Welcome to The Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association Website. The purpose of GNODCA is to preserve and build on the great
tradition of the drum and bugle corps activity; to appropriately represent the greater New Orleans area as well as Louisiana, the United States
and the drum and bugle corps activity worldwide; and to stimulate interest in the study and teaching of music and the arts.
GNODCA’s FY2023 BOARD ELECTIONS RESULTS
The GNODCA Annual Business Meeting was held on October 8, 2022. Two Board Members, David Callaway & Mark Manguno’s terms expired and they were re-elected for another 3-year term.
Most of our Board Meetings in FY2022 were held virtually & in-person. At the first Board Meeting for FY2023 on November 10, 2022, the FY2023 Executive Board was elected:
President - Elroy Ingersoll
Treasurer - Mark Manguno
Secretary - Babette Staunton
Other Board Members: David Callaway, Cheryl Gautreaux and Gail Perrin
We wish you, your families and your friends healthy & safe holidays.
by Babette Staunton
GNODCA Public Relations
November 30, 2022
GNODCA Louisiana Drum Corps Reunion Picnic and Annual Business Meeting
(Saturday, 10/8/2022)
The Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association would like to announce their Louisiana Drum Corps Reunion picnic and Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, October 8, 2022, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Harahan VFW Hall. It is the hall with the cannon out front.
The Annual Business Meeting will begin as 11:00 AM. We will have a quick summary of GNODCA’s year and the election of 2 GNODCA Board members for 3-year terms. We have received 2 nominations for those positions:
David Callaway
David Callaway marched with the Stardusters from 1976-1980 and was an assistant drum instructor for the Southernaires from 1981-1982, including the year they won the DCI Class A National Championship.
David has been serving on the GNODCA Board since its inception in 2004. He is serving on the Fundraising Committee as co-captain of the Jazz Fest fundraiser. He has proven to be an asset in these positions.
Mark Manguno
Mark Manguno marched soprano bugle with the Bleu Raeders and Regiment Militaire in 1973 and 1974. He’s been an avid fan since that time, traveling with family and friends to see most of DCI’s major events each summer. He has been a Friend of DCI since 1985.
Mark has been a member and the Treasurer for the GNODCA Board since its inception in 2004. Mark proves to be an asset to the Board.
Mark is Corporate Secretary of The Gray Insurance Company, where he has worked since 1978.
The Reunion will be in honor all of Louisiana Corps, present & past, and:
- The 50th Anniversary of the First DCI Championship in Whitewater, WI,
- The 41st Anniversary of the Louisiana Southernaires, First Place Finish in the DCI Class “A” Championship Finals,
- The 50th Anniversary of the Premiere Year of the Bleu Raeders and making DCI Open Class Championship Finals,
- And to celebrate the return of a Drum Corps Season post pandemic interruption
Anyone who was associated with a Drum Corps in the New Orleans, Hammond, Baton Rouge, Houma & Lafayette Areas, is invited to attend, socialize and reminisce.
The reunion picnic will be held in the Harahan VFW Hall at 1133 Hickory Ave., Harahan, LA. Bring your own food & drink (BYOL), also any pictures, awards, memorabilia and desserts that you would care to share.
The 2022 DCI 50th Anniversary Season began with a bang in Detroit and ended with the DCI World Championship in Indianapolis, IN on August 13, 2022.
If you have any questions, please contact Babette Staunton, GNODCA Social Committee at bbstaunton@cox.net or 504-343-1964. Hope to see you there!
Article by Babette Staunton, Posted October 1, 2022
2022, 50th DCI Anniversary Season - Southern Sweep and Big Loud and Live 17
(2022 World Championship Prelims, Live)
The 2022 DCI Anniversary Season began with a bang in Detroit, MI on June 28th with a live broadcast at the Cinemas where the Bluecoats came out on top.
Now we look forward to the southern sweep. There are several shows in the southeast that are close to home, so get in your vehicles and head out to see one or more in person!!! The Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps tentative schedule includes 11 DCI shows this year (See previous post). Support our LA Drum & Bugle Corps; information can be found at https://www.LouisianaStars.org
The remaining Southern Sweep Shows Include:
Sat., July 16, 7:30 PM (CT) - DCI Memphis (Memphis, TN)
Sat., July 16, 7:30 PM (CT) – Drums Across the River Region (Millbrook, AL)
.......... !!!!! Including the La Stars!!!!
Sun., July 17, 7:30 PM (CT) – Blast By the Bay (Daphine, AL)
.......... !!!!! Including the La Stars!!!!
