New Musical Service To Open In Chicago

DCN May 22, 1963

The nation's first complete musical service for drum and bugle corps will open in Chicago this month. SOUNDS AND SONGS, headed by Truman W. Crawford, who after ten years has ended his tenure as Musical Director of the world renowned U.S. Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps, is the first service of its type devoted exclusively to the musical needs of the nation's corps.

In addition to the sale of instruments, (they will handle the much desired Holton Bugle, recently returned to the market under the name of the "Ludwig Classic") will be the availability of Crawford-penned arrangements. Thru the service, corps in both the United States and Canada will be able to aquire music of the same caliber as that played by the nation's champions.

Featured by SOUNDS AND SONGS will be the sale of drums and bugles, musical arrangements, drills, drum parts, a complete repair service, a full line of corps records, both private and full corps instruction, and free professional advice to organizations having specific problems. In summing it up Crawford stated, "We believe that we will be able to answer the musical needs of any corps, no matter their size or location".

Scout House Marks 25th Anniversary

By D.J. Mountford
DCN May 22, 1963

PRESTON, Ont., May 4 and 5 - To the beating of drums and the heralding of horns, PRESTON SCOUT HOUSE opened their 25th Anniversary year. Special guest Corps to help them celebrate were the GARFIELD CADETS from Garfield, New Jersey.

The show was staged on two successive nights with a total attendance of a little over 10,000 persons. A huge cake lit with 25 candles and a replica of a scout flanked by 2 flashing horns stood at one end of the auditorium in Kitchener, and through this marched SCOUT HOUSE with an opening fanfare and then into "Waltzing Matilda" and "The Wayward Wind". Fielding a horn line of 30, percussion of 10, 2 Glockenspiels and 16 Colour Guard, they sounded a little better than last year.

The guest Corps, GARFIELD, were the next on with a fanfare from "King of Kings," "I Have Dreamed," and screaming sopranos in "When Johnny Comes Marching Home".

Momentary flashbacks through the years were interspersed throughout the evening which the audience went for in a big way. Special mention should be made of the 3rd flashback which stood out the most in this writer's mind, featuring PRESTON marching around the floor singing at the top of their voices, "Go To Your Right, Your Left, etc."

GARFIELD back with "Climb Every Mountain" and some very poor marching which brought some murmurs of laughter from the audience. I sincerely hope that this Corps will get back into stride before the Preview in 2 weeks. I have seen GARFIELD much better, for instance at Rochester 2 months ago when they took first place at the "Sound Off for '63".

A presentation was made to Bill Kemmerer for helping them celebrate this big year. PRESTON then played "The Lord's Prayer" with soft blue spotlights on them throughout which impressed me very much.

After intermission, the Second small corps up here in Canada showed us what they had to offer. Mention should be made here of the French Horn work. Sounded real good.

GARFIELD came back for the third time of the evening in some of their drill for the field this year. It was as if a new corps had come up during intermission. Their marching was back, their horn and drum work sounding just like the GARFIELD of old. Off the line with "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," "De Vile March," "I Have Dreamed" and most especially their concert of 1963, "Fire Dance Ritual" (featuring a baritone solo. This was most certainly the hit of the evening and they had this writer wondering if they could possibly go much faster during this piece. Good drumming followed concert and into exit of "Climb Every Mountain". A real terrific arrangement of a very popular number.

Following this and back by popular request were the two famous glocks playing "Beyond the Sea." Sounded real good fellas!

Combined drum lines of PRESTON and GARFIELD looked and sounded real big with lots of colour.

SCOUT HOUSE then presented as a finale their 1963 field show indoors. Coming off the line with "De Vile March" and into "Men of Harlech" then on to "Moon River" and "March of the Wooden Soldier". Concert features last year's music "Rhapsody in Blue" and "String of Pearls". Exit is "Waltzing Matilda". Drill is much the same as last year's and unfortunately this writer was hoping a new PRESTON but, alas, no such luck.

A special feature that to this writer should be learned by every Corps no matter how big or small is the NATIONAL ANTHEM of their respective country. GARFIELD played the "Stars and Stripes" and PRESTON played "God Save The Queen" which completed the evening. How about it Corps???? Let's learn our National Anthem.

So completed PRESTON SCOUT HOUSE - 25 years. I hope to have a complete story in words and pictures for the readers of this column in a few weeks to help them celebrate this big year, 1963! So to you, PRESTON, we all join together and wish you the very best for the next 25 years and I for one hope that I will be around to attend your 50th Anniversary!

The Real Reilly Story

An Editorial...
DCN May 22, 1963 issue

The Drum Corps world was numbed by the announcement in the April 24 issue of D.C.N. of the disbandment of the famed REILLY RAIDERS, perrenial National Champions and a favorite of crowds everywhere. Now, however, the picture looks brighter.

It is true that the Raiders did officially disband for the 1963 competitive season at a meeting held April 15, 1963. Indeed, a letter was sent out by Edgar W. Middleton, Past Commander, to all contest supervisors who had signed Reilly for their shows and to the publications informing them of this fact.

We have now received official word, however, from those persons most directly concerned that Reilly is definitely NOT disbanding forever. They have very definite plans to commence rehearsals on weekdays beginning in August, with a full rehearsal schedule to go in effect at the end of the season. Plans are to field a competitive Corps in 1964 if all goes well.

