Blue Rock History
From those who were there
Thanks to Alumnus Edd Fishel
CHAPTER ONE - Ted Sciarra's Blue Rock
Some days I hated the "Old Man." Who the hell does he think he is? One of these days I'm going to kick his ass, knowing full well that day would never arrive. He didn't take any crap from anyone. That being said, we all had our teenager - Father/Son/Daughter moments with Ted that always turned out to Ted's advantage. As well they should....
Ted came from some inner-city New York corps named "The Grand Street Boys." The only time I ever heard of The Grand Street Boys was when Ted talked about them. I never heard of them before or since.
Ted was one of the few, and I mean FEW, Drum corps geniuses who would listen to the opinion of anyone whom he felt had the activity in their blood. He may not have taken all opinions seriously, but he knew a good one when he heard it. I believe, to this day, that’s what made Blue Rock one of the most celebrated, innovative and successful corps to enter the field of competition in the 60’s to early 70’s.
Back in the mid to late 60’s, when I was a Rocker, it became apparent that Ted knew more about drum corps, in general, than anyone I had met prior. He never flaunted his vast knowledge, but if anyone were to ask him an obscure question relating to the activity, he knew the answer, without question. And he maintained the ability to elaborate, in detail, if more information was required.
The first time I met Ted, in September of 1966, he was screaming at Ellery Street to “get your head out of your Ass, Ellery! He then turned to me and said ………” When you screw up, keep moving like it never happened! If you’re going to participate in a top-level corps, you have to develop an attitude.”
“People hear with their eyes!”
I never forgot him saying that tried and true phrase and to this day and I believe it to be one of the most important tools that any drum corps or band instructor can share with their students. The untrained ear will enable the brain to believe that something sounds appealing if it looks awesome.
"Move up, Ellery, …………….. you horse's Ass!”
Ted was ultimately responsible for 100 young, talented, hormone enraged teenagers who needed direction more than they were willing to admit. On the road, he sometimes allowed us more leash than we probably deserved but was quick to snatch it back in regard to any unacceptable behavior. We were one big family with Ted at the helm. He was a strict disciplinarian who we all hated but loved like a father. He loved us like we were all his kids, never treating his own kids, Nickie & Chip any differently than the rest of us. He was a fair, good-hearted man who dealt with his inner Demons just like the rest of humanity.
Ted came from some inner-city New York corps named "The Grand Street Boys." The only time I ever heard of The Grand Street Boys was when Ted talked about them. I never heard of them before or since.
Ted was one of the few, and I mean FEW, Drum corps geniuses who would listen to the opinion of anyone whom he felt had the activity in their blood. He may not have taken all opinions seriously, but he knew a good one when he heard it. I believe, to this day, that’s what made Blue Rock one of the most celebrated, innovative and successful corps to enter the field of competition in the 60’s to early 70’s.
Back in the mid to late 60’s, when I was a Rocker, it became apparent that Ted knew more about drum corps, in general, than anyone I had met prior. He never flaunted his vast knowledge, but if anyone were to ask him an obscure question relating to the activity, he knew the answer, without question. And he maintained the ability to elaborate, in detail, if more information was required.
The first time I met Ted, in September of 1966, he was screaming at Ellery Street to “get your head out of your Ass, Ellery! He then turned to me and said ………” When you screw up, keep moving like it never happened! If you’re going to participate in a top-level corps, you have to develop an attitude.”
“People hear with their eyes!”
I never forgot him saying that tried and true phrase and to this day and I believe it to be one of the most important tools that any drum corps or band instructor can share with their students. The untrained ear will enable the brain to believe that something sounds appealing if it looks awesome.
"Move up, Ellery, …………….. you horse's Ass!”
Ted was ultimately responsible for 100 young, talented, hormone enraged teenagers who needed direction more than they were willing to admit. On the road, he sometimes allowed us more leash than we probably deserved but was quick to snatch it back in regard to any unacceptable behavior. We were one big family with Ted at the helm. He was a strict disciplinarian who we all hated but loved like a father. He loved us like we were all his kids, never treating his own kids, Nickie & Chip any differently than the rest of us. He was a fair, good-hearted man who dealt with his inner Demons just like the rest of humanity.
CHAPTER TWO - Eagles Halftime
Professional football halftimes are the perfect entertainment venue for Drum and Bugle Corps. Since NFL games are played in contained stadiums, the accoustics enable the all brass and percussion production to easily blow the faces off the attending audience. Think about it…….. you’re in the stadium parking lot two hours before the game, drinking, grilling burgers, passing the football around with your buddies, drinking, grabbing you girlfriends ass, drinking, pass the football some more, taunting opposing teams’ fans, more drinking. Finally, it’s game time and you stagger into the stadium, buy a beer, locate your seats, and order more beer from the roaming vendor. By the time intermission rolls around what’s going to get your attention, clarinets, flutes and oboes, or some freaking brassy volume? Big time Drum Corps is an excellent match for large stadium events.
Late October ’66 we’re playing halftime for the Philadelphia Eagles at Franklin Field on the campus of The University of Pennsylvania. It’s now post season for competitive drum corps and the traditional attrition factor that is caused by some members going back to college, aging out (you can only march in Jr. corps until age 21) or just moving on to pursue other activities has created a couple “holes” in our horn-line. When a marching member is not present you can’t just close up the formations to eliminate the hole as it will throw the entire visual performance into an erratic mess.
Ted decided that he had no choice but to march in a key French horn spot that was pivotal in several drill formations. So, here’s this forty plus year old man with a pot belly, gray hair and a big Italian nose wearing a uniform, at best, three sizes too small with matching, too small, shako. (the hat with vertical feather plume). Of course, he couldn’t play a note as he didn’t know the music or have the lip for it, but he didn’t miss a step off or drill formation.
Hole filled!
When we finished our show and were marching off the field, there came Ted, grinning from ear to ear, proud as a peacock. I often wondered if that was better for him than marching with The Grand Street Boys. I was glad to be there to witness Ted marching with his famous Blue Rock.
Late October ’66 we’re playing halftime for the Philadelphia Eagles at Franklin Field on the campus of The University of Pennsylvania. It’s now post season for competitive drum corps and the traditional attrition factor that is caused by some members going back to college, aging out (you can only march in Jr. corps until age 21) or just moving on to pursue other activities has created a couple “holes” in our horn-line. When a marching member is not present you can’t just close up the formations to eliminate the hole as it will throw the entire visual performance into an erratic mess.
Ted decided that he had no choice but to march in a key French horn spot that was pivotal in several drill formations. So, here’s this forty plus year old man with a pot belly, gray hair and a big Italian nose wearing a uniform, at best, three sizes too small with matching, too small, shako. (the hat with vertical feather plume). Of course, he couldn’t play a note as he didn’t know the music or have the lip for it, but he didn’t miss a step off or drill formation.
Hole filled!
When we finished our show and were marching off the field, there came Ted, grinning from ear to ear, proud as a peacock. I often wondered if that was better for him than marching with The Grand Street Boys. I was glad to be there to witness Ted marching with his famous Blue Rock.