BDMOM

I was THERE man. I was in BD in 1985 when we (the colorguard) ran so hard during the show that we all had shin splints, our horn line tied for first place and the corps took third. It was a year of running... running to catch up to the Cadets who had fundamentally changed the activity, running to distance ourselves from a disappointing second place finish in 84 (by (.1)at the time the smallest margin allowed) and running from ourselves as the corps struggled from within to establish a "new" identity while not understanding why the methods and habits of the past did not translate into current success on the judges sheets. I was in BD in 1986 and still remember the vets of 1976 in the crowd standing and cheering as we did THEIR show. I remember the ease of the season, the healing of friendships so damaged the year before and one night in August that was appreciated at the time but did not gain its full significance until many years later. I was in BD in 1987 and remember other corps laughing at us because we took fourth and realized that it didn't really matter. I also remember a great sense of sadness as my friends in the Vanguard got screwed. Drum corps is a unique microcosim of life. There is great reward and sacrifice. There are noble people and mean ones. There is unspeakable cruelty and unexpected compassion. 1985 ranks up there with one of the toughest years of my life but it was also the year I met my husband. Every year is different, every year gives every corps and every individual a fresh start. We bleed blue here (mom, dad and kid were/are BDA members) I have never been a big fan of jazz, Ok I really don't like it (I know, why did I choose BD?) but I was blown away by last years show. It was the most amazing total package I had ever seen even though the music was not my bag. I love, Love, LOVE the music this year but I don't have the same visceral wow factor that I had last year. I am hyper critical and see every mistake so I have the mental tick thing going on for every corps I watch. In fact I usually don't watch my kid on the field cause I will bang on him for tiny mistakes; I am pretty impartial. I do think the corps is cleaner this year but this is where the subjectivity comes into play. Some judges like clean, some like complicated. This is not ice skating where each group is required to perform certain elements. Am I a hater cause I liked last year's show better? Am I a hater cause I do not ride unquestionably on the BD or else bus? I am simply a fan that loves the activity, welcomes civil debate and hates the personal attacks-- on members, staff or DCP posters

I post twice a year so here goes. Congratulations to both the Blue Devil A and B Corps for another amazing year. I have watched the corps since 1980, marched in the corps from 1985-1987 and have cheered them on for many years since. I HATE jazz (I know, sacrilege) and could not believe the amazing sights and sounds that came off the field this year. It was exciting, it was bizarre and it worked because the performers executed and made it look so easy. Congratulations to the Blue Devils staff for following their hearts and talents in creating something that stirred up controversy, discussion and will no doubt be talked about for years to come. Whether you loved the show (or hated it) the content was provocative, the youngsters were over the top talented and the 2010 Blue Devils will forever be remembered as "the" corps from 2010 that made the activity look at itself and question the status quo. This was a year of INCREDIBLE groups, I was blown away by the talent fielded by so many corps. The competition was worthy, unfortunately many of the fans were not.

Gulp!!! Who could forget!?! To the 15 plus BDB kids that stayed with us this summer.... "Give them nothing, but take from them EVERYTHING"...... 300 (the movie) Congratulations kids, two more to go!

The support organization you speak of is largely made up of B and C corps parents. Since most of the A Corps members are imports, who do you think runs the shows, the fund raising?? Its the local volunteers and the local parents. Our equipment is far from excellent but on par with other top 25 corps and there are many things that we need/want that we can't get. Our instructors are mostly A Corps age outs, who are great kids and work hard, but no one will deny that there is a definate learning curve (and difference) between a seasoned instuctor and someone transitioning between performance and instruction. I am not saying, "Oh poor BDB" what I am saying is that this attitude of BDB being some favored darling child of the open class by virtue of its association with its World Class sibling is not fair to the kids. While I do not fault anyone for their opinion, I felt as the mother of a child in BDB, as the wife of a board member of the Blue Devils and as an alumnus of the 86 World Champion Corps, I was a little more qualified to comment on what I perceived as a misperception of a fellow DCP member This message has been heavily edited by my husband but I pushed the "post" button before he got to the last draft........ snicker

