Bridgemen Alumni Corps had a GREAT performance and a GREAT, receptive audience in Allentown, PA!
August 5, 2006

It was a day to remember for years to come. We let loose with an emotionally charged, vibrant performance for a captive audience that welcomed us into their hearts!

We began rehearsal around 11am in Lansdale, PA for what would prove to be an intense workout under the leadership of our dedicated instructors and staff.

Executive Director and drill writer George Lavelle began by telling us “The word of the day is FOCUS.” We had a lot of ground to cover in reviewing/cleaning our show as well as learning new routines. We focused on our contribution individually and collectively to max this show out. Drum instructor Bob Dubinski was back with us this day: his infectious enthusiasm and work ethic are legendary here. Bob's intensity motivated us to concentrate harder and try our best.

After rehearsing a few hours, Dennis Delucia gathered us around to tell us that he'd been to Friday night's DCI Eastern Classic show in Allentown. “I can't begin to tell you how many people came up to me and asked, 'Is it true the Bridgemen will be here tomorrow night?' and how many people told me they or their friends are traveling from all parts of the country and Canada to be here to see the Bridgemen. SO MANY PEOPLE are waiting to see us. And from what I'm seeing here, I know we won't disappoint!”

Once rehearsal was over, we took our dinner break and the caravan rolled into Allentown about 8pm. As we warmed up, we took in the scenery by the lake and rehearsed in sections, preparing to give the show of our lives. After 10pm, we were filed into J. Birney Crum stadium while sneaking a peek at the Blue Devils perform their energetic Godfather show from the rear. Many in the crowd started buzzing as soon as they saw yellow coats enter the stadium's gates.

Before going on, George Lavelle recounted our connection to this stadium. “In 1977 we came into this place and walked away the 1977 DCI East Champions with the highest score in the country. It was perhaps the last time that alumni of the St. Andrew's years and Bayonne years came together as a family to witness this accomplishment.”

The Allentown audience that remained to watch us (about 8,000 people) was almost three times larger than the one we bowled over at our home show in Bayonne back on June 10th. Many stayed after the junior corps performances and scores willing to give us a chance, while others knew EXACTLY what kind of show we offered and wanted a piece of the action! The intensity of the audience was overwhelming as the volume and emotion of the audience continued to build before we even started. They made it clear this was going to be a night to remember.

As we stood in our opening formation, our antics warmed up the audience. The announcer pointed out “There appears to be a uniform or equipment malfunction.“ Out came Carl Marsteller running with a bass drum across the front of the corps, only to trip and dive face first into the field to crush the fake drum. A stretcher and two volunteers ran out to pull Carl off of the drum to rescue the drum and leave the drummer out cold!

Soon the announcer asked “Drum Major Jim Jordan, is your corps ready?” At which point Jim turned around to the crowd to salute, receive the crowd's adulation, blow kisses, and act like he thought the moment was all about him. Then the entire corps fainted behind him to steal the moment. Drum Major John Richard tugged on Jim's leg to alert him to the crisis, then a flustered Jim Jordan turned to see the chaos on the field and yelled “GET UP!” to bring us back into formation.

As the adrenaline raced through us, Jim Jordan started the countdown that gave the snares the opening phrase. Horn bells came up to unleash the opening chords at triple forte on G bugles. The tight box gave way to curves cascading forward like a waterfall as the loud dramatic chords of Pagliacci filled the night air. The brief intro gave way to the bouncy rhythms of Land of Make Believe. The mellophones sang out the joyful melody that led to Bob Hunter's soprano solo. Our color guard in black coats grabbed everyone's attention as Bob's charged solo and the dancing quints reminded everyone we're here to have a good time. Soon Rob and Kevin McDermott's fine duet arrived, followed by the powerful ending. Next we moved into My Favorite Things, a jazzy St. Andrew's chart from 1973. The opening chord from the sopranos gave way to the driving melody from the baritones before the sopranos aggressively took over again. All eyes were on the rifle line (Dugans) on the 50 yard line as they showed off. The hornline's dynamics (volume changes) and challenging parts of all sections proved we're no ordinary Alumni corps! The battery (drumline) took over the spotlight as their feature kept turning up the intensity to showcase they're Delucia's line. The horns charged forward and cut loose with a wall of sound in the power push. The excitement from the audience was astounding as we dropped way down in volume, only to build again to a climactic ending that had everyone revved up! Next we changed moods with the romantic and tragic Summer of '42, which lets us showcase our expressive abilities. Then onto another change of direction as we showcased our goofball side with Hallelujah/Bananas to lighten the mood. Of course you can't have the return of the Bridgemen without playing In The Stone, an infectious upbeat piece that gives every section a moment in the spotlight. Contras were right up front, our feet were spread apart and we let it all hang out. The funkadelic rhythms (as Jim Jordan rightly calls them) ignited the audience and had them clapping along. Next, the hornline moved forward off the field and right up to the audience to deliver The William Tell Overture up close and personal. The first few notes brought cheering from the audience that continued through to the end of the show. We brought down our equipment and soaked up the generous appreciation of the crowd. None of us wanted it to end! We ran off the field, waving to the crowd, and soaking in the karma between audience and performer.

