analysis ... . 10 pts. each drum corps. The superb quality Bugling-General Effect ..... . 10pts. of the bugle and percussion sections Total Possible Score 100 pts. is due largely to long hours of prac- tice .. For the novice, these nine cap- The most colorful section of each tions can be subdivided into two corps is known as the color guard. basic types of caption, the \"tear- This name is more traditional than down\" and the \"build-up.\" In simple factual, since the over-all concept has terms, a tear-down caption is one in 44
sixteen steps or fraction thereof. A the content and difficulty of the hopes to receive no score at all in tenth of a point is also lost if a corps written score, and the tone quality this area. The only score awarded member fails to lift his feet to the and intonation control exhibited by here is a negative score, or penalty, same height as the other members, the performers. Credit is given for which must be subtracted from the or if his carriage or bearing becomes the degree of excellence displayed by unit's total score. sloppy. Two unmerciful perfection- a corps in each of these categories. Penalties may be assessed for a ists, one on either side of the field, variety of infractions. One of the handle the M&M execution judging. Drumming-Execution-The job most frequent is failure of the corps of the two drum execution judges is to perform within the prescribed Marching and Maneuvering- similar to that of the two bugle exe- Exposure and Technique-This cap- cution judges. Uniformity in attacks, time limits- a minimum of eleven tion is designed to give credit for the releases, contrast, variations in tempo and one-half minutes, and a maxi- execution of a difficult drill with and volume, and performance of the mum of thirteen minutes. The corps style, poise, and excellence of tech- rudiments are all requisites of a good is also penalized if it is not in motion, nique. The caption is judged by the drummer. Any time the drummer rather than standing still, for a M&M execution judges. In the expo- designated portion of that time. Once a corps has entered the sure portion, worth three points, errs in any one of these and other field of competition, it must remain departments, or in the uniform hand- credit is given for the degree, the ling of his equipment, the judge within the boundaies until minimum frequency, and the density of difficult deducts a tenth of a point. time is reached, with the exception of maneuvers, which would invite a the drum major. Violation of this rule large number of errors if improperly Drumming-Percussion Analysis- is also penalized. Similar penalties are performed. In the technique portion Th is caption is the percussionists' invoked for dropped equipment or of this caption, worth two points, equivalent to the musical analysis for failure to observe the many regu- credit is given for the development caption for bugles. The percussion lations regarding respect to the of a recognizable style by the unit, analysis judge evaluates from the national colors. the adherence of individual members sidelines the training and musician- to this style, and the poise and confi- ship displayed by the percussionists, dence with which members carry out as well as the content and difficulty their marching responsibilities and level of their repertoire. Credit is with which they recover from errors. given for the degree of excellence and difficulty. Bugling-Execution-These two judges must ascertain that each mem- ber in the bugle section is a musician, General Effect-The three gener- playing his part properly. Tone qual- al effect captions-one each for ity, musical accents, proper brass marching and maneuvering, bugling, technique, musical blend, tone, and and drumming-allow the judges to release are all qualities that are evaluate, on a build-up basis, all studied. Failure in any area means the those elements of the program and loss of a tenth of a point. Musical performance which combine to pre- contrast, as well as variations in sent a smooth, pleasing, and polished tempo and volume, must be perfect, presentation. A unit's superior ability, or an error is noted by the judge. originality, and showmanship are The score is also reduced by impre- considered. The evaluations are based cise equipment handling, such as lack on the judge's professional experi- of uniformity in the position of the ence, and he uses comparative analy- bugles when marching or playing, or sis of the above considerations to rate failure to bring the bugles up or and rank each corps. Audience reac- Although the highest score pos- down in unison. Needless to say, any tion to each effect, to each portion of sible is 100 points, it is inconceivable bugler who hits a wrong note or the performance, and to the total that any corps will ever reach this breathes in the wrong place will find presentation is very much a part of level of perfection. A score of 100 he has lost a tenth of a point for his his consideration. Each corps receives would mean that a corps performed unit. One bugle execution judge is a total general effect score, up to a the most difficult and perfectly- on the field; the other may position maximum of 30 points, which is a designed show possible, without a himself wherever he chooses-in the composite of the three general effect single error, and without receiving a stands, in the press box, or on the scores awarded by the specialists in single penalty. However, the 100- field-but he must remain in the the three major captions. point system does allow a corps to same location throughout the con- determine how its performance test. Timing and Penalties-The judge who fires a gun to announce the .start stacks up, not only against the other Musical Analysis-The musical and finish of a corps' performance is corps competing in a given contest, analysis judge, seen on the sidelines the timing and penalties judge. This but also against perfection-that 100- with a tape recorder, evaluates the aspect of the scoring system is unlike point standard toward which every training displayed by the musicians, the other captions, in that a corps corps continually strives. This dual goal-to defeat the present competi- tion on the one hand, and to continue to approach perfection on the other-combined with the desire to provide all spectators with the most entertaining and enjoyable show possible, is what makes drum corps a distinctive and exciting ac- tivity for both the participants and the audience.
