Bill_VA

To add clarity (I hope), the abbreviated judging panel is available fo "new" shows only, this means that it can be an alternative to a full panel which cost more. When I spoke to one of the judges, he stated that many of the corps in competition this evening were at the second or even first real viewing by a sanctioned DCA judge. As such, the comments and scores are to reflect an appropriate slating of how the corps "fit" within the current ranks. So I agree withe this direction. I am sure that Sean Peck, Director Shenandoah Sound was please with a reduced cost so more money is available to the corps. If they can get established at this location (Woodbridge Senior High School), real fans will know t put this show on their summer calendar (which may also generate a buzz for new potential corps members). I hope last night was a decent return on investment for Sound, this is a great bunch of people and they deserve much success.

Just a quick review as I have to save my more verbose statements for my DCW article. Before I begin, please note that this was only a four-member DCA panel (no field judges) So everything was from upstairs. So when you exclude the field performance numbers it may skew the actual numbers and possible placements (no guarantee that would happen but you never know). Rochester Crusaders (1st) Looked and sounded amazing. Their 60th Anniversary show of Russian Rhasposdy is an excellent vehicle to show off those new (snazzy) corps uniforms. Brass was great only some minor weakness in some spots, they have a great dynamics and very expressive. The drumline had a very good evening as well. Nicely expressive battery and a highly musical front ensemble. Color guard is huge (I counted 33 members), they are very colorful and have talent, but total ensemble performance gets a bit off. If they can nail down their performance and get the visual program to click, they will make a powerful statement in Rochester. Top notch overall and the crowd (as it was) went wild for the show! Fusion Core (2nd) Wow! This is what, their second performance of their short live? Well they impressed many here this evening. Brass is their bright point, excellent ensemble sound especially handling the complex Pat Metheny numbers. Smallish drumline, but they performed well and they supported the program well. Color guard was also small (6-members) but very good but had some misses this evening. They worked well on all equipment types including flag, saber, and rifle. Could use a boost in body/dance to enhance the program. This is a great beginning for this very new All-Age corps. They sounded amazing, they looked good, and they seemed to have a great time out there, this all related well to the audience and they responded vocally and with loud applause. Besting two established corps like MCL and Sun had to feel good this evening. Music City Legend (3rd) Is performing a very intriguing program called "Night Life: Hits of the Mob" where the Front Ensemble is dressed as mobsters with stripped suits, some with hats and dark glasses. The corps uses a mix of different numbers from different idioms to tell a story of a mobs family, death, and revenge. It is a cool idea that is not completely gelling just yet. Musically the corps stands up well, brass has talent but some mixed results in the ensemble (some off balanced voicing and performance). Visually a fun show but transitions between pieces are not very clear and the breaks in the number need to be shorter. This is throughout the different elements, all sections need some clarifying and locking down individual performances. This is still a fun show and their ending is "different" (you gotta experience it). Sunrisers (4th) I was a little surprise at this placement, but without benefit of recaps, I can only guess where the issues lie. First of all, the show is highly demanding and complex (what Cirque du Soleli show isn't). But the degree of nuances and expression that the brass has to produce is very demanding and with only 12 horses (no I am not calling them horses - it is just a metaphor) it comes off at times weak. Visually the show is large, so spacing is very wide at times. Brass has much talent and they play well. Drumline is also expressive and has a difficult book musically and physically. Color guard is amazing. They have a very strong show and I thought their ensemble work was outstanding. They infuse a nice body program but they had some off moments that may have been more noticeable then I thought. If they can keep that demand, clean up the visual clarity and strengthen that brass line and more success will come their way. Shenandoah Sound (Exh) Due to many issues, Sound this year will only have an abbreviated season and only as an exhibition corps. They performed a short program of music from Blood, Sweat, and Tears and it is very appealing and crowd pleasing music. Simple back and forth drill moves enough to keep the show interesting and the audience was entertained. Brass was cool and had some very talented soloists. Drums did well and they supported the musical program. No color guard, so the show focused mainly on the music. With the success of this night show, maybe they can generate more interest for members so they can return to competition in 2008. For a musical opener that entertained the arriving audience and performed the National Anthem was the Occoquan Heavy Metal group. Now, you may think, wow! What is a heavy metal group performing at a D&B competition doing here? Well, you will be happy to note that they are a 6-member brass group of Euphoniums and tubas from the Prince William Community Band. They were marvelous as they performed quite a few numbers prior to the start of the competition. Many classical and near classic pieces were expertly handled and it was certainly not lost on the great audience this evening. The Shenandoah Sound management and staff along with the Woodbridge HS Band Boosters did a great job this evening handling the many projects that make up the operation of a successful show. Great job everyone! Looking forward to next year! One last note, the announcer this evening was the Director of the Woodbridge HS Band, he had to replace Fran Haring who was scheduled to announce this evening, but due to the sudden illness of his wife Barbara, he was unable to make the show. I would like to say that I have known Fran and Barbara for many, many years and I send out my prayer for Barbara's recovery and I hope she will get well soon. Barbara! We Love You! Get Well Soon!

