amysnook

BigW: Sorry I didn't have a chance to chat longer when I visited Erie's rehearsal site. I'm co-chairing this show on behalf of the White Sabers with the Milton folks. Although some of the folks worked the Lewisburg show years ago, this is the first time many of them ran one. We had a couple glitches throughout the evening which will be resolved for next year, including considering shifting the field to the left five yards so that the 50 yard line is in the middle of the stands. Scanning each ticket bar code was the hold-up getting folks into the stadium quicker, and that issue is also resolved for next year. As always, I appreciate your feedback!

I had covered my answering machine, both corps and show websites, and noted on tickets that show was rain or shine. My committee and I had onsite duties that kept us extremely busy at the site, but you're right, Jeff, DCA could've posted something as well. Had the thought occurred to me, I would've asked that they do so. Will make note for future events.

I hope you're right, Kamarag. I've had enough with the rain this season. A new venue is a tough sell, even with placing ads in the Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Reading papers. Newcomers seem to miss the "rain or shine" notice and assume it's cancelled. First show in 13 years as Chairman that resulted in a deficit, including the 2011 rainout caused by that b**** Hurricane Irene.

And schnitz und knepp.

The Reading Buccaneers are finally able to announce that The Classic will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016, 7 p.m. at Hempfield High School's Georgelis Law Firm Stadium, 350 Mumma Drive, Landisville, Pa. Due to Downingtown School District returfing the stadium this summer, we've moved the show to Hempfield High School in beautiful Lancaster County, Pa. Tickets can be ordered by sending a check or money order (payable to "Downingtown Classic"), and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: The Classic 200 Columbia Avenue Reading, PA 19605. OR order online with a credit card at www.downingtownclassic.com RESERVED SEATS $20, GENERAL ADMISSION $17. Additional info on our websites: www.downingtownclassic.com and www.readingbuccaneers.org. SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY THE COMMANDANT'S OWN, UNITED STATES MARINE DRUM & BUGLE CORPS!!

After the scores from this past weekend, you KNOW you want to see these corps one last time before championships. Get your tickets to either the Bridgeport, CT show or the Reading, PA show. If you can't make the trip to Rochester, catch one of these great competitions this Saturday.

The issues with our web server have been resolved, and you can again order tickets with a credit card or PayPal through www.bigsoundsinmotion.com. Alternatively, send a check or money order payable to "Big Sounds In Motion" to: Big Sounds In Motion, 15 Sheep Hill Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522. Direct questions: to: bigsoundsinmotion@yahoo.com or 610-987-9460 (BEFORE 9:00 p.m., please!). Reserved seats: $20; General Admission seats: $17. Competing corps are: Reading Buccaneers, White Sabers, Fusion Core, Cadets 2, Carolina Gold, Bushwackers and Erie Thunderbirds. Special Exhibition you won't want to miss by the Reading Buccaneer Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps. There are a lot of battles heating up amongst the corps, so don't miss your chance to see them before they head to championships in Rochester!

Bucs will be in Dundalk, Towson, Arbutis, Catonsville, Bel Air. During a few years in the past, some corps are at the Bel Air staging area at the same time, and we've played standstills for each other. Pretty cool to witness. The high school bands are in complete awe. One year in Towson, the Baltimore Ravens and Bucs took turns playing tunes back and forth until we had to line up. Fun times.

The Reading Buccaneers' Downingtown Classic will once again be held at the Downingtown High School Stadium, a great venue for drum corps, 445 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA. Featured in competition will be: Reading Buccaneers, Bushwackers, Cadets2, White Sabers, Hurricanes, Skyliners and Excelsior Confirmation has now been received that the awesome United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon will be performing! Tickets now on sale are: Reserved Seats $20, General Admission Seats $17. Buy online at www.downingtownclassic.com or by mailing a check or money order payable to "Downingtown Classic" and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Downingtown Classic 200 Columbia Avenue Reading, PA 19605 (orders without envelope or stamp will be held at Will Call for pickup the day of the show) Questions: downingtownclassic@yahoo.com or 610-929-4654 (between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.).

