I agree with xOldDMx in that Jeff Whippo and Nathan Whelandt were both legendary Drum Majors. I was a DM from 88-89 (competed from 86-89)and then was a judge for a short time as well. I have seen about 18 years worth of DMs and my top picks are as follows:

1. Jeff Whippo (Glendora). He was an INTENSE performer. His mace work, attention to detail, synchronization to his music, difficulty, etc. was always at the highest standard. They had time limits back then, and yes he used every minute of it! When his music began, everyone stopped to watch. State Champion 1990.

2. Keith Penniger (Arroyo). He and Jeff battled head to head for three years and it was great fun to watch! His smooth attention to detail was incredible. State Champion 1989.

3. Ben Gompres (Notre Dame). Was one of the first to bring "non-traditional" spinning to the scottish drum majors. Beautifully smooth.

4. Abel Acosta (Azusa). Probably the best military Drum Major I've ever seen. This guy was so shy in person, but when he got on the L pattern everything changed. I loved to watch him.

5. Nathan Welanhdt (West Covina). Nathan was beautifully smooth and a great guy. He just happened to have been competing against some heavy talent and may not have commanded as great of a presence.

Does anyone have lists of State Champion winners from any years before 2000? I threw all of my records away from the 6 years my family was involved. If you have anything email it to us at drummajorcomps@gmail.com or just post here.
DMJUDGE

I'm drawing a blank, but this is what I can remember off hand for the Mace Masters division:

1990: Jeff Whippo-Glendora
1989: Keith Penniger-Arroyo
1988: Ken McGrath-Glendora
1987: ??
1986: Richard Mercado-Pomona

Vallejo High School also had its share of Legendary Drum Majors Kim Malato, Jesse Garcia , Verton Banks and Omega Aquisap . I know for a fact that Verton and Omega both placed higher than Mindy Cabral in Drum Major competitions. Verton was actually a student of Rick Wilson ,spun an Excaliber mace that was designed by Rick and won Drum Major Sweeps at Fairfield's Tournament of Champions. Jesse went the year undefeated in field conducting and parade mace. Omega was explosive when she performed and had some of the highest NCBA drum major scores in history. Fairfield High was also a powerhouse for Drum Majors.

Another superb drum major from years gone by is Chris Arnold from Vista. I believe he was DM from 1988-1991. He took the British Guards theme of the band and really went somewhere with it. His drill was authentic, flourishing ultra clean and entertaining, and had the best fake British accent command voice I've ever heard on the high school circuit.

He looked and performed as if he stepped out of an encyclopedia article on the subject of drum majors.

Wow, I haven't seen that name in a while! My eldest brother has some videos of him from Arcadia in the late 80's and solo competitions.

I'm not sure if this had been mentioned before, but No Doubt's keyboardist, Gabe, was also Drum Major for Glendora (someone correct me if I'm wrong and which year). Someone had mentioned to me that Gwen Stefani was also in the band-not sure if it was Color Guard, Drill Team, or Band.

Who says people in band can't be cool??

Jason

She played piccolo in the Loara HS Band.

Gabe was in the Glendora HS Band... http://www.lacemusic.com/artists/artist ... ?userId=17

I played golf a couple of times with No Doubt's drummer (Adrian Young) as his father and I both taught at Magnolia High School.... small world. Adrian had the entire No Doubt Band sign some Tragic Kingdom posters for my daughters...

John Christianson (trumpet for Reel Big Fish) was the trumpet section leader in my Magnolia HS Band.

Frank Zappa played drums in the Antelope Valley HS Band.

I could go on and on about Southern California high school marching band members who have gone to make it big in the music industry.

Wait!!! I need to put this in the "Book".

and... Pamela Anderson played saxophone in her high school band in Canada.

vore

Hahahaha! Some things are better left unknown.

I can't go anywhere without hearing about that goldarn book.

Some people from my days-

from the early to mid 70s-
Gerry Willis-Arroyo HS (now a band director in Reno)
Kim Burdick-Arcadia
Alex Plum-West Torrance (Followed Fred Deluzio)
Larry Martin-Vista
Lynn Giblin (sp?)-El Cajon

And from the late 1970s-
Randy Hage-Villa Park HS (excelled in both military AND mace)

Glad to see Kim Burdick mentioned. Another high-quality 70's Arcadia DM was Bob Lazzarini. Rick Clough "marched" through the hallways at AHS (I kid you not).

To Arcadia 1979, I was there the night you march Clough into the grandstands of the Boy's (now North) gym. I believe you did a "by-the-numbers" which left Rick standing on one leg (like a flamengo), 20 rows up, and then proceeded to ignore him for about 60 seconds. In true Rick fashion, he held it until "2". You graduated with my sister.

You know what's funny....I work with a guy at the fire department that marched with Hage at Villa Park HS.

And what's even FUNNIER...

I WRITE VILLA PARK'S DRILL!!! baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahhaa...

Yeah...ain't that a hoot???



Ok...I'll be quiet now.

I STILL remember when three of us tryed out for the drum major position at S.J.S.U. I was a "big ten" style military dm, the other dude was a traditional military dm and the there was ...... Dr. Zuniga.

We watched- the other dude packed it in, I said, do you need an assistant? That's where I learned the limited mace stuff that I did.

mightyhorn

Probably one of the best if not the best ska band of all time... I envy you.

Don't worry; you could be the famous guy that all your friends will say they graduated with.....

too bad i play trombone

plus, im planning on being a band director... so unlikely