This is an unfair statement and one I felt needed response. I have been a B Corps parent for many years and my husband and I are both alumni of the Blue Devil A Corps. The B Corps (like the majority of ALL corps out in Drum Corps land) has to fight every year for funds and support. The A corps is the organization's primary focus (as it should be) and there have been MANY years where there have been less than 30 members total for the B Corps. I have read many posts on DCP and other forums that somehow the B Corps kids, by virtue of being under the Blue Devil umbrella, somehow don't deserve to win because, well they are the Blue Devils and have had everything handed to them. The only reason why the BDB kids have a corps is because the director of the B corps, Rick Odello and his wife Debbie have given their heart and soul to these kids so that LOCALS who wanted to be part of the organization would have a chance to march. He saw the value of having home town support and gave these kids a chance to take the field when there would be no hope for most of them to EVER make the A Corps. While we love our A corps kids, I believe that the Open class corps are more true to what Drum Corps used to be, a group of kids who through sheer sweat and determination (and a bit of talent) could excel and be entertaining doing something they love. There has to be a place for tenacity and guts to go along with natural talent and gifts from God. There has to be a place for the "average" kid to go and become a part of something bigger than himself. In the world of top 12, the best of the best of the best are chosen to take the field. Please don't lump BDB in with the A Corps, The B Corps was yet to win a title even in the "sandbox" they have been relegated.

Yea, you caught me. That smile was the momentary result of making it through my time slot in spite of the following: A Shattered rifle B The wrong disk to the music C No dinner (after coming off a pretty heavy Renegades practice) D A slight (well maybe a little more than slight) case of nerves E A right arm that had given notice around 3:00pm that it was going on strike I did know this, "DROPPING WAS NOT AN OPTION" I have received lots of wonderful e mails and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. It was an honor to represent the Kingsmen and I hope that more of us will make the trek back east next year.

The response has been overwhelming and too kind!!!! Makes me wish I hadn't fanned the first toss and biffed the one handed double time In my defense, my arm was completely wasted from practicing all day with the 'Gades It was quite different being up there all by myself and having my friends watching instead of playing with me. Good thing I had my sweats on under the skirt. In years past, the competitors were at floor level. I think it would have been rather shocking if I had been wearing what I usually wear (Enough said about that ROTFL!!!!)

double post

Kevin, it was a pleasure meeting you this weekend and an honor to represent the Anaheim Kingsmen. I also idolized the corps when I was a kid and even though I am an alum of the corps, the glory days, the hard hitting hard corps days were gone before I hit the drum corps scene. To have the chance to relive the "moment" was a dream come true for all of us who marched in the Kingsmen Alumni Corps last summer. My escort, Mark Porter from the Caballeros Alumni Corps gets a special mention for chaparonning me while in uniform. Corps etiquette requires that all members of the Kingsmen colorguard travel in pairs while in uniform and Chief Warrent Officer Porter allowed me to make the trip and still uphold the spirit and traditions of our corps that we love so much. We both hope that the KAC will somehow, someway find their way to the east coast and the DCA family. Until then, we will all find other homes within other corps such as the SF Renegades and the Caballeros.

Thank you Dave and the entire hornline (especially the guys in the contra section) who helped me out yesterday and didn't mind an occasional horrendous mistake. I learned several things yesterday, not the least of which my husband's complete and total hatred of anything below a middle C. What can you expect from an upper lead sop anyway??????? He's so embarrassed. As for me, between the amazing Mark Metzger's warm up/dance in the morning and carrying that horn around all afternoon, my back is um, a little sore. Well, I am off to practice (or in other words, it is time once again to expose hubby to my newest passive/aggresive move)

We (Magnolia HS) did the TOR parade in 1983. Had a blast, but don't have a real strong desire to do it again. There are lots of horses.......... We were told with staging the total distance was around 11 miles.

Dude, that was my idea!

I miss you too my dear. Hope I see you in the near future, (probably at some random Renegades event!)

Hollywood! You da man!

Tanks Easter Bunny---- Bock!!!!!!!!!!!! Best of luck to my Renegade family, tear up the field and tear down the walls! I miss you all