humble beginnings
the year was 1959
Thank you to Mike Batten
1959 was a very special time for the Blue Rock drum and bugle corps having been formed in 1958 by Bob McGowan and Bob Smith (both alumni of the Blue Rock senior corps). They had the dream of putting together a Junior corps that could be competitive, something the Blue Rock senior corps had struggled to do for a number of years.
The year started out with a bang, well maybe not quite a bang but 1st place in the Wilmington Manor fireman’s parade. The prize being named The Delaware State drum and bugle corps Champions.
Blue Rock finished 1st, with the Diamond State cadets 2nd and Followed by Hockessin Fire Co.
While the corps struggled with a drill the two Bobs turned to a newcomer in town, Mr. Ted Sciarra. Ted was a former member of the Grand Street Boys and an original member of the New York Skyliners. Ted played snare drum in the Skyliners' very first show after the conclusion of WWII. Now, Ted’s job was to prepare the newly formed Blue Rock junior corps to compete in the South Jersey Association Circuit.
The perennial South Jersey Circuit Champions from 1957 to 1959 were the Vagabonds followed closely by St. Nicholas. Some of Blue Rock’s music from 1959 was from the show “South Pacific”. Tunes like “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Bali Hai” and “Younger Than Springtime”. The horn line was taught by Mr. Jack Hearn from the Archer-Epler “Musketeers”.
Blue Rock finished their first year with 3 thirds, and 2 fourths, and a 10th place at the American Legion States in Wildwood.
A couple of South Jersey scores and the American Legion states.
Gloucester, NJ.
Aug. 7, 1959
1. Haddon Hts. Vagabonds 75.1
1. St. Nicholas 75.1
3. Royaleers 72.6
4. Blue Rock 65.25
5. St. Joes (Hammonton) 61.4
6. St. Raymond’s Shamrocks 36.7
Haddonfield, NJ
Sept. 18, 1959
1. Vagabonds 76.55
2. St. Nicholas 74.8
3. Belles of St. Mary 74.45
4. Blue Rock 61.2
5. St. Joes (Hammonton) 54.15
6. St. Raymond’s Shamrocks 36.75
American Legion State championships
Wildwood, NJ
Sept. 12,1959
1. St. Vincent’s 87.88
2. Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights 87.06
3. St. Patrick’s 82.30
4 Garfield Cadets. 80.73
5. Our Lady of Lourdes 78.53
6. Paterson Cadets 77.85
7. Woodsiders 74.73
8. Dumont Police Cadets 71.60
9. Royaleers 70.27
10. Blue Rock 63.56
Some additional facts about Blue Rocks first year.
21 horns and a 9 man drumline.
The 1st drum majorette was Peggy Glass, with assist. June Gills and Ruthy Reamer.
The color guard capt. and Lt. Were Betty Hill and Chris Kennedy.
The male Corpsman of the year was Bill Slape and the female was Peggy Glass.
Some of this information came from Pete Hazlett, Gene Abbott, Bob McGowan, Betty Hill, Chris Kennedy, Marilyn Chase and Joanie Fremuith who have all remained friends for more than 60 years! We had some great times!
The year started out with a bang, well maybe not quite a bang but 1st place in the Wilmington Manor fireman’s parade. The prize being named The Delaware State drum and bugle corps Champions.
Blue Rock finished 1st, with the Diamond State cadets 2nd and Followed by Hockessin Fire Co.
While the corps struggled with a drill the two Bobs turned to a newcomer in town, Mr. Ted Sciarra. Ted was a former member of the Grand Street Boys and an original member of the New York Skyliners. Ted played snare drum in the Skyliners' very first show after the conclusion of WWII. Now, Ted’s job was to prepare the newly formed Blue Rock junior corps to compete in the South Jersey Association Circuit.
The perennial South Jersey Circuit Champions from 1957 to 1959 were the Vagabonds followed closely by St. Nicholas. Some of Blue Rock’s music from 1959 was from the show “South Pacific”. Tunes like “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Bali Hai” and “Younger Than Springtime”. The horn line was taught by Mr. Jack Hearn from the Archer-Epler “Musketeers”.
Blue Rock finished their first year with 3 thirds, and 2 fourths, and a 10th place at the American Legion States in Wildwood.
A couple of South Jersey scores and the American Legion states.
Gloucester, NJ.
Aug. 7, 1959
1. Haddon Hts. Vagabonds 75.1
1. St. Nicholas 75.1
3. Royaleers 72.6
4. Blue Rock 65.25
5. St. Joes (Hammonton) 61.4
6. St. Raymond’s Shamrocks 36.7
Haddonfield, NJ
Sept. 18, 1959
1. Vagabonds 76.55
2. St. Nicholas 74.8
3. Belles of St. Mary 74.45
4. Blue Rock 61.2
5. St. Joes (Hammonton) 54.15
6. St. Raymond’s Shamrocks 36.75
American Legion State championships
Wildwood, NJ
Sept. 12,1959
1. St. Vincent’s 87.88
2. Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights 87.06
3. St. Patrick’s 82.30
4 Garfield Cadets. 80.73
5. Our Lady of Lourdes 78.53
6. Paterson Cadets 77.85
7. Woodsiders 74.73
8. Dumont Police Cadets 71.60
9. Royaleers 70.27
10. Blue Rock 63.56
Some additional facts about Blue Rocks first year.
21 horns and a 9 man drumline.
The 1st drum majorette was Peggy Glass, with assist. June Gills and Ruthy Reamer.
The color guard capt. and Lt. Were Betty Hill and Chris Kennedy.
The male Corpsman of the year was Bill Slape and the female was Peggy Glass.
Some of this information came from Pete Hazlett, Gene Abbott, Bob McGowan, Betty Hill, Chris Kennedy, Marilyn Chase and Joanie Fremuith who have all remained friends for more than 60 years! We had some great times!