DCI East An international championship in fan in the East, and quite a few from their Midwest rivals, Phantom early July? Unheard of! Yet DCl's elsewhere, had followed the corps Regiment. Next came the Bridgemen, early-season regional in Allentown, here for their first real taste of the who delighted the pro-Eastern crowd Pennsylvania, had all the essential musical treats in store for them in '78. by slipping past the two California ingredients to be billed as a preview In its second year as DCI East powers. The Eastern contingent, tem- for the real McCoy in Denver some host, Allentown was equal to the porarily stunned when Garfield failed six weeks later. occasion. Under the expert guidance to make the cutoff, crowed with glee On July 7 and 8, 34 corps, repre- of chairman Fred Windish's commit- when they learned that Canada's two senting the finest of the East, the tee, city officials and local businesses top contenders had been edged out Midwest, the West, and Canada, had gone all out to arrange and by the ever-popular Boston Crusaders, gathered at the Allentown School promote a first-class competition. the steady Squires, and the surpris- District Stadium for an early test And a first-class competition is exact- ingly strong Cadets of Greece. against their top competitors. The ly what they got! Finals began, appropriately, with density of bodies and the vociferous- Prelims brought some surprises. both the U.S. and the Canadian ness of the crowd at prelims indi- The turned-on Madison Scouts national anthems, with the latter cated that every drum-corps-hungry topped the prelim field, followed by played by the Ventures. Excitement mounted as each corps took the field. If the ranking among the \" heavies\" stayed the same as in prelims, would this contest's outcome portend the future international champion? As it turned out, the upper scores bore little resemblance to the prelim rankings. They read: 1. Blue Devils . . .......... . .... 83.30 2. Phantom Regiment ......... 82.80 3. Madison Scouts ............ 82.60 4. Santa Clara Vanguard ....... 81.95 5. Bridgemen .. . ........ . .... 81.55 6. Crossmen ...... ........... 77.90 7. North Star ............ ... .. 74.80 8. 27th Lancers .. ... . ......... 71.05 9. Blue Stars ...... . . . . .. . .. ... 70.65 10. Boston Crusaders ... .. . ..... 69.00 11. Squires ... .... .... ......... 64.20 12. Cadets of Greece .......... . 61.50 Obviously, the question of dominance of 1978 had not yet been settled. The only thing established for certain was that it would be a very good year!
DCI Midwest For much of the year, White- water, Wisconsin, appears to be a sleepy little college town. But once a year since 1972, when the first DCI Championships were held there, Whitewater has opened its arms to drum corps. For one wild and wonderful weekend, the town radi- ates the excitement, youth, and spirit that is corps. The townspeople leave their work to watch rehearsals in every available park, playground, and vacant lot. The Midwestern fans respond to Whitewater's welcome. They come in droves. To miss Whitewater would be unthinkable. 1978 was no exception. The Midwest audience gathered early for the two-day prelims on July 14 and 15, avid for their first view of the Eastern powers and buzzing with speculation about the probable winner. The top four contenders for the Midwest title had just finished trading victories back East, bouncing from first to fourth place on consecu- tive nights like musical yo-yos. The fans were eager to form their own opinions about their relative merits: Could it be that these corps were really so equally matched? They were. After prelims, the top four were crowded into a total spread of 1.70. During finals, that range was narrowed to 1.60, with roughly half a point separating each corps from its hottest competitor. But the first- and second-place corps in prelims had exchanged places in finals-and so had the third- and fourth-place corps. Meanwhile, Spirit of Atlanta, absent from the previous Eastern tug-of-war, showed they also had designs on a top spot by besting the East's top entry, the Crossmen. The final results were : 1. Phantom Regiment .. . . . . . . 86.85 2. Blue Devils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86.30 3. Madison Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . . 85.75 4. Santa Clara Vanguard ..... . 85.25 5. Spirit of Atlanta ... . . . . . . . .. 81.45 6. Crossmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80.55 7. Blue Stars .. . .. . .. .. ... . .. . 77.10 8. Guardsmen ..... . . . . .... . . . 72.95 topped them at DCI East prelims and superbly arranged by chairman Bob 9. Freelancers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68.90 later in Montreal; now the Phantom Weigandtr Conference Coordinator 10. Garfield Cadets ... . . . ..... . 68.45 Regiment had topped them both in for the University of Wisconsin- 11. Cavaliers . ..... .. .......... 67.80 home territory, and Santa Clara was Whitewater. The tired corps filed into 12. Kilts ............. ....... . . 67.75 so close to all three that the their buses. It was time to go back differences were undistinguishable home to the drawing boards; time to Everyone conceded that it was except on the recap sheet. try to conjure up that magical show impossible to forecast the outcome of change that would add the winner's the season. If anything, the race was The ecstatic fans filed out of edge to an already winning program. getting tighter. The Blue Devils had Warhawk Stadium. They had been This year, it would not be an easy won DCI East and CYO; Madison had treated to a magnificent show, task. 48
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