Photo courtesy of Dan Scerpella
DCA
Rochester Weekend Closes The 2006 Season for the Bridgemen!
September
1-3, 2006
Drum Corps Associates Alumni Spectacular - Labor Day Weekend 2006 - Tropical storm Ernesto was wreaking havoc with the Eastern seaboard and Rochester saw its fair share of rain and wind. Nonetheless, the Bridgemen Drum & Bugle Corps of Bayonne, NJ were determined to do a great job of performing. Our three days of drum corps began on Friday for some Bridgemen with rehearsal in Bayonne. For other Bridgemen, it meant going up against stiff competition at the I&E contest in Rochester to face off against other Individuals & Ensembles. Bridgemen I&E participants were greeted by fans with smiles and well wishes; a lot of people missed the Bridgemen and welcomed us back to the fold! Congratulations to everyone who participated in the I&E contest and represented yellow & black to wild applause.
The next day, the caravan of members arrived en masse to Rochester for the season closer. Drum Major John Richard observed, “Rochester, the last field performance for the 2006 Bridgemen: quite a melancholy mood amongst the populus. The vast majority did not want to see an end to this unique experience. But, there was a job to be done and it was no time to get sentimental. It was time for a little Bridgemen magic to wake up this Northern New York town. So, we ventured off to the Hilton Community Center (thank you John Yurkin) and got serious. The torrential rains did little to dampen the enthusiasm and it was very apparent that the corps was intent on going out with a bang in 2006. The afternoon zipped by and every section did what they set out to do. Is it possible this corps just had a 4 week break? We looked and sounded awesome.”
The tenacity and enthusiasm of our sections showcased our dedicated members who practiced on their own, preparing for the last gig of the season. Ensemble indoors in the band room brought us together for a great runthrough. Executive Director George Lavelle reminded us that we had just concluded the last regular rehearsal for the 2006 season, which made us reflect on all the people we would miss in the offseason. Not all will return next season so this will be the final performance of this group of Bridgemen.
John continued, “Now, in another savvy move by our leadership team, we dined together and privately at a small Italian restaurant a few blocks from the Community Center. What a great environment for bonding, dining with our own peeps and prepping for our 2006 finale. The entire day was a smashing success and the corps was back in the zone. All we need now is a little break in the rain tomorrow morning to run through the drill a few times.
“VOILA!!! As if the gods knew, our luck continues. It's Sunday morning and it's not pouring. George gets us out in the parking lot of the hotel marching and cleaning. Mission accomplished. We're ready for The DCA Alumni Spectacular.
“The corps was very, very emotional as we prepared to go on the field. There were tears, intensity and a little trepidation. This was a Senior Corps crowd that loved the oldies. We were the newbies, would they accept us? Well, enough said.”
The audience seemed to embrace us from the moment we turned the corner and they saw our yellow or black coats. The performance again featured the pre-show antics of Carl Marsteller running with a bass drum, only to trip and fall on top of it; a stretcher was called to rescue the injured ..... bass drum! Soon the tragic strains of Pagliacci held the crowd's rapt attention before we segued into the playful Land of Make Believe featuring dancing members who coaxed the audience into smiles. Next, My Favorite Things kept building the intensity until the dynamic ending bowled the crowd over. Then Summer of '42 brought forth lush passages that embodied romance and tragedy. Next, we shifted gears and played our mischievous Hallelujah/Bananas to get a laugh. As sunlight broke through the clouds for the first time in days, someone in the audience yelled out, “See, the Bridgemen come on and the sun comes out!” Our classic In The Stone proved the Bridgemen can still groove with the best of them. Then The William Tell Overture reminded everyone we can still knock down an audience with sheer volume! The audience's enthusiastic cheering and standing ovation revved up the performers as a reward for giving the audience every ounce of energy we could muster.
As a reward for our exhuberant showmanship, the Bridgemen were one of three Alumni Corps that won the Pepe Nataro Award for best Alumni entertainers that day. It was a fitting end to a GREAT weekend where we connected with our fans and each other.
Heartfelt thanks go to the Board of Directors, Administration, and to our exceptional Instructional Staff who pushed us to reach new heights in our pursuit of entertainment gold. Instructors (in alphabetical order): Dennis Delucia, Ron Dolce, Bob Dubinski, Matt Hurley, Larry Kerchner, Matt Krempasky, Claire Kronenfeld, George Lavelle, Jim Mallen, Bob Murray, Pat Scollin, and George Ruse. Thank you Nancy Ducharme for juggling so many priorities in the air at once to keep this endeavor going. Thanks also go to members who diligently worked our sections at weeknight rehearsals: Jim Jordan, Marie Downes, and Claire Kronenfeld. Plus members who took on other duties: Kevin Serfass (Quartermaster), Ken “Dondi” Donovan (souvenirs), all the color guard members who pitched in to sew flags, those who helped load/unload the equipment truck, those who work on our website, and anyone who helped out at the VFW Post.
Special thanks go to Volunteers and Supporters who don't wear a uniform but helped to bring Bridgemen entertainment to audiences through their hard work and dedication. Volunteers/Supporters (in alphabetical order): Dave & Eileen Ascough (equipment, program book, & working the home show), Les Barnum (getting water for us, food), The Bergredian Family, Arthur Bernard Sr. / Artie Bernard Jr. / Jo “Babe” Bernard (home show program book), Mrs. Dercole, Father John Doherty & St. Andrew Parish/School, Patti Donovan (souvies), Gail Famelio (too numerous to list!), Ron & Germaine Fernandez (home show), Terri Fields (helped with the food in Lansdale, PA), Jackie George (legalese & filming shows), Roe Finizio, Robert Glenn, Don Grasso, Cookie Hurley (Rainbow Flags), Robert J. Jacobs (Executive Director of The Jersey Surf), Diane Kuenzle (souvies), Cheryl Macysyn (helped with the food in Lansdale, PA), Jessica Matos, Michele Matos (tickets at home show), Jim McDermott (helped secure practice facilities), Donald Mindiak & Bayonne Community Bank, John Oswik, Ann Peterson, The Pierce Family, Winny Rainey, Chip Richard (home show), Jayne Richard (home show), Luis Santiago Jr. (pit crew, helped with equipment), Swannie, Michael Wada (videotaping), Roseann Yurkin, and Larry (who has helped load/unload our truck since our junior corps days).
The Bridgemen Organization would also like to thank Alan Incao and his Mom Stephanie Incao for their roles in getting our new uniforms & hats made, putting together our hat scarfs. Alan put together the roto toms, rebuilt all the vibes and worked the audio system. Stephanie let Bridgemen members use her home as a base to do all the work, store the hats, the trailer and anything else we needed. She also measured everyone for the uniforms and does any alterations & sewing Nancy needs. Plus she let out-of-town members stay at her home overnight! The Incao Family's dedication has been a blessing to us all.
We can't thank Post Commander Glen Flora enough for welcoming us into his VFW Post, giving us a home to rehearse and then unwind! High marks go to anyone who gave members a place to sleep after rehearsals throughout the year. And to members who gave of themselves above and beyond the call of duty to help out the Bridgemen Family.
Notable assists came from Herman and Esther Shanke (who opened their doors to us at our home show), Vincent Downes, and countless others who helped us realize our dream this season.
Ladies and gentlemen, the 2006 season .... is a wrap. Join us for our Open House on October 14th 1:00pm at St. Andrew's as we prepare for another wild ride in 2007!