There are no words to describe how one feels after watching this, the 1975 27th Lancers. What an incredible corps. Their guard is outstanding, their movements brilliant, their music superb. I miss this so much~
After 1:49 during the end of Crown Imperial, the Soprano hornline started falling apart when they hit the high notes. Very unclean. Otherwise they get my nod
Saw this show in Oklahoma City as a young lad of 16. Lancers finished first that night with the Scouts in 2nd place. That was the first drum corps show I'd ever seen and it changed my life.
Anybody else feel this way? All this talk about old school versus todays corps and why one is better than the other is that most people forget or don't realize that the rigid military style and the rules on the performance field actually forced corps to work around those rules to be more creative. That was the challenge BITD which makes old school such an amazing time for drum corps.
I like to see the evolution of the activity, how far and how much better performances have become, better instruments meant better composition, improved drum heads meant a much cleaner sound and better response resulted in way much more "notes", and guard today do way, way, more in technique and choreography. I marched in the early seventies, and heard the same thing from guys who marched in the fifties and sixties. No matter what your opinion is on old school vs new school, we all know how it feels to sweat it out on a rehearsal field, load those buses, sleep on gym floors, have those same busses break down( and always far from anywhere) get to your housing at 3 am, get 4 hours of sleep, then cheesy breakfast, then back out on the field all over again. When its all said and done, we all love drum corps for the experinces we had, the good days and bad days, the shows, the scores,beating your rival corps for the first time, making finals, not making finals, none of that has changed. Any competition based on creativity and innovation must, by nature, change and grow, create new standards of excellence, and push the limits of performance. If there are any "old school" hang ups I still retain, is the number of great corps both large and small, that have dissapeared. I think the "new school" innovation and levels of what a drum corps show is today is just so expensive, its severly difficult to start a new competitve unit, and there are not enough "circuit shows" (for example, The Garden State Drum Corps Circuit, where Cadets, Bayonne, Hawthorn and many other smaller corps competed locally) for newly formed or smaller Open class corps to gain experience and develop. Yes, we "old schoolers" may sound off about today's drum corps, but deep down, we have to admit, we're just jealous! We all know what its like to perform and if given the chance, many of us would love be out on the field with new trumpet, tenors, tubas, assorted guard gear, and associated amplification and ripping it up all over again.
I have to disagree with you old school. As a rifle back in the early 70’s I’d take the strict military marching over all this dancing stuff they do today. Old school much more crisp, military, snap, etc. Just can’t beat that. Rifles are missed. IMO. and my opinion only.
'75 Lancers, we were superb! I remember our rehearsals, they seemed like all day, everyday, but every bit worth it. Our Color Guard and Rifle Line were precision at it's best. Hey Billy S. and David M. we also worked those Contras', didn't we!? Those were the days of drum corps.
Wait? Everyone, in the corps, still marches these days? on the field? Used to be if they stepped of the field, it marked the time to get off ticking. and the colorguard could not get in front of the US Flag...
just can't get enough of this show. the ralph pace drill the Jim wedge book . no mind picking overly technical crap with this show. just let it all hang out. a real joy to listen to. this is so much fun.
Saw them in Anaheim in 1975. La Palma Stadium, now called Glover Field. Solid metal bleachers and a front sideline very close to the stands. 27 and Blue Devils both blew me out of my seat.
In 1966 they called the IC Reveries. They were the corps that sat on the starting line as a protest to their elimination to the final at Roosevelt stadium during the VFW finals!!!!!!!
1975, my favorite 27th. And, IMO, the best 27th. Saw them in Wisconsin, summer of '75. Blew me away! 27th was late, missed its time slot and performed last, so it was tagged with a penalty and finished 3rd. No penalty, and 27th would've beaten Madison and won the competition that Saturday night, IIRC. That was my first... Our band director took us(percussion and guard) on a weekend field trip to Wisconsin to see a drum and bugle corps competition. On the way there and back, we slept on gym floors and rehearsed, a sample of the experience! Definitely a lasting impression. Our director and several of my classmates hold executive positions in both, the high school and drum corps activities today. So while this "era" of drum corps was awesome, it was just the beginning. Everything "today" is a direct result of a progression that began "yesterday," with performers and educators in these videos. I was there, so I get it, the pride, and I love and respect what was, just as all of you, who watch and comment do. But "ol' skool," I ain't. People in these videos are leading the activity today, people you love, respect and are proud to have known. Times change. The activity had to evolve, or it would disappear. Economic changes, accessibility, keeping young people interested. None of that would've mattered, and it would not have endured, if yesteryear hadn't been so spectacular, so everyone has a right to be proud of how things were. But please don't disrespect how things are today. It's no less spectacular, maybe even more so. Be proud of that, too.
