This weekend, I had the privilege of traveling to Hawthorne and sitting in on rehearsal camp.  I am amazed at what this corps can accomplish in only two five-hour rehearsals each month.  This season, the Cabs promise to be big, bold and entertaining....certainly no surprise there.  The only surprise for me was that I could actually play and read the music after a 12-month layoff.

The Cabs will boast about 75 horns, I am guessing.  About 60 attended this rehearsal.  A huge guard will be featured; again, a guess of about 25-30 guard.  Percussion is consistent annually...usually about 30-35 members there.  They continue to draw talented people...and with Larry Kirchner arranging and Peter Bishop running the show, this should come as no surprise to drum corps people.

The Cabs will step off the line with an updated version of "Man of La Mancha."  From there, I believe, will be "Peanut Vendor" leading into concert...but I am not too clear on this.  We did not work on "Vendor" this weekend.  Both Cabs competitive and the alumni have put a special spin on "MacArthur Park" over the years, and the alumni are presenting an updated concert version this year.  It will knock your socks off.

Out of concert will be the song the Cabs played at Jim Costello's memorial; albeit an abbreviated version:
"Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" is beautifully arranged, and I guarantee many wet eyes in the audiences this summer.  The closer, of course, will be the ever-popular, "Flamenco Cha-Cha" followed by the Cabs signature finale of "rumps and stuff"....Wow!

I am still unsure about participating full time this summer....many things to deal with....but I will give it my best shot.  If I decide I cannot perform, I will be there is "raptured support".

Rump, Rump

This is not a typical blog post for me, but I just want to alert blog readers on this site that we are being invaded, yet again, by internet imposters, liars and scalaways.

As you will see if you reread all of the blog comments here (I have not erased any, just have added my observations), we have people writing under assumed names (Guy Beckwith,Upset,  Jeff, Jim Chapman).  These folks do not have the courage to identify themselves honestly, nor do they have the ability to really read and comprehend what is being blogged.  They are anti-Kiltie, anti all-age corps, anti-everything.

This Guy Beckwith is really "Insanity". He used the name before to pose as an RA member and to get into the forum.  I still have his emails to me..and a blog post that Insanity made on his own blog which revealed that Beckwith is Insanity.  DCP also was able to compare IP addresses and confirm it.  Heck, he even emailed me from his workplace..how dumb was that?

Someone called himself Jeff and even used the email address of an acquaintance of mine.  I assume it was also Insanity...but it came from New Jersey.  I understand Insanity travels that way for business trips.

Most recently, I received a comment from a Jim Chapman with almost the same IP address as the Jeff imposter...and the same host.  Insanity again?  Yes, probably.

I have not removed the comments...hell, they are good amusement.  I hope some real people and real friends of DC will continue to add their comments to the blog articles.

Slainte'

Bob

DCA Prelims this year was wonderful...except for the results.  My Kiltie brothers and sisters took the field, and I could not hold back the tears.  From the opening moment of Syne, the Kilts took the crowd by storm...delivering one of the cleanest, brightest, most interesting and entertaining shows of the entire evening.

They solved every concern I mentioned in my previous post....all captions, according to fans AND some DCA judges, were vastly improved from August; yet, in true DCA form, the Kilties were one of only two corps whose scores fell from their prior shows.

This was the best Kiltie corps in more than a decade...no foot problems, great visuals, a gorgeous horn line; yet, they lost to a dull, flat and out-of-sych corps in CorpsVets (even their founder did not believe they deserved a finals spot)...and they lost to Brigs...who were also flat and out-of-synch...neither corps provided the crowd with excitement or energy or novelty.

As one former judge and current drum corps professional said afterwards:"  I thought, when the Kilties had finished, that 'it is about effing time!' No one is going to keep Kilts out of finals this year."

However, after waiting almost 90 minutes for the Kilts' score to be announced, I knew, as in 1997, that the Kilties were destined again to be left out.  The finals crowd deserved to see the Kilts and the wonderful show they delivered...and the Kilts deserved to be there.

There were two other corps that suffered similar fates..but not as traumatic.  Alliance, I believe, should have placed above Brigadiers, and I believe the Renegades were good enough to finish in the top five.....but Alliance is new and Renegades are from the West...oh well.

