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The Kingston Grenadiers are holding their first camp for the 2008 season this weekend, October 27/28th in Kingston, Ontario. Under the brass program direction of Caption Head and Arranger PAUL MCGARR, the Grenadiers welcome back two staff alumni veterans to the brass teaching team. RICH BOND is a past brassline tech and performer with the Grenadiers, and has also worked with the Lampliters Drum corps, the Contemporary Youth Ensemble, performed with the Nepean All City Jazz Ensemble and studied music perfomance at Ottawa University. DERRICK BERTRAND is an alumni performer and brass instructor with the Grenadiers, and has marched with the Ambassadors, the Oakland Crusaders and the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps. With both of these guys bringing great experience and enthusiasm to the program, it's an exciting year for the brassline! The Grenadiers will be starting their musical production this weekend entitled: "Latido de Corizon!" For more information on the Kingston Grenadiers, and the upcoming Camp Weekend, visit: www.kingstongrenadiers.com

The Kingston Grenadiers are pleased to announce their drill designer for the 2008 season: Gareth Skipp. With a background and education in theatre, dance and voice, Gareth has been designing and instructing marching programs for over 22 years. He has taught in Canada, Germany, Korea and the USA. His drill designs have won drum corps like Canadian Knights Drum Corps (1986 DCI Division II champions), Kingston Grenadiers Drum Corps (DCA finalist 1998-99), and the Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps (Division I – 14 th place 1996-97) many awards and titles. Gareth was the designer and drill caption head for the Rochester Patriots who placed second at the 2003 DCI Division II world championships in Orlando sweeping the visual captions. Also drill designer for the Starriders Drum Corps, Gareth was instrumental in helping them win the 2002, 2003 and 2004 DCG and German Open championships. He worked with the Capital Regiment (Columbus, OH) in 2004 and more recently on the drill staff of the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. A successful writer/instructor of indoor percussion group Spirit Performing Youth Ensemble (SPYE) based in Toronto, Canada, Gareth was one of the reasons the group was a WGI Independent World class finalist from 1996 to 2001. Gareth is currently the drill writer for a number of marching bands across the USA. He is also a judge for marching band circuits in Michigan, New York and Indiana. Gareth was an integral part of the Grenadiers success in the past, his program a key element that helped propel the corps into the Top 10 of DCA for the first time in 1998. We are excited to have him on board for the come back of the corps in 2008! Stay tuned for more staffing announcements and continued updates at www.kingstongrenadiers.com

The Kingston Grenadiers announce their return to competition for the 2008 season! Under the direction of long-time executive director: Don Dean, the 2008 season kicks off the re-activation of the competitive corps, and the beginning of the celebration for the upcoming landmark in Grenadier history, as the corps celebrates their 50th Anniversary in the spring of 2009! Driven by a large group of dedicated veteran membership and support from the board of directors, the Grenadiers are pleased to bring “team yellow” back to the field and invite you to sit back and enjoy the proud traditions of excellence and entertainment that made them a crowd favourite in the years past. The Grenadiers will present their 2008 production entitled “Latido de Corazon”, making reference to the “Heartbeat” of the corps that continues to live on! The show features some crowd-pleasing latin-jazz selections from their past including Bill Holman’s fiery piece: “Malaga”, and Chuck Mangione’s: “Echano”, and is rounded out with an emotional arrangement of Leonard Bernstein’s “One Hand-One Heart” from West Side Story. Musical arrangements for the 2008 production are provided by veteran Grenadier designers: Paul McGarr, Scott Atkins and Dave Simpson. The Visual Caption Head is Randy Billings and Colour Guard instruction by Jenn Hartnett-Orser and Denise Sullivan. For more information on the Kingston Grenadiers Drum Corps, visit www.kingstongrenadiers.com

The Kingston Grenadiers announce their plan to return to the competitive arena of DCA competition for the 2008 season! After 2 years of inactivity in DCA competition, a large group of people made up of veteran membership from the last several years has driven the Board of Directors and design staff back into action, in order to answer the call of the approaching 50th Anniversary of the Grenadiers 1959-2009! With a very clear direction on the goals and objectives for the 2008 season, the design team is in place, the repertoire has been selected, and the teaching staff is now being finalized. The 2008 show promises to deliver some of the highlights of the past 10 years of Grenadier DCA history, while providing the program and direction to propel them into the next decade! For anyone who would like to be a part of the great celebration for the 2008 season, the Grenadiers would love to have you along! You can write to: grennies@kingston.net Stay tuned for an upcoming press release and news announcements here on DCP, and for complete detailed updates and information, visit the corps official website at: www.kingstongrenadiers.com.

