MiniSopGuy

Ah yes, electronics, microphones, Bb's, and next woodwinds in drum and bugle corps. I suppose this could be the future corps member I wonder if the green feather means it is an age-out.

and I thought that was the clarinet player

Browniebrick, could clarify something for me. From the above portions of your post it sounds as if DCA-C uses different sheets than DCA. Is that correct? If so, why would a DCA organization use different sheets than the parent judging body?

Well we might actually have a bit of the wet stuff this weekend, but even rain is not going to stop SoCal Dream this year. Bring a poncho or other rain gear because "Through rain, Through sleet or Even sn.....no we are not going postal....not just yet....but we are going to put the next song on the field this weekend no matter what the weather is like.

I appreciate that the west coast DCI div 2/3 shows have agreed to use the DCA sheets for the DCA corps. It is much better. Their first time out, I dont think the judges completely understood the sheets, since they were just thrown at them, but after they got familliar with them, it worked well. What I find really interesting is that this forum has a reputation of turning into arguments. So much so that the original poster felt the need to include in their intelligent and interesting post four disclaimers to try and avoid this turning into a DCA/DCI bashing.

SoCal Dream is really moving forward fast this year. Opener taught and being cleaned, drill for the second song will be at this camp, and most of the rest of the music will be handed out too. One other thing that was just pointed out, there are only 16 rehearsal days until our debut performance. We are definately moving fast, don't get left behind. Come out on March 11th and join the fun....The future is now.

It has actually been used for many productions. But back to the topic....WOW!!! February and we marched and played the entire opener, and spent time cleaning it too!

Hmmmm.......

Hey Sam...are begining to get some sort of a complex since he only comes around when you aren't there?

Uh-oh....sounds like Kansas and Oklahoma are going at it again. More corps, more corps....yeah!

Very cool article. One line in the article I really appreciate is: "....to run headlong into change at the expense of tradition is to lose a valuable perspective." Apply that how ever you think appropriate.

Actually, depending on which definition you use, that would be the "Desert Southwest" (except replace Louisiana with Arizona. Louisana in considered in the "Southern US"). The "Southwest" would be Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and California, (normally Southern California.) I would love to get enough corps out here to have a "West Coast" circuit. We could have more show options then.

So minicorps inside....sounds like fun. But it sure was nice to have elevated seating at the stadium last year. I wonder if they are like the Anaheim Convention Center where they have a room that can be set up for basketball? Maybe set up one side of the seating for minicorps. Now we are talking...minicorps inside AND elevated seating.....awesome!

I think Sam is remembering what he WISHED we could have done last year. It would have been nice to be indoors when it rained, but I remember standing under the dripping bleachers and in that little echo chamber by the lunch tables. Agreed. If any of you that live in Sacto say that you like the heat of July....Y'all are crazy! lol

We got most of our show at the first camp and will have the rest at the next camp in Feb. Very cool that we are off to a great and fast start. At our next camp, we hit the field. Wow, February and we will already be on the field. This year is gonna kick some serious backside.

I think the minimum age should be decided by the individual corps and not dictated by a rule. That said, there are many things to consider if you do allow "minors" to march. First, there are obviously the legal and child protection issues to deal with. Then, as you make decisions, you always have to consider the minors into your decisions. If your corps allows drinking, that needs to be separated from the minors. Obviously if their parents also marched, that would be ideal since their guardians are there with them. That would really make DCA an all age and family activity. Being a high school instructor and having managed winter guards, I have had to deal with the "legal" differences in age (under 18 "Minor" vs 18 and over "adult") just as anyone who has been involved as staff with a junior corps has. There are advantages and disadvantages either way. Each corps should make their own decision about the minimum age. But if you go truely "all age", make sure you have a plan to deal with the differences. Also, I would recommend you start a Boy Scouts Explorer post and follow their guidelines for child protection. At first I thought it was a P.I.T.A., but it really saved the winter guard I was with when a legal matter came up.

It's Friday and I am leaving the office. That can only mean one thing... SoCal Dream has rehearsal TOMORROW...(that and it is time for a pint)

I would agree with this other than the list order. 1) Where can I have the most FUN 2) Where do I fit in Best? 3) Where ca I get the best instruction? 1 and 2 are really interchangeable because if I dont fit in, I wont have much fun. However I put these above instruction simply because I have been playing for nearly 36 years now. I still learn every opportunity I get and that usually happens every time I play anywhere, but to choose a corps based on the instruction isnt how I would do it and wouldnt really affect my choice anyway. As for "corps hopping"..... I think it really has to do with how it is done. No matter what, you will probably find someone in your current corps that will not like the fact you changed corps, it seems inevitable. However, the way you handle the change is a direct reflection on your personal character and will affect your relationship with both your new corps and the old. I you are upfront and leave with honesty and integrity, you will be looked upon as a good person. But if you leave saying this corps sucks and I am going somewhere else, well you can imagine what your corpsmates will think. We all can hope that everyone we march with will always march with us, but that just isnt the case. My first full season corps has been with SoCal Dream. I love the opportunity I have been given with SoCal Dream and am excited and proud to see us grow and get better each season. But if I decided to leave for whatever reason, I know how I would handle it (no not like 4/1/2005) and hope that I would be given an opportunity to return in a future season if I choose to. The rule of thumb is simple, Treat everyone how you would want to be treated and also how you present yourself publicly will affect how you are viewed as a person.

If it does rain, which I will blame on Sam, it will be nice to be indoors instead of standing under the dripping and cold bleachers of the stadium. Wait it is dripping here, shift....now it is dripping here, shift...etc

Great! Now you said Candyman 3 times so we are assured of rain! Anyone in the area, or anyone not in the area, that needs a drum corps fix and a place to march, come on down to camp this weekend. You wont be desappointed.

Many thanks to Thom Willett the Asst. Band Director at THS for getting us the rehearsal site. Torrance will never be the same after this weekend.

I just got word that we have yet another new horn player coming out to our first camp. Anyone else pondering marching should come out too. SoCal Dream is growing come down and be a part of our spaghetti western, "Kill Bill Vol 2". Just 7 days away!

I am really looking forward to seeing and hearing our battery this year. Mr. Gusseck arranging, new players joining, new staff, and coming to camp next weekend NEW DRUMS!!!!! This is going to be great!

Need a map to find your way? Here ya go! Interactive Map is Here

First camp of the new season....allright!!!! If you didn't get a chance to come out to our open house, come out to the first camp weekend.