I am so proud of the Kilts....they took a major hit for no reason...and no members complained because they KNEW they treated the prelims crowd to something very special.  The crowd knew it too, judging from the ovations and the thunderous applause...what in god's name were the judges looking at?  Sheesh.

I just returned from Scranton where I had the pleasure of viewing one of the best DCA shows ever.  All of last year's top six were in the show, plus those beloved Caballero Alumni.  What a night.

I want to speak briefly to the question of: "how will the Kilties stack up against this year's DCA corps?"

First of all, Bucs, MBI, Hurcs and Cabs are all a huge notch above the rest.  Huge corps: 50-60 horns; 20-25 percussion; 24-30 guard; 9-15 pit.  Great visual programs, great hornlines.

Empire, Renegades,  and Brigs (only saw Empire) are, apparently a notch below but all destined to make the top ten.  That leaves only three spots open for CorpsVets, Cru, Bush, Kilts, Alliance, MCL...and maybe I am missing another one.

Kilts are, scorewise, right with these corps...but I have to believe Corpsvets are a lock..leaving only two spots open.

What impresses me about the Eastern corps?  First, their drum lines...all huge; all youthful; all powerful and dynamic and well-oiled.  Secondly, their field shows:  all display a variety of tempos...most march consistently above 148 bpm...sometimes much faster.  Thirdly, the guards...Kilts and Bush have about 18....all the rest are between 24 and thirty....youthful, elegant...almost junior corpsish.

Kilts have a delightful show this season, but, sadly, I do not think it is good enough.  Their show seems to hold steadily at about 128 bpm with an occasional bump to about 140 (not sure).  The guard looks like an afterthought...kept away from the rest of the corps a good deal of the time...yet this guard is good..the best Kilt guard I have seen since the 1970's.  The hornline is talented (41) and the book is outstanding....but they still have guys who insist on being "heroes" as someone else described them...stacking notes that do not belong and standing outside of the ensemble.

Kiltie feet?  Not a problem...greatly improved based upon a video I just received.  All the DCA corps amazed me with how often their feet were heavy and sloppy...and many members were out-of-step...but those corps hide it better.  Brass and Bucs and Cabs were the lone exceptions...great feet on these corps.

If I were to pick the final placements right now, I would pick:  Bucs, MBI, Cabs, Hurc, Renegades, Empire, Brigs, Corpsvets, Bush, Alliance, Kilts, Cru, MCL...keeping in mind I have not seen MCL, Alliance, Renegades, Corpsvets or Brigs...but I am reading and listening.

I believe the Kilts have the talent to finish 10th, but I think the music, although I love it...and the tempo of the show and the use of the guard will hurt them.  I also believe it is time (next year) to play music that will provide more impact....and I have the perfect opener for them...but have yet to have anyone willing to really listen to it and consider it....but I am hopful.

Best of luck to my beloved Kilts...I will be at prelims...and will attend finals ONLY if they make it.

McHenry revitalized its annual Fiesta Days Celebration by bringing back "Drum Corps Magic" under the banner of the SDCA.  For three decades, the McHenry show was held out doors and featured the Midwest's top corps: Cavaliers, Royal Airs, Vanguard, Imperials, Kilties, Guardsmen, Star of Indiana...to name a few.  The last show held was in 1989 with Cavies edging Star.

Now, 20 years later, arena drum corps came to McHenry and the 400-500 fans were treated by a variety performing groups.

The show kicked off with a nice program by the Northernaires...a small corps with about 10 horns who did a fine job musically and visually.  It was great to be reacquainted with my old Kiltie pal, Gene Nason who is a lead baritone with Northernaires.

Following the Northernaires were the Crystal Lake Strikers drum line who wowed the crowd..kept them laughing, dancing and screaming for more as they struck their drums to music like "Wipe Out" and the "Electric Slide."

Next came the musical hit of the evening, the ever-popular Classic Cavaliers.  Although they performed only in "stand-still", the crowd appreciated the quality of their music...and the classic approach (ironically on b-flat horns).  They play with precision and their sound is gorgeous.

