gem2497

Can't wait to see everybody at camp....hope everyone hass a great Christmas. :)

I know this about junior cors warm-ups. However I have to admit that the Brigadiers on field warm up music called "Grand Send Off' is probably the best I have ever played. It's a strong piece

Ok so here are my picks which I know alot of people will disagree with: 85 Suncoast Sound (Gotta respect "The Lick") 86 Star of Indiana (All those Contras ...and of course the Mellophones were insane) 05 Phantom (Was I the only one who heard those Sops..I mean trumpets and go WOW ) 82 Sky Ryders (what a friggin Hornline) 85 Garfield Cadets ( hard for me to admit... but WoW what a hornline) 81 and 82 Phantom Regiment ( I mean come on were talking Spartacus here. And of course Phantom kick ### with that show) and finally 85 Blue Devils (awesome hornline) there those are my picks...now let the disagreements begin.

Awesome Dave. I am going to be there also. The Brigs Ohio Group is BACK. :lolhit:

I just got off the phone with Hop and he said that since the "judging does not begin until the DM salute he is going to do something "revolutionary"". He is going to have amplified synthesizers and saxaphones made by CASIO playing on the field with solos. During the last 15 seconds of the show those people (electronic woodwind and other devices) will walk into a telephone booth complete with microphones and bunny costumes. The DM will then face the crowd and salute, thus ending the show. He thinks that the Cadets will score at least a 99 by the time of Pasadena.

What about the 85 Blue Devils...awesome version of First Circle

mAbE i cistmas CHOOKIES...mith a bottle OF round toilet er lomething sike tat

I'm Choosing the Geneseo Knights....oops . O.K. then how about Suncoast Sound?....No... ok...then How about Frontier? Actually I reaaly don't know however I will ask George Hopkins he know everything...LOL Before anyone gets offended this was meant as a joke. Honestly I believe it's goint to come down to 3 corps for the 10th spot and they are....The Kilties....Music City Legend...and Crusaders.

See You at Camp ...Thats right IIIIII'MMMMM BAAAAACK Hide your sheep

I can honestly say that Maynard's death did affect me. I went to a little farm high school in Selma, Indiana (just outside of Muncie,In) called Wapahani High. Our band was looking for some new fundraising, when our band director said he new one of the people who played with Maynard. We all thought it was a joke. However we were pleasently surprised when he accepted an offer to play at our High School Gym. We were even more surprised at how much he charged our school to play there (believe me it was not alot). We payed for some advertising in the Muncie Star paper and a few billboards around town. We filled our gym with seats add pulled the bleachers out thinking there would be a huuuuuge turnout. Now I should probably preface this that Selma, Indiana back in 1985 or 1986 had a population of about 3 maybe 4 thousand people and Wapahani High School had a student body of 406 total. Well it was the night of Maynards performance and there was a large crowd of about 200 people. I was embarassed, we have Maynard Ferguson and only 200 people showed up to watch him. In today's "it's all about me society", it was refreshing to see Maynard come out and play an AMAZING CONCERT. I would not have blamed him for not putting in a full effort, but he went all out. Hitting high notes that would make bats fall from the sky, Maynard gave it 110% percent, even for a small farm town in Selma, Indiana. I learned that day from watching him perform and the appreciation he showed for the 200 people who were there, that every performance can change somebody's life. It changed mine. Thanks Maynard, and please tell Gabriel that second chair isnt so bad.

I can honestly say when it came to commuting I think the "Ohio Group" had a tough commute. We all marched for The Syracuse Brigadiers there were about 5 or 6 of us (depending on the week) We would travel 487 miles one way just to make it to camp. And what that usually involved was waiting till all of us got out of work which for one person (ME) meant not getting out of work until around 10:00p.m. driving from Columbus,Ohio up Highway 71 to pick up one person in a little town called Doylestown then driving to Cleveland to pick up a couple of other people to take to Syracuse. I usually did all of the driving Which basically meant that I would literally stay up all night driving get into Syracuse around 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. rehearse until 10:00p.m. then head over to the waterfront for some "refreshments" . Finally get some sleep then rehearse tthe next day until 3:00p.m. then drive all the way back getting into Columbus at around 4:00a.m. just in time to get ready for work. Now realise once the season started it got even more complicated. Driving to Wildwood which was about 600 miles one way. I know it is going to sound weird but it was the best time of my life I met what I consider to be tru friends. People like Don, Evan, John, and Paul. We did that travel for something we loved. And I cant wait to do it again this year. b**bs I really know how expensive Drum Corps can be, anybody who has traveled on the New York State Thruway and had to pay for gas can understand what I mean. But Drum Corps and The Brigadiers are worth it.

Now for my 2 cents. I think it would be a wonderful idea to have it in Indianapolis for the next 10 years. And her is the reason why...MONEY :) . With the rising cost of gas and corps budgets literally getting stretched every year, having finals in one place for 10 years straight would be an easy way for each corps to budget expenses every year. The city of Indianapolis always throws a great party for such events. If you don't believe me then ask the NCAA. They always enjoy putting the final four there, they also enjoy putting there Hall of Fame there also. As for warm-up facilities IUIPUI(Indiana University/Purdue University of Indianapolis) Campus is literally a few blocks from the new stadium. Now I know I'm going to have lots of people say that "money is not the issue". Well lets look at this...FREE RENT for STATE OF THE ART HEADQUARTERS, BRAND NEW STATE OF THE ART VENUE BUILT TO MEET THE ACOUSTIC NEEDS OF DCI AND BOA, plus now every year all corps can plan there expenses accordingly because now they know where finals are. Trust me there are corps out there that are not looking forward to spending money to go all the way out to Cali in 07. just like there were corps not looking forward to spending money to go to Foxboro. But it seem to me Indianapolis is a nice middle ground for all Drum Corps. After all Indianapolis is called "The Crossroads of America".

