Parade World
By Harvey Berish
DCN July 11, 1962

We in New York City were most interested to note the letter that appeared in last month's issue of the News from Commissioner Kaplan.... It is ironic that the week after his letter, (saying that New York realizes the valuable contribution of kids in Drum Corps, but cannot issue a proclamation to recognize it), a promotion for the movie the "MUSIC MAN" brought the Lockport High School Band from Illinois to the City.... here was a purely promotional stunt... and the mayor on the steps of city hall in welcoming the band said... "You are a credit to your community... We in New York salute your musical ability" ... Seems you have to be from out of town and brought in to make some money for other people (big timers) to get any pat on the back from our genuinely disinterested City Government. Here in New York, you have to twist arms to have a minor politician attend your affair, and I've never heard of our high and mighty mayor stepping down from his lofty heights to appear at any drum corps affair.... (wait 'til they want our complete cooperation for the World's Fair - gratis, of course, - then we'll see how nice they'll be to us.).

I've received a few copies of the Lake County Drum Corps Association newspaper, the FANFARE ... it is one of our finest Drum Corps publications - Ditto the TIGER RAG of the Lakewood Ambassadors of California .... congrats to Mrs. Peterson of FANFARE and Craig Mottaz of the TIGER RAG for fine contributions to Drum Corps in general.

Under the capable leadership of Frank Jenkins, the "Saints" emerged victorious over 16 junior corps and 4 senior corps at the Massapequa Elks Parade. Harry Hazelwood, Al Koch, and Don Quinn doing a great job with this top New York Parade Unit... they hope to cop the VFW State parade championship at the Binghamton convention this year. The Mother Cabrini High School Girls Drum Corps under the direction of William Spoerle, has been making many turnouts in our area and they are a nice sharp unit.

Just a note on the great job the FREEDOMLAND amusement park is doing for Drum Corps promotion in the Bronx.... every week-end they are featuring the appearance of one of this area's corps ... So far among the corps to have taken advantage of the holiday type of appearance have been the Sea Battalion MIDSHIPMEN - The Bethpage COLONIALS - the MAINLINERS - SKYLARKS - ISLANDERS - SHORELINERS of Neptune, N.J. - the NORTH HUDSON GIRLS - the WANDERERS - SAINT CLEMENTS - the LAWMEN of the 122nd P.A.L., and coming soon are the SPEARHEADS - the BRIDGEPORT PAL and possibly a dozen or so others.

Mr. Sid Ascher, one of the Public Relations men of the Park, and myself have had several meetings and a few visits to the park, to discuss the potential of having a drum corps standstill contest held there ... hope that it comes through some day in the future ... they are very interested. In case your corps wants to make the trip ... and you get a free day in the park for the corps after your appearance in the big parade ... just write to Sid and mention that you read it in this column in the News. He'll be most cooperative.

Here's some more on another of Staten Islands new corps ... this time we speak of the THUNDERBIRDS. This corps is less than a year old but already has been seen making remarkable strides in local parades. Instructed by Clarke Suthard on M&M, Tony Cataneo on Horns and Bert Irving on Drums (who, by the way, were members of the old Royal Blues, the last top-notch Island corps). The corps appears in black, red and white uniforms. Top day for the corps so far was their first place finish in their class at the June 2nd Park Department finals on the Island ... So look for another top-notch outfit soon to come out of little Richmond ... and thanks to Fred Schwef for the information. (Fred's the corps' capable director.)

Newest member of the Greater New York M&M Circuit is the RIPTIDES, under the direction of Ben Sudano. Thus far, the corps, which was organized in 1959, has been competing in Nassua Suffolk and NY State circuits, but now they've taken the big step to the M&M circuit. Presently, the corps features 27 horns, 9 drums, 2 majors, and a large 11 girl color guard.

With their entrance into the circuit, the member corps will be treated to a most unusual event .... the Greater New York Circuit will have one of their contests at the Kings Point Naval Academy, under the sponsorship of the "Riptides" on October 7th. Instructors for the RIPTIDES are Herb Weir (drums), Benny Sudano (horns) and Bill Raden (drill) ... and the RIPTIDES are the 1960 Suffolk American Legion Champs.

Photo feature this time is the fine and up-and-coming corps from Massachusetts, the SANCIANS of St. Francis Xavier Parish in South Weymouth.

Organized in 1959, by the Rev. Charles Duggan, the corps was rapidly expanded as part of the CYO project in their area. In 1961, the corps won 4 consecutive first places, the division CYO Championship, plus the coveted Class C Archdiocesan championship. (class C is parade corps competition or straight marching.) This season the corps is in Class B, which is a maneuvering class and they hope to do well.

Manning the helm as instructors are Buz Bergdoll of St. Kevin's on bugles, Russ Murphy on drums, and Tom Cullinane on M&M. Some of the SANCIANS exciting music includes "El Cid" - "Band of American March" - a concert of "Maria" and "Climb Every Mountain".

Gary Earl, my corps correspondent for the SANCIANS, and his pal Ed Sweeney, also write a column in the newspaper of the Boston area CYO ... and so here's another corps to keep your eye on from the Boston area.... from the photo I'd say they look like a real swinging crowd too.

Time to sign off now .... 'Til next Time "Drop a Line at Anytime" - Good luck, Cathay!