Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Garfield Downs Selden At Bayonne
DCN Aug. 8, 1962

Bayonne, N.J., July 21 - A strong M&M performance earned a close victory for the Garfield Cadets over the Selden Cadets before a capacity crowd of more than 6,000 at the PAL contest here tonight.

Under-rated Selden came back strong to post top drum and bugle marks after last week's poor showing in Newark, N.J., losing by less than .7.

The retreat was swiftly followed by a downpour, which had held off all evening.

The strong showing of Selden, plus a close fourth place finish by the Loretto Knights and good recent performances by St. Catherine's Queensmen point toward a hard fought contest Aug. 10 at the New York Legion championships.

The Scores:
1. Garfield ........................ 84.66
2. Selden Cadets ............. 83.98
3. Bracken ....................... 82.04
4. Loretto Knights .......... 81.51
5. Woodsiders ................. 80.14
6. St. Mary's .................... 71.53

Loretto Wins
DCN Aug. 8, 1962 issue

Ansonia, Conn., July 28 - A small but enthusiastic crowd cheered Our Lady of Loretto to victory at the 8th Annual "Music In The Air" competition held here tonight.

The Hurricanes of Shelton were the host corps.

The scores:
1. Our Lady of Loretto .............. 84.56
2. Cambridge Caballeros ........... 83.10
3. Boston Crusaders .................. 81.18
4. Bridgeport P.A.L. Cadets ...... 79.35
5. I.C. Reveries, Revere ............ 78.80
6. Floyd Bennett, Brooklyn ....... 75.00

Pasco Wins Wash. V.F.W. Show
By John Broderick and Vince Tarasco

DCN July 11, 1962 issue

Seattle, Wash., June 23 - The Pasco Columbians scored a 91.7 to edge out the Seattle Thunderbirds at the V.F.W. State Convention show.

First on the line was the Thunderbirds of Seattle, who showed great improvement over last year. Horns improved and excellent drum line, major does nice job. Color Guard very effective. "Besame Mucho" is their best number. Score 90.1 for second place.

Next Corps was the Shamrocks of Seattle. Big improvement over last year - new numbers help their G.E., a few more could be changed. Two girl drum majors effective, but they're not working together yet. Bass Baritone line is very good, weak on sopranos but drum line took high score for evening. Score 89.7 for third place.

Next Corps off the line - The Columbians of Pasco, very sharp horn line. Everyone playing their part. Drum Major has full command of Corps. This Corps competed at Legion Nationals last year. Score 91.7 for first place.

Fourth on the line - Blue Angels of Seattle. Although this Corps is less than a year old and this was their first competition, they put on a fine show. Very weak on drums, horns real good for Corps this new. Girl drum major was excellent. Score 77.6 for 4th place.

Fifth Corps off the line Wyoming Troopers - (exhibition). Their show at this time is way above Washington Corps. Beautiful arrangement of "Ghost Riders In The Sky" received a standing ovation.

The Troopers put on two shows at the World's Fair and had a tremendous acceptance at each show. Jim Jones is their Manager, drum instructor and from what I hear, just about everything else - - a real Corps man. I met him at the fair and asked him if he would put on a show at our VFW competition at Walla Walla (260 miles from Seattle), and he accepted. That's what I call real Drum Corps spirit. Most of our Juniors have never seen a Corps of National caliber and it really opened their eyes. Thanks, Jim, you really helped our cause.

Criticize Judging, Handling Of Money At Conn. Pre-Convention Legion Parley
By Tom Gilmartin

DCN July 11, 1962

Waterbury, Conn., June 21 - A preliminary contest meeting for the state American Legion convention was held here today with delegates from three senior corps and one junior corps in attendance. They were the Bridgeport P.A.L. Cadets, Bridgeport Troopers, Fletcher Raiders and the Charter Oak Sabers. According to one corps representative, the reason why many corps could not be present was because of a short advance notice. He said that three corps had only a 24 hours or less notice of the meeting.

