July 5, 2019 • Volume 48, Number 5From the publisher The next issue Photo credit About photo spreads The July 12, 2019 edition will be uploaded to the Internet on or before Friday, July 12. Cover composite by Tery LeFebvere, created exclusively for Drum Corps World. The photo of the Blue Devils on the back cover (page is by Russell Tanakaya. At contests not reported by a DCW staff member I am including two-page photography collections this season to showcase more of the incredible images provided by staff around the world, but please note that none of the photos used are necessarily from the events in which they appear. This has to do with producing issues quickly and illustrating each unit that was in the show. July 5 contents 4 • 06/28 -- Allentown, PA (DCI/The Cadets) by Bob Fields 8 • o6/28 -- Bridgeport, CT (DCA) by Chris Maher 12 • 06/28 -- Evansville, IN (DCI) by Ron Baysinger 15 • New school, old school explained by Henry Kaynes 16 • 06/28 -- Vista, CA (DCI/Pacific Crest) -- photo spread 18 • 06/29 -- Rockford, IL (DCI/Phantom Regiment) by Florence Callahan 22 • 06/29 -- Pasadena, CA (DCI/Pacific Crest) by Christina Mavroudis 30 • 06/29 -- Lawrence, MA (DCI/Boston Crusaders) by Tim Kearney 34 • 06/30 -- San Bernardino, CA (DCI) -- photo spread 36 • 06/30 -- Woking, Surrey, U.K. (DCUK) by Laura Fitzpatrick 38 • 06/30 -- Rochester, MN (DCI) -- photo spread 40 • 07/01 -- 07/01 -- Mesa, AZ (DCI/The Academy) by Logan Frandsen 44 • 07/01 -- 07/01 -- Lynn, MA (DCI) by Tim Kearney 48 • 07/02 -- Wausau, WI (DCI/Madison Scouts) by Constance Pellossi 50 • 07/03 -- Cedarburg, WI (DCI) by Jonathan Smithfield 53 • In Memoriam -- Riggie Laus 54 • A DCI summer tour with Star of Indiana by Ron Baysinger 55 • In Memoriam -- Glenroy Carter by Steve Vickers 56 • Press release -- Scout House 58 • Remembering Pepe compiled by Ron Allard Drum Corps W orld We’re off and running with the second of nine editions reporting on the 2019 seasons in the United States and Europe. So far, in the July and this issue, I’ve been able to provide coverage of 23 competitions in the U.S. and the U.K., along with several hundred current images displayed in 222 pages . . . by far the most early-season reports in the publication’s history. Credit goes to the writers and photographers who attend contests and quickly turnaround their pictures or articles, making it possible to get issues out each Friday through the end of the European championships of DCUK and BYBA. There is much more scheduled to appear in the publication during the next four issues prior to the DCI Championships, then the post-DCI magazine on the Friday following Indianapolis (August 16) Thanks for being a reader of Drum Corps World and please tell all your friends they can sign up for their own FREE subscription at www.drumcorpsworld.com. And a huge thank-you to Jon Farbman and Drillmasters Shoes for their sole support of the five weekly issues this season! Steve Vickers Copyright 2019 by Sights & Sounds, Inc. in the United States and Canada. The logo for Drum Corps World is a registered trademark and is protected by all applicable laws. Material originally published in Drum Corps World (in print or on-line) may not be reproduced in any other publication or in any electronic medium -- in whole or in part -- without the written permission of the publisher, in advance. Drum Corps World is published on-line monthly, for a total of 12 issues, plus five weekly e-mail blasts during June, July and August, with additional show reviews and photography. This is a complimentary service provided by Sights & Sounds, Inc., a privately-owned Wisconsin corporation, dedicated to the distribution of news, photographs and feature material on the drum and bugle corps activity worldwide through publishing Drum Corps World, as well as graphic design and recorded products and implementation of printed materials. Drum Corps World is provided free through financial support from advertising placed by companies, show sponsors and corps worldwide, and through the sale of history books, CDs and DVDs. Please support our advertisers and thank them for believing in Drum Corps World! Statements or opinions of columnists, correspondents, staff members, advertisers or readers that appear in Drum Corps World do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or owners. Register a change of e-mail address at least 10 days prior to the next issue release date by sending an e-mail with old and new e-mail address to: publisher@drumcorpsworld.com. Advertising specifications and demographic information will be supplied upon request. Information about advertising can be viewed at www.drumcorpsworld.com -- click on “Advertising” in the menu bar. A proposed advertising program can be provided by the publisher. Published by Sights & Sounds, Inc. 