FLORIDA WAVE...........The real story

[Corpstime]

There has been many stories about the history of
Florida Wave on the RAMD but this is the TRUE STORY..
The Wave was a name change from the Florida Vanguards.
In 1933 a corps was formed in Miami named the
Greater Miami Boys Drum and Bugle Corps. It was
Sponsored by Miami and at one time had over 200
members. The corps adopted a nick name of the Vanguards (with a S)
in 1957. Yes, this is before SCV. The Miami Vanguards continued until 1973
and due to financial problems, they broke up. In 1976, an alumni
since 1958, Lee Shields, reorganized the corps and was director until 1979.
Assisting was other alum Jo Wessman and Gary Pflug, etc.
Subsequently, in 1981 the corps changed their name to the FL Wave. There has
been many great people with the corps.
Bill Hayes - Director of Blessed Sac in the 50's when they were winning
Dick Filkins - Archer Epler and 1999 Hall of Fame inductee
Jeff Bridges - New director, 1999 of Crossmen
Larry Shane - Brass Staff of Blue Knights
Gino Cipriano - joined the FL Vanguards 79 at the age of 14
- Blue Devils brass 9 years/now Cadets
John Campese - Future Corps/Magic percussion head/now Crusaders
Steve Rodinaro - Director 1981 to ?
The list goes on.....It was a great corps and I will always miss it.

[Drew McPheeters]

> and due to financial problems, they broke up. In 1976, an alumni
> since 1958, Lee Shields, reorganized the corps and was director until
1979.
> Assisting was other alum Jo Wessman and Gary Pflug, etc.
> Subsequently, in 1981 the corps changed their name to the FL Wave. There
has
> been many great people with the corps.
> Bill Hayes - Director of Blessed Sac in the 50's when they were winning
> Dick Filkins - Archer Epler and 1999 Hall of Fame inductee
> Jeff Bridges - New director, 1999 of Crossmen
> Larry Shane - Brass Staff of Blue Knights
> Gino Cipriano - joined the FL Vanguards 79 at the age of 14
> - Blue Devils brass 9 years/now Cadets
> John Campese - Future Corps/Magic percussion head/now Crusaders
> Steve Rodinaro - Director 1981 to ?
> The list goes on.....It was a great corps and I will always miss it.

Other Vanguards tidbits....

Jay Webb - 1977 - 1979/FMM -> Bridgemen -> now DCI Percussion Judge
Nat Barouche 1977-1979/FMM -> Spirit -> Blue Devils 1981 (or 1982) DCI I&E
Snare Champ
Bart Moore - 1977-1978/FMM -> Spirit

Also, 1979 I think Vanguards can lay claim as to first corps to use one
guard member twirling flag and rifle at the same time. The guard
instructor (Ron something) took the trick to Cavies in 1980 or so....anyone
know his name?

[SC Sader]

>1979 I think Vanguards can lay claim as to first corps to use one
>guard member twirling flag and rifle at the same time.

That blew away the crowd in prelims that year. That was a killer show! Wasn't
Leff Kievett one of the horn instructors that year?
Mike Dubil
BAC 81-82

[bass...@my-deja.com]

Thank you thank you! As a former Waver who marched alongside Larry
Shane and under the tutelage (sp?) of Jeff Bridges, I was thrilled to
see your post. I also have a Wave Memorial page of sorts that I am just
getting off the ground. I am trying to put together the complete
history of Wave and will include your info, if you don't mind! check it
out and forgive my beginners ways
http://thematrix.acmecity.com/government/15

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[Corpstime]

1978 horn instructor of the FL
Vanguards was Jim Ott.
1979 was Jeff Kievett from Muchachos
and Jerry Peel. They both were
playing with Chuck Mangione full
band.

[FrozenChocBanana]

Also Shawn Hines, former trumpet player with the University of Miami Concert
Jazz Band, Spinners, 4-Tops, Celia Cruz, played tympani and later snare drum
in FV ... lately played solo soprano with the Hawthorne Caballeros ...

