Beach” the first performing exhibitions at Walt Disney World, meeting sported winning the Eastern States Championships 160 kids from the and winning the American Legion State two corps. Championships. The new corps During that first DCI southern tour, the settled into corps appeared in exhibition for a local winter rehearsals Atlanta TV station. The station authorities in Newtown were so impressed that they decided to form Square and was their own corps. Thus, Spirit of Atlanta, now soon marching in known as Spirit of JSU, was formed and a n n

(photo e b“Byo Onerlsin,” W 19a9g2n,e ar tf rDomCI tihne M caodlliescotnio, nW oIf e parades. Named after the ). Drum John Wesley Cross Corps World American Legion Post 507 by Bob Fields in Norwood, the Crossmen m m could well have been a The merger that became the second choice name like s world-famous Crossmen came s the Devil Dogs, Black about when two established corps Hawks or the Yankee s decided they wanted to shoot for s Minutemen. stardom. In 1975, the Crossmen In 1973, the Keystone of Delaware County (photo by Jane Boulen from the collection of ). o Regiment of Newtown, PA, had o fielded their first Crossmen, 1976 Drum Corps World won the class B championships at competing corps. Director Robbie Robinson long friendship began between the two r the World Open in Boston. r and his wife, Charlotte, mortgaged their groups. Later that year at the same house for the $3,500 needed for the gray In 1977, the Crossmen returned to the show, the John Wesley Cross 507 Maytag repairman uniforms. In their first field with a new enthusiasm. They did two C Hornets of Norwood took third at C year of competition, the Crossmen worked tours and finished fifth at the DCI East the Eastern States Championships, hard to solidify their new corps and to try to Championships in Allentown, PA, as well as at while the Keystone Regiment placed second. put the merger in the past. the CYO Nationals in Boston and the World But things were not going well for either They won the Eastern States Open in Massachusetts. corps internally. With administrative and Championships and made associate They took first at the Pennsylvania staff problems cropping up, a series of membership at DCI in nearby Philadelphia by American Legion Championships and won meetings was set up secretly with the goal of placing 24th with a score of 68.80. the Denver American Legion National merging the two units. One of those In 1976, the corps experimented with Championships. Russian Christmas Music meetings was held at the home of my many musical styles, including classical, jazz was first premiered that year and became a father-in-law, Bob Booth, and after two and even Spanish. They came out corps tradition. The corps finished 11th at months of serious talks, it was agreed to try a aggressively and were the big news of the DCI Finals with a score of 81.30. merger. year, but that news was eclipsed by their In 1978, the Crossmen changed uniforms The first rehearsal of the new corps was in disqualification from DCI that August for from gray to stylish black tops using red September 1974 at the Boeing Helicopter marching overage members. capes. Musically, they leaned toward jazz. Plant in Ridley Township near the On the first organized DCI southern tour, During their rendition of Something , by the Philadelphia Airport. Later known as “Boeing the corps sparkled at its first show in Beatles, what is said to be the first real Sevierville, TN. The dancing occurred on a drum corps field. members were elated to They toured to Colorado and up to learn later they had won Canada. Their new feeder corps, the Iron the show, but they were Cross, premiered for kids aged seven to 15, not allowed to see their but only lasted until 1980 due to lack of judges’ sheets. Instead, money. they were hit with the The Crossmen finished sixth at DCI East, overage member rule. fifth at CYO Nationals, sixth at DCI Midwest Many other corps felt and sixth in DCI Prelims. At DCI Finals, they the overage were ninth with a score of 82.45. disqualification, too, as That same year, the skull and cross overnight many corps bones flag appeared for the first time and had large gaps in their the name “Bones” was attached to it. The drills. Yet this adversity story of Bones started at DCI East with the helped to unite the corps first appearance of a lone figure, in a (photo by Elinn Cefaratti from at all levels. The balance Crossmen uniform and a skull mask, wearing tChreo scsomlleecnti,o 1n9 o7f7 , at the National Dr)e. am in Jersey City, NJ of the tour included a cape, as the corps warmed up during Drum Corps World 230 DCI Finals, even vowed not to return the following year. As a though they beat result, the 1984 Crossmen had fewer than 20 Garfield at DCI East by horns and few guard at winter rehearsals. three points. DCI sent a representative to one of the early In 1983, the camps and reported back that the corps was judging community unmarketable. Still, the corps pressed on and suggested more credit took the field despite its small size. should be given for The audience absolutely loved them. In difficulty and urged just a few nights they brought their score up the corps to perform 15 points and by the end of the season, they more challenging made finals, finishing 10th. music. They turned In 1985, staff members Mike Dennis, Earl (photo by Ron Da Silva from the collection of Cross)m. en, June 3, 1978, in Bayonne, NJ Drum Corps to Overture to Stover and Tom Campbell kept the corps World “Russlan and together. The judges continued telling the prelims. Ludmilla,” Concerto