The stormy session got under way with complaints being issued over the high prices for judges, the use of out-of-state judges, handling of money and the general running of the contest. A spokesman at the meeting noted that issues became so hot that American Legion Music Chairman, Bill Moran, stated at one point in the meeting that he would resign. Two of the corps present stressed the fact that they did not wish to compete under the present set-up of the state championship contest, but they also noted they would abide by the wishes of their sponsoring Legion Posts.

The meeting ended in a split of those present with one group stating that they would compete under the present rulings and the other announcing they would strive to improve the present set-up.

It was announced at this meeting that the contest will be held on July 14, in Waterbury, Conn., with a color guard contest in the afternoon and the drum corps competition in the evening. There will be junior and senior classes.

Scouts, Indians Are Minnesota V.F.W. Champs
By Jim Ward

DCN July 11, 1962 issue

Austin, Minn., June 15 - The St. Paul Scouts and the Hamm's Indians are the new 1962 Minnesota State VFW champions. The Indians dethroned perennial winners, the St. Peter Govenaires tonight and the Scouts topped the Spamtown Lancers for the junior title, which had been held by the now inactive Ely Dillonaires.

All corps we saw were somewhat ragged and the judging was very loose to say the least. The St. Paul Scouts' new drum line came through for them very well in their first contest.

The Scouts and Spamtown are much improved over last year and should be battling the better Badgerland corps this year on even terms.

The scores:
Seniors
1. Hamm's Indians .................. 83.95
2. St. Peter Govenairs .............. 82.95
3. Hibbing Rangers ................. 58.30
Juniors
1. St. Paul Scouts .................... 86.10
2. Spamtown Lancers ............. 78.30
3. Ascension Boys ................... 65.90
4. St. Cloud Girls .................... 52.85

Graniteers Win Maine V.F.W.
DCN July 11, 1962 issue

Rockland, Me., June 16 - The Rochester, N.H. Graniteers won the V.F.W. State championship, "Music in Motion" contest here today, edging the Lewiston Scarlet Cadets by .7 of a point.

The scores:
Roch. Graniteers ............ 83.00
Lew. Scarlet Cadets ........ 82.3
Mill. Rangers ................. 79.3
Lew. Warriors ................ 73.7

Aug. 1 Is Deadline For V.F.W. Entries
DCN July 11, 1962 issue

Minneapolis, Minn. - August 1 is the deadline for entries in the V.F.W. nationals to be held here Aug. 12-15, according to Anton J. "Tony" Schelechta, National Director of musical activities. Senior and junior finals will be held Wednesday evening, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. with preliminaries scheduled for 9 that morning.

The parade will be held Tuesday evening at 7.

Dormitory housing is available to units on the University of Minnesota campus, where most of the contests will be held. For more information, corps should write the Unit Housing Chairman, Hotel Leamington.

Rules and entry forms are available from Dept. contest directors and adjutants or from members of the National Bands and Drum Corps Committee. They must contain the date of birth of all juniors and seniors must enter membership numbers and dates of birth of those who are not members.

Golden Knights Win At Dover
DCN July 11, 1962

Dover, N.J., June 24 - Under threatening skies, the Dover Cadets and the Kiwanis Club co-sponsored a very good show, which the Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights won by 2.58 over the St. Catherines' Queensmen.

Blessed Sacrament ................... 87.483
St. Catherines ............................ 84.90
St. Lucys .................................... 82.983
Audubon ..................................... 82.216
Vagabonds ................................. 79.783
Our Lady of Lourdes ................. 78.583

Most of these corps had a show the night before and were rained out. The Audubon All-Girls had their uniform soaked at Fair Lawn and came off the line dressed in shorts much to the favor of the Dover fans.

The Vagabonds had a major mishap the night before when their bus went through a deep puddle in Levittown, Pa., and their shakos, drums, gloves and most of their equipment cases were ruined. But inspite of this handicap, the Vagabonds put on a good show.

The Golden Knights displayed their usual proficiency in drumming and marching and maneuvering, and outdistanced the other corps to an easy victory.