The Top Twelve list of corps that NO drum corps wants to find themselves in!

[@pianobypc1031]

I am a Garfield Cadets alumni. I marched in the golden years. Fortunately I spent time with George Zingali before he went to Star of Indiana. When I see Carolina Crown today I usually say, "the Garfield Cadets" because it seems so much of Cadets staff moved to Star, then to Crown, but I could be wrong about that. Being a Cadet is the most powerful part of my life and always will be. I honestly can't watch a lot of modern drum corps, I will stop there because I will get somebody upset. I still love watching Blue Devils and SCV, and more - mostly fro 1982 to 2011. Thanks for this video, keep it up!

[@drumcorps7324]

Watched both video segments. I am grateful for your experiences and history of former corps organizations. Also appreciate sharing the folding of Cadets, didn't realize facts that occurred bringing them to bankruptcy. Thank you, look forward to upcoming video of Cadets in near future

[@stevenaleman7454]

Having marched in the snare line from ‘79-‘84, after being recruited from The Muchachos, snare line, it’s really sad and tragic to know that The Cadets will not be around any longer…It was a sad day when The Muchachos folded up shop, but it was very tough knowing that The Cadets didn’t survive into their 90th season…I had always hoped they would be around to celebrate their 100th Anniversary…It would take a huge miracle for them to field a corps down the road….🎤🔥😇🙏🏻

[@garylagstrom3864]

I wish I was a Billionaire I would fund them forever! The Cadets will be sorely missed!

[@davewalker8519]

I marched with the '82 Sky Ryders. The DCI experience was amazing and one of the best summers of my life. Thanks for the video!

[@spyryder1961]

I marched with the NYCHA Drum and Bugle corps during the late 70's into the 80's, and was immensely introduced to a higher level of marching competition after my first attendance at the "Dream" held in NJ. Afterwards of which I marched with the CMCC Warriors competitively. During those time periods I remember also many corps that didn't survive the Black Hole Whirlpool of Extinction. Many drum corps offered kids from not only the inner cities of NY and NJ an opportunity to escape their environment and integrate socially with diverse people and communities, it also kept many from bad behavior and negative influence and instilled comaderie. It's very sad that DCI was supposed to be a Shining Knight in Armor to help save and keep the activity alive and fun, from the B class to the Open class. But, as the present has shown they have allowed and became a Big Greedy Conglomerate. Who remembers when DCI Allentown had prelims early morning to the late afternoon, with finals in the evening? Now it's a 2 day costly event. Realistically speaking, I do understand that it is a costly effort for each corps to travel and traverse across the U.S. to compete with other corps within their class, but DCI was formed to ensure this activity would survive for even the smallest corps. I may be off the beaten path as far as economics, but so many corps are disappearing. NY, NJ, MA, CA and Ill had so many corps that are no longer with us (i.e. NY area Watkins Glen Squires, St. Ignatius All Girls, NY Lancers, CMCC Warriors, Connecticut Classics, and the Carter Cadets) This is just a handful I can list, but the list is long for the tri-state area of NY, NJ and CT. Please accept my apologies for not also naming corps out of PA. Salute to the original Crossmen out of Chester PA. It's understandable when small corps disband because of financial constraints, but to say Goodbye to Open Class corps is a severe tragedy. Hats off to 27th, Kilties, Guardsman, Star, Vk, Sky Ryders, Freelancers, Suncoast Sound and now The Cadets. I know I missed a lotand once again, my apologies for those not named, but the originator of this channel has named "The Forgotten Ones", with more to come withing the next decade. Drum Corps will soon become history to read in the books, not a performing one.

[@icsa]

Starting times at Allentown were as early as 7 00 am, IIRC, in the late 70s and early 80s.

[@sw6065]

NYCHA ALUMNI 77-79 under James Cooke,Keith Griffin, AL Holton Bob Winslow, Sugarroll & Ms. Hawkins .

[@AzrealMaximus]

CMCC 78-79 baritone. Mr. Burgie, Papa D, Mr. Clark, Bougue* and Hy Dreitser.

[@sw6065]

Selvin Watts NYCHA Vanguard late 77-79 then NYC lancers 79

[@pianobypc1031]

That muchachos song 1 you played is so epic - my HS band did that song, and I wore their tape out on walkman (tape player) playing it thousands of times. Oh, the Freelancers! I wore out one of their tapes too.

[@billharker5424]

I really enjoyed this - I agree that the Feelancer's best corps was the year of "The Kiss" (still goose-bump-inducing). Looking forward to the second video as well.

