Jack’s father, Pat LaSelva, started the Valiant’s from Hyde Park Massachusetts back in the 60s. The Valiants were the Crusaders’ feeder corps. Jack played soprano with the Valiants from 61 to 64. He moved up to the Crusaders as a 1st Soprano and marched with them from 65 to 71. He tells everyone that his time with the junior corps were the best years of his life.

In 91 Jack heard that some of the old Crusaders were forming a Senior Corps and dropped in to see what was going on. He never left. He’s been our Drum Major since the beginning and was elected President in 2002. In 2010 Jack was nominated and inducted into the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame.

“It’s an honor to be a part of such a great group of people. I pass on the same traditions that were passed on to me and passed on to all members after me. A QUITTER NEVER WINS and A WINNER NEVER QUITS Tradition of Excellence!!! This Senior Corps is made of Giants and we will never die. Be part of the Crusader Senior Corps family you will be glad you did”

Jack is our head cheerleader, booking agent, uniform designer and master of ceremonies (among other duties) and pulls it all off with grace. We’re lucky to have him at the helm.

 

 

Jim started his drum corps career in 1950, at the age of 12, with St Ann's Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, Lawrence, MA.  Now in his 60th consecutive year of drum corps, he is still playing soprano and also serves as the Crusaders Sr Corps' Treasurer. When St Ann's closed in 1951, he joined the Pontiac Chieftains, also of Lawrence, where he started as a slide soprano and eventually served as their Drum Major.  He also taught the color guard and new buglers  until he aged out in 1960. Jim also admits to playing with the PLAV, Lowell; Queensmen, Winchester-Woburn; St Mary's Cardinals, Beverly; and a few others with a fake birth certificate.  In 1961 he joined the Thunderbirds, Sommerville, MA as a solo soprano and did a few stints as Drum Major.  From there the dates get murky as Jim traveled throughout the United States with his job always with his bugle close by.  He has played/marched with the following corps; Pittsburg Rockets, Pittsburg, PA; Toronto Optimists; Lamberville Volunteers, Lamberville, NJ; Pontiac Chieftains Sr Corps, (soprano, drum major, treasurer); Esprit de Corps, Haverhill, MA; Northern Knights; Atlantic Brassmen, Gloucester; Marksmen Sr Corps 1991-1995 (solo soprano, drum major); Sunrisers, Nassau County, NY;   Legends;  and finally with the Crusaders Sr Corps 1995 to present. Jim also marched in the 1991 and 1993 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade with the Summer Music Games All-Star Drum & Bugle Corps and the Daytona Beach  Christmas Festival Drum & Bugle Corps.

  

 Mike was a member of the Boston Crusader’s junior corps from ‘96 through ’98.  He played snare and also was drumline section leader all three years.  Throughout his three years of junior corps, he had the honor of marching under a staff of numerous drum corps greats, such as Rudy Gowern, Paul Lusardi, Nick Angelis, and Al Murray.  During these years, Mike became the player and leader he is today.  Mike also marched with the Power and Class of New England, aka the UMass Minuteman Marching Band, throughout his college years.  This is where he honed his superior playing technique under the tutelage of Thomas P. Hannum. 

After taking a year off from marching, Mike is very thankful to have been enticed back to playing with the corps by Mike Cahill, the Crusader Senior Corps percussion instructor in 2000.  Mike has been in the our drumline ever since, and after several years reclaimed his former title as drumline section leader.  Mike has been a staple in our drumline for many years.  He has helped form our line into one of today’s premier Senior Corps drumlines.  When your hear us marching down the street this year, make sure to listen carefully.  Mike has written a new cadence, and he promises it will get your feet tapping and your hands clapping!

Mike is also a member of the Legends of Drums Corps performing group.  Although he never was a fan of playing on plastic heads, he thoroughly enjoys drumming alongside some of the activity’s greatest.  Mike is also on the staff of Everett High Schools Winter Percussion program.  After his many years of experience, Mike is loving the opportunity to share his wealth of knowledge with the players of tomorrow.