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

Leaving in 5, 4, 3, 2.... Ice up the Labatts, the Renegade minicorps like our prop's cold! Just noticed a posted under my wife's login. I look hot though, don't I? :P Dugada

Aaawww Kev, you are too kind! I am only one of 23 and we were 23 out of 286. If it weren't for the horns and drums, we would be pretty lonely out there. Besides, when I buy the CD, it won't be the rifle line I'll be listening to

Hope you are at Mars Saturday night T! Miss ya!

We should all just learn how to juggle, preferably nerf balls. Nerf could sponser us no would get hurt and there would be peace in our time. The whole excitement of watching things go up in the air is that possibility that when they come down, A. They may hit the ground or B. They could hit something else!

We love you too Lisa! Please ban all rifles, it will give me a reason to quit this ridiculous addiction, stop breaking fingers and invest my money in something that gives me more of a ROI than the photo-seeking, attention grabbing, it's all about me attitude I seem to have picked up the past few years. :P

Thanks for making my evening! More reason to march contra next year

I have taken the time and wasted a good 10 minutes of my life reading this ridiculous thread. On page 9 someone wrote that "guards would just have to adjust faster" (or something to that effect) This would be like asking a brass player to change type/style of horn plus their mouth piece every year they marched. Maybe that would put everyone at the same ad/disadvantage As far as girls in leotards spinning (OMG) guns, this is not the 70's. Kids these days do not spend the entire show on one piece of equipment. They must be proficient (note, not superstar performers) on several pieces of equipment to even qualify for the weapons line. Even when they are good enough to make it, they spend less than half their time on any one weapon (points in the show when the designer wants the effect of things flying through the air.) These kids spend lots of extra time on the side to excel and keep their spots, and this is with standardized equipment. There are hundreds of items that guards have spun over the years, from rubber hoses to baguettes ( ) No one is stopping these groups from innovation. The reason why groups come back to the rifle is because it is an effective and standard piece of equipment. We spun rifles in the late 70's-80's because you could buy a rifle from the military surplus, take out the barrel and trigger, cut it down and do amazing things with it. Today's performance rifles are symbols for the symbol, nothing more. I have been hard corps military with the Kingsmen, danced and pranced with the Blue Devils and freaked with the Renegades. I have seen all sides of this activity and believe that there is room for anything one can dream up out on the field. To suggest that a field performance contributes to someone's delinquency is ludicrous. I think I'll switch to contra next year!

The Kingsmen Contra Queen and her court For hire for the right price!

By all means my friend! Hope to see you in Pasadena! Renegades are having another fabulous year and I will miss you guys at DCA in September.

And did you see how perfect your hands are???? b**bs Vickie, you are awesome and I am so glad I got the chance to march with you this year!