As we gathered again near the entrance gate, George climbed atop a table and asked, “DOES EVERYONE FEEL GREAT!?” to which we yelled “YEAH!” He continued “I can't find the words to express everything I'm feeling right now. THANK YOU for putting on the show of your lives and showing the world what the Bridgemen are about. You've lived up to all those that came before you!”

We strolled out of the stadium and gathered near the equipment truck to put away our uniforms and drum equipment. Friends and alumni gathered with us to recount this special night and marvel at the generosity of the crowd. Many of us had never seen a crowd give so much love to a corps in return. John Riccardi singled out Russell Morris (a former member and instructor) and asked “So when are you gonna come down to be a part of this? We're having WAY too much fun!” I think we can ask that of anyone with corps experience and a love of the Bridgemen.

The night seemed to end too quickly for us, but we'll savor our memories of the day for a long time to come. We surpassed the sum of our parts and showcased the Bridgemen attitude: focusing on doing our best and giving our all in a spirited performance. It is why we yell “HYPE!” on the field. Allentown 2006 was an intense show that adds to our legacy!

A big round of applause goes to all performing members, Board of Directors, support staff, and volunteers who make the magic happen. Heartfelt thanks go to our dedicated instructors who have guided us on our journey: George Lavelle, Dennis Delucia, Matt Hurley, Larry Kerchner, Bob Dubinski, Claire Kronenfeld, Matt Krempasky, Jim Mallen, Pat Scollin, Bob Murray, and George Ruse. And to Nancy Ducharme, who somehow keeps this all going behind the scenes!

Mary Cerreta commented, “The whole DCI East experience was one drum corps memory that I will cherish for many years. You could feel the electricity from the crowd as they anticipated our arrival. That deafening roar accompanying our entrance, their adulation and participation as they awaited each musical selection, and finally the way the crowd just embraced us after My Favorite Things cannot be compared to anything earthly. And just when they were starting to absorb the whole performance, we knocked them off their seats with William Tell! Nowhere has a corps been so missed, nowhere has a corps had such a fan base, and nowhere has a corps been so welcomed back as the Bridgemen. I am SO proud to be a member of this Guard and this corps.”

Drum Major John Richard added, “From my perspective, we are becoming The Bridgemen again. I'm really thrilled at the chemistry that is now building in our corps. If it continues, look out Drum Corps community, we could be quite scary! The crowd response spoke volumes about our performance on the field. We were ON and our level of enthusiasm was addictive, the crowd went crazy. But, the real show is happening within the ranks. The esprit de corps, the comraderie and respect, the work ethic and the budding friendships. Yes, we're becoming a family again, like we were in our heyday. We are getting to know each other and we genuinely care about each other. It's not about me, it's about us. This is what The Bridgemen are all about. We again have the strong roots that are necessary for growth. It's up to us to nurture what we have, work hard, communicate, respect each other and anything is possible. The Bridgemen field show lasts 15 minutes, but as many of us know, the Bridgemen experience can last a lifetime. Next stop: Rochester!”

The Bridgemen Organization would like to thank Drum Corps International (DCI) for inviting us to participate in a wonderful night for all corps fans and for the Bridgemen, past and present.


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