Over time, I will be posting a nostalgic series of vignettes exploring my youthful days in the Osceola Park neighborhood of Pittsfield, Massachusetts during the 1950s and early 1960s. Such tales will describe my adventures when I was seven to twelve years old.
The City of Pittsfield Parks Department provided many year-round activities at its 20 parks. I was fortunate that my back yard was adjacent to the expanse and wonder of Osceola Park.
We had a former chicken coop abutting the park in which my younger brother Chip would faithfully practice his bugle. It was far enough away from our house so as not to be so pervasive a sound.
He was a proud member of the Pittsfield Cavaliers, an outstanding boys junior drum and bugle corps, complete with a color guard. It was composed of about 80 kids, leaders, and music instructors. The kids, aged 10–17, wore flashy blue pants, white shirts, red waistbands, and red tassels on their plumed hats when they were in competition or marching in a parade. They often practiced at Osceola Park at night. It was always a treat to listen to their inspiring music as we watched the sun set.
Pittsfield, a city of approximately 57,000 souls, was able to support not one, not two, but six drum and bugle corps in the 1960s: Cavaliers, Monarchs, Skyhawks, Imperials, Royal Blue Angels, and the Interstatesman.
The Cavaliers traveled the Northeast and won several awards and competitions over the years. The local highlight was watching them play and march in the annual Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade followed by a top-notch drum and bugle corps competition at Wahconah Park. These devoted youth corps members often stood under the blazing hot sun in full regalia waiting for their turn to perform.
I even remember seeing several of them pass out from heat exhaustion and dehydration. These kids were troopers, for sure.
One year, the Cavaliers received a short-notice invitation to send in a recording in order to qualify for the World Open Drum and Bugle Corps event. They would be competing against the finest corps in the country. It was a great honor to even be considered for this.
They were required to submit a 30-minute audio recording of their music being played outside and acceptance was based on this one performance.
There were two problems: where could corps members perform outside and have the proper sound recording devices attached to many electrical outlets on such short notice? The solution: they could simply set up in my back yard, near the chicken coop!
On the specified night, there was much anxiety because the stakes were so high. Would the Cavaliers put it all together or not?
Multiple electrical cords extended in and around the capable corps, with about 10 recording towers positioned to capture optimum sound. My family provided water and snacks as they practiced before recording began. We set up folding chairs and enjoyed this unique backyard audition.
They played their hearts out and recording went off without a hitch. Later, they were thrilled to find out they had been accepted to compete in this World Open in Lynn, Massachusetts.
In the summer of 1967, these kids loaded onto a bus caravan packed full of their uniforms and equipment, with many parents traveling along in their cars. Their spirits were high and we were so proud of them.
Click here for the recording of the Cavaliers performance at the 1965 World Open, with some photos.
Click here for the recording of their performance at the 1967 World Open, also with photos.
