California Drumbeat
By Melvyn Lee
DCN Aug. 8, 1962

The Parade of Champions 1962, sponsored by the American Legion Department of California, is a thing of the past. As far as this reporter is concerned, the contest can remain in the past. The whole affair was nothing short of a big farce. Even this is putting it mildly. Every corps put on a most comendable show, but the scores do not justify their efforts. Each unit has spent thousands of hard earned dollars preparing for this big contest of the year. There is no excuse for the way the corps were treated during the contest.

For judges, the Legion hired a wide assortment of them, which included Marine Corps D.I.'s, local ROTC instructors, local high school music teachers, fire chiefs, and other such JUDGES. The judging, in itself, was as good as one can expect from judges who talked to one another while a corps performed, judges who judged M&M from sideline seats, and judges who spent half their time looking for places to put down that one tick they found five minutes ago.

In the G.E. caption, scoresheets other than those used at the National Legion contest were used. There was only one G.E. judge, which meant he was judging all three captions at the same time. All in all, it was a typical California contest, but with no motocycles. (if that is possible) All scores were in the nineties, which would top most any corps in the nation if it could be applied. The first four corps were within 1 1/2 points of each other. Mistakes in scoresheets were found by many corps.

JAPANESE BOY SCOUTS - sharp precision, very good drum section. Powerful horns, largest corps on the field with 30 horns. "Espana Cani", "Sound of Music", and "Brazil" were their outstanding pieces.

SENORITAS - drill well done, good drumming, horns a little weak but still in top shape otherwise. Outstanding number was "The Stripper".

MONTEREY PARK GIRLS - loud and brassy with a completely different sound from other drum and bugle corps. "Bonnie Lassie" drill very well done. Best drum section of the night.

CATHAY - biggest G.E. score of the night, first corps on the line, music most outstanding of the contest. "Americans We" drill and music most spectacular.

AMBASSADORS - 200% improved, horns very well co-ordinated, color presentation outstanding, with "Lord's Prayer" number most magnificent.

HAWKS - fine performance with the TWIST look, drill very sharp with "I Could Have Danced All Night" drill outstanding.

The seniors had a record two corps, the IMPERIALS and CAPITALIERS. The Imperials successfully defended their championship against a well-spirited Sacramento group. The difference in the seniors' performance and that of the juniors is very well noticeable. Lack of polish in drill and music is the keyword. Both corps smaller in number than previous years, used practically the same music and drills as last year.

HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE New Yorkers, ATTENTION. Keep your eyes on your television sets on August 19th. During halftime of the New York Giants - San Francisco 49er's football game, the Cathay Drum and Bugle Corps will perform.