After the intermission, the Lakeshoremen took the floor.  They also were very small...again, about 10 horns...and had some real intonation problems...but their Lionel Richie tune was a hit with the crowd. I was anticipating seeing L.S. because, if I recall, they were large and very good at DCA last fall....not sure what happened.

Next up were the ever-popular kids from the Southshore Drill Team.  They put on a 30 minute performance with dance, flag work, rifle and sabre work and tumbling that took our breath away.  This is an outstanding group of performers.

Finally, the host corps, the Royal Airs, took the floor and were greatly improved over their last show in Fond du Lac.  They fielded about 20 horns; 3 snares; a couple of tenors and a couple of bass drums. Presented a new opener called "RA Chicago" and it was great.  "Watermelon Man" was okay, but it requires a more balanced sound (they needed some bari players).  Probably time to retire that piece. RA closed the show, or so we thought, with "I'll Walk With God"...but there was a huge tear between the drum line and the lower voices.  This tear probably cost RA a second place finish.  As they pretended to leave the arena, they reformed and played "Alexanders" as they marched right at the crowd..this was clever and definitely the highlight of their show. Ken Norman directed the corps and made a nice tribute to the McHenry Viscounts.

The crowd finished phoning in their votes and, ironically, the top two spots were NOT won by a drum corps...at a drum corps show.  The Strikers took the show with 38% of the vote, and Southshore was second with 18%.  Cavies and RA finished in a virtual tie for third.

It was a great night and the crowd loved it.  There were two major glitches: one involved the American Legion color guard who needed to delay the show until a rifler showed.  When he did no show, Cindy Bateman of RA grabbed her rifle and helped the Legionaires post the colors.  The other glitch really involved SDCA.  SDCA needs to have a person responsible for getting the performers to the floor in a timely fashion.

SDCA is preparing to enter its second season next year and is also looking to form an East Coast division.  SDCA is providing a great new venue which gives towns like McHenry a chance to bring drum corps and other entertainment back to their communities.  Kudos Chris and Jeff, kudos.

This was the kick-off weekend for the Small Drum Corps Association (SDCA).  With their first two shows (Menomonee, MI and Fond du Lac, WI), the expectations were not real high, but the results exceeded those expectaions...expecially in Menomonee

The host corps in Menomonee, the Northernaires, did an outstanding job of promotion, and all reports indicate that more than 500 fans watched Minnesota's "Minne Brass" garner46% of the popular vote to 44% for the Royal Airs...giving MBI the first-ever gold medal in the SDCA.  I was not in attendance,., so I can only report what 3 different people told me.

I made the drive to Fond du Lac on Sunday, March 22, and this show was a bit of a mess as the host corps, Twilight Knights, did not show up and were not to be reached despite many attempts. Though listed as a Fond du Lac corps, Twilight Knights are housed in Florida, and for some reason, did not make it to the great north for either show this weekend.  They could not be reached by phone, so we are all praying that nothing serious happened with them.

 I arrived at the show and was immediately drafted into the role of announcer and Master of Ceremonies because the host corps had no one ready to do that job....and I loved it!

Here is how it worked:  corps came into the arena, did their shows, and the crowd was asked to use their cell phones to report their favorite corps of the day.  The results were immediate.  However, since there were only about 50 people in the stands...and maybe 20 cell-phone users who could judge, the results are not to be taken seriously....just not enough voters to make the final tally legitimate.

None-the less, the show was entertaining and fun.

Blue Saints, from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada opened the show with about 10 brass and 6 percussion.  They marched a complete field show, but they were very young and inexperienced. Their "Cirque de Soliel" show was entertaining and the kids held their own, although they had a myriad problems with intonation, tempo and individual showmanship.

The Northernaires from Menomonee, MI were next to take the arena...and they wowed the crowd.  Doing a full field show, they took off the line with the Caballero "rumps" which gave me the chills and brought the small crowd to its feet. They really showed us what 15 well-balanced brass players can do.

The Big Blue was next, playing Ken Norman's arrangements of some great Crawford charts:  Chicago, Watermelon Man, I'll Walk with God.  The were very good...and it was fun seeing three brass players pick up bass drums for the drum solo.  They were a class act, even though they had a limited "field show"...17 horns and 4 percussion.

