From Halftime Show to Competitive Art: Marching Band's Evolution

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Books

• "Precision Drumming" by Larry McCormick - This book codified the system taught by Frank Arsenault and was used as a teaching tool for percussionists.

People Mentioned

• Larry McCormick (Founder of Marching Bands of America) - The primary subject of the episode, discussed his journey from drum corps to founding BOA.
• Dr. William D. Revelli - Mentioned as a prominent figure in the band world and served on the first board of directors for Bands of America.
• Frank Arsenault (Percussion educator, Ludwig Drum Company) - Larry McCormick's mentor and the person who recommended him for the Cavaliers instructor position.
• Joy McCormick (Wife of Larry McCormick) - Described as the "right arm" of McCormick's Enterprises and a significant helpmate to Larry.
• Scott McCormick (Son of Larry McCormick) - Larry's son who later took over the leadership of Bands of America and transitioned it to a 501c3 nonprofit.
• Kevin McCormick (Son of Larry McCormick) - Larry's son who led the video production division, 800 Video Express, for BOA and DCI.
• Don Pacionni (First Executive Director of DCI) - Larry McCormick's first sales manager whom he hired, later recruited to lead Drum Corps International.
• Remo Belli (Founder of Remo Inc.) - Featured drum manufacturer who supported Larry's early publications and was involved with the Percussive Arts Society.
• Al Payson (Chicago Symphony) - Collaborated with Larry McCormick to create mallets and beaters for the McCormick stick line.
• Jim Jones (Director of the Troopers) - Involved in the early discussions and formation of Drum Corps International.
• Don Warren (Director of the Cavaliers) - Involved in the early discussions and formation of Drum Corps International.
• Bill Howard (Madison Scouts) - Present at the meeting in Larry McCormick's home where DCI was discussed.
• Zig Kanstul (Designer of Olds Bugles) - Collaborated with Larry McCormick to sell Olds bugles to drum corps.
• Fred Sanford (Troopers) - Mentioned as playing bass drum parts written by Larry McCormick for the Troopers.
• Gary Beckner (First Director of Bands of America, Slingerland Drums) - Hired by Larry McCormick from Slingerland Drums to help start Bands of America and secured Beatrice Foods as the first sponsor.
• Nick Balenziano (College Band Director, Illinois Chicago Circle) - Larry McCormick's lifelong friend and part of his early team for Bands of America.
• Paul Brazie (Oscaloosa, Iowa) - Director of a midwestern band that competed in the pre-BOA "Midwest Combine" circuit.
• Doyle Heffron (Dundee Scots) - Director of the Dundee Scots, a band that participated in the first Summer Nationals.
• Wallace Rasmussen (President of Beatrice Foods) - The executive who provided a crucial $65,000 sponsorship to Bands of America.
• Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser - Came on board later to work with Bands of America, known for his charisma and educational contributions.
• Joe Costello - Larry McCormick's "film guy" who produced educational films and videotapes for band directors.
• Bob Buckner (Director at Silver Webster) - His band participated in early BOA events, and he became a significant figure in the organization.
• Dick Janic (Vice President, Sales Manager, Announcer for BOA) - Larry McCormick's VP and sales manager, later bought McCormick's Enterprises, and served as an early announcer for BOA.
• Tom Blair (Emmy Award-winning editor) - Hired by Larry McCormick to edit educational videos for Sharper Video Productions.
• Stan Kenton - Musician who participated in one of Larry McCormick's educational films and was listed on the first board of directors for Bands of America.
• Camp Statha - Mentioned as a key person behind the scenes of Bands of America.
• Debbie Lafferty - Mentioned as a key person behind the scenes of Bands of America.
• Robin Janic (Wife of Dick Janic, Announcer for BOA) - Served as an early announcer for Bands of America.
• Pat Hayes - Mentioned as a key person from Larry McCormick's company.
• Lisa Preston (Northern University) - Mentioned in relation to Scott McCormick's education.
• Kevin Lepper - Mentioned as one of Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser's former students from Missouri.
• Norm Rubling - Mentioned as one of Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser's former students from Missouri.
• Mike Davis - Referenced for his interview about the early discussions regarding Bands of America.

Organizations & Institutions

• Marching Bands of America (BOA) - The organization founded by Larry McCormick, the central topic of the episode.
• Cavaliers Drum Corps - Larry McCormick's marching experience and where he later became an instructor.
• Drum Corps International (DCI) - Co-founded in part by discussions in Larry McCormick's home, it became a major drum corps organization.
• McCormick's Enterprises - Larry McCormick's company that produced drum products and supported the early stages of Bands of America.
• Percussive Arts Society - An organization where Larry McCormick was involved and met industry figures like Remo Belli and Al Payson.
• Troopers - A drum corps for whom Larry McCormick wrote music.
• Blue Stars - A drum corps that Larry McCormick taught.
• Madison Scouts - A drum corps that Larry McCormick taught.
• Slingerland Drums - The company where Gary Beckner worked before Larry McCormick hired him.
• Beatrice Foods - The first major sponsor for Bands of America.
• Music for All - The successor organization to Bands of America, mentioned as the current entity.
• 800 Video Express - Kevin McCormick's video production company that produced videos for BOA and DCI.
• Sharper Video Productions - Larry McCormick's company focused on producing educational videos.
• University of Illinois (U of I) - Where Larry McCormick earned his first music degree.
• University of Arkansas - Where Larry McCormick earned a graduate teaching degree.
• Schurz High School (Chicago) - Larry McCormick's high school where he met his wife, Joy.
• University of Cincinnati - Mentioned as a location for a "Music Ball" event.
• Northern University - Where Scott McCormick earned a degree.
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - The location of the first Bands of America "Summer Nationals" event.
• Hoosier Dome - The location in Indianapolis where Bands of America considered holding contests.
• Hawthorne Caballeros - A senior drum corps that purchased bugles from McCormick's.

Websites & Online Resources

• musicforall.org/podcasts - Where listeners can submit their own stories for the podcast.

Other Resources

• "The Director" Magazine - A tabloid-style magazine produced by McCormick's Enterprises and mailed to band directors, used for education and product sales.
• TDR 100 Drum - A chrome field drum developed by Larry McCormick and Gary Beckner that became very popular.