50th Reunion Corps Brass Staff

The email addresses for the brass staff are as follows.

Some of the charts are ready so please contact your section leader for parts. Please be aware that probably everyone cannot play first part for the whole gig so ask for all the parts for your instrument. Any relative of a past Knight member or staff member is welcome to join the brass line (perc and guard too). So let’s get at least 60. What do you think?

Karl Rosenquist, 1962 – 2015

Posted yesterday to the Geneseo Knights Facebook page by Curt Plumb:

it is with the deepest sorrow and heartache to send this message…but alas, it must be done…we’ve lost another one of our faithful alumni..Karl Rosenquist a faithful knight from 1976-1980 has passed last nite on Oct 7, 2015……services still pending but I will pass this information along as I receive it. .earlier this afternoon I had a phone message from his sister Nancy and was told that he had passed away last night in the hospital. he had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that had spread and he had been in quite a bit of pain for awhile now…may he finally rest in peace with the grace of the good Lord above…such a true friend shall be dearly missed

Obituary can be found at the Stackhouse Moore Funeral Services website.

Karl Rosenquist

Karl Rosenquist

Karl C. Rosenquist, 53, of Cambridge, died Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at UnityPoint Health-Trinity Rock Island. Cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 12th, at the Cambridge Chapel of Stackhouse-Moore Funeral Services. Rev. Randall Swanson will officate. Interment of cremains will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Cambridge. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Karl Charles Rosenquist was born February 5, 1962 in Kewanee, the son of James H. and Phyllis J. Blue Rosenquist. He was educated in Cambridge schools and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1980. Karl attended DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago and graduated as an electronic technician. He worked for Northrup and Varian.

He then attended Blackhawk College in Moline and graduated with honors. Karl went to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He worked at Caterpillar in Peoria. Karl was a member of the Knights Drum and Bugle Corp in Geneseo from 1976 to 1981, where he played Baritone and Contra. He continued to follow members of the group and enjoyed their reunions. Karl also enjoyed going to the movies. He was a former member of the Cambridge United Methodist Church.

Those surviving are a sister and brother-in-law, Nancie and Chris Cassiday, Chillicothe, IL, and several cousins. His parents preceded him in death.

The new site

Hi everyone. As you can probably tell, we had some problems with the old site. Essentially, it was hacked and corrupted and I was unable to “clean” the site. So, I’m having to start over “fresh” with a new installation of the site. The good news is that we still have the knightscorps.org domain name, so that won’t change. The bad news is that it may take me a while to get all the old posts and things imported.

So, please be patient, I’m working on getting things back to something close to normal.

Thanks.

50th Reunion “Save the Date”

Info from Gregg Neuleib:

The 50th reunion committee wanted to get the “Save the Date” notice out for July 2-3, 2016.

Thank you Stan L. Maddox for posting about it earlier this a.m. I think he’s going to put it on the knightdbc.org site as well. Tentative plans for a hornline, guard, as well as our already-organized drumline are forming. We will post our sub-committee needs soon. We want to use as many of you for various things as possible. One very important job will be finding EVERYONE! I believe we will have a leader and committee for each era of the corps and maybe we can have a huge reunion. ’66-73, ’74-’80, ’81-’86, ’87-’95 would be the four different sections representing the Kewanee, early Geneseo, later Geneseo, and Quad City years. Obviously there will be overlapping but hopefully we can catch everyone. We will get more out in a couple weeks. Start the suggestions.

Knights Alumni Drumline Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FEBRUARY 25, 2014

The alumni drumline members of the Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, formerly from Kewanee, Geneseo, and the Quad Cities, have been invited to assemble and perform at Percussion Palooza, to be held at Rock Falls High School in Rock Falls, Illinois, on Sunday, March 2, 2014.

The Knights Drum and Bugle corps was active from 1966 through 1995. They achieved prominence in the drum corps activity, and finished as high as 15th place at the Drum Corps International, World Championships.

39 former Knights have committed to preparing and giving in this performance. These current members have listed their final year performing with the corps, ranging from 1971 through 1995. This is a very special event that is of interest to all Knights alumni, fans and drum corps enthusiasts.