Following a 15-minute intermission, Minnesota Brass took the floor and showed the crowd just why they were #2 at 2008 DCA...these cats can flat-out play..almost at a Blast-like level.  Their music from "Batman, the Dark Knight" left the crowd calling for more. If this group is the MBI foundation, they could surprise a lot of people in Rochester...as they did in 2008..and what a joy listening to Roger Grupp screech those solos again.

While the corps assembled for the mass playing of Norman's arrangement of "Climb Every Mountain" (which was drop-dead gorgeous..Ken wrote great Baritone parts), the crowd texted their choices and picked the Northernaires as their favs and placed Minne Brass in the silver-medal slot. RA took third today.

This was a fun day...and the venue is outstanding...bringing drum corps back to the small towns that enjoyed shows during the 1960's.  Ferrara and Williams are to be commended for this courageous attempt to create a new, and risky venue for drum corps fans.

 I believe that SDCA will be successful in the near future....it is a great alternative to DCA and DCI shows which are generally unavailable to the fans in the smaller midwest towns....once the member-corps realize that the venue is legit, they will prepare more polished and more enteraining shows.  But, even now, SDCA is providing a great "musical bang for the buck."

Since I was drafted into the announcer's role, I was unable to take photos...but Jim White and Will Koenig will be sending me some...and I will post them, both on the RA website and on the SDCA website.

The next two shows are tentatively scheduled for New Lenox, IL on  May 1 and Batavia, IL on May 2nd.  Keep checking the SDCA website for information..and come out and support this effort.

Slainte'

Looks like Chris Ferrara and Jeff Williams are off and running with the new Small Drum Corps Association. 

The SDCA opens its first season with two nice shows this weekend.  Saturday in Menomonee, MI....a 6 hour drive from Chicago; and on Sunday in Fond du Lac, WI...about 3 hours from Chicago. 

Both shows will feature the same line-up:  Northernaires, Blue Saints, Twilight Knights, Royal Airs and Minnesota Brass's "Minne Brass".  I am not quite sure about the format....arena drum corps.  Will there be any marching or movement?  My guess is that some corps will and others will not. I do know there will be scores and placings.

Chris has asked me to come to a show and take some photos.  I will attempt to make the Sunday show and will offer a report on this blog.

So, if you have some time to spend, why not drive to Dairy Land for a show?  You can get the information by logging onto:  http://www.thesdca.org

The only other show that is definitely scheduled thus far (although there are plenty of "tentative" shows) will be held in my home town, McHenry, on Fiesta Days weekend: July 18th.  Mark your calendars for that one.  It will feature Lakeshoremen, Royal Airs, Twilight Knights, Classic Cavaliers and the  Crystal Lake Strikers drum line.

Slainte'

In the face of tragedy and grief, our drum corps brothers and sisters always come through...family is family even when separated by years and distance and catastrophe.  Well, the Mike Ghilardi benefit in Morton Grove this weekend was no exception.

I would guess that about 150 people were jammed into the Morton Grove American Legion:  Cavies, Imperials, Cougars, Royal Airs, Chi-Angels, Viscounts, Kingsmen, Shoreliners, Vanguard, Kilties...ah hell, the list is endless.

Kudos to the folks who were raised in the St. Michaels neighborhood:  Bosniaks, Boyles, Martins, Kathy Roberge, Mouse and Adi...and all the others who gathered more than 50 raffle items and 25 silent auction items.  I am guessing a significant amount of money was raised to help Mike cover the costs of this horrible tragedy...and in the face of the tragedy, people had fun.

For my part, it was great spending time with RA's from the past and present.  I enjoyed visiting with Jackie and Ami and Sammy...and Ski and Gene...the list is endless.  It was quite a night..watching Mujica dance with a one-legged Roberge..visiting with Tom Day...laughing with Ami and Adam about what is, what was, what shall be...and even joking about some of the myths...well, no explanation needed there.

The bottom line is that it was a fund-raiser for a guy we all care deeply about...and his joy and sadness about the event...family is family. Michael, you are loved by soooooo many.

Thanks to Michael Deane, some pics can be viewed here:

http://gallery.me.com/deaneonpratt1#100330

I will try to post some additional photos on this website.

Slainte'

Someone emailed me after reading this blog and asked about "Group Therapy."  No, the person was not seeking emotional support....those needing that don't like this blog..heheheheh.

