A 50-year celebration unfolds before a record DCI Semi-finals for Santa Clara Vanguard Alumni

As Jim Morrison, voice of the Doors, once said, “The West is Best!” So very true this year! Well, the 2017 DCI Finals Week is over and what a treat it was for all of us. First, I would like to congratulate the Concord Blue Devils and the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets on an amazing year.

The Blue Devils had the Santa Clara Vanguard close on their heels all season long. The Vanguard Cadets were going back and forth with Blue Devils B throughout the season, but in the end put it all together for an amazing push to win the DCI Open Class title. Just when you thought drum corps couldn’t get any better . . . it does!

Overall, it was an amazing year for all and especially for the “Old School Drum Corps Fans. This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Santa Clara Vanguard. Everyone got to see the Santa Clara Vanguard Alumni Corps at DCI Semi-Finals in Indianapolis. All I can say is, “WOW!!!”

I want to personally thank Scott Pierson for putting together a dream team of instructors and staff that oozed tons of Santa Clara memories throughout their great DCI Semi-Finals performance. The SCV Alumni Corps blew us away with memories that all of us got to relive once again, ranging from “Fiddler on the Roof” to “Scheherazade”. We were all blown away! There was not a dry eye in Lucas Oil Stadium, especially when we all got to see the “Bottle Dance” just one more time!

I’ve asked one of the 50th SCV Alumni members to share her experience marching just one more time and what it meant to her to participate in the Vanguard Alumni Corps.

Keiko Faeta is one of the original Santa Clara Vanguard members who marched with the very first SCV corps in 1967. She was in the color guard/American flag section leader when Gail Royer had the vision to turn a small parade corps into a national championship drum corps. Keiko went on to pursue a 40-year career in dance and dance education at the high school level in South Orange County, CA. She concurrently worked with the NFL, the Los Angeles Rams as a Cheerleader, Choreographer and public relations ambassador for 10 years.

Keiko in 1967 (left) and this year with the SCVAC (right)!

Interview

Jesse Amador: The first question I have to ask you is, did you ever think that you would put on an SCV drum corps uniform again to march “just one more time?” And what was the one thing that made you say, “Yes, I’ll do it?”

Keiko Faeta: I’ve always dreamed of being back on the field in my Santa Clara Vanguard uniform, “just one more time.” Until 2017, it was only in my dreams . . . and I usually was missing my white boots, white cotton gloves or my white flag holster.

Finally this year, on our 50th Golden Anniversary, the dream became a reality. The difference was that I didn’t have to wear boots or a holster. I wore a beautiful SCV Alumni Corps uniform that flowed with movement and glowed with pride. I was finally show-ready, complete!

So I said YES to the quest without hesitation in 2013. It was for one zillion reasons. Who wouldn’t want to be back with the “Best in the West/World?!?!” I am so blessed to be back with my Santa Clara Vanguard!

DCW: Unlike before, you had SCV alumni from all decades participating in the alumni corps. In 1967, flags had holsters and bugles only had one valve. How was it meeting members from all SCV eras? Did you have a sense of how your 2017 SCV Alumni Corps was going to work together?

Keiko Faeta – “Bottle Dance”

Keiko: When I walked into my first color guard rehearsal after 44 years, I wondered, “What could I bring of value to this skillful and artfully evolved guard?” I soon found out, as an “original recipe” member as I like to go by, that I could bring the foundation of the first footsteps and the stories behind that Vanguard trail. It was a collaboration of each decade and their unique gifts. Together we shared, supported and strengthened each other. It is the Vanguard way.

My biggest challenge was catching up with the last four decades of new techniques, terminology and timing/count phrases.

In 1971, we won our first national championship title (VFW in Dallas, TX). There were only two of us in the guard who were featured “throwing” our helicopter spin and our hands never left the flagpole! I loved learning all of the new innovative and creative ways to spin, toss and wave our flag.

The most exciting change for me is that dance is an integral part of the repertoire. Dancing with the SCVAC was a dream come true. The camaraderie from that first rehearsal brought me back in step with our guard. It reassured me that we were all in perfect stride and cadence!”

DCW: All drum corps go through the learning process as they learn their show each year. They have these moments where they have small breakthroughs and can sense the show is coming together. Did you go through any of these moments? And when could you tell the SCV Alumni corps was coming together?

Keiko: The Santa Clara Vanguard are all purists. We are always striving for the next level of excellence. My breakthrough moment was the morning of the show. It was when I could throw and catch my toss properly and on time. I think it happened that morning because I was relaxed. We had a special spiritual warm-up led by our Zen dance captain; a “Star” ceremony from our dream team guard instructors; a heart and soul speech from our fearless leader, Scott Pearson, and we were ready! I think everyone had their best run-through that morning.

My personal show that night was great. I did want “just one more time” to make it perfect. It was like the Olympics, you just get that one chance to show what you’ve been striving to perfect for so many months/years. The entire corps from five decades, together again, did bring their best show so far! I feel that our innate skills, maximum adrenaline and pure passion/power made it a perfect show! We know how to “Let ’er Rip!”

DCW: When you first stepped onto the field in Indianapolis at DCI Semi-finals, what was going through your head?

Keiko: I was praying that all of my prayers were answered in advance. I’ve always had this specific thought imprinted on my mind ever since my first year in 1967. I never want this feeling to end! We are here together in 2017, to show the drum corps world who we were then and who we are now. And I am here now, knowing for a fact that my original feeling will never end . . .

DCW: Did you, in your wildest dreams, imagine the reaction of the DCI Semi-finals crowd?

Keiko: It was surreal. When I saw our family and fans on their feet before our opener of Fanfare and Procession of the Nobles, I knew our show was going to keep them standing! We were told that we would get that type of reception and we finally “BelieVed” the reality! All of my off-the-line moments were there in that moment, magnified to the maximum!”

Three SCV rifle line members who first did the Bottle Dance in 1973

DCW: Lastly, I have to ask you. When you got to the “Bottle Dance” and you saw that crowd up on their feet, what were your thoughts?

Keiko: The Bottle Dance is TRADITION for the Santa Clara Vanguard. This was my first Bottle Dance. (The rifle line was the first to perform it in 1973.) Regretfully, I missed the first opportunity, but joyfully I finally got my chance. I learned it for the first time in June. I couldn’t walk for three days!

When the crowd went back to their feet, my only thought was that I better get back on mine! I did and, when I hit my final salute, the emotions I was keeping bottled up came flowing out. I could feel all of the love with every sense of my being. I could hear the crowd’s roar, see the SCV A-team jumping up and down with UNbottled restraint and could feel the presence of Gail Royer’s spirit. That feeling will never leave me . . .

And for this gift, I will be forever grateful.

I salute all of my SCVAC and SCV A-team and Cadets. I am honored to call you family. Closing

To Shaun Gallant and Charles Frost, thank you for putting not one — not two — but THREE drum corps on the field for the 2017 drum corps season! Thanks for making one heck of a 50th Anniversary for the Santa Clara Vanguard. KUDOS!OK, Scott Pierson, time to scream a little Gail Royer . . . “Let er Rip!”

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