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BEST-BUILT for Bands on a Budget www.drillmaster.com HERE'S HOW: The people who build the world’s best-selling marching shoe, DRILLMASTERS® also build, SPEEDSTERS® 2019 Best Built DCW SPEEDS.indd 15/25/19 3:08 PMJune 28, 2019 -- Allentown, PA . . . “An American Tradition” was staged at beautiful 15,000-seat J. Birney Crum Stadium. Built in 1948, this venue has been the home of drum corps since 1977. In addition to local high school football games, it is also the home for the huge Collegiate Marching Band Festival each fall. Four local performing bands and the nationally-known Cadets call Allentown their home. The city was originally named for William Allen and was called Allens’ Town back in 1762 when it was founded. It was populated by German farmers and tradesmen, also known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. Allentown has played an important roll in the history of the United States. When George Washington was defeated at the Revolutionary War “Battle of Brandywine” in 1777, Philadelphia was concerned that they would be captured next. It was so ordered that 11 church bells, including the massive State House Bell, aka The Liberty Bell, would be hidden in Allentown to keep the British from melting them down to make cannons. In 1917, this town helped entertain thousands of World War I Army Ambulance Corps drivers, who were training at Allentown’s Camp Crane, before being sent overseas to France. The Lyric Theater began to show silent feature films and also burlesque shows as part of their presentations and an occasional boxing match to support the troops. Today the new 10,000 seat PPL Theater in the center of town continues the tradition, just without the soldiers. Allentown has always been a town featuring music. Beginning in 1899, The Lyric Theater offered vaudeville, operas, plays, dramatic skits, minstrel shows and concerts. Many of the burlesque performers and entertainers from New York City, who were part of the Minsky’s Circuit, would later become headliners and go on to the legitimate theater. Burlesque remained a staple of the Lyric Theater for the next 40 years and it became the most popular and longest lasting burlesque hall in the United States. Allentown is certainly all about the music, from watching the corps warm up in Cedar Creek Park across the street, to trudging up the hill with props and equipment to perform. Riding up to this Allentown show, with super Drum Corps World photographer Chris Maher, we passed through a cloud burst of driving rain, fearing the worst for the show. This early Cadets-sponsored show was drenched last year after only two corps made it on. Back then we all ran to the famous Ham Fam Restaurant to dry out. Shows at Allentown have always been unique. Before AstroTurf, they actually brought a helicopter in between prelims and finals to dry the field. Longtime friend and DCI Show Coordinator Jill Moyer mentioned she actually passed through hail on the way to the show. Luckily not in this area, but in the middle of the state near Lancaster we have already seen small scale tornadoes this year. And several hours West of here, near the state capital of Harrisburg, a tornado was spotted that Saturday night near Shirleysburg, PA. But let’s face it, the Allentown show is for fans and the drum corps themselves. It’s “sacred ground” indeed. Tonight we are here to enjoy the wonderful world of drum corps: Encorps (right, Raymond Fudge) , from South Brunswick, NJ, started the now-dry competition with a cool show called “Panic at the Audition” that contains music from these shows: “A Chorus Line,” “Panic! at the Disco,” “The Greatest Showman” and “Dear Evan Hansen.” The program follows a Bluecoats dominate competition at Cadets’ Allentown by Bob Fields Drum Corps World staff (rfields25@aimcom)group of performers arriving at an audition to discover it’s a more difficult experience than they imagined. The audition director on a mobile headphone directs the unit. Judge blockers are painted like footlights, grey panels in the back open up the stage at the end. But they persevere, achieve their goals and put on the show of their dreams. I have to give a shout-out to my old friend Michael Boo, for providing this music info, since I could not find it on the corps’ Web site. I love the look of the uniforms with bright colors and a well-written book. It seems they are a bit behind finishing the show, but they have plenty of time since this was their first DCI show of the season and first in competition as an Open Class unit. I expected that they would be much larger, since there is time to fill spots. Raiders (right, Raymond Fudge) , from Burlington, NJ, were up next with a unique show called “Gateway to the Unknown.” That definitely sounds like a science fiction movie. They explain it as “Every end is a beginning; every beginning is an end, constantly changing our perspective. An opportunity presents itself. Do we have the courage to move forward into the unknown to find out what’s on the other side?” Frankly, that sums up our whole activity from inception to the field. That premise is supported by two huge time tunnels that they roll onto the field and there are future plans to expand these props as the season goes on. The corps is stronger corps than Encorps, with