From the Voices of Our Past ... To
the Stars of Our Future
Article by Sharon Garcia
2002 marks the 35th anniversary
of the Santa Clara Vanguard organization, and the Alumni Corps
has returned to the “good ol’ days” of sectionals
and run throughs to join the Vanguard and Vanguard Cadets in
celebrating the legacy of SCV. Some alumni have composed a few
paragraphs, addressed to the marching members of both corps,
passing along words of pride and encouragement -- and glimpses
of a shared history. Corps members were given the opportunity
to respond and share their reactions with the alumni.
From the Alumni ...
Mike "Pee-Wee"
Hurd
1989 A-Corps French Horn
2002 Alumni Corps French Horn
I want you to know that
there are many of us out here, thousands in fact, who believe
in you and support you with all of our hearts. We are the alumni
and fans of the Vanguard worldwide. You represent a tradition,
excellence and intensity that are admired all over the world!
I want to thank you personally for all you are doing to carry
on this tradition in 2002. Thank you.
Though you may run out of steam or desire somewhere along tour,
you must keep on pressing forward and never slack up. Sometimes
it’s simply that day-to-day effort, even before you see
light at the end of the tunnel, which keeps you going. Always
have the “Golden Show” in mind and work towards it
every single day. You alone set the standard for how well you
will do. And Vanguard’s standard will always far exceed
that of anyone else.
I am very proud of you for what you have accomplished
over the last few years, and for the tradition of excellence
you are upholding. I follow your scores closely each year, and
constantly pray that you will perform to the best of your ability.
I am honored to be considered an alumnus of the Santa Clara
Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps. I’ll do my best to represent
the Vanguard organization again as a member of the Alumni Corps
this season. And a special cheer goes out to the alto lines
of 2002 (the “meat” between the slices of bread)!
Yours always.
Dave Dilullo
1983 - 1985 A-Corps Snare
1999 - 2002 Vanguard Cadets Percussion Staff
My involvement with the
corps, both as an instructor for the Cadet Corps and as an alumnus,
is very important to me.
I remember in the early eighties, my brother Dan and I marched
with Valley Fever; that's when I was lucky enough to have been
taught by some Vanguard greats like Dale Lofgren, J.W. Koester,
Gary Gilroy and Danny Vannatta. Those guys taught me what Vanguard
was all about. Dale taught me about legends like Rob Carson
who was probably the fastest drummer who ever lived, and he
learned most of that from the Vanguard. Rob was an important
role model for me long before I ever met him-- his legend influenced
me and propelled me as a drummer.
In the coming years I was fortunate to be
taught by Ralph, Curt, Tom Float, Scott Johnson and others.
I was totally dedicated to being the best drummer possible.
All that work paid off, and because of my drum corps experience,
I was later able to meet or teach with guys like Dennis DeLucia,
Fred Sanford, Ralph, Matt Savage, Rob Carson, Bobby Hoffman
and Jim Casella. But more important than that were the lessons
I learned from Vanguard which I still carry with me--- be the
best you can possibly be in everything you do... Dream it, and
you can become it.
I hope to somehow pass what I've learned on
to the guys and gals in the Vanguard Cadets... as their journey
is just beginning.
Maggie
Kelley
1970 - 1978 Colorguard
Coming Home. Alumni Corps
Camp, May 4, 2002.
It's been 27 years since I picked up a flag
pole (What the heck am I thinking?). So I grab my pole and wander
over to the group of other Alumni girls (women), I hear squeals
and shouts of "Margaret! Maggie!" Hugs, kisses and
lots of talk, talk, talk... I've come home.
We wander over to a parking lot and there
I try to learn flag work that, after marching during the early
70's, is completely foreign to me. But oh, is it fun! There
are 3 1/2 decades of Guard here, laughing and spinning, gabbing
and dropping our poles. Then, the moment comes when we are standing
at attention, all quiet and ready for the music to begin.
We start the work and all you can hear is
the swoosh of flags. Our timing is pretty much together, our
angles are pretty good and we are all Vanguard. I look back
across the street and there is the 2002 A-Corps guard practicing.
I wonder what they think of us.
Do they see a bunch of middle-aged women,
some not as svelte as we once were long ago, not as coordinated
and strong as they are now and so laugh at us? Or do they see
the history, the progression of years and years of blood, sweat
and tears that we shed for this Corps … our Corps called
Vanguard, the Corps they are now a part of and so feel proud.