In association with this special one-time performance event, On Sunday, March 2, there will be a REUNION for ALL FORMER MEMBERS of the Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. This reunion will be held at a Kapp’s Banquet Hall, a short distance from Rock Falls High School, the site of the Percussion Palooza performance. People interested in more information about this reunion or the Percussion Palooza event should go to http://www.knightsdbc.org/.

It is of great interest to the communities of Kewanee, Geneseo and the Quad Cities to get this information broadcast as thoroughly as possible. There are MANY former Knights and Knights fans who would certainly attend this event if they knew about it, and would appreciate being informed. Please do all you can to make this announcement and story a local priority.

Emergency Bass Player Needed

EMERGENCY – Our bass 1 (smallest) player is very sick and will not be able to participate in the drumline. He requires twice daily doctor visits. We need someone to step up and play bass one at the camp this weekend. Any takers?

Contact Steve Scherer (sscherer@dist228.org) if you are interested or know of someone who may be able to fill in.

Quick Update from Steve Scherer

Just got this from Steve regarding the rehearsals for the Alumni Drumline:

“Attention ALL KNIGHTS alumni and enthusiasts who live in and near Geneseo. We are looking for housing for the alumni drumline members for the nights of Saturday January 18, Saturday February 8, and Saturday March 1. I AM ALSO LOOKING FOR A VOLUNTEER TO COORDINATE THE HOUSING. If you are willing to help with this project, please let me know right away. Thank You!”

If you can help, please contact Steve (see previous post).

Geneseo Knights Drumline 2014 and All Knights Reunion

On Sunday, March 2, we will have a REUNION for ALL FORMER MEMBERS of the Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. This reunion will be held at a banquet hall a short distance from Rock Falls High School, the site of the Percussion Palooza performance.

The alumni drumline members of the Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, formerly from Kewanee, Geneseo, and the Quad Cities, have been invited to assemble and perform at the Percussion Palooza, to be held at Rock Falls High School in Rock Falls, Illinois, on Sunday, March 2, 2014. Through facebook (FB group – Geneseo Knights Drum and Bugle Corps) announcements and communication, 32 former Knights have committed to preparing and giving in this performance. These current members have listed their final year performing with the corps, ranging from 1971 through 1995. The opportunity is still available to other Knights who would like to participate.

The current roster includes Steve Scherer ’84 as Director / Coordinator, and Ramiro Martinez ’83 as Director / Arranger. We have 15 snares, 5 tenors, 5 basses, 1 cymbal, and 6 pit. As of January 5, the snares and tenors have each had a sectional, and the basses will meet on January 11 for a sectional. The mandatory camp dates are:

  • Saturday, January 18 beginning at 12:00 noon through Sunday, January 19 ending at 2:00.
  • Saturday, February 8 beginning at 12:00 noon through Sunday, February 9 ending at 2:00.
  • Saturday, March 1 beginning at 12:00 noon through Sunday, March 2, the day of the performance.

The camp rehearsals will be held at Geneseo High School. If you can arrange Saturday night housing with someone in or near Geneseo, that is encouraged. Otherwise there are two inexpensive new hotels in Geneseo (Sorry, the Deck is gone – parking lot). They are the Geneseo Inn, located next to interstate 80, and the America’s Best Value Inn, located on Route 6 / Main Street on the West edge of town.

We are working on a design for a uniform to be worn during the performance. It is our intent that the uniform will be paid for by a sponsor. We also have sponsors willing to provide all of the drumheads and sticks and mallets that will be used. The instruments and equipment trailer are being provided by Geneseo High School, Rock Falls High School, and potentially other Knights-friendly lenders. Future performance opportunities will be discussed at the camp rehearsals and the reunion.

On March 2, the day of the REUNION, the drumline will travel a short distance to Rock Falls High School and set up all equipment before noon. The ALL CORPS REUNION EVENT will begin at the banquet hall at noon and run throughout the afternoon. We will have a light catered meal (appetizers, sandwiches, etc.) beginning at 4:00. The KNIGHTS DRUMLINE will give their exhibition performance at 6:30 PM. After the performance, all Knights are invited to return to the banquet hall to continue the REUNION for as long as you wish.

There will be a nominal fee per person to cover the cost of the hall and the food, and there will be a cash bar.

