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’

Over the past few years, many of our close drum corps friends have died:  Geo, Joe Schmidt, Lothar, Ken Szadowski, Truman Crawford, Rich Tarsitano, Ernie Zimny, Jay Osman, Mr. Devitt, Cozy Baker, Bob Kienle, Rick Hoefert, Gary Glowinski..and, of course, the tragic loss of Buddy Jett and Linda Ghirardi....just to name those who immediately pop into my head.

Few, if any, of these folks are icons of the drum corps world....just all strong, interesting, thought-provoking characters who have been, and will continue to be, missed.

Joe Schmidt was my first real contact with the Kiltie hornline.  We played baritones together and laughed together and socialized on occasion. He was an outstanding player..beautiful intonation and pitch. Joe was the most serious of the Kilties..totally dedicated to the traditions and to the accuracies of the uniform and music.  The first Kilt I ever met was a guard guy named Mario...a delightful guy who died too quickly for me to really get to know him.

I also marched with Lothar, Geo and Rick Hoefert.  Geo and Rick were in Kilts with me and with the Royal Airs Senior Exhibition Corps.  All three were extremely talented players; all three had very different but unique senses-of-humor; all three loved to laugh. 

Truman, Rich, Ernie, Jay, Mr. Devitt....yes, all instructors or staff while I marched with Viscounts and Royal Airs...almost all are WDC Hall of Famers; all are icons in the drum corps community with far-reaching influence: Skokie Indians, Air Force Academy, Marine Corps Drum Corps, Commonwealth Edison, Cavaliers, Royal Airs, Argonne Rebels, Yankee Rebels, DCM, DCI, DCA...their lists of affiliations is endless.

Gary Glowinski:  I could write a book...an instructor, a judge, a dedicated soprano player....a member of Royal Airs and Caballeros.  I loved traveling with him to the East for a little over a year...Cabs became his dedication and seemed to rejuvinate him.  Quiet and unassuming, Gary had a suble "elan vital" and he will be missed for a long time to come.

Ken Szadowski:  An original Royal Air...he could play (and did) all the brass instruments.  I knew him as a baritone player, a soprano, a french horn and a mello.  A gentle soul who knew how to march and how to play and what it really meant to wear the Blue and White.  His assistance in getting RA off the ground in 2001-02 was invaluable to me.

Cozy Baker...I marched with him in Kilts and for a short while, in Royal Airs.  He was a dedicated journalist for DCW and DCP.  His writing usually involved interviews with the "little people" in drum corps..perhaps that is why he was so popular.  He even did a short piece about my solo Harley trip to DCA Championships (slow news day). Yes, a unique..almost avant guarde kind of a guy..his was a rare breed.  I know he was also responsible for helping some other corps reorganize...Cincinnati Tradition comes to mind as one of them

And my dear friend, Bob Kienle:  a talented baritone player who always refused to play lead..for a myriad reasons.  He took me under his wing when I first joined Cabs..was one of the first to seek me out after we all saw Lothar fall...he picked me up at the airport, took care of my equipment so I would not have to lug it back and forth, and he was the creator of "bug juice", a Cabs alumni tradition.  I did bring him a bottle of expensive Irish Whiskey, which he mixed with his coffee...I could have gotten him the cheap stuff if I had known he was going to do that. He also hauled the equipment trailer all over the East Coast and was a key player in the Golden Eagles championship mini corps.

I do hope the next few years are less frought with grief and loss; yet, it is inevitable with the growing popularity of alumni corps, exhibition corps and all-age corps.  Average ages are increasing....I am guessing that Cabs alums average about 62 years of age...."good on ye", amigos y amigas!

Why not leave this earth still doing what you love to do....go out happy, with a cigar in one hand and a bottle of chianti in the other....and yelling, "woo, hoo..what a ride!"?

Slainte'