Southern Notes 6-5-63

By W.W. Jacobus
DCN June 5, 1963 issue

I would like to take this opportunity to thank again Mr. Ray Samora and his entire staff for the wonderful hospitality and opportunity they gave to my Loris (S.C.) Marching Lions in the recent Carnegie Hall Show. This was a moment and much appreciated shot in the arm that has promoted and brought back into South Carolina another Junior Drum and Bugle Corps, the LORIS MARCHING LIONS' Corps.

Just before the Lions left for New York, they purchased St. Mary's equipment and will bring out in a few short months, a very unique organization that will be able to perform as a corps and as a band. They are the Loris Marching Lions under the direction of yours truly so keep your eyes open this one is expected to sky-rocket.

We will have one of the most unique set-ups because the kids will have a double set of instruction on musical instruments as the same students prepare to perform as two completely different organizations. With a "ready-made" drum line, color guard and drum major set up, the Loris musicians will start this summer to come forth on twenty five bugles. Then this fine outfit can be presented at any time as a band or as a corps by just switching equipment in the brass and reed lines. The Lions' will come out with a nine-man drum line, ten-girl color guard, twin drum majorettes and a twenty-five man horn line, plus, for band shows only, a six-girl majorette drill team. The future of this organization is unlimited and you can expect to hear many big things about them.

CARNEGIE HALL was a moment that will linger forever in the minds of the Loris Bandsmen and their 60 adult Boosters who made the 1,500 mile trip to New York on three chartered buses. For most of the adults and half the bandsmen, it was the first opportunity to see and hear the big corps and what a thrill this turned out to be. GARFIELD, CONNECTICUT and HAWTHORNE seemed to be the favorites of the majority. For the Lions, the performance they presented was a true all out effort for a bunch of drum corps-minded kids on band instruments. The favorable crowd reaction helped them so much. The thrill of the Big City with its' many features kept the Southern youngsters amazed. It all came to an end too soon as the caravan headed southward. A stop off in Washington for pictures to be made in front of the Capitol concluded the dream week-end for the Loris Lions' - who are now SOTH CAROLINA'S only JUNIOR DRUM CORPS.

Yours truly met many, many wonderful people that I had corresponded with before and also many writers for the corps publications. It was a delightful experience have Betty and Joe Waters and Bob Hunter and Vic Kalman with the crowd. Also Harvey, Pete and Bill and too many more to name. When you are around a fine group of corpsmen like these, you can easily see why the world of Drum Corps is making fast progress.

We have high hopes of returning to New York in 1964 with a LORIS LION BAND-CORPS combination. Loris, S.C. is a small rural community but they have gone 100% drum corps. If you ever come South, stop off in Myrtle Beach and anyone can tell you where this small tobacco town is. They too will tell you about the fine musical group that comes from here, the Loris Marching Lions.

The Barnwell SCARLET KNIGHTS Band of S.C. is making plans to present an exhibition at a Northern contest this summer. Here also is a true drum corps-styled band whose director is a firm lover of drum corps.

The next appearance and their final show of the current school year will be the two parade and a standstill show of the Loris Fun Festival on June 6th and 7th. On September 6th, the Loris Lions will make their Premiere presentation of the Loris Lions' Band-Corps football show. The pre-game performance will feature the band and the half time M&M show will be presented by the Corps.

To Ray Samora, Dick Blake, Carol and all the other Drum Corps News people, may we say "Thanks Again" for giving the Loris Lions their big break at Carnegie. It is because of people like you that Drum Corps in the South are still in the making and with your continued support, the South will come forth with some top units in years to come. Keep your eye on Florida and South Carolina.

I'm sorry I missed several columns and will try to get back on the ball. I also have a big undertaking with the All American in this area.