de Aranjuez and Russian Crossmen staff they needed a new identity. Originally called “the Spook,” later “the Christmas Music . The Crossmen suddenly The idea of going to a Spanish style was not Fantom,” but today simply called “Bones,” it found themselves being beaten by many corps new, since other corps had tried it, including makes an appearance at major shows to rally performing much easier the corps. It is said to be the spirit of the pieces of music. alumni and it is the glue that binds together Robinson found the those Crossmen who have marched difficulty points were not throughout the years. being given, because a In 1979, the Crossmen headed west to decision had been made California, traveling along roads with their earlier in the year to only sister corps, Spirit of Atlanta. On their way reward those things that to Salt Lake City, Spirit’s equipment truck were accomplished well, went off the road. With the help of the not just for difficulty. Crossmen members, Spirit’s equipment was The corps made its loaded on the Crossmen buses. second trip to California Later, when the Crossmen had to leave and cleaned the show two of their non-repairable buses along the every day on tour to no road, Spirit invited the Crossmen to ride avail. At DCI Finals in three to a seat on the way home. Each year Miami, they finished Spirit of JSU continues to give the Spirit of 13th. Crossmen Award to individuals who have The kids were said to (photo by Ron Da Silva from the collection of given of themselves, in Crossmen tradition, be devastated and many Crossmen, August )1. 0, 1984, in Bloomfield, NJ within the Spirit organization. Drum Corps World Hosting the Eastern States Championship the California Dons, San Jose that year, the Crossmen won by a wide Raiders and Muchachos. margin. They finished 13th at DCI Prelims Even the Blue Devils had with a score of 81.70 and was the first and considered it. only corps to be crowned champions at the The uniform became a associate championship. Spanish gaucho look with In 1980, the Crossmen won their fifth Hostess cupcake swirls down Eastern States Championship, took fifth at the arms. The Spanish music DCI Midwest, second at the Dream contest, was on track, but did not catch eighth at DCI East and eighth at DCI Finals. on with fans or judges. At DCI, During the summer of 1981, the corps the corps finished 17th. made DCI Finals in where it placed During the winter of 1985- eighth with an 86.5. The corps later won the 1986, the corps was again VFW National Championship in Philadelphia plagued by small turnouts. and the last Eastern States circuit title. One winter camp yielded just During the 1982 season, the corps played (photo by Ron Da Silva from the collection of ). nine horns players. Robinson Artistry in Crossmen, 1989 Drum Corps World finally decided it was time to Rhythm and fold the corps and the alumni stepped Russian forward to buy it. Christmas During the 1986 season, Steve Richelli Music . became director, with Earl Stover as assistant However, director. By summer they still had a very some in the small horn line and were questioning if they judging should even field a corps. When the Bayonne community Bridgemen folded at the end 1985, many of felt the corps their drummers came to Crossmen, but the was stuck in a corps still needed horns and guard. musical rut They were late coming out that year. With with the jazz only 17 horns, they scored in the low 30s at format and their first show. They recruited heavily and suggested managed to fill up some spots. Eventually changes. they headed to DCI in Madison with 110 They were members and with very few instructors, seventh at (photo by Bill Dixon from the collection of ). finishing 21st in prelims. Crossmen, 1985 Drum Corps World 231 In 1987, the corps moved to Song , River Music , Freida and Newark, DE, and Scott Anthem for Humanity and still had a Litzenburg became director. successful season, finishing eighth at They started the season with 44 DCI Finals. horns. With the help of some In 1994, they were U.S. Open popular tunes, the corps finished Champions with selections from in 16th place at DCI. “Suite Children” including Land of For 1988, the rebuilding Make Believe and Songs for the program was working well and Planet Earth . They tied for seventh the corps continued to do more place at DCI Finals. jazz pieces like Cherokee by Rob The 1995 season saw the McConnell and a jazz version of Crossmen play a very unusual piece Summertime . They finished called The School for Scandal 14th at DCI Championships. including Overture Symphony for In 1989, Carl Ruocco, former Brass and Percussion . They finished assistant director of the Star of 10th at DCI. , became the Crossmen’s In 1996, the corps did a show director. The corps was gaining called “Voices of Jazz,” which financial stability and volunteers included The Sultan Fainted , A were getting behind the Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square program. They had a good staff, and Birdland . This was also the year a great musical program and Youth Education in the Arts! took even some corporate over the corps on paper. They sponsorship. finished eighth at DCI. Music was by the New York In 1997, the Crossmen had their Voices. They had a strong drum first combined YEA! camp with the line and they bought some newly Cadets of Bergen County. That year approved three-valve bugles and they had a small horn line, yet they new uniforms, continuing the achieved their highest score, tying look of black jackets with white Madison in quarterfinals for fifth. pants and shoes. They finished Their “Colors of Jazz” show featured 12th. Birdland , Sunshine and Niner-Two . The 1990 season had a full The members were thrilled when the corps and they beat Madison and crowd gave them a standing ovation Bluecoats, playing Baroque (photo by Dale Eck from the collection of as they marched onto the field for Samba , ’ Round Midnight , the Cross)m. en, July 9, 1995, in Medford, NJ Drum Corps World