Just a quick review as I have to save my more verbose statements for my DCW article. Before I begin, please note that this was only a four-member DCA panel (no field judges) So everything was from upstairs. So when you exclude the field performance numbers it may skew the actual numbers and possible placements (no guarantee that would happen but you never know). Rochester Crusaders (1st) Looked and sounded amazing. Their 60th Anniversary show of Russian Rhasposdy is an excellent vehicle to show off those new (snazzy) corps uniforms. Brass was great only some minor weakness in some spots, they have a great dynamics and very expressive. The drumline had a very good evening as well. Nicely expressive battery and a highly musical front ensemble. Color guard is huge (I counted 33 members), they are very colorful and have talent, but total ensemble performance gets a bit off. If they can nail down their performance and get the visual program to click, they will make a powerful statement in Rochester. Top notch overall and the crowd (as it was) went wild for the show! Fusion Core (2nd) Wow! This is what, their second performance of their short live? Well they impressed many here this evening. Brass is their bright point, excellent ensemble sound especially handling the complex Pat Metheny numbers. Smallish drumline, but they performed well and they supported the program well. Color guard was also small (6-members) but very good but had some misses this evening. They worked well on all equipment types including flag, saber, and rifle. Could use a boost in body/dance to enhance the program. This is a great beginning for this very new All-Age corps. They sounded amazing, they looked good, and they seemed to have a great time out there, this all related well to the audience and they responded vocally and with loud applause. Besting two established corps like MCL and Sun had to feel good this evening. Music City Legend (3rd) Is performing a very intriguing program called "Night Life: Hits of the Mob" where the Front Ensemble is dressed as mobsters with stripped suits, some with hats and dark glasses. The corps uses a mix of different numbers from different idioms to tell a story of a mobs family, death, and revenge. It is a cool idea that is not completely gelling just yet. Musically the corps stands up well, brass has talent but some mixed results in the ensemble (some off balanced voicing and performance). Visually a fun show but transitions between pieces are not very clear and the breaks in the number need to be shorter. This is throughout the different elements, all sections need some clarifying and locking down individual performances. This is still a fun show and their ending is "different" (you gotta experience it). Sunrisers (4th) I was a little surprise at this placement, but without benefit of recaps, I can only guess where the issues lie. First of all, the show is highly demanding and complex (what Cirque du Soleli show isn't). But the degree of nuances and expression that the brass has to produce is very demanding and with only 12 horses (no I am not calling them horses - it is just a metaphor) it comes off at times weak. Visually the show is large, so spacing is very wide at times. Brass has much talent and they play well. Drumline is also expressive and has a difficult book musically and physically. Color guard is amazing. They have a very strong show and I thought their ensemble work was outstanding. They infuse a nice body program but they had some off moments that may have been more noticeable then I thought. If they can keep that demand, clean up the visual clarity and strengthen that brass line and more success will come their way. Shenandoah Sound (Exh) Due to many issues, Sound this year will only have an abbreviated season and only as an exhibition corps. They performed a short program of music from Blood, Sweat, and Tears and it is very appealing and crowd pleasing music. Simple back and forth drill moves enough to keep the show interesting and the audience was entertained. Brass was cool and had some very talented soloists. Drums did well and they supported the musical program. No color guard, so the show focused mainly on the music. With the success of this night show, maybe they can generate more interest for members so they can return to competition in 2008. For a musical opener that entertained the arriving audience and performed the National Anthem was the Occoquan Heavy Metal group. Now, you may think, wow! What is a heavy metal group performing at a D&B competition doing here? Well, you will be happy to note that they are a 6-member brass group of Euphoniums and tubas from the Prince William Community Band. They were marvelous as they performed quite a few numbers prior to the start of the competition. Many classical and near classic pieces were expertly handled and it was certainly not lost on the great audience this evening. The Shenandoah Sound management and staff along with the Woodbridge HS Band Boosters did a great job this evening handling the many projects that make up the operation of a successful show. Great job everyone! Looking forward to next year! One last note, the announcer this evening was the Director of the Woodbridge HS Band, he had to replace Fran Haring who was scheduled to announce this evening, but due to the sudden illness of his wife Barbara, he was unable to make the show. I would like to say that I have known Fran and Barbara for many, many years and I send out my prayer for Barbara's recovery and I hope she will get well soon. Barbara! We Love You! Get Well Soon!