[@shscjs3]

I remember back in the 70s where the Kilties guard member threw the American flag off the field (wasn't allowed) and when their score was announced, someone yelled "too high"

[@motomike71]

I found myself in the 1992 Velvet Knights. Rookie age-out and do not regret it one bit.

[@dalemorison7918]

I Miss North Star, The Muchachos, and The Bridgemen. I was born in 1965, grew up throughout the NY & NJ area, matched as a baritone player in what essentially amounted to a tiny little under 60-kids parade & eventually Garden State Circuit Intermediate Class field corps., we also fielded a winter guard a couple of seasons, I didn't participate in that, I Did March & play a valve/rotor horn, my marching years were 1976 to 1987, age 11 to age 22. Would have liked to have marched Any of the 3 corps., I mentioned as ones I miss, North Star in New England was just too far away from me, Muchachos, were gone just a little bit before my marching time, and Bayonne Was Consistently My All-Time Favorite, partly for the fact that they were an NJ corps., and I was growing up as an NJ kid, ( actually a now-famous, Jersey Girl, thanks to a Springsteen song, that oddly he did not write), but with Bayonne I was also just a bit too young to be a part of their heyday, and I felt I wasn't talented enough of a horn-player to make their line, so I never bothered to give myself a shot with them.

[@icsa]

Did you march in the Cranford Patriots?

[@dalemorison7918]

@icsa , No, sadly, we were smaller than them, and from Morris County in NJ, I Do remember them though.

[@DV-mq5fv]

You can now at The Cadets to that list. Very sad.

[@dalemorison7918]

@DV-mq5fv , actually, no, I was never much a fan of them. The Garfield Cadets, which is what knew them as all through my growing up, just never really appealed to me as a corps, same with Concord Blue Devils, never thought much of them either.

[@AzrealMaximus]

Baritone with the CMCC Warriors. Garden State was a big thing back in the day.

[@drmbgls1]

Great video! I remember the Kilties in a show at Boston College I believe, when the sprinkler system on the field came on. Imagine marching drill and getting a shot of water up your kilt!

[@DV-mq5fv]

I believe it was at Lowell Cawley stadium that the sprinklers went on. The Kilts got an amazing ovation for their sustained effort!

[@drmbgls1]

@@DV-mq5fv thanks!

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Years ago you were Blessed to love music and playing,so in your present year find another way to reconnect to that Blessing and adventure.

[@americanspirit8932]

The Muchachos Drumline, instructor Dennis DeLuca, who also took the Long Island sunrises they were DCA world champions seven times. I was a member 1964 through 1968 we won American Legion Nationals in 68 led the Macy Day Parade as well. My opinion, DCI is the reason for the demise of what was one of the greatest youth activities in North america. They never encouraged kids to join a senior Corps after aging out, my opinion major mistake it would have perpetuated the activity. Years ago in Metropolitan New York area on the weekend there were two or three competitions to choose to go to within an hour, or two if you did well in your state in competition, then you would consider going to Nationals. Nothing was mandatory to be competitive. The majority of the c o r p s has supported by the community. Because they competed in competitions in the area and they did parades in the area oh well and special events everybody knew who they were and were willing to donate to support them. Today members come from all over the world nobody knows who they are they do not perform locally they do not receive any support❤❤❤😂😂😂

[@kdkdkd4153]

Enjoyed piston rotor enthusiasm. TY

[@MarchingArtsNetworkTV]

Muchachos hornline was straight up badass

[@Wyndu777]

Great video!!!! Brings back a lot of memories.

[@thomashelm6931]

Keep up the great content guys! I appreciate it!

[@deeaplw]

Always loved freelancers. Distinctive sound for sure!

[@oldguy445]

I liked the Velvet Knights. Reminded me of a West Coast version of the Bridgemen whom I also liked.

[@sw6065]

Sky Ryders had some of the greatest soprsnos and solo sopranos ever

[@phillipwright3679]

The 1988 VK guard was way ahead of its time. Check it out. Lots of costume changes, the work was complicated and complementary of the music. Roxanne!

[@vincelamb4063]

As soon as I saw the preview screen, I figured out what kind of list this was and listened for the corps I marched in who are no longer with us. Sure enough, North Star came in 16th and Anaheim Kingsmen ranked eighth.

[@MarchingArtsNetworkTV]

I do hope when you watched the video you appreciated that the point scoring system takes away opinion and was based purely on math. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@milescumminski8077]

I loved both those corps. I always thought North Star were so badass. Great shows and memories!

[@j.waynehudson3743]

Thank-you, I marched 79-82 and am working with the drumline hoping to bring the corps back. I hope in a few years, you can take us off your list.

