SAA Newsletter, December 2009

Surfer’s

Drum & Bugle Corps Alumni Association Southeastern Connecticut

Volume 6 – Number 1

December 2009

What a Fantastic season 2009 turned out to be for the 7th Regiment!

The talent, hard work and dedication of the membership, along with all the instructors, staff, patrons, and parents made this a super season to remember. Climbing ever higher with scores that would eventually eclipse the 80 point mark for the first time in corps history, the corps placed an overall 11th at the finals of the DCI Open Championship… no small feat for this budding 6 year old corps.

Once again, Southeastern Connecticut can be proud that they have a drum and bugle corps representing their region that has grown to represent the best in music, dedication, and friendship. To each marching member of the 7th, we congratulate you on reaching for the stars and creating memories that will stay with all of us for life!

Jonathan Miller & Max Madore

Drum Corps - the Magical Mystery Tour…

Surfer’s Alumni Association P.O. Box 64 New London, CT 06320 Phone: 860-442-DRUM

Board of Directors Chairman: Edgar Frazelle President: Birse Timmons Vice President: Phae Pearsall Secretary: Daisy Johnson Treasurer: Dawn Aguiar Fundraising: Vacant Media/Technology: Barbara DeLillo 7th Regiment Director: Tim Rall Asst. Director: Jim O’Neil Quartermaster: Jimmy Smith At-Large-Members: Jeff Dozier Lizz Adams

Newsletter Editor: Carl Burnett Letters to the Editor eMail: stampbiz@cfl.rr.com or mail to: P.O. Box 1987 Melbourne, FL 32902 Newsletter Staff: Barb DeLillo

Visit your Web Site… www.7thregiment.org This site has all the news and activities going on with the Surfer’s Alumni Association and th the 7 Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps. Also, plenty of photos and links to other favorite Drum & Bugle Corps sites. Visit the guest book register and look up old friends – and don’t forget to sign your name!

Editorial…

The 7th Regiment, . . . Chapter 3 The biography of a drum and bugle corps is filled with chapters that are created as the experiences unfold. The storyline is filled with epic events and milestones reached as a corps matures. This is what a group of SAA Alumni envisioned back in 1999 at a banquet held to remember all the good times previously had by drum corps enthusiasts from across Southeastern Connecticut… and the 7 th Regiment was born.

Chapter 1 for the 7th covered the creation of the corps, up to that first time the corps took the field for competition. That early time in the corps history was filled with bumps and bruises – such things which are expected in today’s economic climate. To hear the PA announcer say to the 7 th for the first time… “You may take the field for competition” sent shivers down the backs of all the alumni present, and butterflies in the stomachs of the 7th members. The reality of drum corps back in Southeastern CT had been fulfilled.

Chapter 2 followed with the annual growth and maturation of the corps, culminating with their first appearance this past year in the finals of the DCI Open Championship – a very large accomplishment in the short 6 year life of the 7th.

There have been many names and faces that have contributed to the success of the 7th. From those that marched for only one season, to those who return year after year. To instructors and staff members that rotate in and out, but annually provide the 7th with the tools needed to continue their climb to the top. To the parents and patrons that provide the material, time, and encouragement support. All these factors play a part and along with the marching members make up the content that fills the chapters of this book.

Chapter 3 starts with the preparation for the 2010 season.

Camps and rehearsals, a new musical score and drill, new faces and seasoned veterans – always with one goal in mind.

To be the best they can be and to show the DC world that there is a corps from Southeastern CT that is on the rise! How Chapter 3 unfolds is yet to be seen, but if the past is any indication, then the foundation has been put in place for another super season of this magical experience called Drum Corps. And we thank all the marching member of the 7 th for making our wishes come true.

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For the Record…. Official 2009 Corps Scoreboard…

The 7th Regiment competed in 10 competitions in June through August of 2009. The Glen Falls show on July 1st was a rain out. This included the DCI National Championships held again at Michigan City and Indianapolis, Indiana. As a 6th year corps, the 7th set records for high scores and thrilled all their patrons and followers with their first trip to the DCI Open Class Finals.