Fran; I jest saw what you post about Barbara. Wow! I am heartfelt glad she is showing some progress. What a blow to you both. Our prayers are with both of you. Please let me know if you need anything! And I mean anything, if I have it it can be yours. Please give Barb our best when she is receptive. With my love and sincerity William Aldrich-Thorpe

UPDATE!!! The services are Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, 9/26 & 27, at Porter Loring Funeral Home, which is located at 1101 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, Texas, 78212. Their phone number is 210-227-8221. Regards,

UPDATE!! The services are Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, 9/26 & 27, at Porter Loring Funeral Home, which is located at 1101 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, Texas, 78212. Their phone number is 210-227-8221. Regards,

All; The word just came in that Alan Winslow, long time DCW photographer, died this evening after a long battle with cancer. He was at the 2006 DCA World Championship but went into the hospital when he returned to San Antonio. No other information is yet available but will be posted as soon as services are arranged.

All; The word just came in that Alan Winslow, long time DCW photographer died this evening after a long battle with cancer. He was at the 2006 DCA World Championship but went into the hospital when he returned to San Antonio. No other information is yet available but will be posted as soon as services are arranged.

I just got word from Steve Vickers, Alan Winslow passed away this evening. He apparently went into the hospital on September 5th after returning home from the DCA Championship. His cancer apparent accelerated over the past two weeks. No information yet on services, but I am sure it will be forthcoming. Sorry to pass on this sad news. William ALdrich-Thorpe DCW Staff Writer

All; Anyone have a list of what the show title and repertoire that Vision Elite is performing this season? No luck on CorpsReps or DCP. Thanks in advance! Bill

BUMP!

BUMP!

Attention All International DC'ers; I am working on an article for publication on the venerable DCI Photographer -- Moe Knox. Not sure if many of you on the International arena know of this individual, but for those of you that do, I would like to get some quotes. Would like funny stories, quips, or events that you feel should be a part of a celebration of this long time drum corps photographer. This is a man I have known about in all my time in drum corps. He has been a staple at the front sidelines and has a pictorial history of the drum corps activity second to none in the world. I would like to capture what folks think of the man and to relate to the world what this man's contribution to the drum corps activity. So, if you have a story to tell, please send them to me as soon as possible. My deadline for a completed article is this Saturday. Please send your response to williamthorpe@designstravel.com Thanks in advance for your assistance to this undertaking. Regards, William Aldrich-Thorpe DCW Writer -- 1993-Present.

