Fred Windish

Parking? First of all, there's more than enough at the Kodak and Frontier lots. The walk from those is 2 blocks. The on street situation is pretty good. The neighorhood is lower middle class. I've seen much worse in Allentown. Would I park my car 2 blocks away in the local neighborhood? YES!

Hey Rip, I have no word on a DCP meeting location. I did speak with John Donovan today. He is arriving to Rochester about 10pm. I will meet him for drinks at the Crowne Plaza after that. If you are town, join us!

Hi folks! My meeting this morning with the PAETEC Park food/beverage guy went very well. He has agreed to provide full breakfast to our fans on Sunday morning. Eggs, bagels, Danish, etc. will all be available at the stadium when you arrive at the Alumni Spectacular on Sunday morning. The hot items will be available opposite the booster table section. That's under the closed end of the stadium. The cold items (and coffee,tea) will be available at all stadium locations. Please consider purchasing what the stadium provides on Sunday. Bottom line, if they do well with this concept, so will DCA in the future. Fred

Hi all! Sure can't question Jerald's connection to weather central, nor his desire to see this weekend go through as planned! I'm responding from beautiful Geneva, New York. It's about 40 miles from Rochester. I stayed my first night here. I have a 10am meeting tomorrow morning in Rochester, and who wants to wake up at 2am, get in the car, then drive hazily off the side of the road? Right now, its mostly sunny and about 68 degrees. I am of the camp who thinks Rochester is too far north of Ernie when he passes through the Northeast. Tonight, I'll be enjoying a porterhouse steak overlooking Seneca Lake. After that, a little drum corps work. My purpose in staying here was to check-out the Ramada Inn Geneva- Lakeside. Only been here about 90 minutes but this sure looks like a future long weekend destination for Chris and I! Very nice community, and a fabulous view from my top floor suite (don't worry, it's at my personal expense). Here's the scoop about weather this year. PAETEC Park has the finest Fieldturf (artificial surface) and drainage system money can buy. This will not be another midnight Allentown decision. Boy, can I tell you stories! Even more reason to attend Prelims. You'll double your chances for a normal evening of drum corps. The only thing that will stop us is continuous lightning. For me, the trip to Rochester would be worth it for just Friday night. And that's indoors! I really think we'll be fine. I'm here to help. Do not hesitate to contact me for information. Problem is, I will not be as easily accessible as when I'm back in Bethlehem. I will check DCP as often as possible, and respond if I have tiime (and sobriety). Also, you are welcome to call my cell. That's 484-788-1017. If I can hear you, I'll answer. Please don't call me for scores. The DCP crew will have all of that up as it happens. What a weekend! Fred

Hi folks! Here it is, unless in my haste to get everything done before I leave in about 40 hours, I screwed up! (and the spacing did not seem to translate) 2006 DCA Championship Prelims Schedule REPORT PERFORM CLASS NAME 1:43 2:00 A1 SoCal Dream 2:00 2:17 A2 Gulf Coast Sound 2:17 2:34 A3 LakeShoremen 2:34 2:51 A4 White Sabers 2:51 3:08 A5 Alliance 3:08 3:25 A6 Chops, Inc. 3:25 3:42 A7 Govenaires 3:59 4:24 BREAK 4:07 4:24 O1 Frontier 4:24 4:41 O2 Music City Legend 4:41 4:58 O3 Sunrisers 4:58 5:17 O4 Kilties 5:17 5:32 O5 Skyliners 5:32 5:49 O6 Crusaders 5:49 6:06 O7 Hurricanes 6:06 6:23 O8 CorpsVets 6:40 7:05 BREAK 6:48 7:05 O 9 Carolina Gold 7:05 7:22 O10 Brigadiers 7:22 7:39 O11 Minnesota Brass 7:39 7:56 O12 Renegades 7:56 8:13 O13 Caballeros 8:13 8:30 O14 Bushwackers 8:30 8:47 O15 Empire Statesmen 8:47 9:04 O16 Buccaneers 9:21 END OF PRELIMS Please do not accept this as "word from above." It's been a difficult day. :)