a very impressive drum line, a developing horn line and a smallish but very impressive color guard. Frankly, I don’t understand why both corps have small guards, considering the winter activity in New Jersey is very robust and each corps has quality instructors. Still, it is a bit early and I am happy to see Raiders on the field this year. I was told by the staff that the corps learned 42 pages of the visual program in five days. Music City (below, Raymond Fudge) , from Nashville, TN, took the field with a huge corps and a fabulous sound following the pair Open Class corps that opened the competition. This corps grew from 47 members in 2009 to a full-blast Open Class finalist ever since and now is a World Class corps in their second season in the top segment of DCI. Their music is The City of Brass and Tails of the Town, both by Robert W. Smith. Then Plymouth Hoedown and Concerto for Guitar, both by Paul Hart. The closer is a very well-known John Lennon tune called Yesterday. The corps is dressed in black and white pants, with a silvery top and grey fedora hats. Some guard members are dressed as mice using brightly are trying to trap the mice, however it is not very well explained until after the first number. This corps is huge using bright-colored yellow flags with the cartoon character of a mouse. I think what we’re seeing is that some guard members are trying to trap the mice, however it is not very well-explained until after the first number. This corps is huge and what a great sound by the percussion and brass sections. The crowd especially liked the Hoedown sequence, complete with screaming women because the mice were still on the loose. The finale music of Yesterday has such a lovely horn blend and it’s a superb closer. Fans gave them a standing ovation and I am so happy to see them move into the well- deserved ranks of the World Class. Xcape Dance Company (above, Raymond Fudge), a program of Youth Education in the Arts!, performed at half time. Two dozen kids demonstrated combinations of dance they learned in a program that includes instruction in jazz, bBallet, modern and hip hop. This is a great program for kids here in the Lehigh Valley, who were all smiles to the largest audience they have ever performed for I suspect. Boston Crusaders (right, Raymond Fudge) open their production with narration about the Israelites, saying they are not giving the away their shot. Musically, the corps performed a fabulous show to Enough of Our Machines; Everybody Wants to Rule the World, On the Shoulders of Giants, Giant Steps, MyShot, Fanfare for Rocky and a gorgeous closer of Once Upon a Castle. In years past, I have been quite a fan, but with an aggressive opener and wonderful costuming, this is the best of all my 43 years working for Drum Corps World. The use of the giant pegboard props it very inventive, used for the horns, drum, and guard members to perform on. The running theme seems to be “not going to waste this shot!” Classy uniforms for all the sections including those unique helmets. The well-known piece of Everybody Wants to Rule the World gives you something to hum on the way home. An upright baritone and French horn duet hastens the appearance of the giant. He later is impaled on the giant pegboards. This is a super show and one for the record books. Great programming and excellent performers equal a move up by the end of the season. Bluecoats (lef t, Raymond Fudge) have produced a fabulous Beatles show. Would you believe that this show has 17 iconic hits showcased in this very exciting “BLOO” show? Founded back in 1972, the organization first started competing in 1974. It is just amazing how far they have come to put on quality shows like this. I saw a motion picture reviewer on the news talking about a yet-released movie about the question, What if the Beatles had never come along back it the day? It was by the director of the movie “Slum Dog Millionaire” and featured a young, yet-to-be-discovered performer who people assumed was performing “his” music and not Paul McCartney’s. In it they interview a couple of kids who had no idea what The Beatles were all about. Note to parents, teach your kids music history so they can get the full appreciation for this show. The 17 tunes are much too lengthy to list here, but are all very well-known. But this is a show that has everything -- a great music book, fabulous instrumentation, superior dance and guard work, and as of this moment, they appear to be number one for the 2019 season. With all musicians in the color blue, they have added those giant pills for the soloists to stand on, along with several dozen flat, white, circular tarps to give the field wall-to-wall coverage along the back. Frankly, the only thing that could make this show completely over the top is to bring back fabulous soloist Olivia Hayter from last year’s “Session 44” show for a surprise song with her golden voice. Yep, we’ve got Beatlemania for sure! The Cadets (below, Tery LeFebvere) are celebrating two big events this year. This is the organization’s 85th