radiosteele

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I have been without computer for 3 days as we were at our Memorial Day Weekend Camp. We will be in Rochester competing in Class A this year. We will also perform at 2 shows in Minnesota and 2 in Arkansas in July. Percussion and Guard are full. That being said, we could use about 6 more brass players and we need them soon. If you guys have any friends in East Texas, Western Tennessee, Southern Missouri, Eastern Oklahoma, Northern Louisiana and of course...Arkansas - please have them contact me directly: execdirector@arkansasthunder.org We need 3 trumpets 1 mellophone 2 baritones If we can add that, we are set to go for an awesome season. Thank you all so much - see you on the 50!!!

Due to expanding needs, Arkansas Thunder has open the following staff positions: Percussion: One non-performing Front Ensemble Instructor One non-performing Battery Technician Send your qualifications to Mike Herron, Percussion Caption Head at the.herrons@live.com Brass: One non-performing Brass Technician One Visual Technician (you can march) Send your qualifications to Patrick Laxson, Program Coordinator at execdirector@arkansasthunder.org The sooner you send us something, the better!!!

Arkansas Thunder's evaluation is in 2 weeks, and we are confident will pass it for Class A approval. Looking to field between 45-55 members in year one.

Arkansas Thunder is contemplating a mini-corps this year....along with our Class A corps :)

We will have over 30 percussionists in our first year. Unfortunately, due to family issues, our former caption head had to resign. This amazing group needs an amazing leader to join a stellar staff of pros. Our new corps could potentially go open class, we don't know for sure yet - we do know the person driving our percussion forward will not go unnoticed this season. It could be you, but we need your help now. E-mail your resume' to Patrick Laxson at execdirector@arkansasthunder.org

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KnightFire Drum Corps out of Danville, Illinois just supplied our new corps (Arkansas Thunder, all-age) with a battery of drums to use, as our availability of using school-loaned instruments have run out. This was vital for us to continue our season of establishment and growth. Let me tell all of you Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana drum corps aspirants about this small, but dedicated bunch. KnightFire infrastructure and preparation - horns, flags and drums to spare. They have 2 hauling trailers. The dues are incredibly low, lower than most all-age corps. In the tough, brutal economy you guys are suffering there - a drum corps like this is needed and a welcome change. They have all the stuff they need to get on the field except willing, dedicated members who want to march and spend next to nothing. They want to be on the field this summer, but need more people. If you want to do corps, this by far is the most effective way to do it. Or you can waste hundreds of dollars on a World Class Corps audition just to be told you're not good enough. KnightFire Website check these guys out NOW and get on the bus!!!

Arkansas Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps is seeking to add one more percussion instructor to an already strong team! This is a volunteer position, that will allow you to use your full creativity and skill-set for the betterment of the caption. Please send resumes to Patrick Laxson, Executive Director - execdirector@arkansasthunder.org Help us make real music in Arkansas, and shake up drum corps all over America!

Arkansas Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps is seeking a percussion caption head to lead an already strong team of instructors! This is a volunteer position, that will allow you to use your full creativity and skill-set for the betterment of the caption. Please send resumes to Patrick Laxson, Executive Director at this email address. Our visual tech position has been filled. Help us build champions in Arkansas!!!

I'm worn out today...as you can tell by my awesome spelling of the word "perucssion" Thus far, Arkansas Thunder has been blessed with the use of school - percussion - equipment, loaned to us from area high schools. We need a battery of our own and we can pay with installments for their use, even if it is for a one-season use. Starting with our May camps, we will no longer be able to use our current equipment. Not having battery drums will be the only thing to keep us off the field. All the other elements we need to field a group we have/or will have. We have close to 20 eager percussionists waiting to use this equipment to benefit our corps. Please e-mail information to Patrick Laxson, Executive Director, at execdirector@arkansasthunder.org Help expand DCA, by helping us get on the field, please.

Thanks so much for the support Ed. I'd give anything to have guys like you live closer to Arkansas. Watch for us on July 30th....we'll be there!

As of right now, we are going to number between 15-20 brass, 25 percussion, and 12-15 guard in our inaugural year. Arkansas Thunder is based out of the Spa City of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Y'all come visit some time :)

Hot Springs, AR - Arkansas Thunder had its second rehearsal on Saturday, December 11th, at Cutter Morning Star High School. While the guard had the weekend off, over 40 brass and percussion attended to secure their spots in our inaugual 2011 show. The corps will march a battery of 5 basses, 5 snares, 3 tenors, 3 cymbals and feature 5-7 members in its front ensemble. The brass line is not yet full, and members within a reasonable driving distance to Hot Springs, Arkansas are encouraged to attend the next rehearsal in January. Our horn needs are as follows: Trumpets - Maybe 1 Mellophones - 2-3 Baritones - 4 Tubas - 2 This, combined with our current guard numbers, will put Thunder on track to march 62-65 people, just at the Class A threshhold. Arkansas Thunder holds its third rehearsal and first full weekend camp on Saturday, January 8th at Cutter Morning Star High School. Visit us on Facebook or at www.arkansasthunder.org for more information about joining us.