Also, the famed "Wild Bill" Hooton will once again be at the M&M helm of the Corps if enough members can be amassed. To this end, the Corps will attempt to organize a nucleus which will appear in parades this summer.

A series of discouraging setbacks which would have meant the end of many a lesser Corps have beleagured the Raiders, but they are determined to overcome them. Things look encouraging, so get back in there, you Reilly men! We'll be looking for you!

Marksmen, St. Kevin's Loyalty Day Victors

DCN May 22, 1963

THOMPSONVILLE, Conn., May 5 - A dark, and rainy day did little to dampen the enthusiasm of spectators who lined streets here today to watch the mammoth 11th Annual Loyalty Day Parade hosted by Patrick F. Triggs V.F.W. Post #1501 under the Chairmanship of William "Duke" Ducharme. Sixteen divisions participated in the 5-hour marathon parade, which resulted in the Springfield MARKSMEN being crowned best Senior Drum Corps and ST. KEVIN'S EMERALD KNIGHTS taking home the best Junior Trophy.

In the Senior event, the Marksmen scored 93.1 over the Conn. Yankees who were second with 89.2, and the Doremus "Jersey Skeeters" who scored 88.25. The standings were exactly the same in the Senior Color Guard competition, with the Marksmen receiving 94.5, the Conn. Yankees, 94.0, and Doremus, 89.5.

Marching without their plumes in the increasing downpour, St. Kevin's took wins for both their Corps and their Color Guard. They scored 91.1 in the Corps division, with St. Ann's Loyalaires of Bridgeport coming in second with 89.2 and the Pittsfield Cavaliers, third with 89.1. In the Guard show, the Emerald Knights totaled 97.0 to defeat second-place Auburn Noteables with 95.5 and third place Pittsfield Monarchs with 95.4.

The drum and bugle corps were outclassed in the Best Drum Major contest for both Male and Female with the Male award going to the major of St. Patrick's Pipe Band of Manchester, Conn., and the Female award going to the sprightly director of the Watertown Fire Dept. Band. However, leaders of the Marksmen and Pittsfield Monarchs scored second and third respectively in the Male Major class, with Majors of the New Britain Grenadiers and the Peabody Musketeers taking runner up positions in the Female Major class.

There was also a class for independent Color Guards which was won by the Bell City Royals of Bristol, Conn., with second going to A.L. Post #21 of Danielson, Conn., and third to A.L. Post #155 of Oakville, Conn.

Other prizes which were awarded in the marathon event included: Best High School Band, East Windsor, Conn; Best Senior Band, Sons of Portugal, Bethel, Conn.; Best Twirling Majorette, Nash Engineering, Norwalk, Conn.; Best Float, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Thompsonville, Conn.; Best Drill Team, Civil Air Patrol, New Britain, Conn.

Best Allied Veterans Group, the American Legion State Dept. of Conn.; Best Fraternal Organization, Melha Temple Shrine of Springfield, Mass.; Largest Marching Unit (other than V.F.W.), Melha Temple Shrine; Best Horse Group, Melha Temple Patrol; and Best Antique Car, Tony Secondo of Thompsonville, Conn.

Marchers were invited to dry out and partake of free refreshments at the V.F.W. Post following the parade.

Vanguards Win Southern Opener

By Dick Klund
Drum Corps News May 22, 1963

MIAMI, Fla., May 11 -- It was Judgement Day in Miami at the South's first field competition of the year, sponsored by the Miami VANGUARDS, and the judges made the most of it.

In a low-scoring contest, the Miami VANGUARDS were spoilsports at their own show, winning the Class A competition with a score of 74.875. Florida's defending senior champions, the GOLDCOASTERS, are the only other Class A drum and bugle corps, making it necessary for the host corps to compete in their own contest. The Goldcoasters scored 66.85, after losing penalty points in drumming and timing.

In Class B competition, all three corps scored badly in the drumming caption, due to a lack of qualified instructors in the South and also to inexperience.

The North Miami GRENADIERS won Class B with a score of51.50. The Eau Gallie HURRICANES were second with 49.175 and the Orlando FALCONS third with 43.925.

The casual observer would have ranked all the corps higher after seeing them put on an enjoyable show, unaware of the technical points of drumming and other less obvious errors.

The Grenadiers were unimpressive in victory. Their show lacked spirit and drive and their music faded in many parts even beyond recognition. Perhaps they have been cradled too long in Class B competition, without moving up.

Now even Class B competition looks threatening. This is good for Florida corps and it should prove healthy for the Grenadiers.

Both Eau Gallie and Orlando came loaded for bear. The kids obviously had worked hard in preparation for their first drum and bugle corps competition and if they do not become discouraged by low scores, they can only improve.

My impression was that Eau Gallie had a cleaner sound on the horns and Orlando had a little more exciting drill.

The Vanguards, in winning class A also displayed a need for harder work.But it was far from a complacent performance and was enthusiastically received by the crowd of about 500. They wore new red plumes for the first time and in parts of the drill looked most impressive.

The Goldcoasters have been working hard to overcome a long layoff from activity after nationals of last year and should show steady improvement.

For the first time in Florida Contest Circuit competition, prize money was awarded to all competitors. Money won by the Vanguards was donated to the corps coming the greatest distance, the Orlando Falcons.

An almost imperceptible increase in enthusiasm for drum corps and competitions was noticed in this contest. Perhaps the South will rise again. Remember, Greybeards, Harvey Seeds used to win national championships!

DCN - May 22, 1963