Attention All DCA'ers; I am working on an article for publication on the venerable DCI Photographer -- Moe Knox. I would like to get some quotes from those of you that have known Moe. Would like funny stories, quips, or events that you feel should be a part of a celebration of this long time drum corps photographer. This is a man I have known about in all my time in drum corps. He has been a staple at the front sidelines and has a pictorial history of the drum corps activity second to none in the world. I would like to capture what folks think of the man and to relate to the world what this man's contribution to the drum corps activity. So, if you have a story to tell, please send them to me as soon as possible. My deadline for a completed article is this Saturday. Please send your response to williamthorpe@designstravel.com Thanks in advance for your assistance to this undertaking. Regards,

Attention All DCI'ers; I am working on an article for publication on the venerable DCI Photographer -- Moe Knox. I would like to get some quotes from those of you that have known Moe. Would like funny stories, quips, or events that you feel should be a part of a celebration of this long time drum corps photographer. This is a man I have known about in all my time in drum corps. He has been a staple at the front sidelines and has a pictorial history of the drum corps activity second to none in the world. I would like to capture what folks think of the man and to relate to the world what this man's contribution to the drum corps activity. So, if you have a story to tell, please send them to me as soon as possible. My deadline for a completed article is this Saturday. Please send your response to williamthorpe@designstravel.com Thanks in advance for your assistance to this undertaking. Regards, William Aldrich-Thorpe DCW Writer -- 1993-Present

WOW! River City must be awesome to best Renegades so early in the season! Will make a very competitive DCA season! Is River City coming East to the champiopnship? DCA Championship is going to be a real hot ticket this season! B) William Aldrich-Thorpe

Bump!

All; I am currently working on background information and composing questions I will be asking Carl Ruocco for an upcoming DCW article. I recently completed an article of Fran Haring (The Voice of DCA) and of Key Poulan (Brass Arranger). Carl has a very long history with drum corps and has been everything from a percussion instructor, judge, tour manager, assistant director, and director for corps in all divisions of DCI and DCA. He was with Vanguards at DCI and with Reading and the Skyliner Alumni corps at DCA. I first met Carl when he instructed Black Watch Junior Drum and Bugle corps in NJ during the early 80's. So what I need from you all is some inside information that can round out my article and any questions you think would be great to learn about the man. What do you want to know? All input is warmly accepted. William Aldrich-Thorpe (Bill_VA) To send me e-mail - please use this address: william.thorpe@mci.com

All; I am currently working on background information and composing questions I will be asking Carl Ruocco for an upcoming DCW article. I recently completed an article of Fran Haring (The Voice of DCA) and of Key Poulan (Brass Arranger). Carl has a very long history with drum corps and has been everything from a percussion instructor, judge, tour manager, assistant director, and director for corps in all divisions of DCI and DCA. He was with Vanguards at DCI and with Reading and the Skyliner Alumni corps at DCA. I first met Carl when he instructed Black Watch Junior Drum and Bugle corps in NJ during the early 80's. So what I need from you all is some inside information that can round out my article and any questions you think would be great to learn about the man. What do you want to know? All input is warmly accepted. William Aldrich-Thorpe (Bill_VA) To send me e-mail - please use this address: william.thorpe@mci.com

All; I am currently working on background information and composing questions I will be asking Carl Ruocco for an upcoming DCW article. I recently completed an article of Fran Haring (The Voice of DCA) and of Key Poulan (Brass Arranger). Carl has a very long history with drum corps and has been everything from a percussion instructor, judge, tour manager, assistant director, and director for corps in all divisions of DCI and DCA. He was with Vanguards at DCI and with Reading and the Skyliner Alumni corps at DCA. I first met Carl when he instructed Black Watch Junior Drum and Bugle corps in NJ during the early 80's. So what I need from you all is some inside information that can round out my article and any questions you think would be great to learn about the man. What do you want to know? All input is warmly accepted. William Aldrich-Thorpe (Bill_VA) To send me e-mail - please use this address: william.thorpe@mci.com