Mon., July 18, 7:00 PM (CT) – West Texas Drums (Canyon, TX)
Thurs., July 21, 8:00 PM (CT) – DCI Austin (Round Rock, TX)
Thurs., July 21, 7:00 PM (CT) – DCI Denton (Denton, TX)
Fri., July 22, 8:00 PM (CT) – DCI Houston (Houston, TX)
Sat., July 23, 1:30 PM (CT) – DCI Southwestern Championship (San Antonio, TX)
Mon., July 25, 8:00 PM (CT) – DCI Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi, TX)
Mon., July 25, 8:00 PM (CT) – DCI Mesquite (Mesquite, TX)
Tues., July 26, 8:00 PM (CT) – DCI McKinney (McKinney, TX)
Wed., July 27, 7:30 PM (CT) – DCI Little Rock (Little Rock, TX)
Wed., July 27, 7:00 PM (CT) – DCI Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS)
Fri., July 29, 7:30 PM (CT) – DCI Birmingham (Trussville, AL)
Sat., July 30, 5:00 PM (CT) – DCI Southeastern Championship (Atlanta, GA)
Read more on schedules, tickets and event details for these shows and more go to https://www.dci.org
And to close out the 2022, 50th Anniversary Season, DCI and Fathom Events will air DCI 2022: BIG, LOUD AND LIVE 17 on the big screen, where you will see the 17th annual live broadcast of the DCI World Championship Prelims from Indianapolis, IN. This will be showing at theaters near you on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 5:30 PM Central Time (Expected Run Time: 5 hrs. 15 min.) This is your opportunity to experience the best of the best in the comfort of your theater as they battle for the title of World Champion! For more information and to pre-order your tickets go to: https://www.fathomevents.com/events Do not miss this chance of a lifetime to see the 2022 DCI World Championship Prelims live.
Article by Babette Staunton, Posted July 15, 2022
“2022 Louisiana Stars Tours & Show Schedule”
Wednesday night (7/13) the Louisiana Stars Drum & Bugle Corps had their “Community Send-Off” performance at Brusly High School, Brusly, La. before leaving on their first 2022 Tour (7/13-17/22). The Stars hit the ground running at the Tupelo Show on Thursday, 7/14/22 scoring 57.15. Congratulations on your first 2022 Season Show! Support the Louisiana Stars, our only La. Drum Corps. See the following show schedule & try to make one of the shows & their performances. More information can be found on their website https:// www.LouisianaStars.org
Louisiana Stars Show Schedule:
7/14 DCI Toupelo (Toupelo, MS)
7/16 Drums Across the River Region (Millbrook, AL)
7/17 Blast By the Bay (Daphine, AL - Location change)
7/30 DCI Central Illinois (Normal, IL)
8/1 DCI Sun Prairie (Sun Prairie, WI)
8/2 Spartan Thunder (Lima, OH)
8/5 Legends Drum Corps Open (Portage, MI)
8/6 Shoreman Brass Classic (Avon Lake, OH)
8/8 DCI Open Class Championship Prelims (Marion, IN)
8/9 DCI Open Class Championship Finals (Marion, IN)
8/11 DCI World Class Championship Prelims (Indianapolis, IN)
(Can be viewed on the big screen at the theaters with Fathom Events live streaming)
Article by Babette Staunton, Posted July 15, 2022
“Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story”
“Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story” is a movie of not only the 50-years of Jazz Fest but New Orleans & its thick culture. Jazz Fest has not only 7000 of the best musician from all over the world on 14 stages in 8 days, but all the best thick New Orleans’ cultures: music, art work, flavors and diverse ethnicities are celebrated. The movie “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story” can be streamed online thru Apple iTunes, Amazon Video, VuDu, Microsoft Store, Redbox, DIRECTV, AMC on Demand and Spectrum On Demand.
This film weaves live performances & interviews from the past 50 years of Jazz Fest with the beauty & madness of New Orleans. There is nothing in the world like playing the Jazz & Heritage Festival. It has the most amusing concert series. It is a blend, not a separation of cultures and New Orleans is nothing without it’s artists: music, food & art work.
We almost lost this city, New Orleans and its way of life. It was rebuilt/resurrected from below zero after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The music we celebrate with Jazz Fest cleansed the city. It was a resurrection of spirit & will: music, culture, resiliency, history & Rhythm. Life here is enjoyed not endured. That is the magic of Jazz Fest.
Article by Babette Staunton, Posted June 19, 2022
Emile “Moe” Latour (8-12-1938 to 6-5-2022)
We are deeply saddened with the passing of Emile “Moe” Latour at the age of 83. He was a New Orleans native, a 2008 Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association Hall of Fame member, a 2006 The Cadets Hall of Fame member and a 2002 Drum Corps International Hall of Fame member.
Moe began in Drum Corps early in life joining the New Orleans Cadets at the age of 11. Moe lived a full life supporting Drum Corps. He served on the 1972 inaugural year Contest Crew at DCI Championships in Whitewater, WI., guided many New Orleans area corps (Masqueraders, Southern Rebels and Bleu Raeders), Blue Stars, Phantom Regiment, Star of Indiana & The Cadets (Formerly Garfield Cadets) in many capacities including, Drum Caption Head, Tour Director, Assistant Director, Executive Director and winding down to the ultimate Glove Salesman. Many Corps commented about his deep calm authoritative Cajun voice.
Our GNODCA organization offers condolences to Moe’s family, Drum Corps families & friends in this difficult time. GNODCA & his Drum Corps family will sorely miss him. Please keep Moe & his families in your prayers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to "The Cadets" Drum & Bugle Corps: https://cadets.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=211&sctype=2&sccid=136159
Article by Babette Staunton, Posted June 16, 2022, Updated July 15, 2022