"Group Therapy" was a small corps created in the late 1980's to fill a void for us old drum corps folks that wanted to play and had no venue.  The driving force behind this corps was, of course, Chris Ferrara.  The corps folded because our lone drummer, Steve Fagiano, moved to Arizona.

Initially, the corps had about 24 horn players and a trap set player (Steve, who could play any corps' charts.).  We rode on a large flat-bed trailer and played music from Royal Airs, Cavaliers, Kilties and Caballeros.  Johnny Zimny even sent us some charts he used with Sacramento, but we never played them.

For the most part, however, we only had a dozen horn players who regularly showed for parades.  The corps earned from $500-900 per parade....we were pretty popular and sounded pretty good.

We purchased horns from the defunct Scarlet Knights and a struggling Guardsmen.  I think we spent a total of $800 for about 25 bugles...some of which were later used by RA in the early days and then donated to Jim Grothman and Keith Harper for a corps they were trying to start (I think).

Some of the corps members were:  Dennis Evans, Don Sonne, Jeff Helgeson, Terry Doran, Ed Violett, Chris Ferrara, Steve Fagiano, Bob Doran, Wayne Kemp, Jim Angarola and Mike Hagland...I'll have to find a photo to get more names.

When we folded in 1995, we distributed the treasury and five of us used our money to pay our dues to the Kilties.

Slainte'

Dinner:   Last Friday evening my wife, a friend and I shared a delightful meal with Jean Turco-Glowinski.  Jean traveled to McHenry and helped us enjoy our favorite Thai restaurant.  The evening was filled with laughter, political bantering, swapping “Gary Stories”, and visiting with former students who stopped by to give hugs and catch up.

Jean, as you might recall, was instrumental in securing travel arrangements for Royal-Air members in 2002.

Jean told us (as we knew) that the highlight of Gary’s illustrious drum corps career was his experience with the Caballeros Alumni.  I have to agree, but I do have three more highlights:  Donning the RA uniform for the first time in 1967; wearing the Kilt and marching with the Kilts (especially in 1997); watching the “long blue line” prepare to take the field in Oswego in 2002; and, of course, playing the “rumps” and “Espania Cani” (a dream I have held since 1960 Legion Nationals).

Ghilardi Benefit:  As you know, the benefit for Mike Ghilardi is scheduled for January 31 in Villa Park.  Donations are needed.  I plan to donate a pristine piston-rotor soprano that was used by the Guardsmen, and I might also donate my piston-rotor baritone..a horn that is in almost perfect shape…also a Guardsmen horn…we purchased these horns in the late 80’s when we put together a parade corps, “Group Therapy.”  Some RA members might recall we, along with the Guardsmen, played at a Royal Air picnic in the early 90’s.

Kilties:  Looking forward to hearing the Kilties present part two of “Renaissance.”  I do hope this year’s show has a couple more “impact points.”  I also hope that someday the Kilts will play the complete chart: “Coming Home from the Sea”, from Perfect Storm: a chart that I believe is perfect for the Mad Plaid.

John Opager:  I recently discovered that I have a friend who is a long-time friend of John Opager and has not seen John in over 20 years.  I contacted John to let him know, so John asked me to give him a phone call.  John and I spent over 30 minues on the phone sharing stories about Cavies and RA...plus other stuff.  It was a great half hour. John  will try to get to one of the next pizza nights.

Merle Beebe:  Recently, someone sent me a copy of the 1954 Midwest Drum Corps News.  Madison was the power house followed by Norwood, Grenadiers, Kilties, Gladiators and Cavies.  The author referred to Madison as "Beebe's boys", so I contacted Merle who tells me that C.H. Beebe, the corps director, was probably his grandfather's brother, although there is some dispute about that...just thought it was interesting.

SDCA: We in McHenry are abuzz in anticipation of hosting a Small Drum Corps Association show at our July “Fiesta Days” weekend.  Not sure who is scheduled to perform, but the corps will also help to revitalize our annual parade which has been so lackluster since it has gotten so difficult to find marching musical groups for parades.

SDCA has a number of shows scheduled.  Check their calendar at http://www.thesdca.org for more information.

 Slainte’