Dr. Almo Sebastianelli - 93 years old
Viewing - Friday Feb. 27, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Louis M Margotta Funeral Home
511 Church St
Jessup, PA 18434
Phone: (570) 489-2230
Funeral– Saturday Feb. 28, 11:30
St Marys Assumption Church
516 3rd Ave
Jessup, PA 18434
570-489-4726
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Dr. Almo Sebastianelli - Co-founder of DCA - Passes
This evening, 2/25/09, DCA, The American Legion, Lackawanna County, PA and all of the drum corps world has just lost one of its biggest supporters and promoters. Dr. Almo Sebastianelli has died. I don't have his exact age yet or any other details, but suffice to say, he was well into his 90's. Doc was a walking encyclopedia of drum corps. He was huge in the American Legion and a major part of the Legion National Championships for decades... quite literally since he returned from World War II.
When the situation among contest sponsors, corps and the Legion began to reach critical mass in the very early 1960's, Doc was a bolt of energy determined to help drum corps survive as an activity - even if it meant at the expense of his beloved American Legion. The major meeting held in 1963 to consider forming Drum Corps Associates was hosted by Doc and held in Scranton. He quite literally was one of a hand full of giants of the activity who gave birth to DCA. In 1965 and 1966, DCA was in a struggle to survive. There were corps who had refused to participate. There were rivalries to be considered. Just when it seemed that DCA might fail, Doc stepped in and set up a meeting in CT between Jim Costello of the Caballeros and the other corps. His work that night saved DCA and began a heritage we are all so proud of.
Doctor Almo Sebastianelli - he will be dearly missed by all. Details will follow soon.
When the situation among contest sponsors, corps and the Legion began to reach critical mass in the very early 1960's, Doc was a bolt of energy determined to help drum corps survive as an activity - even if it meant at the expense of his beloved American Legion. The major meeting held in 1963 to consider forming Drum Corps Associates was hosted by Doc and held in Scranton. He quite literally was one of a hand full of giants of the activity who gave birth to DCA. In 1965 and 1966, DCA was in a struggle to survive. There were corps who had refused to participate. There were rivalries to be considered. Just when it seemed that DCA might fail, Doc stepped in and set up a meeting in CT between Jim Costello of the Caballeros and the other corps. His work that night saved DCA and began a heritage we are all so proud of.
Doctor Almo Sebastianelli - he will be dearly missed by all. Details will follow soon.
Monday, February 9, 2009
2009 DCA Championship Ticket Sales
The invitations to pre-order your 2009 DCA championship tickets were mailed on Friday, February 6th. Everyone on our mailing list should receive the information any day. Canadian mail will take a bit longer. Tickets will be reserved - based on your preference - on a first received/best seat basis and will take your preference into account.
If you have moved, the post office will forward your invitation and notify us of your address change. If you do not receive your invitation within a "reasonable" amount of time, email Tom Peashey at info@dcacorps.org and the list will be checked and corrected if necessary.
Watch the mail and act fast, the best seats go VERY fast. See everyone in Rochester on September 4th, 5th and 6th.
If you have moved, the post office will forward your invitation and notify us of your address change. If you do not receive your invitation within a "reasonable" amount of time, email Tom Peashey at info@dcacorps.org and the list will be checked and corrected if necessary.
Watch the mail and act fast, the best seats go VERY fast. See everyone in Rochester on September 4th, 5th and 6th.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Michael "Cozy" Baker
This morning, Dec. 27th, Cozy Baker 58 passed on from a lingering lung infection. Cozy was the author of "Cozy's Corner" in Drum Corps World Newspaper for many years and currently served as senior editor for the paper. He was one of the most gifted and creative writers in the activity. He has also been a frequent performer and talented musician with a number of different DCA competitors over the years and a valuable asset as a volunteer at many DCA championships. This past summer, he took on the task of writing the corps pages for the 2008 DCA Yearbook.
Cozy was a retired naval aviator who flew fighter jets off aircraft carriers. He had many hobbies that ranged from scuba diving - the scuba shop he had on Bainbridge Island (Puget Sound) is still open - to Cantina singer - an art he perfected last winter in sunny Mexico - but his true love was drum corps. He would never turn down anyone who asked him to do something as long as he felt it would help the activity.