We are designing a new Geneseo Knights 2014 logo that will be available for purchase on merchandise such as event t-shirts, buttons, coffee mugs, and possibly commemorative signature drumsticks. These items will all be made available to pre-order and pre-pay, and will be distributed on the day of the event. We will ship purchased items to those who would like to purchase souvenirs but cannot attend the event.

MANY KNIGHTS are working hard to make this event possible, and we all wish to see this provide an opportunity for MANY GENERATIONS OF THE KNIGHTS to meet once again for fellowship.

Questions should be directed to Steve Scherer, at sscherer@dist228.org, or text to 309-507-BAND. You can also send a personal message on Facebook.

Summer 2014 Muscatine (IA) Show

Just got a message from Jeff Heid, the band director at Muscatine HS.

“We host DCI Muscatine, and were wondering if The Knights would like to do something at our 2014 show? Reunion? An Encore Show? Anything? Is this of interest to you?

We are willing to provide some support. To be honest, we don’t even know where to start – so this is it.”

So, anyone got any thoughts…suggestions…anything else?
Here’s a link to the post/discussion over on facebook.

Knights Revival/Reunion/Fundraiser

Greetings Knights,
As a Knights Drum and Bugle Corps Alum, you can remember the good times and great lifelong friendships made while performing and entertaining crowds of drum corps followers around the country. So let us begin by saying there is an effort to bring drum corps back to the Quad-City area.

Through the Knights Revival Effort (https://www.facebook.com/#!/Knights.Revival.Effort), we are attempting to obtain “non-profit status”. Before we can go to corporate sponsors this “non-profit status” requires a filing fee of $850. A Knights Revival/Fundraiser/Reunion event is being planned for Thursday, July 12, 2012. (On Facebook – Knights Reunion at Music on the March)

We have 50 premium reserved-seat tickets for the Music on the March show on July 12, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Brady Street Stadium in Davenport, IA. The cost is $25 per ticket. The show will include The Colts, Blue Knights, Boston Crusaders, The Academy, Cascades, Music City and the Colt Cadets. DEADLINE FOR TICKET ORDERS IS JULY 1st.

Along with tickets to the show, we will also have available for purchase, a Knights patch and a small Knights 1972-76 Crusaders Cross flag for $15 each. A ticket, patch and flag package is $50. (note: limited supply of 50 patches and 50 flags. The best way to reserve a ticket , ticket package, patch or flag is to make checks or money orders payable to Drum Corps Revival and send C/o Rich Clark (contact via Facebook or email for address). To pick up your tickets & memorabilia items, see Al Ratcliff, Dave or Rich Clark at The Knights table set up in the Corps souvenir area in front of the stadium on July 12th.

In conjunction with the Davenport show on July 12th, the Blue Knights will be staying and rehearsing at the Geneseo Middle School. You old timers will find the middle school right down the street or across two fields and a parking lot from the high school. Anyone who wishes is encouraged to attend their rehearsal prior to the show starting at 7:00 pm at the Brady Street Stadium. Knight Alum Kari Neuleib (70 -76, 84-85) Zimny’s son Jonathon marches with the Blue Knights. You might find J.P. Herring (79-85, 86-92) helping out with the corps. If you are in Geneseo, or passing through going to the show, help out the Drum Corps Revival Movement by eating at the Pizza Hut in Geneseo for dinner as a fundraiser from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Pizza Hut has an all-you-can-eat buffet and salad bar, the proceeds go to the Drum Corps Revival Movement. Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for children. This fundraiser is just one of many that are designed to assist with attaining funds for the license.

After the show, head to The Boathouse Restaurant (1201 E. River Drive Davenport, IA) managed by Knights Alum Mark Klundt (‘77-‘81). There will be hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. What a great way to come back to the Quad-City area, relive memories with old friends and help bring Drum Corps back to the area!

Hope to see you July 12th!

Sincerely,
The Drum Corps Revival Committee
Joe Angelo
Travis Lopez
Peter Philhower
Eric Ashcraft ‘78-‘93
Steve Scherer’’82-‘86, ‘90
Jeremy Hill ’92-‘95
Al Ratcliff ‘72-‘74, ‘81-‘89
Phyllis Miller ‘91-‘92
Dave Clark ‘78-‘82
Rich Clark ‘78-‘79