Garfield Finally Tops Blessed Sac

Drum Corps News
June 19, 1963 issue

EAST PATERSON, N.J., June 8 - It was a happy night for GARFIELD fans here tonight as the Cadets annexed their first win over arch-rival BLESSED SACRAMENT GOLDEN KNIGHTS in the 1963 season. The proud Cadets totaled a score of 85.30, three-tenths over Sac with 85.033, and also won a special prize for best Color Guard at the contest sponsored by the East Paterson High School Band.

After the host Paterson Band opened the show by playing the "Star-Spangled Banner," the first Corps, St. LUCY'S CADETS, stepped off the line, led by their snappy Drum Major and 17-girl Color Guard. Especially outstanding in their repertoire was the concert arrangement of "Mood Indigo" into "Night Train." A very nice arrangement with good cymbal intro and slow horns-up to begin. Another crowd-pleasing number was "Temptation."

GARFIELD was on second and did their usual outstanding job. We think they have some of the most difficult and beautiful arrangements attempted by any Junior Corps, and the best of these seems to be the spine-chilling "Ritual Fire Dance." You don't even have to like Drum Corps to get the shivers from this one!

"Little Hawthorne", the MUCHACHOS, came on next led by their twin Drum Majors. An outstanding feature of their drill was the color presentation in which two lines cut through the Corps in obliques to join in a company front. When they present, the flags are dipped at an angle and slowly turned front to snap up in unison. Very sharp! The crowd applauded "Never On Sunday."

After intermission, the show was rounded out by the performances of three more competing Corps, BLESSED SAC, and two Corps from whom you can expect to hear much more in the near future if they keep on improving as they have over the past winter, ST. BRENDAN'S CADETS and the PENNSAUKEN VAGABONDS.

A fitting climax for the evening's entertainment was provided by the fabulous SKYLINERS in exhibition. What more can be said about them that hasn't already been said? Although the "Dead-End Kids" have departed somewhat from their theme this year by including such numbers as "Alabama Jubilee," "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," and "Down By The Station," they still have that Hy Dreitzer sound. The new pair of soloists, Bucky Swan and Tommy Martin, are perhaps the best pair the Corps has fielded yet.

Drum Major Walt Winkleman is sticking to the straight and narrow with a very military style of directing this year, and we liked the addition to his gold-and-white uniform of a black citation cord and sash. Also, the Corps' M&M, a weak point in the past, is much improved. Fantastic rifle man Ray Dandridge is a high point of the Color Guard's participation, which is more colorful than in last year's drill. Crowd still loved "I'll Walk With God," one of the best color presentations to come along yet.

After the Skyliners led the competing Corps back on the field and Tommy Martin sounded the formal retreat, scores were announced:
1. Garfield Cadets ............. 85.300
2. Blessed Sacrament ......... 85.033
3. St. Lucy's ...................... 80.283
4. Vagabonds .................... 75.333
5. Muchachos .................... 72.233
6. St. Brendan's ................. 67.000
Best Color Guard - Garfield
Judging was executed by members of the Charles Naber Eastern States Judging Assn.