I forgot to mention that one of the Cavalier members I talked to was their drum major - son of Scott Rhebergen, former Norwood member! He is marching his sixth year, which is very rare these days.

And speaking of cell phones - the Cavaliers are not allowed to have them during the season, so their focus stays on drum corps. Jeff Fiedler started this when he was directing the corps, and apparently they have continued the policy.

Good to see you back out here, Pete!

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

Wow, no cell phones!!?? That's amazing given the times and with all that traveling. Shows the commitment I guess.

Then again we never brought our phones with us:)

The cords weren't long enough...

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

The purpose is to generate cash for the butt heads that turned it into a bussiness, and like a bussiness cutting out all the small mom and pop Corps means mo money for them. Remember in any situation when something is not right always follow the money.

Based on the results of first couple of weeks of DCI seems that Cavaliers need to do more than ban cell phones. Madison beat them the other night. DCI rankings have them 9th and falling.

Well, as Peter and John have said, it is really evolution .. due to our social environment. Things change .. and there are a lot of other interests for young folks. This has affected the drum corps activity as well.

But, nobody seems to care about the youngsters without musical education. Those without a lot of money to be in a "big' drum corps. Or, to help those at risk in bad environments by helping with a positive experience.

Drum corps USED to do this. Not any more, it seems.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

"there are a lot of other interests for young folks" Dave do you mean sitting for hours on end playing video games as other interest? Kids are desensitized by violence,shooting each other is worse now. Need localDrum Corps now more than ever.

Good point Greg .. BOTH arguments are true. But, it takes people willing to do this .. and money to make it happen.

There are just a few examples here in the Chicago area .... the South Shore Drill team and the Jesse White Tumblers (neither are drum corps, of courser). There IS a new drum corps in the city .... can't remember the name off hand.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63