1970 Troopers - World Open

[@americanspirit8932]

Outstanding, in every single caption. Today is November 30th 2023 it still gives me goosebumps, watching a real drum and bugle Corps

[@jesuspectre9883]

These early-era military-style arrangements were strangely primitive, and there's really no excuse for it. There were many college-attending drum corps participants and staff in that era. So what accounts for the simplistic, almost child piano recital-like arrangements? The era was known for intense restrictions on the M&M, drill forms and movement style, and there was nothing the designers could do about overcoming those limitations, granted. But there was nothing restricting a university-level composer or arranger, say, from adding complexity to the concert parts. There was nothing restricting complexity elsewhere in the show except for maybe the high leg lift which made brass players easily winded. There's a strange reliance on basic unison, a god-awful lack of any kind of jazz awareness, syncopation or complex rhythm or even changes in tempo. These early-era shows run out of excuses after a while, and by 1970 can't really blame VFW restrictions for the simplistic arrangements and lack of musical finesse. So no, I'm sorry, no. Not outstanding. Simplistic, harsh sounding and without artistic awareness of the music being played. For example, one Troopers concert piece is from "Hair", an anti-war anthem. Think about that. An anti-war anthem, being played in a rigid marching style meter, by a traditional military-style marching unit. That's nonsensical. It'd be like the US Marine Corps playing "War-- What is it good for? Nothing! Say it again!" The music is in direct opposition to the style it's being played in. Sure, time passing gives you rose-colored glasses, but your calling this "real drum corps" indicates that you might be adding more accolade than is deserved. If I were you, instead of bragging, I would recommend publicly talking about the limitations placed on the marchers in that era, the lack of resources, for example, the lower average age of the marchers, and trying to explain to current era marchers what it was like to have the music you were playing translated through an awkward, rigid, militaristic metronome, even when it made no sense, musically.

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

That corner entrance was so cool!

[@bjyokums]

The Troopers are the Taylor Swift of my life !!

[@morgannowlen8375]

😂... "correct!"

[@classicdci7708]

The VFW did not sponsor this event, it was just known as the “World Open”.

[@DrumlineArchives]

Good to know, thanks for the info. I found this on an unlabeled VHS tape so I filled in the blanks as best I could.

[@Drums-yz4ss]

Nobody, and I mean nobody, ever marched as well as the Troopers. A high bar that will never be exceeded.

[@charlesgerlach7059]

that was a great world open, was just a 12 yr old in the stands. member of a class c local corp. 21st lancers norwood

[@Drums-yz4ss]

Damn then and their perfect interval!!!!

[@DV-mq5fv]

I was there. Great performance!!

[@efernelius]

The greatest Trooper corps ever. Undefeated season, National Champions!

[@MargaretSault]

@efernelius Sorry, not undefeated. SCV beat them at North American Open in Milwaukee. 82.50 to 81.65. That was the first time we ever beat them. It was truly an honor. Troopers were pure class...

[@morgannowlen8375]

@@MargaretSaulthistory lesson never ends!!!❤

[@MargaretSault]

@@morgannowlen8375 True! Drum Corps has a rich history from the beginning to today. Between all of those who've been there and done that, we can learn many things. ☺❤

[@michaelkropp1961]

Santa Clara Vanguard defeated them on 7-11-70 in Milwaukee 82.5 to 81,65

[@aldonelson5757]

My dad loved the Troops since my day with them. Loved the guard & the American flag guarded by a rifle or saber. My grandfathers were impressed

[@ralphgeigner5497]

My brother and I played with the Kenosha, WI Kingsmen for many years, looking back I think the Kingsmen were one of the first all age corps. In name they were a senior corps, The 60's were great ! These uniforms were the best ! classic Union Cavalry style uniforms ! Civil War style rope tension drums unique sound. I'm not a big fan of these new uniforms being used in 2023 !!!! Body Suits / Spandex. & Props & Electrics

[@americanspirit8932]

I agree with your comment 100%. We no longer have real drum and bugle Corps today. Thanks to DCI they turned the activity into a marching band competition, superimposed on a three-ring circus. They need to change the name to marching band International, just call it what it really is today.

[@georgemarch3933]

they got a gift

[@myrrab]

Funny not seeing yard markers.

[@americanspirit8932]

Back in Old School drum and bugle c o r p s, many competitions were held on a baseball field. It was very difficult to navigate to line up your fronts and so forth, but we did it. Today they need Lions they need props they need all sorts of instruments. We no longer have a real drum and bugle Corps

[@americanspirit8932]

Back when we still had Real Drum and bugle c o r p s. It was one of the greatest youth activities throughout North America. Unfortunately in my opinion DCI is turn this wonderful activity into a marching band competition today, superimposed on the three ring circus. I have nothing against marching bands but please stop calling it a drum and bugle Corps it's a marching band former member of the Long Island sunrises

[@jesuspectre9883]

You realize that competitive drum Corps in the 1970s was a VFW and American Legion-sponsored activity, to encourage kids to perform military style marching performances on the field and in parades. The entire activity was a jingoistic display of support for American wars. That’s how the activity started. Music was secondary, entertainment was secondary, and the style was stoic military bearing, whether it fit the music they were playing or not. One of the most ridiculous examples of music, not matching the performance style was the Troopers playing the theme from the exorcist. Absolutely ridiculous. The marching and maneuvering displayed in the shows was privative, repetitive, and without any visual interest or creativity. All of the corps look the same, And the stylistic conformity eventually looked like brainwashed fascism Forced on vulnerable kids. It doesn’t look like normal behavior. It looks like forced imprisonment and Stockholm syndrome.

[@steelcom5976]

Always liked their sound quality. The tunes are familiar and well played with good tuning and well scored. I thought the Aquarius rendition was strange and out of character to the original rock groove, way too fast and odd rhythmically as if the composer didn't know what (s)he wanted. However that's a small point. Overall very impressive.

[@MrZonk2010]

2024. Now I know where the real drum corps are.

[@georgemarch3933]

cant believe they beat BS in finals..truman Crawford had Golden Knights down 3 points in GE horns,,what a joke..the drum line was not a world champ drum line and neither was the horn line that played simple block music parts,and lots of times would let the bari line play going back field,,lol.lol