Encorps: Heard a Horn Before Christmas

Yes, I'm making this posting for you in great haste.
Recycling this entry - please don't think it's a waste!

jo

Saints: Heard a Horn Before Christmas
by JoAnne Parente

Heard a horn before Christmas, still asleep in our house. 
Then my husband yawned, and puzzled, mumbled to me, “It’s Mouse.”

“Jo, get to the Annex, with no time to spare.
They’re letting us march again, and I know that you care.

“We have lots of horns, and drums with new heads,
And flags, rifles, sabres, SO GET OUT OF BED!”

My only reaction was, “Mouse, is this crap?
If you woke me as a joke, I’ll give you a slap!”

“Jo, just listen to all of us making a clatter.
The cops are here now to find out what’s the matter.

“Your uniform’s here - don’t get into a crash -
The cadet blue and gold finished off with a sash.

“It’s not black and orange, you’ll be relieve to know
Since we left that stuff behind long, long ago.

“You really must hurry to see who are here
Saints one and all, our family so dear.

“There’s Rocky, and Bluto, and Mongo, and Pic,
And Peaches, and Pebbles, and Goober, and Mick.

“You realize, of course, there’s too many to name,
But we put the word out, and by hundreds they came.

“We’re playing and twirling and marching so tall
We’ll top all the captions, and walk away with it all.

“What’s slowing us down is the buses need fixin’
Jackie’s going to paint them – 50 gallons he’s mixin’.”

 

I shook my head slowly, trying to recall
When it was that we aged out, once and for all.

The pain in my head – thought I’d poked out my eye.
To march again at this age? Should I give it a try?

Got down to the Annex after drinking a few
Cups of tea, of course (what, did you think I meant brew?).

Folks were outside, and inside, and up on the roof
Rifles holding their mouths ‘cause each knocked out a tooth!

Each face looked so young, an image to astound.
Was I the only one here who’s age didn’t turn around?

Wait a minute now! The trick must be in the boot!
So I struggled and struggled to stick in my foot.

Someone inside the hall yelled, “Everyone, back!
It’s time to stop practicing – we all have to pack.

“The buses aren’t dry, so we’re taking a ferry.”
I said, “Going on tour – isn’t that a bit scary?”

“Of course it makes sense, Jo, everyone knows
It’s the best way to travel when going to shows.”

My boots didn’t fit, my brain was like jelly
The jacket and skirt didn’t cover my belly.

What gives? All the rest were their same old self
As they each grabbed their shakos from up on the shelf.

Wait! Who was that there, just a bit up ahead?
“Uncle Walter, is that you? I thought you were dead!”

He stood with the drum line, his life’s love and work.
“Watch what you’re saying – they’ll think you’re a jerk!”

“I’m here to help Bucky, George Lopez, and Rose,
And Ralph, Tony, Frank, and ...” Then, I just froze.

What a dream I was having, what a wish I was making.
The time of my life was just there for the taking.

I awoke Christmas Eve, just a bit after seven.
My dream was a gift that came straight from heaven.

We still have great photos and memories too
And we talk with each other ‘til our faces turn blue.

Still, what can I get you, with Christmas tomorrow?
Lots of love, luck, happiness, and no trace of sorrow!

May your gifts include health, wealth, and absence of strife
As the New Year unfolds – wishing you a great life!

With love to you all -

jo

One photo says it all ...

Stories from our gathering during Memorial Day Weekend 2010 will follow as the week progresses - in the meantime, here's the photo which, for me, best describes the day ... for those of you on Facebook, stop by my profile to see a full album.


All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Quick Notes: Memorial Day 2010

We're back!

Energized by gathering with some Saints Sibs over the weekend, it's time for a couple quick notes.

There hasn't been a new Scribblings entry since the beginning of January, yet some (many) of you keep visiting every day to see if I've written something. Not sure what to make of that, but I do gather some reassurance from it.

There's a lot going on corps-wise these past few weeks - and I'm not talking about on the field. While I won't get into the whole G7 vs DCI hoopla here, I will say that it has resurrected a WHOLE bunch of stuff inside me about the role DCI played in corpsdom when we marched together ... 'nuff said on that.