June 27, 2009 Brockton, MA Open Class Score 1. Citations 72.50 2. 7th Regiment 67.50 3. Spirit of NJ 57.30

June 30th, 2009 Rome, NY Open Class Score 1. Teal Sound 66.80 2. 7th Regiment 64.00 July 2nd, 2009 Beverly, MA Open Class Score 1. Teal Sound 75.10 2. Citations 71.00 3. Raiders 70.00 4. 7th Regiment 63.50 5. Les Stentors 42.20

July 3rd, 2009 Bristol, RI Open Class Score 1. Raiders 69.60 2. 7th Regiment 63.40

July 11th, 2009 Groton, CT Open Class Score 1. Capital Regiment 77.10 2. Citations 76.55 3. Raiders 73.20 4. 7th Regiment 70.90 5. Dutch Boy 57.65 6. Spirit of NJ 53.40 7. Les Stentors 49.60

July 12th, 2009 Manchester, NH Open Class Score 1. Citations 77.70 2. Captial Regiment 76.65 3. 7th Regiment 72.50 4. Dutch Boy 59.35 5. Les Stentors 48.75

July 29th, 2009 Belding, MI Open Class Score 1. Blue Devils B 89.85 2. Citations 87.45 3. Capital Regiment 85.40 4. Raiders 84.95 5. Legends 77.95 6. Music City 77.35 7. 7th Regiment 74.95 8. Dutch Boy 71.75 9. Spirit of NJ 62.00 10. Les Stentors 60.00 11. Blue Saints 49.65

July 31st, 2009 Paw Paw, MI Open Class Score 1. Blue Devil B 90.30 2. Citations 87.65 3. Capital Regiment 87.20 4. Raiders 85.05 5. Velvet Knights 78.80 6. Legends 77.30 7. 7th Regiment 75.95 8. Music City 75.80 9. Dutch Boy 71.10 10. Spirit of NJ 63.80 11. Les Stentors 63.50

August 2nd, 2009 Dayton, OH Open Class Score 1. Blue Devils B 90.95 2. Citations 88.25 3. Raiders 85.65 4. Captial Regiment 84.40 5. Velvet Knights 79.30 6. Legends 78.30 7. 7th Regiment 76.05 8. Dutch Boy 73.75 9. Music City 72.60 10. Les Stentors 62.05 11. Spirit of NJ 61.45

August 4th, 2009 Michigan City DCI Quarter Finals Open Class Score 1. Blue Devils B 93.55 2. Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets 92.25 3. Citations 91.20 4. Teal Sound 89.10 5. Capital Regiment 87.60 6. Revolution 87.55 7. Raiders 87.30 8. Oregon Crusaders 85.60 9. Velvet Knights 82.10 10. Memphis Sound 81.05 11. Legends 81.00 12. 7th Regiment 80.10 13. Music City 79.45 14. Colt Cadets 77.85 15. Dutch Boy 75.30 16. Racine Scouts 74.30 17. Les Stentors 68.00 18. Spirit of NJ 65.45 19. Blue Saints 55.15 Continued on next page…

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2009 Scores Continued

Writer's Block – Not …!

August 7th, 2009 Indianapolis, IN DCI Open Class Semi Finals

By Michael Vita

Open Class

Score

1. Blue Devils B 94.35 2. Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets 92.75 3. Citations 90.90 4. Teal Sound 89.85 5. Capital Regiment 88.95 6. Oregon Crusaders 87.15 7. Revolution 87.05 8. Raiders 86.80 9. Velvet Knights 83.20 10. Legends 82.25 11. Memphis Sound 82.15 12. 7th Regiment 80.85 13. Music City 80.40 14. Colt Cadets 78.10 15. Dutch Boy 76.40 16. Racine Scouts 72.70 17. Les Stentors 65.90

August 7th, 2009 Indianapolis, IN DCI Open Class

FINALS Open Class

Had an assignment in Creative Writing where I had to write about anything in 300+ words. I wrote it on 7th, yay!

Score

1. Blue Devils B 95.90 2. Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets 94.70 3. Citations 91.75 4. Teal Sound 91.25 5. Capital Regiment 89.95 6. Raiders 88.25 6. Revolution 88.25 8. Oregon Crusaders 87.95 9. Velvet Knights 83.65 10. Legends 81.95 11. 7th Regiment 81.35 12. Memphis Sound 80.65

We had made sure that the alarm was set, ready to go at 5 am sharp! This was the way things were for me last summer.