[luvv...@gmail.com]

I could t remember wether it was '79 of '78 that Chuck Mangione instructed the horn line on a few occasions. I dnt recall much about the instructors other than Sivia of course & the multiple talented young ppl who devoted time , effort & mentorshio to the younger members. I will always think fondly & with great pride to ha e been a part of this transitioning drum & bugle when in retrospect the dedication & talent would have developed with proper management & publicity as a no. profit , excellent venue to channel the talent into a pretty amazing show., along with some crazy musicianship. Good times, that we 😎Will be a part of its history forever , KarEN Hafmbdaß

[lrichm...@gmail.com]

On Thursday, September 23, 1999 at 3:00:00 AM UTC-4, Corpstime wrote:
> There has been many stories about the history of
> Florida Wave on the RAMD but this is the TRUE STORY..
> The Wave was a name change from the Florida Vanguards.
> In 1933 a corps was formed in Miami named the
> Greater Miami Boys Drum and Bugle Corps. It was
> Sponsored by Miami and at one time had over 200
> members. The corps adopted a nick name of the Vanguards (with a S)
> in 1957. Yes, this is before SCV. The Miami Vanguards continued until 1973

> and due to financial problems, they broke up. In 1976, an alumni
> since 1958, Lee Shields, reorganized the corps and was director until 1979.
> Assisting was other alum Jo Wessman and Gary Pflug, etc.
> Subsequently, in 1981 the corps changed their name to the FL Wave. There has
> been many great people with the corps.
> Bill Hayes - Director of Blessed Sac in the 50's when they were winning
> Dick Filkins - Archer Epler and 1999 Hall of Fame inductee
> Jeff Bridges - New director, 1999 of Crossmen
> Larry Shane - Brass Staff of Blue Knights
> Gino Cipriano - joined the FL Vanguards 79 at the age of 14
> - Blue Devils brass 9 years/now Cadets
> John Campese - Future Corps/Magic percussion head/now Crusaders
> Steve Rodinaro - Director 1981 to ?
> The list goes on.....It was a great corps and I will always miss it.

Funny story! I was touring with the Mello-Dears all girl corp back in 1982 when I first encountered Florida Wave. Several of us girls were watching from the stands when they made a grand enterance onto the field by tossing oranges with their name stamped on them, out to the crowd. I was lucky enough to get one. It is now 2016 and I still have that orange peel with florida Wave stamped on it. It turned hard as a rock but otherwise still orange and still intact. I keep it in my memory book in a plastic bag. The guy that tossed it to me was eye candy you don't soon forget and the topic of many nights of gossip and giggling on a bus filled with all girls. Good times!

[oju...@gmail.com]

[oju...@gmail.com]

[oju...@gmail.com]

[oju...@gmail.com]

[tubap...@gmail.com]

On Thursday, September 23, 1999 at 3:00:00 AM UTC-4, Corpstime wrote:
> There has been many stories about the history of
> Florida Wave on the RAMD but this is the TRUE STORY..
> The Wave was a name change from the Florida Vanguards.
> In 1933 a corps was formed in Miami named the
> Greater Miami Boys Drum and Bugle Corps. It was
> Sponsored by Miami and at one time had over 200
> members. The corps adopted a nick name of the Vanguards (with a S)
> in 1957. Yes, this is before SCV. The Miami Vanguards continued until 1973
> and due to financial problems, they broke up. In 1976, an alumni
> since 1958, Lee Shields, reorganized the corps and was director until 1979.
> Assisting was other alum Jo Wessman and Gary Pflug, etc.
> Subsequently, in 1981 the corps changed their name to the FL Wave. There has
> been many great people with the corps.
> Bill Hayes - Director of Blessed Sac in the 50's when they were winning
> Dick Filkins - Archer Epler and 1999 Hall of Fame inductee
> Jeff Bridges - New director, 1999 of Crossmen
> Larry Shane - Brass Staff of Blue Knights
> Gino Cipriano - joined the FL Vanguards 79 at the age of 14

> - Blue Devils brass 9 years/Cadets brass 14 years/Boston Crusaders Now

[steve wilder]

[steve wilder]

On Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 10:18:03 AM UTC-5, tubap...@gmail.com wrote:

Chuck Mangione was never our horn instructor in the Florida Vanguard. We were blessed to have the lead soprano for the Bridgeman and later the lead soprano from the Blue Devils. Both incredible horn players and soloists.

[steve wilder]

Quite the list of awesome talent. Gino must have posted this to include himself:))