ANYWAY, there are stories to tell from the gathering down the shore over the weekend. I'm moving around my photos storage on my hard drives right now, so once that's stable and I process the images from the weekend, I'll be back.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Looking Ahead in 2010

Ever see the movie 2010 with Roy Scheider, Helen Mirren, and others? Written as a sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey, space exploration was portrayed in ways still beyond our technological capabilities.

So, what in the world does this have to do with Saints Scribblings???

Plenty. Or maybe not.

I'm not much of a New Year's resolutions kind of person. Never really have been. I do set personal and professional goals, though, and that's what I'm asking each of you to do. Arthur C Clarke had a vision of the future, and described it well enough for multiple books and movies. How about us, in this place that you visit?

What do you want Saints Scribblings to become by the end of the year? I have some ideas, but want to hear yours first. I know there are PLENTY of you out there who check in regularly (daily or more often), even during the extended periods of time when life has gotten in the way of my postings. Don't worry - I'm not asking you to contribute (although it's always welcome!).

What would you like to see here?

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Twelve Days of Saints Christmas 2009

Since it took me two years
to write this - so sad
It's posted again
Gee, I hope you're not mad ...

Even though it's recycled
Not embarrassed to say
I hope you enjoy this
On your Christmas Day!

Patty Antol, Maureen Fastuca, and Lorraine Fastuca with their Festivus Poles


For Christmas again this year, the Saints Drum Corps gave to me ...

Twelve mellophones
Eleven snare drummers
Ten years in Wildwood
Nine dancing girls
Eight flags a flashing
Seven Swan arrangements
Six baritones
Five parades in one day ...
Four rifles spinning
Three lost bus drivers
Two shiny cymbals
and a website from Rocky Chiocchi.

Merry Christmas - corpsdially yours from jo!

Happy Holidays 2009

I've been missing, I know -

Scribblings just a tad stale.
But I'm back, on this Wednesday
To share an old tale ...

It's time for what's become our own Saints Classic: Heard a Horn Before Christmas.

Enjoy!

jo

Saints: Heard a Horn Before Christmas
by JoAnne Parente

Heard a horn before Christmas, still asleep in our house.
Then my husband yawned, and puzzled, mumbled to me, “It’s Mouse.”

“Jo, get to the Annex, with no time to spare.
They’re letting us march again, and I know that you care.

“We have lots of horns, and drums with new heads
And flags, rifles, sabres, SO GET OUT OF BED!”

My only reaction was, “Mouse, is this crap?
If you woke me as a joke, I’ll give you a slap!”

“Jo, just listen to all of us making a clatter.
The cops are here now to find out what’s the matter.

“Your uniform’s here - don’t get into a crash -
The cadet blue and gold finished off with a sash.

“It’s not black and orange, you’ll be relieve to know
Since we left that stuff behind long, long ago.

“You really must hurry to see who are here
Saints one and all, our family so dear.

“There’s Rocky, and Bluto, and Mongo, and Pic,
And Peaches, and Pebbles, and Goober, and Mick.

“You realize, of course, there’s too many to name,
But we put the word out, and by hundreds they came.

“We’re playing and twirling and marching so tall
We’ll top all the captions, and walk away with it all.

“What’s slowing us down is the buses need fixin’
Jackie’s going to paint them – 50 gallons he’s mixin’.”

I shook my head slowly, trying to recall
When it was that we aged out, once and for all.

The pain in my head – thought I’d poked out my eye.
To march again at this age? Should I give it a try?

Got down to the Annex after drinking a few
Cups of tea, of course (what, did you think I meant brew?).

Folks were outside, and inside, and up on the roof
Rifles holding their mouths ‘cause each knocked out a tooth!

Each face looked so young, an image to astound.
Was I the only one here who’s age didn’t turn around?

Wait a minute now! The trick must be in the boot!
So I struggled and struggled to stick in my foot.

Someone inside the hall yelled, “Everyone, back!
It’s time to stop practicing – we all have to pack.

“The buses aren’t dry, so we’re taking a ferry.”
I said, “Going on tour – isn’t that a bit scary?”

