Mark Twain Cadets

"Hands Across the Boarder"
"Robert Schleidt"
"If proper planning and organization coupled with manpower and desire, can bring a corps to national prominence, then such may be in store for the big orange and blue of the Mark Twain Cadets--Jr, Drum and Bugle Corps. This emerging corps on the junior scene is located in Elmira Heights, New York, some few miles from the Pennsylvania state line and some two hours drive from south of Rochester and Syracuse, New York. Under the sponsorship of American Legion Post 154 in "The Heights", the corps derives its membership from all of Chemung County and has gained the name "Chemung County's Musical Ambassadors". The corps derives its membership from the entire county and the well organized Mark Twain program is working with some 250 youngsters in both the main Cadet organization and its very active feeder corps known as the "Mini Cadets."
Use of the name "Mark Twain" in this section of the nation
may come as a surprise to those not knowledgeable concerning the background of this famous author. Twain married an Elmira girl, did a large majority of his writing in this area, and his grave site is just a short march away from the Cadets' main practice site at Thomas Edison School.
The Cadets made their first appearance as a street parade unit in 1967 and captured the 6th District Legion parade title (10 counties). In 1968 another step was taken with the addition of field drill for exhibition only and in parade competition, the orange and blue won both the NYS Legion and Miss New York State Trophies.
The past season saw initial exposure field competition and a planned program of experience all through appearances at the NYS Legion as well as the World Open at Lynn, Mass. The directors of the organization felt that this was the way to "show it how it is" since nearly all the Corps membership was without any experience before joining the Cadets.
The building block for 1970 indicated another step forward in competition toward their goal of being not only one of the top corps in the state but the nation as well. The corps director is Mr. Robert Zazzara, long known in eastern drum corps circles, and a member of the All American Judging Association. Bob is responsible for total corps coordination, music arrangements, and horn instruction. The percussion unit is ably instructed by Mr. Doug Reynolds and Mr. Dennis Smith, with drill instruction under the direction of Mr. George Cowburn. Mr. Fred Betschen also assists in horn instruction. In 1970 the corps field a horn line of 42, drum section of 18, and a color guard of 22. The new musical show will feature a "Twain" signature off the line with a medley of "Shortnin Bread," "Robert E. Lee," and "Swanee" while ending the show will be the inter-twining of "Traces" and "Turn Around Look At Me."
The Cadets will again compete as members of the Penn-York Circuit, with the year in total including an ever greater program of competition travel. Their indoor concert season will be culminated on May 9th when the Cadets host their annual indoor spring show. Head of the corps board of directors is Mr. Floyd Palmer and business manager, Mr. Robert Sebura. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2146, Elmira Heights, N.Y.
If a mixture of progressive planning, top notch sponsorship, dedicated instructors and youngsters, solid corps management, and an active parents booster organization can force a corps' destiny; the the Mark Twain Cadets is the corps to look to in the future."
[From the April 1970 issue of DCD]
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