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Very easy to bash the messenger, but foolish to ignore the message. If "the facts" were incorrect, then please present contradictory evidence The irrefutable fact is that kids did not join the corps. Why not? Could it be possible they get all the competitve experience they want through marching band, indoor percussion & guard? Could it be possible their scholastic groups provide well funded, staff and equipped organizations for members to join? This isn't a knock on the "new front ensemble equipment the corps acquired "- it is a statement that what they offer IS NO BETTER THAN WHAT KIDS ALREADY PLAY ON. Not going to finals 2x in the last 8 years however, was a statement that the corps was not offering its members the same competitive experience that its competitors were. No doubt the staff were the best human beings ever put on earth. What they weren't were educators that kept members involved or attracted new members to a program. From reading all the heartfelt testimonials lauding the management of LER I am sure that they had the best intentions - unfortunately intentions dont march low brass posts. LER was unable to maintain their core of members from a few years ago when they marched almost 60 members. They failed to attract new members. They are now inactive. Other groups have been able to regroup, bring in new staff and access a potential recruiting base. Revolution is a good example. It can be done. But obviously new methods or recrruiting and operations need to be employed. Care to provide factual evidence to the contrary? Feel free - it could help prevent the next Div 3 corps from suffering the same fate.

Nothing to do with the fact that you work at Blue Saints? Dogging JW Koester, who does a great job with the Div 2/3 tour - that's UNCOOL (not my choice of words by the way) Would you and "Ripper" rather a show schedule be posted and then amended some 20-odd times like the last few years? Would you like to see confusion from what should be a growing fan base? There is nothing wrong with waiting until the schedule is ready to be made public. Relax dude.

E-mail JW Koester and start to act like a corps director Mr Ripley.....

How did it go? Pick up any new members? We need more corps from Connecticut!

Yeah, it appears they are on the way to another finalist spot in Div 2. Certainly not top 5 like in 05, but they should make the cut to Friday & Saturday.

You would need to make semi's first

The website says Key Poulan is Brass Arranger & Mike Longdo is Program Coordinator. What happened to Don Hill & Ed Argenziano??????

Well, let's think about this for a second. What does a corps like LER have to offer a kid that they can not get from HS band? A more advanced and competitive group? Nope Better instruction? No way - the Lake Erie staff has been substandard since 1999 Better equipment? Nope - More touring opportunities? No, LER didnt go when championships were far away Kids are auditioning to be a part of a specific drum corps experience. They are not desperate for performance or cometitive situations. Please tell me why a student should join a group that ofers nothing except the opportunity to spend about $1000? If you are asking a kid to invest in a corps, the corps needs to offer something in return.

Very accurate summation. "Probably not, nor do I expect them to win Div II next year in Madison, but if any new corps has a shot, Academy probably has the best shot of any corps in recent history. I DO see them taking a huge stand in Div II, and going Div I within a few years (assuming they want to)"

the you should be thrilled to attend the Division 2/3 semi finals that will run before the Friday show.

I say go all 11. All the more kids to position at the exits at World Championships to beg for money to get home.

So was their guard. Extremely clean. Not too ambitious in terms of vocabulary, but effective and well designed. No wonder they have won the guard caption 3 out of the last 5 years. The Spartans have carved out a niche for themselves and stayed true to it. They deserve tons of credit for being a competitor for a top spot year in & year out. |

I have a better word - Spartacus Takng the time to spell correctly and proof your work is indicative of pride in your words. Endless spelling and grammatical errors, like yours Mr. Moyer, indicate a sloppiness in effort and care.

Thanks for the holier than thou attitude.

Not to mention the most pretentious program announcement.