“Of course it makes sense, Jo, everyone knows
It’s the best way to travel when going to shows.”

My boots didn’t fit, my brain was like jelly
The jacket and skirt didn’t cover my belly.

What gives? All the rest were their same old self
As they each grabbed their shakos from up on the shelf.

Wait! Who was that there, just a bit up ahead?
“Uncle Walter, is that you? I thought you were dead!”

He stood with the drum line, his life’s love and work.
“Watch what you’re saying – they’ll think you’re a jerk!”

“I’m here to help Bucky, George Lopez, and Rose,
And Ralph, Tony, Frank, and ...” Then, I just froze.

What a dream I was having, what a wish I was making.
The time of my life was just there for the taking.

I awoke Christmas Eve, just a bit after seven.
My dream was a gift that came straight from heaven.

We still have great photos and memories too
And we talk with each other ‘til our faces turn blue.

Still, what can I get you, with Christmas tomorrow?
Lots of love, luck, happiness, and no trace of sorrow!

May your gifts include health, wealth, and absence of strife
As the New Year unfolds – wishing you a great life!

Annex gathering, September 2007

With love to you all – corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: DCI East

Saturday, in the park - I think it was the 32nd of July ...

OK, you all know I can be flexible when it comes to the number of days in a month (xref: Saints Scribblings, March 2009).

ANYWAY, gentle reminder - we're gathering in the park near J Birney Crum Stadium today at 3 pm ... only an hour from Saintsville.

Take 287N to 78W to exit 55 (Cedar Crest Blvd) towards Allentown. Follow S Cedar Crest Blvd for about a mile, and make a right onto Hamilton Blvd (Rt 222N). About 3/4 mile later, you'll see the park (and, probably, a dozen corps going through their warmups). We'll be between the pond and the pool (W Hamilton / Ott). If you get there and need to find us, my cell is (spelling out to avoid the spammers) nine zero eight, two two nine, seven one five four.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for ... you get it. No excuses that you don't want to go to the show - just don't go to the show!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia: July 7, 2009

We had two members respond to last week's Tuesday Trivia - here it goes:

What corps used horns from the disbanded Saints in their DCI Championships alumni performance?

From Jimmy Pic:
27th Lancers - Foxboro MA, 1994

From Jackie Bodzas:
No one, they went right to the Smithsonian.


We have a winner!

As Pic correctly pointed out, 2-7 used our horns at the 1994 DCI championships. Want proof? Check this out - around the 5 minute marker if you don't have time to watch the whole video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5877723053704824367
(27th Lancers - Once More in '94)


Now, for next week's question:
Name the first roster of instructors for the Saints.

Remember ... prizes, prizes, we have no prizes!


Ready to send in your answers? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com by the end of the day (whatever your time zone) on Monday, July 13th.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia: June 30, 2009

We had two members respond to last week's Tuesday Trivia - double the response of the week before!

Here's last week's two-part question:
How many NJ AL championships did the Saints win, and in what years?

From Pete Chez:
Jo, If I remember correctly (and maybe I'm not - the 70s were a lot of fun you know), you could either compete in the show OR the parade. So my guess is '69. Purely a guess. If I'm way off base, DON"T PRINT THIS !!!! thanks.

From Jackie Bodzas:
To answer your question: 26 World Series championships and 39 American League pennants. Ooops ... I think that is the Yanks, not us.

And now, for the official answer:

I have no clue. I had forgotten about the either-or stipulation - thanks to Pete for the reminder, and to Jackie for confirmation. As far as how many and what years, the only one I can remember for sure is the guard field championship we won in 1973 (see the picture from the balcony at the Cara Mara below). We may also have won the guard title in 1972, but can't really say for sure. I seem to remember at least one parade win (could be the 1969 thing that Pete remembers), and I thought the corps won the field show once as well (1976?).

Thanks to my little brothers for responding!


Now, for next week's question (and I DO know the answer to this one!):
What corps used horns from the disbanded Saints in their DCI Championships alumni performance?

Remember ... prizes, prizes, we have no prizes!


Ready to send in your answers? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com by the end of the day (whatever your time zone) on Monday, July 6th.