[@dalemorison7918]

I Very much agree with you on the whole, "Fun," aspect of D&B, and because I was such a Bridgemen fan I grew up watching them pretty consistently getting, "pooped on," score-wise because of their, "Fans First," approach to their shows, it's part of the reason I Liked Bayonne so much was That aspect of their approach, which was clearly a model that The Velvet Knights used to follow as well, and were unfairly ostracized score-wise for following that model, and you're completely right D&B (DCI) Needs To Learn To Embrace, The Fun Factor," in competing, sadly, I feel it Never Will, But here's hoping.

[@supejc]

Awesome video, really insightful.

[@thescentslessshaver8600]

Seeing as how my first year marching was ‘98, with Magic of Orlando, where we got a shaft placement of 13th, your placement stung even more! 😔😔😔

[@rogerbemis5859]

'84 was my 1st year (BK 84-86) Freelancer's opening was my favorite! ps - I live in Phx & was there for DCW All-Stars

[@bg1036]

Great video CJ. Even got to hear my arpeggiated vibe "solo" near the end of "The Kiss" from 1991 👍😉

[@MarchingArtsNetworkTV]

Love that!

[@michaelgawel5823]

Glassman had a pretty good run with several DCI finals performances

[@waynestephens6505]

Yep piston/rotor bugle for me too. I marched in Guardsmen 1975 and 1976. Sad that my Guardsmen are gone, but also sad so many I marched against are gone too. I was in the stands during 1975 finals prelims. The Muchachos wowed us. We thought they would win the title, but were disqualified. Google Guardsmen Kentucky fried chicken to see the 30 second version of the national TV commercial Guardsmen was in (I'm in the K at the end) Yes it was the REAL Colonial Sanders!

[@Fryzers]

Freelancers could do no wrong in my mind. Just loved them.

[@RocketRay]

No, we did not.

[@ralphgeigner5497]

More surplus gear out on ebay ? Another fine corps gone ! My brother and I played with the Kenosha, WI Kingsmen for many years, sadly myself and others got called up from the Military Reserves to, active duty. Lost 1/4 of the corps, after that the Kingsmen were gone. Tried a come back, but didn't work out. The draft during the 60's era folded many corps. The Chicago Royal Airs & Vanguard were my favorite corps. In the Kingsmen being a supposed senior we had many guys from many big name junior corps and others in WI & IL. Actually the kingsmen was one of the first all age corps. The Best Of times ! The 60's !!!!! I was never a fan of props etc ! or these new uniforms etc. The first DCI show in Whitewater was my first show after returning from Spain & Morocco USN Seabees

[@BDTrooper76]

I'm a Blue Devil dinosaur, '74-'77. A fellow baritone player, Richie Hodge taught the Freelancers horn line for many years. Do you know Rich?

[@MarchingArtsNetworkTV]

Richie is an amazing teacher. He was at Freelancers for a long time and we all appreciate him. He taught at a local high school for many years. I often see him at competitions even though he is retired. -Stressmaster

[@Rich_Larr]

VK was so good. I know the whole schtick was their thing, but if they had quit screwing around, they could have been top 3 😅 I went to a BOA grand nats finalist HS back in the 2000’s and ended up marching one season with the #1 corps on this list. My English teacher sophomore year marched VK back in the late 80’s 😅

[@fulianj]

Now do a DCA video in the same style!

[@HallyPorter]

Everybody likes to say things like "this corps should have scored higher, this corps scored too low." What people don't like to do, is say someone else placed too high and deserved to be lower. Let's examine the idea that VK should have placed at least 2 places higher, not agreeing or disagreeing, just breaking it down, from 1987-92. 1987: 5th place, beating Phantom Regiment and Madison Scouts, just behind Blue Devils 1988: 6th place, beating Phantom Regiment and Star of Indiana, just behind Garfield. 1989: 9th place, beating Suncoast Sound and Freelancers, just behind Bluecoats. 1990: 8th place, beating Bluecoats and Madison Scouts, just behind Crossmen. 1991: 12th place, beating Sky Ryders and Dutch Boy, just behind Bluecoats. 1992: 8th place, beating Phantom Regiment and Blue Knights, just behind Vanguard. So while I'm not totally sure about judge's bias against them, it seems like in some years, in some categories like percussion they were rewarded, just as the Bridgemen were. However I don't necessarily see that they were always better than these corps they didn't beat. And you say AT LEAST 2 places better, but I'll assume you don't mean VK should have been beating Blue Devils in 1987 or Garfield in 1988, and that instead maybe you thought they were better than say, the Crossmen or Bluecoats as well a few of those years, which makes more sense. I'm also not sure there isn't an equal bias at times for a more entertaining corps, as they were often rewarded against say forgotten corps a corps like Spirit of Atlanta 1988, who were playing a difficult Stravinsky show which didn't resonate as well.