I’d get up, roll up my sleeping bag, get dressed and trudge sleepily down the familiar steps of my friends house which was my home for many weekends during the summer. I’d make a bag lunch, brush my teeth, get everything together, and embark on my way to rehearsal. I loved going. I loved the fact that I had a home away from home, and another family that welcomed me with opened arms.

Although it may have just seemed like a social romp, it took great physical and mental strain to accomplish what we were trying to do with what we were putting on the competition field.

Hours upon hours went by as sun screen doused our bodies and bug spray seemed like it would attract, rather then protect.

We were hot, our lips were chapped, our bodies were sore, and our brains were fried, but we would not give this up for anything.

Even my friends opposite the arch in Baritone land, the unfortunate ones, say the experience was way worth the hurt as they trained their bodies to know how to hold themselves with perfect posture. And as the season went on, I too learned to look fierce and mighty, a force to be reckoned with – the might of the Regiment.

Finals week came and we marched all up and down that stadium, sound echoing multiple times, chattering on the insides of our brains. But alas, it would not stay forever. It came and went. During the season, it dragged and dragged, but now that it was over, the tears flew and hugs were distributed all around; it seemed to have flown by.

I missed it already, and during the Off-Season, I felt like it would never come again. But it HAS come again, the high point of my summer this year has just started, and it’s time to show everyone what happens when you mess with the Regiment.

The trumpets shall sound, and the dead will rise. Fin. Editor’s note: Michael provides his personal insight as to how a year in the corps feels, and even though some things have changed, the underlying feelings is as true today as it was back in the SAA Alumni playing days.

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~~ IN MEMORIAM ~~ Harold E. McKelvin 1951 - 2009

Harold E. McKelvin Jr., 58, of 18 Reed St., New London, died unexpectedly Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.

An avid musician, Harold was one of the original members of the Surfers Drum & Bugle Corps., playing in the drum line from 1964 to 1971, when he aged out of the program.

He was one of the founders of the 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, where he served as quarter master and head chef. He also served on the board of directors of the Surfers Alumni Association (SAA), the parent organization of the 7th Regiment.

Harold traveled with and chaperoned the 7th Regiment this past summer when, for the first time in its six-year history, the corps reached the finals of the Open Class DCI (Drum Corps International) World Championships, which was held in Indianapolis, Ind. The SAA & the 7th Regiment extend their heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the McKelvin family. Harold will always be remembered as one who exemplified all the good qualities of what drum corps means, and his smile and compassion for all will never be forgotten. All our thoughts and prayers are with you.

~ ~ IN MEMORIAM ~ ~ ANDREW GERKE Andrew Gerke, age 24 was a staff member of the 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He passed away from injuries in a car accident on April 14, 2009. He was also an alumni of the Boston Crusaders. “Drum Corps on the Thames� 2009 was dedicated to Andrew, he lived for music.

His passing was a great loss to the entire organization; he will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

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* * S.A.A. 2009 Member Spotlight * * Barry Zhou, a trumpet player for the 7th Regiment, has been marching for a while. As he enters his sixth year playing trumpet for the Regiment, he has also marched many years in both high school marching band and filled holes for the Connecticut Hurricanes at the end of the DCI season. He has been playing and involved in music for quite a while and even gained some leadership roles such as section leader or drum major in various organizations.

Today, Barry is continuing his musical studies at Western Connecticut State University where he is enrolled in the B.S. for Music Education program.

There, he studies in the studio of Richard Clymer amongst some very talented musicians. Having such close proximity to many competitive marching bands, he is also a Visual Tech for the New Milford High School Marching Band and the New Milford High School Winter Percussion Ensemble. In his spare time, he enjoys making music, frisbee, and looking forward to whatever drum corps has to offer him for the upcoming season.

BARRY ZHOU

Join us in congratulating Barry as our 2009 “Member Spotlight” recipient.

Donate to the 7th Regiment through your United Way Campaign If you contribute to the United Way at your job, then you have the opportunity to help out the 7 Regiment! th

When filling out the paper work for your donation, you can check off “Other” and write in the Surfers Alumni Association. Your contributions would then go directly to helping out the corps.

There are several people doing this and what a thrill it is to know that your monies would be going to such a worthwhile cause.

Visit the 7th Regiment Website and click on the link “SUPPORT” on the left side and you will see other opportunities to help out with the corps… Thanking you in advance…!!!