He will be sorely missed by all. DCA sends its condolences to his family. A memorial will be held on the afternoon of January 18th in Alabama. (this was changed from the 17th)
Cozy was a retired naval aviator who flew fighter jets off aircraft carriers. He had many hobbies that ranged from scuba diving - the scuba shop he had on Bainbridge Island (Puget Sound) is still open - to Cantina singer - an art he perfected last winter in sunny Mexico - but his true love was drum corps. He would never turn down anyone who asked him to do something as long as he felt it would help the activity.
He will be sorely missed by all. DCA sends its condolences to his family. A memorial will be held on the afternoon of January 18th in Alabama. (this was changed from the 17th)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Prayers for Cozy Baker
Cozy Baker, long timed performer with several corps (Kilties, Empire and others), talented lead soprano player, gifted drum corps writer for Drum Corps World, responsible for much of the written content of the 2008 DCA Yearbook and frequent volunteer worker at the DCA Championship weekend has been fighting for his life. He has been in ICU for over 35 days and on a respirator throughout, fighting a lung infection. Now he has had a setback with other complications. All of us in the DCA community send along our well wishes and prayers for a complete recovery. Further information can be found on his Caring Bridge page at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cozy or on the all aged section of Drum Corps Planet.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
DCA Championship Schedule
We have received several requests for the DCA Championship Schedule. The U.S. Labor Day holiday determines the dates for the Championship. In 2009, Labor Day - always set by law as the first Monday in September - is September 7th. This is the latest possible date for it. Correspondingly, DCA Finals in Rochester, NY will be September 6th - Also the latest possible date for the DCA Championship.
I&E/Mini Corps will be September 4th and Class A and Open Class Prelims will be September 5th. The Alumni Spectacular as well as the the Class A and Open Class Finals Competition will be September 6th. Make your plans early. Now is not too early to book hotels. For local information, go to http://www.visitrochester.com. For drum corps related information, you may email info@dcacorps.org.
I&E/Mini Corps will be September 4th and Class A and Open Class Prelims will be September 5th. The Alumni Spectacular as well as the the Class A and Open Class Finals Competition will be September 6th. Make your plans early. Now is not too early to book hotels. For local information, go to http://www.visitrochester.com. For drum corps related information, you may email info@dcacorps.org.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Rules Congress Most Successful
DCA President Gil Silva had help from Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy and Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks in opening the 2009/2010 DCA Rules Congress at the George Eastman House Museum. Rarely are politicians as drum corps savvy and cooperative as this “cross party” pair. Both spoke about their sincere appreciation for all DCA and drum corps in general have done for the Rochester area and promised their complete cooperation in making the 2009 championship another success story. A record number – 30 corps – were represented.
This, of course, was a hardworking weekend with over 150 in attendance and many separate meetings, caucuses and seminars going on simultaneously. Seminars on everything from show design to fund raising were well received including a most appropriate and very funny session presented by DCA Vice-President, Larry Hershman, called Drum Corps 101 done Jeff Foxworthy style. “You may have a problem if: It takes longer to explain your show concept to the judges than it does to perform it!” That and many more gems of wisdom were most well received.
DCA’s new judging team headed by Judge Coordinator John Kreitzer joined by Brass Caption Chairman Rich Guillen, Percussion Chairman John Stauffer and Visual Chairman Tony Smith set the tone of cooperation as all three elements worked together to investigate potential changes and various new adjudication techniques. Much time was spent on cooperation between Brass and Percussion and consideration was given to a 7-judge panel and the changes that would require. In the end, the corps decided on a freshly “tweaked” 9-judge panel similar to the previous 2 seasons, but with some new language and a new look to the sheets and criteria scale.