Here's the actual exerpt from the customs site: In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline (regarding the rquirement of passports )will be as follows: January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. January 1, 2008 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement. So, birth certificates are still good for 2007, but it's always wise to just go ahead and get a passport anyway - makes for the easiest form of ID no matter how you travel.

...Basses...You guys are droppin' more beats than a butter-fingered vegetarian!"....

The Grenadiers had already declared A Class a while back. Unfortunately, although the other sections were full, and quite strong, the low brass turn out was still a crutch, even to field a competitive product in the A Class. The good news is that the corps will still operate and generate revenue with their existing schedule of parades and events over the summer, allowing them to re-group and hit it again for the fall. A lot of members, including past members that could not commit to a busy competitive schedule, have come forward to take part in these events as well. There is also some assistance coming in from a marketing standpoint that should help in the efforts. Thank you to everyone that has sent kind regards and well-wishes for the corps. This corps has been a part of my life for over ten years, and has meant a lot to so many people - I have no doubt that if it is meant to be - you will see the yellow back on the field in 2007! Scott Atkins Program Coordinator Kingston Grenadiers Drum & Bugle Corps

Just for the record, the percussion staff took a strong position with the members of the drumline in regards to protecting their hearing during these winter camps indoors. The members each BOUGHT their own headphones. It's like any other sport - you invest in the gear and the tools needed to do the job. It's just another thing that get's added to that list of things to remember for camp: running shoes, binder with sheet protectors, dot book, sticks, headphones..... What Santa Clara did with the SIH1 Stereo Isolation Phones was very cool and innovative. But not many corps have the funds to implement such a set-up! Very cool stuff though!

Hey Don, Tell Neil I just changed that bar! Hahahaha! Spoke to a lot of the guys (and gals!) tonite and yowza! Everyones stoked! Show's gonna rock, the corps is growing, and lots of good stuff going on behind the scene! I remember that feeling we had with the 2000 corps - that feeling a "brand new corps! with a fresh attitude". It sure feels that way again! Gotta love it! daShack!

[ I think I wore out my exercise CD, anybody else?????] Don't worry, Nick! There's more where that came from! Cheers! daShack!

Hey Grenadier Battery Cats!.... The 2006 Technical Exercises (Book of Groove + CD!) is finished. Busy folks those people at "Atkinsound"! Hahaha! I am picking it up from the printers Wednesday! So.............you have been warned! Be ready! See you Saturday. Shack!

Chill out Adam, it's all in good humour!!! :P

Man, I thought drum corps fans were hardcore........ Does Toronto still have a hockey team?....

...oh so very close, but....trust me - it would really suck to have to take it back if we don't go through the right channels!!! You'll have to resist all that biting and pinching for a little longer - believe me - we are trying hard to nail it down asap so we can do an official release. Also - you can expect that with the new show release - there will be some more staff announcements!!!! ..Just a little longer folks....

...good things come....to those who wait patiently.... We should be able to announce shortly, and then we can all prepare for a benchmark season in Grenadiers history!!!! This year promises to revive the excitement, enjoyment and self satisfaction we all need to take away from this activity! A fresh approach in program design, combined with the energy of great musical selections! I am stoked at all the positivity surrounding the membership this fall!!! Stay tuned folks....

Yes, the bumps are a bit overkill. New messages with info will keep the topic fresh.

Holy *^%$! a bump from China!!!! Whoa! Can't keep me away this year! Glad everyone had fun at O-fest! See you all soon! Cheers, Peking Duck.

....I can't deal with all this bull-shoot..........

