To the folks seeing the show for the first time, body sculpting appeared be a gimmick, but as the year wore on we knew that visual body movement should be explored further. It had to wait until 1993.

Star folk loved this show; it was beautiful and many fans identified with it. The last week, a giant scrim was thrown up; a 40 feet high by 60 feet wide Lady Liberty covered the front of the entire corps. It was a great visual but not one that was universally accepted (said with a grin.) We ended our season with a third in Madison with a score of 96.7 behind the Cadets of Bergen County and the new champions, the Cavaliers who had a score of 97.5.

JIM MASON'S PSYCHE IN 1992
For Jim, 1992 was a pivotal year because the show was designed for a broad audience appeal and the result was a hostile crowd. At that time, he decided to explore different directions. His frustrations led him to the 1993 Medea program because he wanted to give the organization a vehicle where they would be in control of their performance from beginning to end.

Looking back at Medea, there were no opportunities for the audience to react until the show was over. This concept made some of the audience uncomfortable and created even more controversy. I guess that was Jim's vengeance. Also at that time, he began to contemplate doing something other than drum corps with the Star of Indiana. Perhaps the seed of Brass Theater was planted during this period.

WESLEY
Another friend and staff member left this life in 1992--Wesley Johnson. His easy smile, beautiful agility, and his love of teaching will be remembered by all of us who were privileged to know him.

THE PBS TELEVISION BROADCAST
On the morning of the 1985 championship, I met Don Pesceone, Executive Director of DCI, and he asked if our company would be interested in sponsoring the championship telecast in 1986. I answered that we would be interested.

From 1986 through 1992, our company was either a co-sponsor or sponsor of the championship telecast. Since there was no one with television experience at DCI, Don later asked if I would produce it and I accepted the job of Executive Producer. I remained Executive Producer until 1992, but our sponsorship continued until DCI took over the responsibility in 1993. I'm very proud of these telecasts and had many intelligent people to rely upon. Tom Blair and Keith Klein are two indispensable individuals who taught me that excellence could exist in the production of a DCI championship. These are the men who made the DCI Championship a highlight for PBS. Steve Rondinaro, Michael Cesario, Charles Webb (Dean of IU School of Music), and Curt Goudy all gave freely of their time. Most of these men worked only for expenses which says much for people who are more dedicated to the activity than they are to self-interest. The television broadcast looked professional, was expensive to produce, and these men gave of themselves to make it happen. For the record, the broadcasting of the championship cost between $150,000 and $200,000 depending upon the year.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO DCI AND OTHER CORPS
From 1985 through 1993, Star, Jim Mason, Cook Group, and I tried to make a difference in drum corps. Jim, the staff, and I served on task forces both as members and advisors to DCI. Jim was the official member of DCI and I served as an advisor from 1987 through 1992.

When we left DCI, Star or the Cook Group had contributed over $1.5 million to DCI and to other corps. Star sponsored all four DCM All Star appearances at the New Year's Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Fiesta Bowls (twice) in addition to the first Macy's Thanksgiving parade appearance of the DCM/DCE All-Stars; the appearance of Phil Driscoll at the Kansas City World Championship who played the "Star Spangled Banner," trumpet solo; the appearance of DCA's Steel City Ambassadors at the 1990 World Championships in Buffalo. Jim headed the All-Star drum and bugle corps that played two "Star Spangled Banner" renditions in both Madison and Kansas City. (These corps consisted of 1200 and 1500 members respectively. The first one was under the direction of Pepe Nataro, a friend who is gone.)

Corps that have received either prizes, grants or loans from either Star or Cook Group are: Colts, Troopers, Phantom Regiment, Magic of Orlando, 27th Lancers, Crossmen, Velvet Knights, Spirit of Atlanta, and eleven other organizations. The amounts ranged from a minimum of $1,000 to $150,000. In addition, Rick Snapp, a Cook computer manager, and I wrote the financial, sales order, and championship ticketing programs that DCI has used since 1990. DCI's three computers were given to DCI by Star. Cook Group Companies sponsored and produced the DCI World Championships for five years.

Star founded on behalf of DCI the DCI Foundation which still maintains an office in Bloomington and administers such scholarships as those given in the names of the Americanos, George Zingali and others.

Employees of Cook Group and a large contingent of former corps members from all DCI corps staffed the hospitality tables stationed in five to seven hotels through the various championship cities. For all of us drum corps was not just Star, it was the entire activity. Yes, this information has not been discussed until now, but Star members and their friends deserve this explanation. If there must be an epitaph for Star, for Jim, for me, and for Cook Group, it should be -- we tried!

A Personal philosophy I believe that all humans are to some degree competitive, moody, happy, sad, angry, tranquil, and cooperative. The Drum corps experience is guided by association with many different personalities who have joined together in an attempt to achieve and possess the above traits to a greater or lesser degree. I believe that drum corps organizations can only point the route but not predict the destination.

I try never to fear change, I enjoy risking the unknown, and I try to seek guidance through previous experand instead of 'Ready, aim, fire!," it may be better to "Ready, fire, aim!" I believe that a human should be prepared (ready) to act, then act (fire), and finally analyze what was done (aim.) Instinct exists in all of us but so often we fear the unknown to the extent that we are incapable of action.

I ask readers: "do we always need to analyze and discuss before acting or should we learn how to react based upon circumstances and cumulative history of the past?" (Invention is based upon instinct and then trial but status-quo is based upon copying.) I believe that if one goal is reached, there should be another goal waiting. If failure results, try again and again. You have all heard this before but "do you believe it?"

A personal perspective on drum corps I believe Star and other corps members strive to be better humans as a result of their drum corps experience. I believe that Star and other corps members are products of many points of view and they are surrounded by teachers and people who care about them. Within their organizations, they are respected for what they are--young people seeking their way in life. In return, they are loyal and very proud of what they have accomplished.

I believe that Star and other corps teach pride in personal accomplishment which is achieved by honesty and work.