CHolland: I sure hope you're a writer for your real job. What an entertaining review! Love the little side comments (and the drunk guy updates). Hope to see more of your reviews next season.

Since you're coming to Big Sounds anyway (I hope!), fill a bag or box with your unwanted, gently used shoes to donate. Here's the info: We're participating in a fundraiser run by an organization called ShoeBox. They take used, wearable shoes (NOT shoes that are dirty, smelly, heavily worn, holes in the soles, insides ripped up, etc.). We ship the shoes back to ShoeBox in boxes they supply that hold 40 pounds, then they donate them to people who can't afford shoes in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guatemala, Chile, Kenya, Bolivia, Haiti, Zimbabwe. The only shoes they will NOT take (other than those too worn out) are ski boots, roller skates, roller blades, ice skates, Crocs, flip flops, slippers and single shoes. SHOES TO DONATE include athletic shoes, cleats, flats, high heels, dress shoes, dress boots, and fashion or casual sneakers for women, men and children. For every box of shoes we send to ShoeBox, we will be paid 50 cents per pound. Clear out your closet, ask your friends and family, and drop those shoes off at Big Sounds! By the way, you can still get good reserved seats for this Saturday's competition. Order with a credit card at www.bigsoundsinmotion.com. Tickets go on sale at the stadium at 10 a.m. Saturday morning.

Glad you liked the seats. Sorry you weren't there to hear me announce your name over the PA system.

Thank you to all who attended this past Saturday's Downingtown Classic. It was a rare treat to have the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps perform for us. The Dowingtown High School Stadium venue is awesome with all rehearsal sites easily accessible. Once parked at the stadium, you need only follow the walking path around the fields to see every corps rehearsing. This was our first year utilizing Paypal for online orders. There were some glitches, and for the handful of people whose ticket orders weren't as expected, please accept my apologies. Contact me if it wasn't resolved to your satisfaction or if you encountered any other issues. Our goal is for everyone to have an enjoyable evening. Remember to order tickets for Big Sounds in Motion, the final competition before championships for corps to go head to head. Visit www.bigsoundsinmotion.com for more information.

After a great night of watching the The Commandant's Own United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and seven exciting competing corps, why not relax at the Holiday Inn Express, 120 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, Pa., the official hotel of the Downingtown Classic? The hotel is just 10 minutes from the Downingtown School District stadium. Mention "Downingtown Classic" when you make your reservation for the discounted rate of $109 per night (usually $144 per night). Call the Holiday Inn Express at 610-524-9000 before Saturday, July 12 to get the discounted rate. Visit www.downingtownclassic.com for ticket information.

It has now been CONFIRMED that The Commandant's Own, United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps will be performing at the Downingtown Classic to be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014!! This is a rare local appearance for the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and we hope everyone takes advantage of the opportunity to see the Corps perform! Visit www.downingtownclassic.com for show and ticket information.

The Big Sounds in Motion website is now back up and running. Tickets can be purchased via mail or at www.bigsoundsinmotion.com with a credit card. Click the PayPal link to pay with your credit card. For tickets via mail send $18 per reserved seat ticket or $15 per general admission ticket, check or money order payable to "Big Sounds in Motion" to: Big Sounds in Motion 15 Sheep Hill Road Fleetwood, PA 19522 Remember to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Orders without envelope or postage will be held at Will Call. Questions: bigsoundsinmotion@yahoo.com or 610-987-9460 (before 9 p.m. EDT, please).

The 2014 edition of Big Sounds in Motion will feature: Hawthorne Caballeros, Cadets 2, Fusion Core, Carolina Gold, White Sabers, Shenandoah Sound and the Reading Buccaneers! The competition will be held at Exeter Township High School Stadium 201 East 37th Street, Reading, Pa. on Saturday, August 23, 2014 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reserved Seat tickets are $18, General Admission $15. Order by mail or via PayPal on our website: www.bigsoundsinmotion.com. Don't miss it!

