oldguard

Sounds like a good show theme. My comment about the drumming did not mean to suggest that there is not very many other good things about this corps. I was fortunate to catch Spirt of NJ's show several times last summer and their performamce was one of those I always looked forward to seeing. These kids never failed to show me how hard they had been working and how much they had improved from one show to the next in all captions. Unless my memory is failing me, in Manchester, NH, last year I saw your equipment truck arrive on a flatbed. I looked at it roll by and I just smiled and thought, "Yeah, this is one gutsy, can-do corps." In Brockton, I went down to field level for your performance on Tuesday because sometimes I just like to get that intense feel of being there again ... (this is something I only do for corps that yank my heartstrings) ... and, yeah, you pulled me in and blew me away and I felt that wind and rush and the beat and I watched the faces and connected and felt that joy of performing. Thanks, Spirit of NJ. See you this summer.

Hmmm ... that is interesting. Just so long as when the earth wavers on its axis, the summer drum corps schedule is not adversely affected. That truly would be a major disruption of my personal space time continuum. When you check your notes, do keep us informed as to whether this is actually the case. In the interim, I shall continue my summer dreaming ... More Div II/III shows in the works: Citations - "Broadway & 57th Street" ... • Seasons of Love from Rent • Dance of the Robe From Aida • Defying Gravity from Wicked (NOTE: This corps is staying in the broadway musical theme for another year. They did a good job lwith this last year. Should be very entertaining.) Marion Glory Cadets - "Old School: A Drum Corps Anthology" ... • Santa Esmeralda Suite • Don't Let me Be Misunderstood, (Bennie Benjamin / Sol Marcus / Gloria Caldwell) • Softly as I leave you (Calabrese, Giorgio; De Vita, Antonio) • Free (Chicago) (NOTE: Nice repertoire. I am looking forward to seeing this corps back on the field this summer.) Memphis Sound - "Shades of Blue" ... • Basically Blues/Things Ain't What They Used to Be • Blue Rondo (Blue Ronda a la Turk, Blue Suede Shoes, Sidewinder, What'd I Say?) • Blue (Joni Mitchell) • Scootin' on Hard Rock (David Holsinger) (NOTE: I like this corps. I saw them for the first time last summer and I am expecting big things from them in the near future. This looks like music to create enjoyment, enthusiasm and excitement.) Mystikal - "Utopia: The Perfect Society?" ... • Speed • The Chronicles of Riddick • Fanfare for the Common Man (Aaron Copland) (NOTE: This is another corps I am yet to see. Their website announces that they are making the trip to Madison so I shall get my chance to do so.) Trinity - "¡Espectaculo!" ... • Duel • Revival • Love • TRIumph (NOTE: This is a second year corps from Texas. Best of luck for a long and successful future.) Still some corps who have not yet made their show announcements: Oregon Crusaders? Raiders? Revolution? Fever? ... more good things I'm looking forward to ... I am just a member of the old guard.

It's not holding hands so much as looking an equal in the eye and shaking hands and saying "Good job." Open your eyes, your ears, your heart, your hand and try it. Please excuse me, I am just a member of the old guard. "Corpsmanship begins and ends with what you THINK about yourself and others.”

Both of the corps chosing "Maleguena" had to know there was a good possibility that someone else might also have chosen it. A quick look on corpsreps.com shows that this drum corps classic has been done probably a hundred times. It will undoubtedly be done a hundred times more. Given the different styles of these two corps, I doubt very much that it will seem like seeing/hearing the same thing twice to those of us in the stands ... even if it is in the same show. As far as the two corps doing original programs by John Meehan, again, given the unique qualities of each of these corps, it will be fine. Last year at the Div II/III Finals on Thursday, there were three corps performing original programs composed by Key Poulan. Sure, some of the chords sounded similar, but these three shows were very different from one another. Alegiance Elite elected to do an artistic show using large props to tell a story. Teal Sound used color, accents and focused attention of different sections of the field for each movement. Spartans worked complex changing lines and shapes into their drill to drive their theme home. Each of these corps has it's own personal sound and style. Each deserves their due. When I am in an audience, I always try to give each performer the necessary attention to appreciate their individual gift. Then I never fail to find something new and memorable in every performance. Eh, I am thinking outloud here ... I am sure Memphis Sound will be ready soon to share with us their plans for their show this summer ... It's one more good thing I have to look forward to, I am just a member of the old guard.

Thanks, bari_benzo! This sounds like a theme with many good possibilities. Please keep us posted.

And I found another one! Lake Erie Regiment - "2006 Lake Erie Regiment Presents: EL Corazon! Charts: Adouma, Novus by: Santana Closer: Malaguena" (NOTE: More good news. I really enjoyed their innovative design last summer. It shall be interesting to see what they do with Santana.)

Found another one I have missed: Jester - "This year's program will be an exciting and sophisticated production of Music of the Mind, an original composition for the field by Stephen G. Martin, our new brass caption head. ... The human psyche is highly complex and has fascinated philosophers for all of recorded history. Experience the essence of three emotions set to music: Jubilation, Anguish, and Anxiety." (NOTE: There is an audio clip on their website for you to check out. This sounds very promising. I have never seen this corps. Hopefully, I will get the pleasure to do so in 2006.)

