Skyliners, Garfield Finish 2nd Before 8,000 Chilled Fans

DCN June 5, 1963 issue

JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 26 - Silence descended over the more than 8,000 fans in attendance at the 7th Annual Preview of Champions held here today as the scores were announced for a real squeaker of a contest that promises a "hot" competitive season ahead for the East. When it was all over, the Hawthorne Caballeros emerged victorious over New York's Skyliners by .3 of a point in the Senior Division, while Blessed Sacrament captured the Junior trophy by .6 of a point over the Garfield Cadets.

The contest, sponsored by St. Patrick's Cadets, appeared headed for postponement due to showers and cold weather throughout the morning. However, the weather brightened slightly and the first Junior corps, the Shawnigan Quebec Grenadiers stepped off the line. They were followed by the perennial favorites of the Junior World, the Golden Knights and the Garfield Cadets, both exhibiting fine early-season form with their new repertoires and drills.

A new face at the Preview was the up-and-coming St. Joseph's Cadets of Batavia, N.Y., who proved to be very popular with the crowd. They have a fine drum section, which is featured in the Vinnie Ratford-tutored drill, and exciting horn arrangements. Last Corps to appear were the Canadian Jr. Champion Optimists, previewing their new arrangements of such popular songs as "St. Louis Blues" and the theme from "El Cid" with fabulous solo work by horn man Joe Gianna.

The Seniors were started off by the Archer-Epler Musketeers who have a somewhat smaller but much cleaner-sounding Corps. The crowd gave a big hand to the Reading Buccaneers in their new uniforms with super-sparkly blue sash and also to the Les Diplomates from Quebec who had probably the most G.E. packed show of the day, climaxed by the unfolding of a huge maypole of yellow crepe paper streamers and merry-go-round Syracuse style.

Hawthorne next revealed to their eager fans what they will look and sound like for '63. The crowd applauded them almost constantly, especially the fine solo work by Harry Hazelwood and George Delmonte and the renewed appeal of "Peanut Vendor", but the general feeling was that they were just a bit "off" their usual par.

The Skyliners, too, were cheered almost constantly throughout their new routine and looked very polished for so early in the season. Their drill, a weak spot in the past, was much improved, and they have many new crowd-appealing songs, such as "Alabama Jubilee", "Down By The Station" and "Miserlou" to add to their popular repertoire.

The formal retreat ceremony was not held because of the inclement weather, so the drum majors marched out on the field to receive their awards. Special mention should be made of the huge rotating trophy given to the top Senior Corps, is a donation of the Skyliners in memory of the late George R. Nabor, who did so much for Drum Corps in the New Jersey area.

After a brief pause for commentary, the crowd sat with bated breath as the scores were announced.

Juniors:
1. Blessed Sacrament .............. 82.883
2. Garfield Cadets .................. 82.258
3. St. Joseph's ........................ 78.516
4. Toronto Optimists .............. 74.500
5. Les Grenadiers ................... 57.050

Seniors:
1. Hawthorne Cabs ................ 85.82
2. Skyliners ............................ 85.566
3. Reading Bucs ..................... 83.233
4. Archer-Epler ...................... 81.333
5. Les Diplomates .................. 73.28