All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia: Legions

Looks like Tuesday Trivia is also starting to bottom out ... only one person responded ...

Here's was last week's two-part question:
What is Lisa's last name, and who is she related to in the Saints?

Here's what Jackie Bodzas sent in (two separate submissions):

Hmmm ... she looks like a nice enough girl (except for the orange jacket, but that is my personal demon to deal with).

• She could be Pete’s sister in law
• She could be Bucky’s great, great-granddaughter
• She could be one of Goober's kids
• She could be my long lost sister
• She could be Stoney’s second or third wife
• Would you believe Peter Boyle's daughter?
• Oh wait, I know exactly who she is related to ... Jo - it is your third cousin; Floyd on your father’s side who had a nephew by marriage whose wife had three sisters: Betty, Bonnie and Beatrice. Bonnie had four children, the third's name was Samuel who had six kids by his fourth marriage, the youngest which had two girls - twins each named Lisa (because she couldn’t decide which child to name Lisa). Lisa (the younger) had three kids named Lisa, Lisa, and Lisa. This is the middle child: Lisa Parente!

Well, Jackie did correctly guess that I do, indeed, have a cousin Lisa Parente - she's a SECOND cousin (daughter of Greg, who's the son of Greg, and who has a son Greg and a grandson Greg) ... but it's not that Lisa.

As far as the orange jacket goes - that was the inspiration for the Trivia question.

The real answers are - Lisa isn't related to ANYONE from the Saints, and her full name is Lisa Marie (Venezia) Lawrence. She's a member of the 2009 NJ American Legion State Champion Melrose Blackhawks, and is part of the all-girl mello line. She stopped by the mini-reunion for a bit on the way back from Wildwood.

Now, for this week's two-part question:
How many NJ AL championships did the Saints win, and in what years?

Remember ... prizes, prizes, we have no prizes!


Ready to send in your answers? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com by the end of the day (whatever your time zone) on Monday, June 29th.


All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia: Guess Who!

Well, Maybe, Maybe Not turned into more of a Definitely Not.

Back to Tuesday Trivia!

Lisa (pictured below) was with us at the gathering at Pete and Kim Crafts' home on Sunday.

Here's the two-part question:
What is Lisa's last name, and who is she related to in the Saints?

Remember ... prizes, prizes, we have no prizes!

Ready to send in your answers? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com by the end of the day (whatever your time zone) on Monday, June 22nd.


All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Maybe 4: Where in the World is Pete Boyle? Part 2

Maybe 4th - Where in the World is Pete Boyle? Part 2
by ???

(Editor's note: Let's see how long we can make the month of May last - send in your entries for Maybe, Maybe Not!)

(picture found in Saints Photo Gallery 11, Page 2, Row 3, Picture 1)

Note from Jo: The above picture was featured on Maybe 2nd. Since then, the following submission was received ... all I can say it, I didn't write it - the proof is in the salutation (I NEVER call myself Marilyn around corps folks!).

Anyway, here is the validation for my entry a couple of days ago:

Marilyn,

In an agreement with Mr Boyle, and I do respect his wishes, I continue to keep his identity and location a secret.

I can reveal this to you: He had been in a witness protection plan for close to thirty years. While in seclusion, he had studied under the world's elite masters of dequisement and had become a world class master in the art himself. After his release, he had been working with European royalty, utilizing his talents of masquerade to allow them access to the public sector, unrecognized.

Mr Boyle has been to all but one of your drum and bugle corps reunion gatherings, in disguise himself of course. For instance:

• If you look closely at the photo gallery reunion entries, why are there people not registered, without nametags (not spouses), who can’t be identified?
• At the Menlo Mall, he was one of the porters (the one drumming the ‘75 first drum solo on top of a trash can).
• Did you notice at the mini-reunion that all of a sudden there were 2 bartenders, and how one of them knew you all so well?
• As mentioned in Saints Scribblings the other day, he did raise his hand to wave in one of the group photos.

In my opinion, his best in-disguise work can be seen in Gallery 10, Page 8, Photo 9 on your corps website, www.saintsdrumcorps.com.

Signed,

Anonymous

So, did this really happen? Maybe, Maybe Not ...




