Monday, January 18, 2010

1974

Board

Pres. – Russel Valvo
V.P. – Dan Oldenburg
Sec’y – Steve Bell
Treas.- Steve Miller
Corps Comm –
Bus. Mgr. – Larry Soos

Staff

Drums – Collin Campbell, Doug Kleinhans
Horns – Steve Cooley, Bob LaDuca
M&M – Brady Rouse

OTL – “English Folk Song Suite”
Prod – “South Ramparts Street Parade”
Concert – “The Yards Went On Forever”
Prod – “What Can a Friend Say?”
Exit – “Ghost Riders In the Sky”

An entire new Board of Directors was elected for the 1974 season. The new board planned a year of vigorous change and restructuring. The main idea was to model the Kingsmen after the most successful junior corps, with more member participation and through the hiring of the best instructors in the country. The Kingsmen went heavily into debt through the winter in an effort to equip and train itself to the degree necessary to become a champion.

But the beginning of the summer season saw us, as of yet, unprepared for competition. The instructors had other loyalties and, although a large influx of new members had come to Hamburg from North Tonawanda, many of the older members had left.

We only managed to put 19 or 20 horns on the field for many shows which was just not enough to make up for a very advanced book and skillful playing and performing.

The summer was dismal. Last place at almost every show, the Kingsmen were beat by the Thunderbirds and the Royalaires for the first time ever. The final blow came on Labor Day Weekend when, for the first time since 1968, the Kingsmen were no longer in D.C.A. 13th place left us out by one spot.

Much to the credit of the Kingsmen, however the corps did not die. That afternoon, nominations were held for the next year’s board. The following day the corps had a commitment to a parade in Canada. Almost to a man, the entire corps showed up and the parade was followed by a great party back in the States. Everyone (perhaps out of desperation) had a great time and realized, I think, that although there is no substitute for winning, there is a lot more than that to being a Kingsmen.

Craig Howard

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