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Thanks for your story Jimmy DiPietro, I remember the night we came to St. Rocco's. You made first French horn and I made solo soprano. New guys from other corps all over the city were coming to try out and join the ranks. Old timers who had aged out stopped by to say hello and their way to rehearsal with Sky.
I remember learning that great intro to Camelot and hearing it as we learned the off the line drill at the armory. I also remember saying HOLY SH*T! alot, I said that every time I was overwhelmed with the sound we had, the look we had and wearing the uniform of the great Jimmy Edney. I remember how strong and powerful my chops became at the Roc. Learning how to trill and developing a nice high range and playing error free. How little Tommy had his trills down. How Wil, Danny Di and Mel help the 3 new solo sopranos learn the old tunes and how we worked together to clean up what we had. I remember spring training at Commack, rehearsing all weekend from morning till night and nobody complained. I remember Danny DiPietro always saying this is the Rock baby!
I think the most memorable event was the day we had our own contest and how all those great corps I had read about or seen pictures of in Eastern Review came off the line. Doing our exhibition and having our families out there in the stadium made everyone put out more than ever. We had the judges score us just to see how we would place and I remember after the show we were told that we would have finished first with the performance we put on. It was the first time my mom who brought some of her friends with her saw me performing with a Drum Corps. I was so proud of every one of the legends I marched with. I marched with the Rock baby!
A couple of years ago before I began my search for former members via newsgroups I was driving by St. Rocco’s Youth Center and had to stop in and look inside. The center had been converted into an adult education center and looked a lot different inside. I could still hear the sound of the drums & bugles and see the faces of the guys I marched with. I marched with the Rock baby!
Thanks to the internet old friends have found each other and resumed their friendships. 23,736 people have visited our site as the spirit of the Roc continues to live in the Drum Corps world in the hearts and memories of it’s alumni.
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