I'm hoping it is the latter...
Thanks.
Spencer
Jepson
1993 - 1994 Vanguard Cadets
1996 A-Corps Contra
First, a few thank you's.
To the 1996 contra section: The best bunch of guys I ever wanted
to be around. Go J.V. Sousaphones. :) To J.W. Koester -- Thank
you for showing me how to give my best every day. To Gary Meegan
-- Thank you for being the person I could always depend on to
say the right thing when I needed to hear it. To Myron Rosander
-- Thank you for never letting us accept anything less than
our absolute best.
To Gail Royer -- A man I never met, but who lives
on in every member of the corps, past, present and future, thank
you for -- creating something that has meant so much to so many.
To all the current members of both corps: It has
been 6 years since I aged out. Since then, I finished college,
taught in a public high school, and am currently pursuing a
Master's degree in music. Not a day goes by when I am not reminded
of my days in SCV. The values the corps teaches will always
be with you. All the skills you are learning now will benefit
you in life. I know it sounds a bit corny, but it's very true.
The only piece of advice I would give you is this: Enjoy every
moment. It's that simple. Even when you are tired, sweaty, and
sore, enjoy every moment. I wish you all the best of luck this
summer, and I'll see you in Madison, where I'll be playing contra
in the Alumni corps and cheering you on. I love you all.
Tradition.
2002 Corps Member Responses
...
Maggie,
I remember looking across the street to see a parking
lot full of ladies spinning. I remember watching you rehearse
thinking, "WOW! The Alumni corps is really good."
Honestly, I cried after reading your letter. This will be my
first summer with the Santa Clara Vanguard; however, I already
feel an excited tingly feeling when I think about being a marching
member of SCV! I almost can't believe that I am a part of Vanguard!
The few minutes I spent watching you have made me even more
determined to make this season be just as awesome as the previous
34!
As I glanced across the street that Saturday morning,
I imagined that I was looking at a mirror, only a few years
later. You girls are my role models, in 20 years I hope to be
spinning.
To the Alumni colorguard -- You are Diva! Thanks
for the inspiration!!
Margaret Stonestreet, 2002 A-Corps Colorguard
Reading these stories is
cool because it once again shows the rich history that this
corps has. Going into Memorial Day camp and 9-9's (for the last
time I can ever do that), I will treasure every moment - when
I am tired and sore and I am running on pure adrenaline. This
corps and its traditions are what will help me through the rest
of my life. I have learned everything I need to know about life
right here. And it sounds just the same from all those stories
I just read.
Mike Sargent, A-Corps Cymbals 2000-2002
As I sit here sifting through
the reflection of various Vanguard alumni, all I can fathom
is that I have big shoes to fill. With this honor comes a great
responsibility, as we are the beholders of this great tradition
that has kept this organization alive. I especially take the
encouraging words of Mr. Hurd to heart as we are about to embark
upon the 2002 season with a goal in mind, all the while knowing
the alumni are fully behind us. Only with genuine perseverance,
motivation, and dedication will we surmount the obstacles that
lay before us.
Brynn Felix, 2001, 2002 Cadet Corps Pit
After reading the articles
written by a few members of the Alumni corps, I am reminded
about the traditions behind what is now the Santa Clara Vanguard.
The reason I was drawn to this corps was because of the tradition
and because of the high standards that were set by those who
marched before me. I am deeply touched by the love and support
from the Alumni. I never want to take that for granted, and
I hope that in working hard and doing the best I can for SCV
that I can carry on that tradition of excellence. I absolutely
love hearing about the legends, stories, and people of the past
years, and I hope that someday I will be able to retell those
stories as well as some of my own. The Alumni of SCV are not
only a link to the history of this organization, but they are
an inspiration to the current members and to the members to
come.
On behalf of the A-Corps, best of luck to the Alumni and Cadet
Corps this summer.
With love,
Mackenzie Arnold, SCV A-Corps 01,02
The notes to the members
were great. A few points struck me more than others. Spencer
Jepson’s statement regarding Gail Royer is very important.
Now just about 10 years after his leaving the corps, there has
been a decade of members who never really knew him. Nevertheless,
as one of those members, I echo Spencer’s statement: I
feel like his vision is living on, and hopefully living up to
the standards that Mr. Royer, and everyone else who helped create
the Santa Clara Vanguard, set. I’m excited to see what
the next crop of members will bring to that standard. It’s
nice to see that the 35 years of Alumni still care about what
happens to that standard as well.