Hey Don, Did you invite the big brown beaver, DAM IT! How about Vern? He always smelled funny though. Hopefully no too much "bull" this weekend, and remember: You take pictures at your party, and I'll take pictures at mine!!! Haha! Oktoberfest Sausage for everyone!!!! Ein Prozit!!! Have a great Oktoberfest!!! "le" Shack!

Man-o-man! Trophy burning and cold Sleemans! If I had of known, I would have cancelled this little trip back to China, Don!!!! But, then again, I am sure you remember how I get a fire started, so maybe it's a good thing I am not there. You better hide the lawnmower gas just in case, though!!!! And you may want to get the bull back to your yard - would make for a mean game of "meadow muffin bingo"!!! Lookin' good for the first camp!! Can't wait to see everyone at the banquet!!!

Grenadiers announce plans for 2006. The Kingston Grenadiers will be returning to DCA in the open class for 2006 under a newly re-structured corps management. Don Dean will be returning to the corps as the Executive Director for the 2006 season, assembling a new board of directors and overseeing a new corps management team. Don's vast drum corps experience spans four decades in the activity as a snare drummer, and drum instructor with several corps in Ontario, and he has been actively involved with the Grenadier organization since 1969. Prior to 2005, Don held the corps director position for over 15 years. Announcements of the new board of directors and management team will be posted shortly. Paul McGarr and Scott Atkins will be returning as the musical arrangers for the 2006 production. Paul McGarr (Brass Arranger) holds a degree with honours from Mohawk College, as well as a jazz performance major at the University of Toronto in Trumpet performance. He has been involved in drum corps since 1992, teaching several corps in Ontario including Conqueror II, Ridge Raiders, St. John's (DCI Div III finalists 4X), H.Y,P.E. and the Kingston Grenadiers in 2005. Paul has also been the ODCA judging administrator, as well as judging for DCI, DCA and B.O.A.and currently teaches at the Toronto School for the Performing Arts. Paul is currently based out of Hamilton, ON. Paul is also assisting the corps management with the formation of a new brass education team to lead the Grenadiers brass section in a new direction for 2006. Stay tuned for the introduction of the new brass team coming soon! Scott Atkins (Percussion Arranger) has been involved with drum corps since 1986. Since aging out of junior corps in 1994 with the Kavaliers, he has worked several groups in Ontario including the Lampliters, Empire Loyalists, Blue Saints, Kavalier Kadets, Phillipine Heritage Marching Band, and the Kingston Grenadiers. He was the percussion arranger for the Lampliters in 1991, the Empire Loyalists from 1993-1995, and has been the percussion arranger for the Kingston Grenadiers since 1998. Scott graduated with a diploma in Applied Audio Recording Engineering, and currently works in the music industry as a Product Specialist and Artist Relations Manager. He has been a member of the Vic Firth Education Team since 2002 and is also a called-upon studio drummer. Scott is based out of Montreal, QC. Michael Sharpe is returning as the new Percussion Caption Head for the 2006 season. Mike has been involved with the Grenadiers Drumline since 2000 as a snare player, instructor, caption head, and pit arranger. His marching experience over the years also includes the Lampliters, Kiwanis Kavaliers, SPYE indoor line, and the Syracuse Brigadiers. Mike is currently based out of Courtice, ON. Dan Hammond will be returning for 2006 as the Front Ensemble Coordinator. Dan has many years of experience in music performance and education. He is actively involved in mallet performance, steel drum bands, percussion ensembles and electronic music education. Dan also performed with the Grenadiers in 2004, and became the front ensemble caption head in 2005. He is based out of Clayton, NY. Additional Percussion Staff for 2006 includes: Jason Parent, Craig Bertrand and Jeff MacKay. With some final decisions being made in the area of Visual design, the Grenadiers are looking forward to fielding a larger corps in 2006, with a large return rate of veteran players from not only the 2005 season, but several past seasons. Stay tuned for more announcements regarding visual staff and the show selection for the 2006 season! For anyone intersted in being a part of the 2006 Kingston Grenadiers, visit www.kingstongrenadiers.com