We will have a formal announcement soon of our program and selections, but I will list them here also. Title: "Division and Unity" Antithigram - Jack Stamp Dies Irae - W.A. Mozart Lux Aurumque - Eric Whitacre Niki Nana (We're One) - Yanni

Arkansas Thunder will almost certainly declare class A, unless a caravan of 15-20 new members show up at the next camp. BTW, Our full name is "Arkansas Thunder" with Arkansas in the title :)

This is hilarious....

We actually found out TB Thunder announced plans to reorganize one month after we formed. I contacted their staff and let them know I believed it was nothing more than mere coincidence. But if you think we're changing our name because someone else has one similar? FORGET IT :) I say game on and may the best Thunder win!

(Hot Springs, AR) – On November 6th, 2010, over 65 individuals attended a historic first rehearsal for Arkansas Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps. The corps is an all-age unit that will compete in Drum Corps Associates, and is open to anyone ages 14 and up. Approximately 27 brass, 24 percussion and 14 guard members attended, with approximately 12 or so committing to the corps that couldn't attend because of conflicts. The corps began operations on May 15th, 2010 and has been in preparation for this event for 6 months. The day started with a 90-minute informational meeting, leading up to the announcement of the 2011 musical show and its selections. In the early afternoon, the different captions split up and worked on fundamentals and exercizes, and concluded the day with a “show and tell” session from the brass, percussion and color guard. The theme of the show reflects the steps involved in a new group coming together from differing origins and struggling to forge a singular identity. “Year One: From Chaos To Unity” travels through the different phases of this development through music, percussion and choreography. Musical selections will be announced publicly in 2011. The corps plans to perform at both Drum Corps International and Drum Corps Associates shows in the mid-south region. Definitive locations will be announced in Spring 2011, after the corps is evaluated this April by both DCA and DCI officials for approval and acceptance into DCA Central and DCI Central. The corps' creative staff is in place and are as follows: Patrick Laxson, Executive Director and Program Coordinator Shane Fudge, Brass Caption Head and Program Coordinator Bradley DeBow, Brass Caption Head and Brass Arranger Jay Chipman, Percussion Caption Head and Percussion Arranger Peter Maggio, Percussion Caption Head and Percussion Arranger Trey Antonetti, Color Guard Caption Head and Corps Choreographer Stacy Williams, Visual Caption Head Brittania Panuska, Visual Instructor Veronica Lanier, Visual Technician and Drum Major Randall Standridge, Visual Designer Arkansas Thunder is still in need of a Front Ensemble Technician / Arranger. Anyone living within a day's drive of Hot Springs, Arkansas with an interest in this volunteer position is asked to send a resume to Patrick Laxson at execdirector@arkansasthunder.org. Some members of the corps will make their first public appearance on December 6th in the Hot Springs Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Oaklawn Rotary Club. The corps' next rehearsal will be held on Saturday, December 11th at 1pm, at Cutter Morning Star High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas. At this rehearsal the corps will start working on 2011 show music. For more information on joining the corps, find them on Facebook, or visit their website at www.arkansasthunder.org.

Loved your Klingon Salute, Lolita - so much fun to watch you guys :)

I have a 3v DEG mello I can sell you today. We took it with us on vacation because we thought someone else was going to send a payment for it, but he flaked out. So email me radiosteele@hotmail.com $325 + shipping. Include your address in shipping so I can figure up the shipping costs. Pics here: Horn photos

Keep in mind Bluecoats haven't performed in 2 days.

I have a pending offer on this for $300. He gets the mello if no one else speaks up. I'll take $350 + shipping or best offer. Mello pics here

So people don't unneccesarily bash marching bands in the drum corps world? I don't think that main point of the subby was addressed. He does need to calm down though. It's a message board for God sakes.

WINNER

So imagine....August 14th at about 10:30, Brandt Crocker is announcing the final scores of the DCI season, and after announcing the bronze medalists, The Bluecoats and Blue Devils remain. A hush comes over Lucas Oil Stadium... Brandt: "In second place, with a score of 98.6....9-8-point-6....The Bluecoats!!!" Crowd: "BLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOBOOOOOOOOOBLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBOOOOOOOOOBLLOOOBOOOOOOOOO" Explaining the crowd reaction would make my head explode. This is the only scenario where I wouldn't know what the hell they're thinking.