In 1971, the Corps had completed three successive Northeastern
standstill titles in every combination of fife, drum and bugle with
a conversion into a drum and bugle corps. The poor fife line had
to convert from some of the best musicians in their field into
horn players or members of the color guard. (Can you remember
Billy Strein, Ginny Reiber or Frank Polokowski for example?)
. 
Mr. D had a novel idea that was 20 years ahead of its time -
a show that was coordinated into a singular theme. All the parties
eventually compromised into a Disney theme with some notable
exceptions. The off the line was "Spoonful of Sugar", the traditional
color presentation was "America the Beautiful". Our first concert
number was the Turtles' "Happy Together", followed by Bali Hai/Bloody Mary 
(I hated that song) and  Miserlou. I can't remember the exit except
there was a mellophone solo by Ron Bissetta.

Hy Dreitzer did the arrangements (Jim Martin on horn, I think Fred 
Zoeller took over from Howie Reef) but the most amazing personality
was Carmen Cluna. I can remember him deliberately chewing out
Georgie D. at the first practice to let everyone know he would play
no favorites, To this day, the expression: "You're only as strong as
your weakest link." rings in my head. Along with this favorite:
"If your gonna make a mistake, make a big one so that we can all see it." 
I can recall one of the Concannon brothers (they were probably around
ten at the time) being required to shine the cymbals during rehearsal
in the Green Room because they were not executing some drill
exercise (do you remember squads) to Carmen's level of perfection.

The Greater New York Circuit was a difficult one in those days:
CMCC Warriors, Kingston Indians (coolest drum beat), St. Ignatius,
L.I. Kingsmen were really good drum corps when the activity was at
a peak. We were a bit overmatched but we managed to finish in the
middle of the pack for most of the year. Richie Lipari became the
drum major but I can't recall who our first drum major on the field was.
(Betty Gauvin ?)

Some of the names which I can remember are Petrone, Schlecht,
Herb, Patty Walker, Fasano, Glover, Tenebruso, the famous Haberkerns
but there are countless more. (Where are Rodger and Paul Greiner?)

I can also remember Mr. & Mrs. D letting a bunch of teenagers
overrun their apartment for long Saturday bull sessions (after
practice, of course) which allowed a lot of good kids to vent their
thoughts at the expense of the Desposito family time.

It's funny that after all these years, I don't have a strong recollection
of the contests (other than the World Open), but you never forget
the people. 

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Submitted by Sal Gambino, 6/2001

My memories are also very hazy about those early years, but
I'll may be able to dust off some cobwebs from those days.

If I remember correctly, in 1971, our first year on the field, 
Richie Lipari was Drum Major. I don't remember Betty Gauvin,
but I do remember Bonnie Deimann as our Drum Major in 1972.
Check out the St. Johns 1971 photo and the 1972 Corps photos!

I believe the mellophone solo that Ronnie Bissetta had in the exit
that Joe talks about above was in "It's Impossible". Ronnie played
a nice solo.

I'm not sure I want to remind Joe Gentile of this, but here goes.
He got stuck with me and Gary DiCicco in his squad for I believe
two years in a row. Gary to his right, me to his left. We drove
Joe crazy. Our drill was pretty easy. Mostly up and down the 50.
Which was fine by us. For a scared witless 13 year old, I just
stayed glued to Joe's left elbow.