[@czarkbrooks]

I marched with Kilties and 27th. You can thank beer that the Kilties linger as senior :) BTW the uniform was easy to put on; you haven't lived until you've experienced a baby powder party in the lot

[@srtyler]

Did the Freelancers guard actually play the sopranos in the opening statement?

[@MarchingArtsNetworkTV]

I believe they played the loud chord! That was a great guard.

[@xmvirus202]

Thank you for showcasing the 1987 Sky Ryders show- I marched with them that year and played contra bass. ❤️🙏

[@paulb6302]

Me too. Soprano. Great show.

[@funkywhite]

Was the comment about the Anaheim intentionally muted? I was looking forward to your comments about them. It did look like some choice words were spoken in the lip reading.

[@jamesreese4170]

I was impressed by the quality of sound for such an old video and how in step the rifles were. Their spins were incredibly synced.

[@michaelribo4350]

One phrase in this video particularly struck me…. “devoid of identity”.

[@MarchingArtsNetworkTV]

Yes, and I stick by that... Academy is a very good drum corps.. but what is their identity? What are they known for? They had a golden opportunity to instantly make themselves a fan favorite with that show and didn't. Now to be fair, Academy is far from the only corps I can think of that is also devoid of identity. There are many...

[@michaelribo4350]

@@MarchingArtsNetworkTV agreed, and not limited to just one corps

[@mcgrud]

For the algorithm. ✊

[@MarchingArtsNetworkTV]

For the gods of algorythym

[@danieloneal7137]

the Velvet Knights were my first favorite drum corps

[@sw6065]

Hmmm whatever the litigation for any corps similarities or differences increases expenses DEE CEE EYE destroyed class A division 2 we've lost 150 corps

[@Floatdude86]

Go VK !!!

[@joshkatz5515]

Pioneer ended up folding under similar conditions. Without the court cases!

[@RVVDont]

For the algorithm!

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

I marched snare under Tom Float with the Spirit of Atlanta in 1980. I have seen so many corps over the years fold and that is a sad thing to see. Way too many to mention here but I wish the new generation of marchers well. I wouldn't trade my drum corps experience for anything. Well, maybe I would. Ha!

[@funkywhite]

Awesome! I used to know a guy named Bill that I marched snare in 1980 in Spirit too. He was a character! Phenomenal line, man! Float was the man.

[@funkywhite]

Sorry, not Bill, Scott Brown. Got my names mixed up.

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

@@funkywhite Scott was our section leader and a great guy. Very funny, just like Float. He still lives in the Atlanta area and has triplet girls! (and a wife of course) He was in school fund raising the last time I checked, but that was years ago. I judged a band contest with him several years back and he was the same funny Scott. Good times in Hotlanta!

[@funkywhite]

@@DennisJohnsonDrummer thanks Dennis! I went to orchestra camps with Brian West who is head of Percussion at TCU. Super cool guy too. Scott Brown judged some of the HS drum lines I worked with at contests back in ‘90-‘92 (Avondale, N Gwinnett) I was with him on the 10th Anniversary of Spirit winning the percussion caption. He was tripping that 10 years had passed! And I remember he had triplets! Crazy!

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

@@funkywhite I worked the summer band camp at Avondale while I was a student at Auburn University one summer. I think it was a brand new school. Maybe sometime around 1979 perhaps? Not sure about the date. I know it wasn't 1980 when I marched Spirit or 1981 or 82 when I taught Southwind- so it must have been the summer of 1979. Anyway, I digress.

[@popeyesailor9571]

I think Bluecoats are VK all grown up with am arts degree now

[@jamesreese4170]

😂. They used to go back n forth in rankings a lot back in the day. Although the coats have always been a bit loose on the field with crowd favorite jazzy songs. They were very serious off the field. Including known for the DMs marching ever so slowly to the line for scores then standing stoicly still. As opposed to VK dragging a table umbrella and beach chairs. ⛱️ lol. I loved em both though.

[@sw6065]

Capitalaires Capital Freelancers Sacramento Freelancers then Freelancers?

[@jwilk1281]

I think dci and drum corps will be gone soon.

[@stevenaleman7454]

Facts!

[@DV-mq5fv]

I don't know about soon but it's not the same. I personally feel like it's gone now.

[@michaelgawel5823]

​@@DV-mq5fv - DCA is effectively gone now

[@actionandy4480]

I marched in 75 with the Purple Lancers but never could get enough of the Muchachos. I’m crushed about the Cadets. I had a good friend that marched with them during there 3 Peat so I saw them often! It’s a shame we will never see them again!!