Hey Dreamin Dan! You will receive an extensive packet of vendor instructions at the Friday Crowne Plaza Hotel meeting in Rochester. Until then, YES, the area is covered, you do not need a canopy. YES, there are lights overhead, you do not need any lighting. YES, there is electricity available (both behind your booth, and in the stands!). YES, Allen Buell's local team will have tables available for your use. DCA is pleased to have SoCal Dream with us in Rochester! Have a safe trip, and we wish you all the best in paying for gasoline! :)

DCA Individual & Ensemble Chairpersons, Barb Haring and Richard Pronti released today the schedule for next week's downtown events in Rochester, New York. A new record number of performers has been scheduled. Some 200 entries have been slotted, meaning DCA has moved up Friday's start to 5:30pm! Everything should be concluded just before midnight. Using five performance venues, split between the Riverside Convention Center, attached Clarion Hotel, even outside on closed-off Main Street, DCA will offer its biggest I&E event ever. There is no charge for admission at any venue. Several thousand spectators are expected, as downtown employees leave their offices and join throngs of drum corps fans who will gather for drum corps biggest block party. Plenty of food, drink, and parking is nearby. The complete schedule for I&E will be posted soon at www.dcacorps.org. For now, DCA is pleased to announce a line-up that includes 13 Brass Ensembles and 11 Mini Corps! They are, in order of appearance: Brass Ensembles Bananas Top Chops Mike Palmquist & Friends SoCal Dream Music City Legend Large Mouth Brass Crusaders CV Contras The Force Bridgemen Alumni The Three Tenors +1 The Hit Men Prime Time Brass Mini Corps Erie Thunderbirds Shenandoah Sound St. Kevin's Govenaires SoCal Dream Heat Wave Mass Brass Ghost Riders Star United Renegades Minnesota Brass The highly popular Mini Corps performances will be held inside Empire Hall. Located on the second floor of the Riverside Convention Center, this venue offers 2000 seats. Ensemble Brass performers will play in a second floor banquet room at the Clarion. Brass Ensembles will conclude at 8:05pm, leaving plenty of time to cross over the enclosed skyway into the convention center for the first Mini Corps at 8:30pm. Fans don't want to miss any of the other performances including, individuals, duets, Color guard, but choices WILL need to be made as those performances do run simultaneously. So, print out a full schedule when its posted, and get ready to run! Choices, choices . . . will it be Big Ken and the CV Contras at 7:35pm, or the mysterious Lee Rudnicki at 7:36pm? b**bs

Hi MiniSopGuy and Tammy, Not sure where you got that aerial photo of PAETEC Park, but I paid for the rights to that image, so . . . have at it! The press box is a strange affair. It's not on the fifty. It runs from the 20 to the 35. Guess if you're a soccer fan that works. The judges will NOT be in the press box. They will have a 50 yard line view of all the action. The press box is not completed. Same for the rest of the VIP box level. That's the problem with a first year stadium. You really do need that second year, but we'll be fine. The press box is that area beneath that light gray roof that's about 1-2 inches up from the bottom of this photo. Rochester 2006 WILL be a "shot in the arm" for DCA. If you do not already have tickets, come anyway. It's a weekend filled with everything you're looking for in drum corps. You will not be disappointed. Good people, good drum corps, good times! Fred

No, the concert side seats are not sold out. Our $30 Reserved Seats are still available, and at this stadium, it's tough to find a bad view. This underscores my encouragement to everyone to attend Saturday's Prelims. A greater selection is available for that event, AND, you'll see every corps! Even if you have not already obtained your tickets, please attend. Those three days are filled with so much. You'll have a wonderful time!

This is NOT an official DCA posting, but a personal one. I am thrilled with this development. The positives outweigh the negatives 10 to 1. I see this as an excellent decision by a DCI organization that wants not only to preserve its continuation, but prosper. Indianapolis is a perfect fit, a city that's quite a bit different than it was just a decade ago. Congratulations, DCI! You've given me a reason to spend another few days in The Circle City for something other than the 500.

