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The Middle Horn Leader 2006

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Journal Links Cadets From Across the Years

Friday, December 1, 2006
By: Caryn Goebel

Middle Horn Leader 2006 Available Online

As a new generation of Cadets come together for the 2007 season, they will have available to them a valuable resource that embodies the tradition and spirit of those who marched before them. The Middle Horn Leader 2006, a chronicle of the 1984 Garfield Cadets, recently became available online through Amazon.com. This version now includes illustrations inspired by the 1984 West Side Story production, as well as reflections from Cadets of more recent years.

This 48-page book coincides with those Cadets who were born in 1984 and then aged out in 2006, said author David C. Welch. It features work by well-known artist Don Daber and perspectives by Cadets from throughout the corps' colorful history.

While the book provides the reader an insider's look of the legendary 1984 corps' season through the journal of rookie mellophone player Welch, it also carries within it the teachings and lessons every Cadet takes with them after they age out. For Welch, particularly, it personifies the very discipline he now uses in his fight against brain cancer.

"As human beings, we all face major life challenges. But we can go forward from The Cadets assuredly knowing that we are well-armed," writes Welch in an opening letter within the book. "And it is real, because these experiential lessons do not come easy. We all invest heavily to gain this wisdom."

Welch, 40, was diagnosed in 2004 with brain cancer and today continues intensive treatment to control this disease. It was in December 2004 when lifelong friend, Cadet, and business partner Doug Rutherford noticed something was amiss with Welch, encouraging him to seek medical attention.

The hours and days that followed an emergency room visit revealed the worst - an inoperable cancerous brain tumor the size of a lemon. The prognosis seemed insurmountable, but just as Cadets do, they came together and faced the challenge. Upon recommendation from Cadet Brian Wilkie, Welch was directed to a cutting edge New York neurosurgeon, Dr. Patrick J. Kelly, who in May 2005 was able to remove about 50 percent of the tumor in the center of Welch's brain.

For Welch, utilizing the disciplined philosophies of perfecting a World Championship field program were relayed within himself as he prepared for surgery and the chemotherapy to follow. And his near-blood family of Cadets still carries him through the tumultuous times inflicted by the disease and its aggressive treatment.

"There are friends we can nurture throughout our lives. There are skill sets that can be applied inside or outside of drum corps. And where others see obstacles and impossibilities, we can learn to see opportunities," said Welch.

Pages of nostalgia

In 1984, Welch documented his experiences with the Garfield Cadets daily by hand, narratively describing events and thoughts of his very challenging first year in the corps. Garfield's rendition of "West Side Story" earned the corps its second championship title in two years. Through the decades, that show has become a classic within the activity.

"I learned of a publication called The Middle Horn Leader by Scooter Pirtle. I shot him a note and told him of my journal and he had the idea to publish it at the 10-year anniversary of the 1984 show," Welch said. The book, then titled The Middle Horn Leader 14, was dedicated and distributed to all 1984 members and has since developed a sort of underground circulation among members to familiarize them with the many unwritten traditions of The Cadets, Welch said.

In 1999, five years after its release, the stories within The Middle Horn Leader 14 inspired artist Don Daber, and a series of illustrations were printed weekly in the independent newspaper Drum Corps World. All these illustration are, for the first time, collectively gathered in the same place in the Middle Horn Leader 2006.

"I had always wanted to do a 22-year anniversary of the publication, marking those Cadets' who were born in 1984, then aged out in 2006," Welch said. "It's so exciting that it came together."

The 2006 edition brings a new cast of Cadets to the pages who recollect what marching in the nine-time World Champion corps has meant to them, including Paula Hyman, Rachel Anderson, Christen Juel, and Welch's lifelong friend and former Cadets drum major, Doug Rutherford.

"The process of putting this together was the best part. It was so energizing to work with these wonderful, talented people," Welch said.

Welch funded the entire project, and there will be no monetary gains for him. One hundred percent of the proceeds are being directed to brain cancer awareness. It's about supporting a cause that has become so much a part of his life, just as the Cadets have become since his first rehearsal camp 22-years ago.

"I have no idea what kind of audience will be interested in this book. Yes, I have a Holy Name bias, but this book can speak to people across drum corps," Welch said.

Welch carries an unwavering vision for the future. Treatment for his cancer has had far more success than any doctor suspected possible, and his Cadets' ties continue to be an instrumental part of his daily life. As for The Middle Horn Leader and what lies ahead, there are many possibilities, according to Welch.

"Maybe there will be a Middle Horn Leader 2007 or 2008. Regardless, this publication will always keep sending the message. Because no matter what year you marched, it's amazing how similar it all is. You are me and I am you - we are only separated by time."

Cadet #40 Review of The Middle Horn Leader 2006

Wednesday, February 28, 2007
By: Dave Shaw

Many of you are probably unaware that there is a book about The Cadets written by a Cadet alumnus currently available on Amazon.com. The title of the book is "The Middle Horn Leader 2006," written by Cadet David Welch about his 1984 rookie season with The Cadets. This was the fabled 50th Golden Anniversary season of the Cadets, and the "Westside Story" program that is still talked about, to this day, with awe and amazement.

The first part of the book is a day-by-day journal of what David experienced, and his reactions to and reflections on his life as a 17-18 year-old, first-year Cadet. Part two is a cartoon-art section of illustrations based on David's journal by Don Daber of Toronto Canada. The third part is a totally brilliant overview of the momentous milestone events in David's life to date, and how the lessons he learned as a Cadet affected and guided him each step of the way. The fourth and final part consists of four essays by Cadet middle horn leaders (mellophone section) who occupied the leadership position in 1990 (Nicole Roach), 1998 (Rachel Anderson), 2003 (Christen Juel) and 2006 (Paula Hyman). Throughout the entire book the emotional connection to Holy Name and the generations that preceded them as Cadets is inspiring beyond description.

My copy arrived in the mail today. I just finished reading it cover to cover. As I write this email I can't stop the tears rolling down my face.

David's book took me along on a magical journey of the Cadet experience. It filled me with joy, and wonder, and gratitude, to know that the Cadets continue to fulfill the dream and share the values we all hold so close to our hearts.

The past few months I have had the great privilege and honor of reconnecting with Cadets from many different generations. David's story is all our stories; each one different, each one the same. Even our heritage-Cadets from seven and one half generations ago, remember every detail of their Cadet experience, down to such minute details as their uniform number. When we stand together to sing the Holy Name Song no one holds back, and the words known to every Cadet are sung out with indescribable pride and love, and a reverence reserved for only the most important things in our lives.

None of us, however, myself in particular, have ever managed to capture in writing what it means to be a Cadet as beautifully and as poignantly as David has in this book. He has made a contribution to our corps that will resonate for generations to come, and will be passed along from Cadet to Cadet through the ages.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Nicole, Rachel, Christen, and Paula. The continuity of the Cadet experience they describe, each essay ending with "For Holy Name Shall Always Be," has made me realize anew the power of our common heritage, and the strength of our values.

A full-color version of David's book, "The Middle Horn Leader 2006" is available for purchase on Amazon.com for $29.00 I think it is worth every penny. Thank you Cadet David Welch for this amazing gift of love.