For more details on Maybe, Maybe Not, check out the April 21st entry of Saints Scribblings. Ready to send in your ideas? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

An inventory of all stories and where they rate on the truthfulness scale will be posted at the end of May (whenever May may end!).

Maybe 3: The Show at the AC Convention Center

Maybe 3rd - The Show at the Atlantic City Convention Center
by JoAnne Parente

(Editor's note: Let's see how long we can make the month of May last - send in your entries for Maybe, Maybe Not!)

(picture found in Saints Photo Gallery 1, Page 5, Row 2, Picture 1)

Many of us have fond memories from this show - we literally blew down the competition by not blowing so loud!

While the reason escapes me now, we actually arrived fairly early to this show, and most of our competition didn't. That was a rare thing, given we usually got lost or broke down on trips longer than 30 minutes back then.

Bucky Swan and George Lopez checked out the facilities and figured out something that no one else had that day - if we played as loud as we normally would at an outdoor field show, the music would bounce so horribly inside the building it would get ugly and quick.

The advice to turn it DOWN a couple of notches was a good one, and we did a great job that day. Corps with MUCH more prestige and experience had trouble keeping in step because of the echoing ... it was actually pretty fun to watch!


So, did this really happen? Maybe, Maybe Not ...




For more details on Maybe, Maybe Not, check out the April 21st entry of Saints Scribblings. Ready to send in your ideas? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

An inventory of all stories and where they rate on the truthfulness scale will be posted at the end of May (whenever May may end!).

Maybe 2: Where in the World is Pete Boyle?

Maybe 2nd - Where in the World is Pete Boyle?
by JoAnne Parente

(Editor's note: Let's see how long we can make the month of May last - send in your entries for Maybe, Maybe Not!)

(picture found in Saints Photo Gallery 11, Page 2, Row 3, Picture 1)

One of the questions that has come up time and time again since the Saints Family has started to reconnect is Where is Pete Boyle? I was even contacted by members of the Etobicoke-Oakland Crusaders to see if we had found him.

Although I'm jumping the gun a few days early (I was asked to not say anything for 18 months), I can now finally share a secret with all of you - Pete was at the mini-reunion on November 9, 2007.

Looking for proof? See that hand in the rear of the photo?

Pete actually called me from the parking lot at the Post that evening, reluctant to come in for reasons I can't share. Since I was getting ready to gather you all together for the group shot, it was a perfect way for Pete to be part of the festivities with no one noticing ... and he ducked back out before anyone else knew he was there.


So, did this really happen? Maybe, Maybe Not ...




For more details on Maybe, Maybe Not, check out the April 21st entry of Saints Scribblings. Ready to send in your ideas? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

An inventory of all stories and where they rate on the truthfulness scale will be posted at the end of May (whenever May may end!).

Maybe 1: Who Stole My Drumsticks?

Maybe 1st - Who Stole My Drumsticks?
by Jack Bodzas

(Editor's note: Let's see how long we can make the month of May last - send in your entries for Maybe, Maybe Not!)

(picture found in Saints Photo Gallery 10, Page 2, Row 2, Picture 1)

It took this Maybe, Maybe Not exercise to figure out after all these years what might have happened ...

I do not remember the year, but it was long, long ago, back when we had tenor drums; Sharon Kennedy and Hugh Harkins were with us.

Eric and I were playing tymp - had to be the first year we had ‘em. We carried two pairs of sticks (one soft and one hard) in a bag on the side of our drums. As I was changing sticks, someone came up and took both pairs of mine. I stood there with a silly look on my face staring at empty hands. Eric gave me his extra pair.

All these years I thought it was a certain someone (I mention no names) from the Silver Lancers playing games, but if you look in the corner of the photo, you can see a little kid ready to race out and do the mischievous deed.

“Little Kid,” if you still have my sticks, I want them back! No questions asked.


So, did this really happen? Maybe, Maybe Not ...




For more details on Maybe, Maybe Not, check out the April 21st entry of Saints Scribblings. Ready to send in your ideas? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

An inventory of all stories and where they rate on the truthfulness scale will be posted at the end of May (whenever May may end!).