Now for my opinion on this matter. First of all I will agree with everybody that almost all of the top 10 Senior Corps use there time wisely and have incredible work ethics. I know that we had about 96 pages of drill to memorize and music. I had a friend who marched 2000 Bluecoats and he said they also had a 96 page drill book. I saw The Buccaneers this yaer and they were amazing...there drill book had to be at least 96 pages. The reason why I bring this up is becausewe just had a Euph player make Bluecoats this year and he said that his experience witrh the Brigs made it easier for him to deal with the stress of the audition process. This kid is amazing and almost everyone in Brigs went out of there way to work with him so he could make the Bluecoats. So I honestly think that being in a Senior Corps before marching in a Junior corps is a good thing.

O.k.Iknow that I migfht be a little old....however has anybody forgotten 86 Star of Indiana? It was all John Williams music....and the mellophones were insane.....and LOUD . Just my 2cents...but I don't think anybody can go mentiopn the words "mellophione", "loud", and "amazing" without giving props to 86 Star. If you don't believe me....then listen for yourself.

I am actually excited about finals being at a soccer stadium for 2 reasons. 1. It's practically a football field (In the American Football sense) 2. IT'S REAL GRASS b**bs . This is going to be fun...plus it's a closer drive from Columbus,Ohio than Scranton.

Then Please accept my apology...it was never my intention to offend either.. I just read it the wrong way. Here are my predictions. 1.Buccaneers 2.Empire tie Bush or Brigs 4. Minnesota. (however. I really think they could make top 3 great show guys) 5.Renegades. 6. Inspires( if they come then they will be at least 6th. If not then I have Cabs here) 7.Grenadiers(it depends on there recruiting. if they recruit well. then I believe they will make finals) 8.Corpsvets 9. Gold 10. FRONTIER.(I honestly think this corps could shake things up) 11. Music City Legend..( who knows they may even make finals) 12. Rochester Crusaders 13. Kilties 14. Chops Inc. (if they have enough for an open class corps they could make finals ) 15.White Sabres( great show last year..they have alot to build on...if they recruit well.they could have a fun season) From what you can see of my predictions...it is literally to early to tell...but this is fun anyway.

WOW... hhhmmmm as a Brigs 05 alum I could say so much about this quote. Look I understand you are not a fan of the Brigs....and that is your personal preferance......but maybe you should give them a little respect. First of all lets see what they have accomplished. 1. 5 time DCA World Champs 2. Still hold the highest score record for DCA finals. 3. Since 1999 the Brigs have won 4 DCA world titles 4. Finally and certainly not least. We lost our funding and when the Drum Corps World counted us out we showed up at finals with over 60 brass.....and still made top 5. Those are just a few accomplishments off of the top of my head. I as with alot of Brigs happen to like The Grenadiers I personally think they are a very good corps. However I am not a fan of another top 5 DCA corps...but they are a great corps....and there record proves it. I give them total respect. I figured you would appreciate and or respect the Brigs....remember it was the Brigs who loaned you our pit equipment at Kingston (I think)....we did that out of pure respect for the Grenadiers. Let me finally say that if I took your quote out of context then I personally apologise. However after reading it more than once it seemed like there was a little disrespect intended for the Brigs. I also want to let everybody know that I do not speak for the Brigadiers...it is my personal opinion. Nothing less, Nothing more.

I know some people are going to tell me I am wrong ....... but oh well here it goes. First: Late 80's and early 90's Glassmen...who ever designed those unis should be beaten with a stick...lol...Helen Keller could have designed a better uniform. Second: 85 Freelancers...nice idea bad design. And from what I understand members of the Freelancers hated those unis also that year. Third: 05 Southwind....what in the world is up with those shakos? Fourth and final: Gaurdsmen...Th huge stovetop shako and unis were just butt ugly.

It's been 2 weeks since finals...and I am already going through withdrawal. I miss Pete yelling at the Baritones to "shut the #### and play". Bruce telling us to tense the lower body and to seperate the spine. Larry and his "this sucks" speach from Providence...LOL. Rick on the tower telling me that I missed the spread on the park and blow. And of course the no sleep all night drives that we in the Ohio group did. I miss everybody....Banquet is going to be alot of fun. ^0^

I as well as all of the Brigadiers would like to send our condolences. Lothar will be missed, and we in Drum Corps as well as the Kilties have lost someone incredibly special. He will never be forgotten, and will always be honored everytime the Kilties take the field.

On behalf of the Brigs I wand to wish everybody Good Luck. Lets make this the best finals ever. I can't wait to see everybody on the field during retreat...and of course the pary after. :P b**bs

I never had the honor to meet Lynn, but I and the rest of the Syracuse Brigadiers family send our condolences.

Practice on your posture and how you hold your horn. Also practice on your range and tounging. Start doing lots of sit ups and push ups, and jog...in other words get into great shape. And remember in the Cavies A GOOD ATTITUDE IS ESSENTIAL. Practice the audition book, I have seen it in the audition book is a audition grade chart. Look at it, study it and make it your goal to be the absolute best in every category. GOOD LUCK

Columbus,Ohio......BUMP ^0^

I personally think that any of the top 6 corps can win it this year. (anybody remember 1986? :) ). This weekend you have 6 corps so close that literally it is anyones to win. If this does'nt get you excited about Drum Corps then please go to your nearest emergency room and have yourself checked for a pulse. GOD I LOVE DRUM CORPS b**bs :)