I must agree with Tom Peashey. Someone was with Joel as soon as humanly possible. Both persons were seasoned professionals and all that could be done for Joel was done. It was stated to me from a cardiologist that if you have an arrest your chances of survival are near zero (defib or not -- Ambulance or not). It was litterally the longest 40 minutes of mine and I am sure the rest of everyone elses life. I am 48 years old, and to see this happen around me shocked me to my core and it took a lot for me to hold it together during and after the ordeal. I honestly cannot remember the last time I felt this level of sadness and despair. My deepest condolence to Joel's family and to the Kilties Organization!!! It must be noted that the EMS folks were in the stadium! They came down as fast as humanly possible once they knew of the situation. They had all of their equipment with them. It is understandable that everyone who was present to the situation wanted every possible support for Joel to be there instantly. But how long do you think it would have taken to get the proper medical personnel to him if he was at a practice field or not anywhere near the stadium? As for the Cab member who needed some support, HE said he did not want any ambulance or extra support (he knew what the problem was) but the EMT overreacted when calling in the Ambulance, so it was natural that the Ambulance driver might be a little too reactive to the call. It was tragic, sad, and a little scary situation. We have not had a medical situation anywhere like this in DCA's history (as far as I know). Let's not overreact and allow the organizations review the situation and determine the best course of action (if needed). Just my opinion! Bill

All; Sorry, I have not been able to monitor this thread over the past week. I was in Foxboro (for obvious reasons) and after I returned I was trying to catch up with my professional life. So thanks to all of you who has contributed. I would like to request more if you have them. I will need to close this thread by early next week so the article can be written and turned over to Steve Vickers (who by the way looks great and seems more healthy than I ever remember him looking - did you lose weight Steve?). ^OO^ So, a couple more days are avilable, so please post your memories about the one and only Fran Haring! B) Regards,

My final marching year was 1989 with Sunrisers, my time with Sun was from 1985-1989. My career took me out to Califormia the Fall of 1989 after DCA finals. I joined the Blue Devils Booster Organizations so I can keep myself involved in DC as best as I could (I have been a BD fan since 1973). I moved on to England for six months then returned to the VA area. I still had the desire to be a part of the activity. I worked at several DCI World Championships until 1992. That was when I decided to join DCW as a Staff Writer from 1993 to present. I have expanded my involvement to include activities with DCA working closely with Tom Peashey (DCA PR Director). So in as many ways that I can, I stay involved in DC. I am very interested in this activity and I strongly believe it helps keep me from growing old before my time. I hope I can stay involved as best I can. One day I may need to finally relegate myself to only as a fan. But I hope that day is far off in the distant future. I mention this history lesson on myself to let you know that even when the performance activity is done, your support of the activity should remain strong. B)

All; I am working on a Fran Haring article to be published before the 2005 DCA World Championship. I already have many pages in place, but I decided that I would like to get some input from those of you who has unique "Fran Haring" memories. You can also offer some interview questions that may be of interest to the drum corps community. B) So provide me your input, please let me know if you do not wish to be identified. I need this information within the next week so I can complete the article for publication. (BTW, I wrote the article on Key Poulan, SVC Brass Arranger in the latest DCW). Please either post to this forum or send me an e-mail directly (william.thorpe@mci.com). Much appreciated!

I too was at the Fairfax, VA cinema. Only one theater in use and we were not totally full but well represented. The audio was very good with the earlier video tough but that was the technology back then. The differences between 1974 to 2002 is very interesting to behold. Each decade had much to offer in sheer power, finese, and showmanship. It truly reminded me of why I was invloved all these years. I was happy to see that DCI promoted the DCA show right after the DCI Championship (I hope it is successful event). Nice that DCI offered up any notice to the senior circuit. It would be cool if DCA could offer up a similar promotion - let the fans pick the years and have Tom Blair Productions pull together a narrated countdown. The crowd here in VA was mildly vocal in all the right parts (it is hard to let loose in a theater setting). My daughter loved Santa Clara and was pleased to see it was picked with the most votes. Sorry to read that some of the theaters did not get it together to offer a better showing, make your voices heard to the theater manager so that the quarterfinals broadcast will be better. Let the 2005 season start soon! I need the tan!