Seth Honeycutt, SCVC Instructor
My name is Travis McNinch
and this is my third year as a member of the Vanguard Cadets,
I can respond closely to the article by Dave Dilullo because
for me, Mr. Dilullo has not only been a great teacher and caption
head but an excellent role model. The lessons of doing your
best in everything and living your dreams is what stood out
the most to me, and that is what the Vanguard is to me, I have
had the opportunity to be taught by many Vanguard Alumni such
as Jeremy "Spike" Van Wert , Zak Morton and Adam Goetz
just to name a few and all of them have not only taught me to
be better on the field but better and more confident in life.
Travis McNinch, SCV A-Corps
Wow! I am completely inspired
by each of the notes. Mike Hurd's was especially inspiring because
of the comment about all Alumni being behind us all the way.
Knowing that I have a responsibility not only to myself but
to all those who have come before me is an awesome responsibility.
I am inspired not only for myself but also to make the Alumni
proud. I also was inspired by his note because I appreciate
the support from a fellow French horn player.
Spencer Jepson's note was inspiring because
the people he listed that he is thankful for, are people I am
also thankful for. All my horn sections throughout the years
have been the motivation to push through the hard times. I share
his gratitude for the bond formed by working so closely with
people and coming to love them as family. Gary Meegan, also,
has been one of the biggest influences throughout my years in
Vanguard Cadets because he taught me how to put heart into everything
I do. He is truly a model for me. And I am so thankful to Gayle
Royer for creating such a wonderful organization. An organization
that has changed my life -- for that I am truly grateful.
I also was inspired and moved by Maggie Kelley's
note. I did Vanguard Cadets for 3 years, took a year off last
year, and am back this year in A-corps. I share the same feeling
because I am coming back and remembering exactly how much I
love the activity and the organization. Vanguard is family ...
being back is a reunion full of emotion and inspiration.
After three years in Vanguard Cadets, and
now in A-Corps, I am completely in awe of everyone involved
in the activity. Being in an organization such as this one is
so demanding in so many aspects; yet I consistently run into
people with the same story; Vanguard is our life and our passion.
Being Vanguard is everything in the world to each person it
has touched. And no matter how demanding it is, nothing matters
except for hard work, excellence, class, tradition, and family.
These lessons have not changed from 1967 to 2002.
I got to see the Alumni Corps at the Birthday dinner and the
hornline blew me away ... quite literally! They were having
so much fun with so much class that it was truly inspiring.
Hearing them play sounded exactly like my recordings of years
past. That was the most inspiring of all -- being able to actually
hear tradition. Good Luck and Have Fun!!! You all will be in
my heart, marching with me as I do my best to continue the tradition
you have shown to me. Thank you so so much.
Sincerely,
Allison Waterkotte, SCVC '98-'00, Vanguard
French Horn 2002
The letters from the Alumni
are a great reminder of why we work so hard every day. Reading
about how they feel about the Vanguard makes me feel that much
better about what we do. It's good to know that people that
are not still involved from a member’s or instructor’s
view still have the same love for the Vanguard name and way.
I know that when it is all said and done for me that I will
look back happily at the times I spent riding on the bus and
sleeping on gym floors as a member of Vanguard.
Eric Estrada, SCV A Corps
I felt a sense of pride
and integrity to know how much passion and drive these Alumni
have is great.
Yes, I truly believe Mr. Hurd is correct in
saying that we all must work towards that “Golden Show”.
That I believe is the one thing that keeps us all going.
I cannot compare what we have in common except
for the family and life-long home called “Santa Clara.”
I was amazed how well they rehearsed and carried
themselves. I asked a mellophone player why he was upset about
missing that one note … he said, “Why not?”
Todd Freitas, SCVC 2002
Well... after reading these
notes, I felt inspired to work even harder at my parts and become
even better. It’s so amazing to see (well, read/hear) about
how Vanguard has changed over the years, and how it has changed
peoples lives. I hope I will be able to age out and tell others
about the experiences that I had, and I already have some great
memories just from joining SCV this year (go pit!)
Traci Tsukida, SCVC 2002
It's amazing to see the
changes the corps has gone thru over the years but yet the traditions
are kept alive from since they were started. Hearing stories
of what the past and present members have experienced, have
left me in awe, wondering if I will ever come across what these
people have. I've only been in the organization for 2 years
but every moment spent with corps has had a huge influence on
me and there is so much more to learn. I hope to someday be
the one to pass down the traditions that is kept strong in all
of our hearts.