Hello Joe! You've asked the kind of questions that are probably on the minds of many others. I'm not local, but have been up there four times in the past few months. Here are my thoughts: In my opinion, Rochester will work for lot's of people! Com'on locals, let's hear your pride! :)

Hello Sayre! Yes, the distribution of prizes is as requested by the donor. DCA will not change any aspect of this individual's vision. We are extremely grateful for this unusual contribution to the excitement surrounding our main event!

Hello Jeff, Sorry I missed you in Allentown. LucysSkylinerAlumni, I can help a little with this one, but not as much as Tom Peashey who handled the math last year. Also, I passed on this responsibility for 2006. But, in looking at Tom's 2005 spreadsheet, I can provide this brief summary: Seedings are based upon the average of two highest show scores from events in August. The higher your average score, the later in the evening you perform. THEN THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS and QUALIFIERS to add to the formula. Considerations for corps who only had one August score, status as either DCA Associate or DCA Affiliate member, even provisions for corps who have no DCA member status or any prior score! It's a "head-spinning" exercise for me, but one the corps themselves have developed and accepted.

Hi all! jamesdrum007, you are probably right on Pepe's choice of instrument. I did this announcement in a bit of a hurry and should have been more careful. I clearly remember Pepe on a French Horn, and his little gesture back into the line after a solo! But, knowing his immense talent, I take some comfort in knowing he probably did pick-up a mellophone somewhere in his career and "wowed" everyone around him! We'll need a few Skyliners here to correct me on this detail. :)

Drum Corps Associates President Gil Silva today announced a very special opportunity for corps appearing this year in Rochester, New York for the 42nd Annual DCA World Championships presented by A.J. Wright. Fot the first time ever, four participating corps will be determined as winners of the Pepe Notaro People's Choice Award for Entertainment. Named in honor of the late Robert 'Pepe' Notaro, the awards will include a trophy and cash prize. According to Silva, a long-time fan of all-age drum corps has donated a substantial amount of money to be distributed to the operating funds of four corps performing at PAETEC Park. "Our benefactor wishes to remain anonymous, and DCA will honor that request," said Silva. "What's so special here, winners will be determined exclusively by fan voting. Our DCA judges and organization are completely out of the equation in deciding who will win." The beloved Pepe Notaro, elected to the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 1983, spent his entire life as performer, arranger, and instructor, most notably with the New York Skyliners. Considered by many to have been the finest mellophone player this activity has ever seen, Pepe was a master showman. Always finding a way to add his special touch of entertainment into each performance, Pepe was the delight of the crowd wherever he appeared. Here's how it will work. Inside every copy of the 2006 Official DCA Championship Guide & Yearbook will be one ballot. Fans can circle their choices for "Most Entertaining" corps. Ballots can be deposited in a special container located at the corps booster table area of the stadium. Three winners will be determined from our Alumni corps, and one winner from the competing corps division. Last chance to vote will be 30 minutes after the conclusion of Sunday morning's Alumni Spectacular. Winners will be announced that evening. "Here's an opportunity for fans to express their appreciation to their favorite groups that goes beyond applause," said Silva. "DCA has always been about entertainment. That won't change. Now, our loyal fans have a chance to reinforce that mission, and at the same time, help to provide needed funds for our corps. This should be lot's of fun for everyone." In addition, fans can include their own name and address on the back of the ballot for a chance to win tickets for the 2007 DCA Championships. The only way to take part in this vote is through purchase of DCA's publication at PAETEC Park. Additional ballots will not be available elsewhere. For anyone concerned about adding even more special awards at the conclusion of Sunday's events, Silva points out "The entire Awards Ceremony has been redesigned for 2006. We'll finish-up much earlier this year," he promised. So there you have it! Pick up a copy of the Official DCA Championship Guide & Yearbook and cast YOUR votes for Most Entertaining Corps for 2006.