From the outset, it was obvious that the multitude of “younger” corps – many aligned with the Class A movement – were going to have substantial input to all aspects of the rules and adjudication system. This culminated in a significant change in DCA policy. Prior to this day, Class A was designed and intended to cultivate more corps and give newer and smaller corps an avenue to strive for and improve until they ultimately make the top 10 corps status. Several changes were initiated that now clearly separate Class A from Open Class. In recognition of the growth of the Class A movement and conceding that many Class A corps – for one reason or another – intend to remain Class A, much discussion addressed this situation. The final vote to solidify this class definition was that at the DCA Preliminary Competition at Championships, the Class A Prelims will occur first and then, Open Class. All corps declaring Class A status at the beginning of the season will compete against each other with a designated number (depending on the number of entrants) moving on to the finals to compete for the Class A championship. Should a Class A corps score higher in Preliminary Competition than an Open Class corps or, perhaps, even achieve a top 10 position, they will NOT be moved to Open Class as previous rules required. They will compete for the Class A championships. Any movement of a Class A corps to Open Class would only occur when the corps has more than 65 performers or elects to compete in open class.
Many other topics were covered, discussed and voted on. Most of which were basically operational issues with little effect on the final product. One proposal that got some press prior to the congress – the proposed use of amplification of pit equipment – became a non-issue as the proposal was voted down in the Percussion Caucus by the percussion instructors – never making it to the directors for consideration.
Allen Buell and the staff of the George Eastman House and International Museum of Photography were the perfect hosts. A reception Saturday evening for all participants was a great opportunity for everyone to socialize and reflect on the day’s happenings. Tours of the 35,000 square foot George Eastman House were conducted giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy the historical setting for a most successful weekend. A few final votes and housekeeping on Sunday morning were quickly concluded and President Silva thanked everyone for their hard work, cooperation and input and closed the books for another 2 years on the DCA rules and regulations.
This, of course, was a hardworking weekend with over 150 in attendance and many separate meetings, caucuses and seminars going on simultaneously. Seminars on everything from show design to fund raising were well received including a most appropriate and very funny session presented by DCA Vice-President, Larry Hershman, called Drum Corps 101 done Jeff Foxworthy style. “You may have a problem if: It takes longer to explain your show concept to the judges than it does to perform it!” That and many more gems of wisdom were most well received.
DCA’s new judging team headed by Judge Coordinator John Kreitzer joined by Brass Caption Chairman Rich Guillen, Percussion Chairman John Stauffer and Visual Chairman Tony Smith set the tone of cooperation as all three elements worked together to investigate potential changes and various new adjudication techniques. Much time was spent on cooperation between Brass and Percussion and consideration was given to a 7-judge panel and the changes that would require. In the end, the corps decided on a freshly “tweaked” 9-judge panel similar to the previous 2 seasons, but with some new language and a new look to the sheets and criteria scale.
From the outset, it was obvious that the multitude of “younger” corps – many aligned with the Class A movement – were going to have substantial input to all aspects of the rules and adjudication system. This culminated in a significant change in DCA policy. Prior to this day, Class A was designed and intended to cultivate more corps and give newer and smaller corps an avenue to strive for and improve until they ultimately make the top 10 corps status. Several changes were initiated that now clearly separate Class A from Open Class. In recognition of the growth of the Class A movement and conceding that many Class A corps – for one reason or another – intend to remain Class A, much discussion addressed this situation. The final vote to solidify this class definition was that at the DCA Preliminary Competition at Championships, the Class A Prelims will occur first and then, Open Class. All corps declaring Class A status at the beginning of the season will compete against each other with a designated number (depending on the number of entrants) moving on to the finals to compete for the Class A championship. Should a Class A corps score higher in Preliminary Competition than an Open Class corps or, perhaps, even achieve a top 10 position, they will NOT be moved to Open Class as previous rules required. They will compete for the Class A championships. Any movement of a Class A corps to Open Class would only occur when the corps has more than 65 performers or elects to compete in open class.
Many other topics were covered, discussed and voted on. Most of which were basically operational issues with little effect on the final product. One proposal that got some press prior to the congress – the proposed use of amplification of pit equipment – became a non-issue as the proposal was voted down in the Percussion Caucus by the percussion instructors – never making it to the directors for consideration.
Allen Buell and the staff of the George Eastman House and International Museum of Photography were the perfect hosts. A reception Saturday evening for all participants was a great opportunity for everyone to socialize and reflect on the day’s happenings. Tours of the 35,000 square foot George Eastman House were conducted giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy the historical setting for a most successful weekend. A few final votes and housekeeping on Sunday morning were quickly concluded and President Silva thanked everyone for their hard work, cooperation and input and closed the books for another 2 years on the DCA rules and regulations.
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