I was 14 the Summer of '75, getting prepared for my Freshman year in HS as well as joining 1 of Oklahoma's Award winning HS Marching and Concert Bands! I loved watching the Drum Corps. The power fascinated me and, although I had to carry the traditional Baritone, I was going to play that instrument on the field and street with that power (to the best of my ability). We had a tremendous HS Brass Section, with several Trumpet players that could hit the highest of the Register and, do so with explosive power and, our low Brass was equally amazing. Our Tubas could make the ground tremble lol. My favorite part of every show was the finale. When our 200 member Band would march away from the crowd until that special note when we turn back to the crowd and gave our instruments hell! We had people in the stands holding their ears when we hit the sideline, going to the track! My Junior and Senior years I was 1 of 3 Drum Majors (Head Drum Major Sr year) and although I had a blast playing the Baritone during Marching season, nothing compared to the fun of being a Drum Major...especially THE Head Drum Major lol. I even had the opportunity to be the Head Drum Major in College and, WOW, was that insane! Those years in HS and College Band were some of my all time favorite years. I only wished that I had given a go at trying out for a Drum Corps, when I was 18 but, for whatever reason...I didn't and GOD, I wished I had when I watch these videos lol. The Scouts were/are my favorite.
this was the best and most innovative show this year years ahead of its time. Raph pace was a genius . revolutionary guard. great and exciting music. if it wasn't for the subpar drum line they would have won. what a show!!!
Love this show. Our hs band did Crown Imperial for parade, based on this show. We were much hated in parades because we changed the gait and cadence for the music. Yes we were slower than others in the parade but we were damn good. Great memories. I agree with the comments about the guard...pretty damn fabulous. Also recall marching chimes, tympanies and, yes, we had a steel drum one season. It's also amazing what a 14 year old high school band DM can learn by watching shows like this :)
this was wedge's best arrangement of crown imperial . this was arranged all in one key. the lead sopranos hitting the double F. very difficult. the later key change in 81 and 94 lead shops to double D.the higher key to me was more exciting especially during the goosestep.
I had the fortunate oppertunity to see this and 76 show live when I marched Flying Dutchmen. Imperial is one of my fave openers. i miss this old school corps. the last 20 years was not my liking at all. reminded me of a broadway show with electronics and singing
They were the first to do the double flags in the gaurd...everybody was doing it the next year...If I ever start a Corps, fair warning, they're gonna look alot like 27....
no.1 Lancer fan here. that's right earl viney. this was the best 27 show of all time. Jim wedge's best job ever arranging.jim unrath the best dci brass judge of all time gave this show a 10 that night in GE brass. need I say more.
I was traveling with Boston Crusaders somewhere in Boston. Suddenly I noticed the sign of the residance of the 27th lancers. I felt so attracted to that sign.. ..ok I was involved with BC. So I had to stick to BC, but otherwise. ....
I remember our Band Director, Mr Kopcha playing this for us during band class around that time or '76. He was trying to set the Tone for how it should be done. We were fronting "Crown Imperial" as our our opening number that year.
Even as early as 1975, the Lancers were pushing the boundaries of color guard performance. Lancers Guard totally rules.....all the way until they folded. What a huge loss to DCI.
+Dawn D Gosh 1st Happy Easter to you Dawn and secondaly How I remeber the Beverly Cardinals and going to the great shows you used to have over Labor Day weekend Gosh such wonderful memories Be well Dawn
Dawn D The Cardinals and the Boston Crusaders. Those were the 2 Corps our D&B corps ALWAYS made sure to watch (1963-1965) when we were at a competition. I was in a Corps from Hull, MA St Mary’s Shoreliners; we were in Class B (we placed only once - 3rd out of 4), but I loved it. Our guys all loved watching and talking about you two groups. Greatest Summers of my youth were spent in a D&B Corps.
Holy Crap!!! What drum Corps has been... (and incidentally, Madison has tried to resurrect). I was there. Amazing performance, though we were all buzzing that the Muchachoes had been disqualified... The great hope of the East. STILL, this is an amazing show...
Loved drum corps of this era. Full blown charts. No down time. Todays hornlines literally play only about half of the show. The activity has completely sold out to theatrical props and gimmicks dancing and choreography. I feel like im watching cirque de soliel not a drum corps show. How sad.
This is a long time to carry a resentment. You got screwed in '75. But if you really marched in the Muchachos in '75, you might remember your second place at DCI East. The Muchachos should not have been denied their right to march in the finals. It was a very good corps and could very likely have won the show. You have been carrying around an amazing amount of bitterness for a very long time, if indeed, you were a member of that great corp. Sop crying in your beer and get on with your life!