Akiko Mizuno, SCVC Guard 2001-2002
Alumni guard member Maggie
Kelley said she was coming home when she joined the alumni guard
this year. Her statement really struck me, because when I first
joined the Cadets' guard in November, I immediately felt at
home. These girls were just like me; we were here for many of
the same reasons, and one thing had brought us together--color
guard. Other rookies seemed to group together, but I joined
a group of vets, many of whom had already marched 3 or 4 years.
It didn’t matter that I was a rookie, they welcomed me
without question and soon we were fast friends (thanks guys
-- you're awesome!). Soon I met other corps members-- drummers,
horn line members, and staff. They too welcomed me and, just
as Maggie Kelley felt she was coming home, I felt I had finally
arrived home with this group of more than 100 strangers.
Another point Ms Kelley wrote about was what
current guard members feel about and think of the Alumni guard.
To ease her fears that we don’t realize their importance
and laugh at them, I'd like to share a story. This past weekend
was our Memorial weekend camp and after our performance on the
fourth day of camp, several of us went to the hall to watch
the Alumni guard rehearse. And they were good!! Not only did
the women have great flag work, the rifle work was amazing.
We watched as they went over work and then did a run through.
They couldn't stop smiling and neither could I. The music was
a mix of the shows from all decades, and the tradition and memories
were obvious to those who watched. Even the flag work reflected
the different eras.
To Ms. Kelley, the rest of the Alumni guard,
the entire alumni corps, and every alumnus out there who isn’t
marching the Alumni corps, thank you for everything you have
done for this corps. You help make us what we are today. Your
hard work and dedication have laid the foundations and kept
the tradition alive. Not only do we current members give everything
we have to this corps for ourselves, but for everyone who has
marched before us and will come after us. Thank you for your
dedication, support, and we'll see you in Wisconsin!
Rachel Lazzeri, 2002 Cadets Guard
As up to this Memorial Day
Weekend camp, I could have never thought that the Alumni Corps
was counting on us, the future of the Vanguard, to keep what
they had created. Sure, as a first-time participant, I knew
that there was an Alumni Corps watching what we did, but I just
thought they missed Drum Corps in general. I looked up at them
and was inspired by their dedication, but had no idea that they
once were in my position. That is, I could not imagine them
running around a field all summer. It is important for us, the
future to say “thanks” to the Alumni, just like they
have said to the Alumni before them, for making the Vanguard
the group is it today.
Deseree Saleen, SCVC 2002
Inspired. I feel like what
I’ve joined this year, as a rookie, is an indescribable
family. I feel that every day I become closer and closer to
my fellow corps members. All the “Alumni comments”
talked of unbelievable feelings and experiences. I can’t
wait to make some of my own. The thing I want most to get out
of this corps, though, is to find a new level of focus in my
life. And I know I will.
Nicole Secula, SCVC 2002
Those notes from the Vanguard
Alumni Corps do not surprise me. It is always a privilege to
listen and learn from your mentors. From the ones before me,
I am truly grateful. Because of SCV, I have become a better
person in music and in life. What touched me the most was the
note from Maggie Kelley – and I’m a horn player (euphemism
in the corps). It was the harsh reality that struck me: we can
live with an idealistic approach. We can believe that everyone
in the Corps thinks the same way and we will always achieve
that standard of excellence together. But with so many generations
involved with this organization, it is not a surprise that there
are differences and disagreements. It is true that younger generations
sometimes perceive the older generation not so highly. It is
too bad. History is what makes us who we are – I remain
involved with the Alumni Corps and Vanguard Cadets as part of
the Brass staff because I want to help hold true the ideals
and traditions this Corps is based on – whatever that may
be.
Charles Ancheta, SCVC Instructor
I felt a sense of pride
and comfort. I have been with SCV for 15 years between marching
and teaching the Cadet Corps and through all of those years;
the feeling of family and the integrity of the members follows
through each generation of each corps.
I agree with Maggie in that SCV is home. Whenever
I am around either corps, there is no other feeling but the
feeling of family.
I have had the chance to work with the Alumni
Guard and it has been a great experience for me to hear stories
of the corps from before my time and to meet some of the people
I have heard of over the years.
Diane Corbett, SCVC Instructor