Raise money for the 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps just by searching the Internet GoodSearch - www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo! Just type 7th Regiment in as your cause & verify.

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7th Regiment 2010

7th Regiment “2010” Home Show…

Camp, Rehearsals and Competitions Schedules

Drum Corps on the Thames July 17, 2010 -- Groton, CT

Camps: Corps in competition will be:

January 8-10 February 12-14 March 12-14 April 9-11 May 14-16 May 28-31

Rehearsals:

Capitol Regiment – Columbus, OH Les Stentors – Sherbrooke, Quebec Spirit of NJ – Newark, NJ th 7 Regiment – New London, CT Plus more to come…

For any alumni planning a trip back home this summer, Keep July 17th open on your calendar!

2009 SAA - 7th Regiment Banquet…

To Be Announced

Competitions: July 2 – Bristol, RI July 10 – Brockton, MA July 17 – Groton, CT July 18 – Manchester, NH July 24 – Eastern, PA August 3 – Eire, PA August 5 – South Lyon, MI August 7 – Belding, MI August 8 – Dayton, OH August 10 - Michigan City, IN (DCI Open Quarterfinals) August 13 - Indianapolis, IN (DCI Open Semifinals) August 14 – Indianapolis, IN (DCI Open Finals) Note: Additional dates for rehearsals, parades and other activities will be added – check the 7th Website, Schedule tab at the top of the home page for further information.

The 2009 Annual banquet was well attended with over 100 people, including 7th members, staff, volunteers, parents, and invited guests. The guest speaker was SAA Alumni, Chuck Potter, who is also a popular columnist for the New London Day Paper. Chuck gave a very nice motivational speech.

It was evident that the 7th members were glad to see each other again – this group really bonded over the past year, they knew what they wanted and went out and achieved it by making the DCI Finals. One feature of the night was the presentation of the “Superlatives”, with the following awards: 

Most likely to be the next super instructor: Guy: Barry Zhou, Girl: Alyssa Venuti Cutest couple: Jamie Lenz & Ryan “Gate” Kanner Mosted improved: Guy: Tony Madore, Girl” Tori Smolenski Most likely to be first in the food line: Guy: Barry Zhou, Girl: Entire Color Guard Best smile: Guy: Jonathan Miller, Girl: Kellie Clancy Best attitude: Guy: Jonathan Miller, Girl: Kelly Hollingworth Most spirited: Guy: Mike Vita, Girl: Rachel Fireman Most talkative: Guy: Andrew Dressler, Girl: Kellie Clancy The Corps Clowns: Guy: Jake Lee, Girl: Erica Dozier Most likely to put their kids through corps: Guy: Mike Woodall, Girl: Christina Hood Most accident prone: Guy: Gage Brown, Girl: Jamie Lenz Rookie of the year: Guy: Tony Madore, Girl: Tori Smolenski th 7 member of the year: Guy: Jonathan Miller, Girl: Caitlin Kenney

           

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Surfer’s Alumni Association P.O. Box 64 New London, CT 06320

7th Regiment - 2010 Instructors DRILL

BRASS

Drill Designer/Program Coordinator: Steve Lyons

Arranger/Caption Head: Steve Wolf

Visual Caption Head: Daniel Wyman

Brass Instructors: Ray Fallon, Jr. Steve Gangi

Visual Instructors: John Ambrose Jenna Ramos

Music Consultant: Ray Fallon, Sr.

PERCUSSION Arranger/Caption Head: Michael Blancaflor Percussion Instructors: Evan Girouard Andy Mastronunzio Robert Subia Tom Sulzicki Brendan Mason

COLOR GUARD Designer/Caption Head: Dana Saccomano Guard Instructors: Fawn Margolis Hodgdon Dori Miller Barb Bauer Whitney Muthig

Front Ensemble Arranger/ Caption Head: Bob Rush

The 2010 SAA Membership Dues are Due Yearly membership costs are $20 per individual Life membership is $100 – make payments to: “Surfers Alumni Association” and remit to: P.O. Box 64, New London, CT 06320 Your continued support is MOST appreciated

7th Regiment Corps Merchandise for Sale Order your 7th Regiment T-Shirts, cinch bags, hoodies, and hats today!!! Contact Leta Madore at Camps, Rehearsals, and DCI Competitions or email at psalm1381@gmail.com