Tickets are now being sold for Downingtown Classic, to be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014 beginning at 7 p.m. NEW this year: reserved SEATS (not just a reserved section). Let your family and friends know so they can get the best seats before they're gone. Visit www.downingtownclassic.com for full information. Competing corps include Reading Buccaneers, Cadets 2, Bushwackers, White Sabers, Excelsior, Shenandoah Sound and Skyliners. Tentative exhibition by The Commandant's Own, U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. Exhibition by Downingtown High School Marching Band.

Looking forward to seeing Skyliners compete at the Downingtown Classic. Welcome back!

For Big Sounds, the majority is locals, with the rest made up of folks who follow their corps and established drum corps fans; for Dtown, it's mostly established drum corps fans, then a combination of BSIM regulars and folks following their corps, although the locals are starting to show more interest. Believe it or not, when BSIM moved from Albright to Exeter, a bunch of the local regulars told me they wouldn't travel that far...it's ten minutes further down the road, smack in the middle of Berks County. What I learned the year of the @#&^%# Hurricane when I cancelled the show and called 600 people to see if they wanted their ticket price refunded or donated to the corps is that the average age of the BSIM locals is 75. Unfortunately, having to cancel in 2011 resulted in folks being reluctant to buy tickets ahead of time. Each year I get orders from new people who just wanted to see what drum corps is all about and end up hooked.

AND, the 200 extra tickets sold didn't cover the extra fee to bring the big name corps in. I was surprised that there wasn't a bigger crowd at Downingtown. Some of the 200 extra people would have been there even if we had the same line-up as last year, most probably came to see MBI. It comes down to the host corps making less money on a show that's their fundraiser than some of the other competing corps are being paid to be there. You never know how many people will buy a ticket, so you're putting it on the line every time you run a show. Corps are sticking their necks out sponsoring shows, and corps are sticking their necks out going to shows that may not make enough money to pay them. Imagine traveling 18 hours to a show, then finding that spectators didn't show up, so your corps goes home without a check?

Out of curiosity to see what the bus bill would be before inviting MBI to Downingtown, I priced it out in reverse. For three buses from Reading to Minnesota, the bill would be $25,000 which does not include hotel rooms for the drivers, gas for the equipment trucks, hotel rooms for the truck drivers, and any other incidental expenses along the way. Also, believe me, winning DCA doesn't mean people are throwing money at you.

Having a couple big name open class corps at a show doesn't necessarily result in hordes of spectators showing up. Having MBI at Downingtown was awesome this year, and we're ecstatic that they made the trip. However, even having MBI at the show only brought about 200 more people in the gate than the prior year's attendance. The show was duly advertised locally in the Downingtown newspaper and on radio, as well as in the Reading newspaper and radio, ads were in DCW, constant reminders were placed various Facebook pages and on DCP (and advertising isn't cheap). Bringing in a top notch corps from far away more than tripled the total fees paid to the corps over Downingtown's inaugural year, but the attendance sure didn't triple. Having to sweat out the gate because folks want to wait for the show day's weather report is a sponsor's nightmare. You don't know if enough people will show up to cover those corps fees and other expenses. Shows get cancelled because presales are weak, no matter that the spectators had every intention of buying a ticket at the gate. If there's bad weather the night of the show, those people don't show up, and the sponsor is in trouble. Ticket prices aren't bad at $15 and $18 for a six corps show when you break it down to $2.50 per corps for general admission seating and $3 per corps for reserved (in comparison, the Reading Pops/Symphony Orchestra charges $40 a ticket). It was a beautiful evening as far as weather, there were hotels and restaurants within 15 minutes of the stadium, and all the corps rehearsed onsite, so it looked like a perfect day to attend a drum corps show. What it boils down to is to travel that far, the corps is going to lose a ton of money on bus rentals and truck expenses. The sponsors have to come up with way more than the usual corps fees to entice a long traveling corps to want to make the trip and not get into financial trouble. I don't have a solution, just stating the facts.

I was writing for Drum Corps News in 1981 and was 22. 1981 will live in infamy for Bucs and Hurcs. I can't speak for those in the corps back then, but I've come to terms with it and am not packing my harpoon. I'm fairly harmless.

Mr. Fallon, we're completely harmless when we're on vacation. Gives us a chance to meet others and hear stories from their drum corps experiences. We promise you won't walk the plank!