Sunrisers Score Solid R.I. Victory

Drum Corps News June 12, 1963

E. PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 1 - Their concert is "Sing, Sing, Sing" and that's just what the Sunrisers of Mineola, L.I., are doing today as a result of their strong first place finish at the first Northeastern Circuit contest of the season, the Cavalcade of Music, here tonight. They totaled a fine score of 83.433, more than 3 points ahead of their nearest competitor, to the applause of over 6,000 spectators.

First Corps off the line and a great favorite of the enthusiastic crowd were the MARKSMEN of Springfield. Vinnie Ratford has given them what many fans felt was the best drill of the night, full of wide-open diagonals and criss-crosses. Wearing their blouses because of the warm weather and early evening light, the Springfield contingent showed good early season form with a powerful horn line that tends, however, to blast at times, and a good clean drum line. We liked especially the off-the-line drill, the mammouth Color Guard (16 flags, by far the largest of the night), and "When I Fall in Love" going onto the finish line.

The Washington Carver Gay Blades came on strong with "Temptation" off the line. We thought their drill somewhat unimaginative, except for the part played by the Color Guard, which was excellent. "What Kind of Fool Am I" has a good sound.

New uniforms of black pants and jacket brightened by sparkly blue sash and a large red "V" heralded the appearance of the Torrington Vagabonds. The Vags were noticeably rough, which may be attributed to the earliness of this contest, but show good potential.

There was little doubt in anyone's mind that the Sunrisers had it from their first step off the line. That horn line, full of members of the disbanded Queensmen, is fabulous, and the four-and-four drum line doesn't hurt a bit. The "Sing, Sing, Sing" concert is one of the best arrangements we've heard -- it's too much! Another outstanding number is "Ballin the Jack" which has a terrific screaming solo. In fact, the solo work throughout their show is one of the Sunrisers' greatest assets -- their marching was somewhat rough, but not enough to keep them from taking home the top prize.

The Whalers (ex-Jolly) of New Bedford, Mass., have new uniforms also -- black pants with red and white diagonally-striped blouses. Although they only fielded 24 horns, their music is very crowd appealing and we feel they too have good potential.

"Another Opening of Another Show" off-the-line heralded the appearance of the black, white, and gold Stateliners of Byram, Conn. Their horn line was noticeably harsh with a lack of dynamics, but they have some good music, including "Little Bit Of Luck" and "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big". A novel bit is their concert which is a medley of T.V. - commercial songs, ending with Dinah Shore's "See The USA In Your Chevrolet". We liked the finish line drill.

The Connecticut Yankees are not as strictly military as they have been in the past, as evidenced by their swinging concert of "Blues In The Night", featuring a very effective horn duet. A novel twist: concert is directed by member of the Color Guard! We like the color presentation with Queen Anne salute, something you don't see too much up New England way. The Yankees will field 27 horns without blanks (they had 2 blanks at this show.)

The contest was fittingly capped by an exhibition of the host Corps, Rhode Island Musketeers. They have an unusual drill which features a lot of squad obliques; it seemed to be quite polished for so early in the season. Their 24 horns do a nice job on "Maria". "The Stripper" and the concert of "Summertime". Concert features an outstanding horn quartet composed of Bill St. Ours, who leads it off with a screaming solo, Tony Cordero, Gilbert Martel, and Bill Silva.

The Cavalcade was the joint effort of the Musketeers and the American Legion of R.I. as a kickoff for their annual convention. From the enthusiastic responce of those in the stands at this first effort, we feel sure that it will become an annual event.

Scores were somewhat of a surprise to many, but the season is still young, and anything can happen:

1. Sunrisers ................ 83.433
2. Gay Blades ............. 80.1516
3. Marksmen .............. 78.55
4. Conn. Yankees ....... 77.316
5. Whalers ................. 74.55
6. Stateliners ............. 70.066
7. Vagabonds ............. 70.033

The score of the Musketeers was not revealed, but we are sure they placed high enough to attain the membership in the Circuit that they sought by their judged exhibition.