DRUM CORPS QUOTES

By Jerry Dreva
DCN Sept. 12, 1962 issue

Despite the recent strong showing of the midwestern corps at Nationals, the contest only served to emphasize the point that the East still is the leader of the Drum Corps World. As things turned out, the Midwest placed seven corps in the finals as compared to the East's five. But looking a little closer we see that the Midwest had completely exhausted its supply of possible finalists. There is not one corps in the entire Midwest that could possibly have made finals and was not at Minneapolis.

Looking to the East, we see the absence of several corps who, had they been present, could have made finals. Most noticeable in their absence, and almost certain finalists, were the Queensmen and the I.C. Reveries. Their presence would have, almost certainly, given the East the better end of a 7-5 split. Add the possibility of Vasella, the Majestic Knights, and Selden to the lineup, and you can easily see that, had there been a larger representation from the East, the Midwest could have found themselves with only two or three corps in the finals. So even though both National titles could well end up in the hands of midwest juniors, it can still be said in all truth that the East still reigns supreme in both junior and senior corps.

While still on the subject of Nationals, I'd like to voice the annual plea to Tony Schlecta and the VFW Contest Committee - Please abolish the cadence penalties at your contests! To some corps - the ones who normally drill at your prescribed cadence - the ten points allotted for cadence is merely a gift. To the corps whose drill has been designed to function better at either a faster or slower cadence, the rule is an unnecessary burden and costs them precious points either in the cadence caption, if they are independent enough to use their normal cadence; or in the M&M caption, if they feel forced to depart from their normal style to conform to your rules. This is a silly rule and one that is certainly outmoded. Perhaps the near future will see its departure.

We are now reaching the end of the M&M season here in the Midwest. It has been a very successful season for most of us. 1962 has seen the Cavaliers keep the VFW National Title in the Midwest. It has also seen the rise to power of the Royal Airs, who battled the Cavies all year (and won a few times), and their great second place finish at Minneapolis. It has also seen the re-entrance of Norwood Park to the upper bracket of drum corps; and the "new" Madison; an improved Kiltie corps; a Racine Scout Corps that surprised many; and the emergence of several corps as tomorrow's champions - the Phantom Regiment, Purple Knights, Cougars, and Chi-Angels. As this season ends, we all have lots to be thankful for and also lots to look forward to in '63.

SHORT SHORTS:
New junior corps in the Milwaukee area progressing very nicely under Doc Patin.... Racine Scouts to change ALL their music for '63???..... St. Mary's (Beverly) new assistant DM doing a very, very nice job for them... Royal Airs bombarded by play money during a recent parade.... The Troopers participated in two midwest contests the weekend after Nat'ls. And such a long way from home (Casper, Wyo.) ... Millions of eastern corps folk present at Drum Beauty . . . Ed Rooney busy keeping an eye on his Kevin's Kids.... Ray Samora and his Fleetwood crew finally made the scene in the midwest - visiting Skokie and Momence previous to Nat'ls.... Somebody in Wisconsin planning to carry an Australian flag? .... Jan Kruegger (St. Matt's) so proud of his Kiddie's M&M mark at VFW prelims .... three guesses who's got Smithy's markeshift scoreboard from Minny - that's right, the Racine Scouts!