:( I am sorry to report, the Imperials from South Shore, MA have elected NOT to participate in Rochester this year. The official notification from Director John Stark came to DCA within the past hour. The Imperials had earlier plans to compete as a Class A division corps, but have now determined they will not be able to properly prepare for competition in 2006. On behalf of DCA, I want to express our thanks to the Inperials organization for their consideration. We really hope to have you join us in 2007. Best wishes,

As copied from an earlier post, here's the performance order for the Alumni Classic: ALUMNI CLASSIC featuring (in order of appearance) ERIE THUNDERBIRDS BOSTON CRUSADERS, SR. SCOUT HOUSE PARK CITY PRIDE MIGHTY ST. JOE'S BRIDGEMEN YANKEE REBELS SKYLINERS CABALLEROS All seats General Admission @ $15 More information @ www.dcacorps.org Saturday Prelims order to be determined later, by way of formula developed by the corps themselves. Join us in Rochester!

Add Imperials to Class A! Hope you can make it. :)

Message to anyone ready to book hotel rooms for Rochester, plenty of space is still available in the immediate city area. As Jeff mentioned, DCA's site (click on one of our DCA logos here on DCP) has a link to the hotel reservation service provided. There are still 18 above average locations available, particularly in the area of Rochester International Airport. That's just 5 miles from PAETEC Park. Also, the hotel reservations list does not include all area hotels. Please remember, this is NOT Scranton, the Rochester region includes double the amount of rooms as were available last year. Just don't think it will be much of a problem even for those who decide to fly /drive in that same weekend. Join us!

Hi all! Moe Knox is a GIANT of this activity. Moe deserves all the kind words that have come forth. Moe also deserves a prominent place in the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. Till then, Moe will be featured in the next DCA Championship Guide and Yearbook. Thanks to William Aldrich-Thorpe, Drum Corps World staff writer, the Moe Knox Story will be major part of our 2006 publication. Pick up a copy in Rochester, or subscribe to Drum Corps World, where the piece will also be featured. Moe Knox and drum corps. . . . it's the same thing. Thanks big guy!

Give the guy some credit. He IS what's happening. Love it! :)

DCA President Gil Silva announced today details on the upcoming Alumni Classic event to be held as part of the 42nd Annual DCA World Championships presented by A.J. Wright. Sunday, September 3, 2006 PAETEC Park Stadium Rochester, New York 10:00am ALUMNI CLASSIC featuring (in order of appearance) ERIE THUNDERBIRDS BOSTON CRUSADERS, SR. SCOUT HOUSE PARK CITY PRIDE MIGHTY ST. JOE'S BRIDGEMEN YANKEE REBELS SKYLINERS CABALLEROS All seats General Admission @ $15 More information @ www.dcacorps.org

Hi all! I am pleased to report comprehensive information on becoming part of the Drum Corps Associates Individual, Ensemble and Mini-Corps events in Rochester, New York is now available at dcacorps.org. Click on the re-direct to the 2006 World Championship site. Fast becoming one of DCA's hottest events, DCA I&E wants you! Visit our site for rules, registration instructions, performance agreements, etc. Entries are limited so don't delay. Spectating only? No problem, it's free! Now, anyone care to tell us what's best about this DCA event? For me, it's the heritage of what brings us all together. To enjoy performances by people who have been doing drum corps since before our birth is a special opportunity. New friendships and stories are available all night. My favorite event is the Ensemble Brass. . .big talent, lots of fun! Look for a story on this unique event soon in Drum Corps Planet's Featured Columns section of the front page. Fred :)

OK! The DCA Calendar has been updated to reflect actual order of appearance as determined Saturday in Scranton. See you in Wildwood! Fred

Hi all! As far as I can tell, only Haines City, FL, and Endicott, NY have different order of appearances posted on dcacorps.org than what I recall went down Saturday in Scranton. I'll check on the accuracy of those two and get back to you soon. Now here's a tip . . . look for another Pennsylvania show to be added sometime in July! Thanks for your understanding. You know. . . whatever the order of appearance, you'll be there anyway, and we appreciate it! Fred :)