(photo by Dan Scafidi from the collection of Crossmen, August )1. 3, 1997, at DCI in Orlando, FL Drum Corps World came in eighth. finals, where they took sixth place. The 1992 show In 1998, the corps did a show called “Pat became one of their Metheny Portrait.” Their well-known most popular music burgundy buses helped get them to themes. “Songs for the Colorado that year, but caused them (photo by Sid Unser from the collection of Crossmen, 1)9. 92, at DCI in Madison, WI Drum Planet,” like the corps’ breakdown problems along the way. They Corps World 1997 show, will long be finished seventh at DCI. famous Caravan and Now or Never . They remembered as a favorite. At DCI Finals, the For 1999, they received the “High Color were headed up, finishing seventh at DCI Crossmen placed sixth. Ruocco resigned Guard” award at DCI East, even though the Finals. following the season. corps came in fifth. At DCI Finals, they were In 1991, the Crossmen beat the Blue At the start of the 1993 season, the corps 10th. Devils and tied the Cadets of Bergen County had serious financial problems. DCI The 2000 Crossmen had a new director, at DCI East with their exciting Pat Metheny fronted them money, which helped them Jeff Bridges, to start off the turn of the show, including Minuano , Dream of the take the field that year, and Jim Coates century. New staff members Dean Musson Return and Third Wind . They were Drum became director. They played Fanfare for (brass caption head) and Chuck Naffier Corps East Champions and at DCI Finals they the Common Man, Afro-Brasilio , Koto (horn arranger) helped bring more 232 breaking down so often that the horn line had seven different buses during the summer. The 2003 drum major, Becky Terry, commented, “The horn line managed to kill them all!” The corps members once again became very close with Spirit of JSU. They finished seventh at DCI Finals. In 2002, Musson became caption head of the horn line and later director. The corps broke in new B-flat horns. They also had a new visual caption head, Darryl Pemberton from The Cadets. The Crossmen finished the season in ninth place at DCI. The 2003 season started with much anticipation and more great charts by Chuck Naffier. Music will include Somewhere Over the Rainbow , Welcome to St. James Place , Blue Rondo a la Turk and Count Bubba . Once again the corps’ heavyweight, upbeat jazz show should have fans giving standing ovations as the Crossmen enter the field. The one constant through every generation of the corps is Bones, which means something different to each former marching member. Without a doubt, (Above) (photo by Dan Scafidi from the collection of ); (below) Crossmen, Augus(pt h1o3t,o 1 b9y9 8D,a avti dD RCiIc ien fOrormla ntdhoe, cFoLll ection of ). Drum Corps World Bones is the one thing that binds the Crossmen, 2001 Drum Corps World history and tradition of what the Crossmen are today. Bob Fields has been on the staff of Drum Corps World for more than 26 years, writing the “What’s Happening Column,” taking pictures and doing special articles. He started his drum corps career in the 1960s with the Richmond, CA, Hawks on soprano, later playing tenor drum. Fields was a professional musician for 10 years, playing drums with popular club rock bands in Northern California. He married former Crossmen rifle Terry Booth in 1984. They lived in the Bay Area before moving east in 1989 to Folsom, PA, where they make their home. Their daughter, Leighann, marches winter guard for Apex Youth Services from Wilmington, DE, and is planning on being a Crossmen member soon. Fields became business manager of the sophistication to their music. Naffier Archer-Epler Junior Musketeers, later called brought his solid jazz arrangements and a Illusion of Delaware County. He helped with closet full of wild Hawaiian shirts, while the resurrection of the Garden State Circuit, Musson brought the horn line to new serving as secretary for several years. He technical levels. was a show sponsor of 11 shows. Crowds loved their show of In the Mood , Over the years, Fields has worked in Caravan , Nobody Does Me Like You Do and many capacities, including tour manager for their second corps trademark song, Birdland . the Sacramento Freelancers and Beatrix They were ninth at DCI Finals. from Holland. He has driven bus for many of In 2001, there was a percussion head the corps on the West Coast on national change with the talented Lee Beddis of tours. Canada bringing the next level of Currently, he serves as show coordinator sophistication to the drum line. The for the Scholastic Band Crossmen had always been known for having Association shows in the fall and as one of the best drum lines, as seen earlier Crossmen’s winter camp director. He also when and Mark Thurston volunteers with Drum Corps International headed the lines. each summer, helping run regional and It was a year to remember, with the buses championships shows. In 1997, Fields won the Friends of DCI Volunteer of the Year (Left) (photo by David Rice from the Award. He is purchasing manager for a collectCiorno sosfm en, 2002 ). manufacturing facility near Philadelphia. Drum Corps World 233