Test Balloon: Maybe, Maybe Not

Maybe, Maybe Not Sample: The Early Days - Parades and Section Bets
recounted by JoAnne Parente


(picture found in Saints Gallery 4, Page 4, Row 2, Picture 3)

Notice the missing footwear in this picture?

There was a standing bet between the sections having to do with parades we used to march in back then. To stem the tide of "dropping out" - leaving ranks and not finishing the parade when it got too long or too much - the first section to "lose" a member had to clean the bucks or boots for the other sections after the parade.

In this case (after one of the many Firefighters Parades we marched in), the drum line actually lost the bet when one of the cymbal players (to be left unnamed!) smacked himself in the face with the cymbals and needed stitches. While the guard was having their boots cleaned (LOTS of horses in that parade!), we were asked to play a quick exhibition for our sponsors. Rather than hold things up, the guard chose to march sans boots ...


So, did this really happen? Maybe, Maybe Not ...



For more details on Maybe, Maybe Not, check out the April 21st entry of Saints Scribblings. Ready to send in your ideas? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

An inventory of all stories and where they rate on the truthfulness scale will be posted at the end of May (whenever May may end!).

A Proposal: Maybe, Maybe Not

Well, I THINK I've come up with the next series for here in Scribblings - a play on the month of May called Maybe, Maybe Not.

The inspiration came from the Did It Really Happen story about four members of the horn line who may or may not have driven through Connecticut on their way home from an I&E show that definitely didn't happen but a parade that might have ... go back and read the two entries.

ANYWAY ... here's the idea:

Choose any one of the pictures out on the Saints website and tell us a story about it (gentle reminder - needs to be family-friendly and positive in nature ... think happy ending). Your narrative can tell what really happened, or it can be a tall tale. No need to say which it is - just leave the Maybe, Maybe Not up to the reader.

On the pictures - the image must be in the Saints Photo Gallery. When you send in your entry, you just have to tell me where to find it and a BRIEF description of who's in the picture - I'll take care of copying and embedding it into your story.

Here are some examples of how to describe the photos:

• Gallery 3, Page 3, Row 3, Picture 2 - Althea, Rosie, Kim, and Jim in the Annex
• Gallery 14, Page 2, Row 1, Picture 5 - Goober, Mrs Chez, and Peaches

I'll post a sample story sometime before the end of the month. Your entries will start to post on May 1st.

Ready to send in your ideas? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.


All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: The Aftermath

Exhale ...

My brain is screaming at me to do some more Scribbling, but I'm looking for some input first.

What do you want to see out here?

What will compel you to respond like you did for March Moments?

What is the one thing that will get those of you who read this every day to actually send something in as well?

Ready to send in your ideas? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

Have a great weekend everyone!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

March Moments 2009: March 45 - 1975, Last Chapter

March 45 - 1975, Last Chapter
by JoAnne Parente

(Editor's note: What a run this has been ... more submissions for this little project known as March Moments than ALL other trivia and other submissions in the past, combined. Tomorrow is age-out day - watch for it.)


This is a March Moment I've saved until the very end. For me, it's about saving the best until last.

My absolutamente most favorite marching moment, hands-down, was the May 1975 NJA Guard championship finals at the Wildwood Convention Center. Given all the hype leading up to the show, it could have been anticlimactic. If you were there, you know nothing could be further from the truth.

We knew at some point early in that winter guard season that it would be our last. We had just come off a summer season which was a clear turning point on national competitiveness for the corps, and we collectively decided that we needed to focus more attention there.

As defending champs, we took the floor last. The Sematics were on just before us (and in third after prelims), and a good number of horn and drum line members were in the stands to cheer us both on.

Instead of our canned music (For Once In My Life for those who might have forgotten), we entered the floor to Jimmy Brady, who stood up in the stands and played us on to a jazzed-up version of When the Saints Go Marching In. Needless to say, EVERYONE in the convention center went wild.

Right up until the very end, most were skeptical that we would really just walk away from it all. We finished as champions - and I was even asked to write about it some five years later for a WGI Championship program.

What a day.
What a time.
What a guard.
What a corps.
What a family.

1975. Gotta love it.


Comments or questions about our March Moments series? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.