maggiemay

St. Louis, MO. I'm so excited I get to go this year!!

Heck yes Sharkos!! b**bs

I don't think my parents "got it" when I first told them about wanting to audition for a drum corps. However they were always supportive of my choices and went along with this one too. My mom took me to my first auditions (however the experience wasn't the greatest) and was amazed with the activity but not so much the corps I had chosen. She "got it" by the end of audition camp though. My dad was never to thrilled about the idea because he never "got it" either. When I first left for tour we got into a huge fight about it. However he ended up driving our equipment truck for a full month (a driver left us on tour and my dad is an over-the-road truck driver) and the first show he saw was in Orlando, FL. Needless to say after us watching us reherse for the day and perform he got it and now he's hooked!!!

Go-gurt, "happy shapes" - a lucky charms spin off, and meatball subs (the only time I ever eat meatball subs is on tour, I don't know why I don't make them at home) oh and the ever popular Chicken Patties, just about the best meal day on tour!

our instructor in 2004 made us hold our flags above our heads and run around the practice field (the practice field the hornline was rehersing on) while holding our flags above our heads. Other than that running, push ups, and lots and lots of flag basics is standard punishment. Oh, and on the bus if anything of yours falls from the top racks you have to do "bus- ups". The number of bus ups you do is determined by the person your stuff fell on....Always good times

It's all about you throwing down the best performance you can give even if it isn't the best in the activity. You KNOW when you did your best, you know when your corps did it's best even if the judges don't agree. There is no greater feeling in the world than marching off the field knowing that you gave it your all (and the audience can tell too!) Whats great is the feedback you get from the audience during the performance. The audience knows when something rockin awesome is happening on the field and they know you know that you are rocking things out. It's just awesome, really really awesome, I don't know how else to describe it.

I agree that woodwinds in I&E is ok. I wasn't thrilled with the idea at first but I don't think that it's going to lead to the downfall of the activity. The instrument some play in the drum corps activity isn't always the one they are best at. I know a lot of people whose primary instrument is a woodwind yet they play a brass instrument all summer so that they can be a member of a corps. In the same respect I know a lot of guard memebers who play woodwind instruments. To me I&E is a chance for the performer to show off what they do best. If that happens to be playing the flute then I say go for it. However I think lugging around a woodwind instrument all summer is a little impracticle. I have enough trouble eating, showering, and packing up on time to worry about making sure I've got my clarinet with me. But if you have the drive to, then more power to you!

Oh and just so everyone knows: the water on tour is always sparkling, crystal clear Evian water that tastes crisp and refreshing

I carpool too. There is a small group of us carpool to camps all the time, it works out pretty well. I'm sorry I can't give you any better advice than that. Living on an island is a whole different situation than living in the midwest. Hopefully you'll be able to find some way to make it work!

Rock on! I think this is a great idea even if it only gets kids off the street and into some kind of an activity. I hope something bigger does stem fron it and those guys realize their dreams and do get 14 full sized Div. 1 corps out of it. I hope the community supports it, I hope the kids give it a chance. Only good can come from this!!

I also bring and extra toothbrush, contact case, deoterant or an extra of anything small that can get lost in the shuffle easily. And a little shower caddy with suction cups on it is a great was to store small stuff on the bus. Also take 2 extra pillow cases so that way I can change out the one on my pillow on laundry days and wash it. The 2nd extra one is to put over the seat in front of me to fold up and create a little pocket for storing stuff on the bus. I highly recomend taking 2 pairs of good tennis shoes for two reasons. 1 When it rains you have a dry pair to put on. 2 If you alternate wearing them throughout everydays it will make your feet feel A LOT better. Other than that everyone else has done a great job putting together lists and helpful hints!! :)

Oh I'm not saying that they did a bad job. I just think that the activity is missing out on a good opportunity. I mean even if the smallest most basic annoucement was made before the performance it could peak peoples curisoty about the activity, and isn't that (somewhat) the point.

Does anyone else (the general public) know that those guys are involved in corp or is it just those of us who follow the activity. I would say it could be great publicity for the activity but if everyone thinks those guys are just regular old drummers then it isn't. Was any kind of annoucement made before the performace or any kind of credit given to the drummers in general for their involvement in the drum corps activity?

Any more hints as to what the olympic related (maybe) surprise will be?? That could change the line up completely, who knows??

From a marching/performing aspect I am a guard person who pays attention to all aspects of the show because all guard work has to be musical and they provide the music and rythems (in a nut shell). From a watching/ audience member aspect I'm a guard person who pays attention to some aspects of the show. The only explenation I have for that is "OOOOOOO, look at all the pretty colors!" :P

Shoot it doesn't even have to be both, either one would be Chritmas enough for me! Dear Santa, If you would please, bring me a sunscreen that you only have to apply once and works all day but still allows you to tan! I'm pasty, and a girl can hope can't she!

This coming summer will be my third with Southwind. I have the SW logo thingy tattooed on the top of my left foot in a black outline with yellow fill. The reason the tattoo is on the top of my foot is because I am majoring in Theatre Performance and although I wanted to represent and "show off" (if you will) my corps I didn't want to not be cast in a role because of the location of my tattoo. And it looks super cute. I hate wearing tennis shoes and rarely do so the top of the foot was a good choice for me, only it hurt, a lot

Most importantly BREATHE!!! Just relax and have fun. Just show them what you've got and that you are willing to learn new things and techniques. Don't be afraid to let your personality show thru! my AIM: is magpie2687 if you need anymore pep talking or calming down