Anniversary of its’ founding and the 50th year since young women were added to the corps. Musically, they have a very exciting show using Fanfare for the Women by Libby Larson, Just by David Lang, Blue Print” by Caroline Shaw, Dance One by Alberto Ginestra, the famous Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Paul Simon, Do Better by Percussion Caption head Tom Aungst and Omar Carmenatas, and Finale from Symphony Four by Davis Maslanka. Those giant ramps are well-used throughout the presentation and it is amazing how fast the members are able to swing them around for different songs. Of course, their use as an actual “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” is very inventive. Since part of the show is called “Do Better!” it sends you home with it firmly implanted in your brain with the phrase “Do Better -- WE Can All Do Better.” A great idea, indeed. The best to all these fabulous kids and their great shows. Happy 2019 season and show us your best run! n n nJune 28, 2019 -- Bridgeport, CT . . . This year’s Drum Corps Associates show in Bridgeport is part of the 71st Barnum Festival, a seasonal celebration of the city where P.T. Barnum started his entertainment empire. Held at historic John F. Kennedy Stadium, the show brings the sounds of drum corps to Southern Connecticut. The festival’s theme this year is “Everyone Counts.” I had a plan -- I thought a good plan. I wanted to leave from the Philadelphia area early on Saturday and spend some time where I grew up in Westchester County, NY, on my way to the show. I left about 10:30 AM for what was supposed to be a three and a half hour drive, giving me plenty of time to detour through my hometown of Eastchester. I guess it is fortunate I had that plan because traffic was horrible and it took me over six hours to get to the show without any nostalgic diversions. Every road I tried from the time I hit North Jersey was backed up! The weather forecast called for 50% chance of strong thunderstorms for much of the afternoon and continuing through show time. I arrived to sunny skies and no sign of rain. The proximity of the stadium to Long Island Sound can create rapidly-changing weather and before long clouds were rolling in. The show began with Ringmaster Marty Schwartz and the Royal Family being introduced to the crowd, followed by a beautiful vocal presentation of the National Anthem. The festival will continue with plays, parades, fireworks and other celebrations for several days. My vantage point for the show was on the field. With me on the sidelines was drum corps legend and former DCA President Gil Silva who was tonight’s timing and penalty judge. This season is the 65th anniversary for the Sunrisers (left) from Long Island, NY, and tonight’s show honored that history with a production called “Into the Deep Blue.” The music presents a journey, not always smooth, that follows the corps’ history. Musically, the troubled times were depicted with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. The show closes with Victory at Sea by Richard Rodgers as the corps returns home where the sun will rise. The program was solid for a first outing of the year. All the music was presented and all but the final number included drill and guard work. The pit was set back from the sideline on side 2 and I expect the finale will make use of the space in front to bring the sound close to the audience. While the drill was tentative at times, the members played with emotion. Guard uniforms were a beautiful shade of blue with gray, while the corps wore traditional uniforms. 71st “Barnum Festival” continues All-age season text and photos by Chris Maher, Drum Corps World staff (chris@corpsreps.com) The home-state Connecticut Hurricanes (above) , received a warm welcome from the crowd that clearly enjoyed their presentation of original music in “7 Deadly Sins.” Many of the visual elements are unfinished at this point, notably props and guard costumes, but the music was engaging and emotional. My favorite musical moments were the base drum feature and the tuba feature. The front ensemble was on the left of the 50 in two rows, leaving the right side wide open for the corps to get close. In a modern take on a patriotic theme, Fusion Core (below) presented “Purple Heart, a show to honor those who serve. The flow of the show follows the life of a soldier -- recruitment, war and coming home. As the corps was setting up, their photographer noted a few drops of rain. Clouds definitely had increased up during the corps’ performance, but the precipitation was limited – for now. The corps starts with a parade formation going from left to right, led by a row of rifles. The guard costumes are not in yet so they wore camouflage caps, along with Fusion t-shirts and shorts. The guard work was strong. The musical moment of the show was the ballad of Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber, performed with great emotion and intensity. I particularly enjoyed the drum line this evening as they played with an attitude that was visually engaging. Next >