Thanks, dcf06! I missed this good news. "The staff for the Americanos drum & bugle corps is pleased to announce the corps’ 2006 program. Continuing with the organization’s season long 70th Anniversary celebration this year’s program is entitled, quite simply, “Fiesta.” ... The 2006 Americanos staff hopes that you will enjoy this year’s program and encourages you to dance like nobody’s watching. Viva Los Americanos." (NOTE: I'm ready to dance. It really is best if no one is watching, though. Long live, Canos!)

Winter has been upon us with a vengeance here in the northeast. So I decided to spend some time this morning checking out what is going on in one of my favorite summer passions ... drum corps! Here is what I found for show themes and music in the works for next summmer. Sounds like some good stuff is happening. If I have inadvertantly omitted anyone who has already announced their show, please excuse me and clue me in. If there are other shows ready to be announced, please tell us. Division III: Dutch Boy - “Selections from the sound track of............. "SOUTH PARK!!!!!!" (NOTE: This is okay by me. Some good music in this soundtrack.) Spirit of New Jersey - “Though the show has yet to be named, this years music of Estancia - Dindi - La Suerte de Los Tontos (from Cuban Fire Suite), should provide some fun and excitement for 2006.” (NOTE: I like this. Looking forward to good drumming.) Blue Saints - “You are all cordially invited to a Blue Saints wedding this summer more info to follow.” (NOTE: Pretty cryptic. I'm ready to RSVP, though.) Division II: Blue Devils B - “Chain Reactions” ... original and arranged music by John Meehan and Vinnie Angelo ... In four parts (Fission, Propagation, Mutual Excitation and Fusion). (NOTE: You can listen to part of the closer on their website. This has energy!) Teal Sound - "Pieces of a Dream" original music by Nick Golding ... I- The spark; II- The Right Pieces; III- Adversity; IV- Realization of a Dream" (NOTE: No music clue on the website but this theme seems to suit well what I preceive as their style.) Jersey Surf - “The Jersey Surf is very pleased to announce its 2006 repertoire, entitled "The Jersey Surf Visits the Moulin Rouge." (NOTE: Good choice. I am hoping for a moving rendition of "Roxanne.") East Coast Jazz - “The East Coast Jazz’s 2006 program is entitled “Harlem Suite”. Utilizing the music of Edward “Duke” Ellington, the corps will bring to the field themes and images from his masterpiece “A Tone Parallel to Harlem” and jazz standard “Take The A Train”. (NOTE: Very nice. I am sure this will be done with much polish, class and style.) Spartans - "The 2006 Spartans will be presenting the musical work of Tommy Tallarico's 'Advent Rising.' …Working on the musical design of the show will be Key Poulan, Peter Furnari and Chris DuFault.” (NOTE: A video game? I had to look this up online on the Advent Rising website and I found, to my surprise, it has an actual studio orchestra and choir performing the music. There's downloads for listening to the main themes. Lyrics from Dante's Inferno? This music is ... dark, driving and powerful. Yes!) Looks like it shall be a good summer! Keep on working ... I am just a member of the old guard.

To lilskydiver20, You are welcome. I think the overall concept of this show was very good. It was an unusual and interesting design. I would have loved to have had the chance to see this under the lights. I think the patterns would have been accentuated even better with the greater contrast of light on dark and the bright neon colored guard equipment would have stood out and the plexi-glass boards appeared more mirror-like. What made it work for me was that the key elements were all there: Good music to set the mood, well arranged - the three Holsinger pieces were an excellent choice Good drill, interpreted the theme, well executed - drill was written to play to your strengths. Most importantly, it is obvious that this program really challenged your corps members musically and visually and you rose to the challenge. I suspect you grew a lot as performers and as individuals this year. Best wishes for the future and I hope to see you next year, I am just a member of the oldguard.

I absolutely agree ... my hat is off.

I truly enjoyed all the Division III shows I saw this year. Although I marched many years ago, I have not followed much drum corps except Division I for the past several years. Apparently, I was missing a lot of really good drum corps. At the beginning of the past season a friend who had a grandkid in a Div III corps talked me into going to their first show. I was very impressed with the performance level and commitment of these Div II/III corps and started going to the shows on my own. I was very lucky that so many of the midwest, south, west, Canadian and even International corps came to my corner of the world for the finals. The Bridgeport show was the best I attended all season: great corps, great stadium, great hosts, great night for drum corps. The two days in Manchester were also most enjoyable. The high point of the season for me was Thursday night in Brockton when the Spartans performed. I actually think I enjoyed these finals more than Saturday night in Foxboro, although Phantom Regiment put on a great show this year. It is hard to chose but I shall have to say I found the following shows to be my personal Divison III "favorites": Taipei Yuehfu/ "Dreams of Formosa" - This show was well designed and performed. A perfect blend of culture and drum corps. Best performances were the first I saw when they amazed me in Bridgeport. When they came off the field, I was trying to clap, cheer, wave and jump up and down all at the same time. (I am normally rather sedate and only very enthusiastic with my applause. ) Thursday in Brockton their beat was pounding, their hornline focused, their guard wonderful. Tight. I really feel they gave me a very special glimpse into their lives, into their hearts. It was exciting, beautiful, truly memorable. Lake Erie Regiment/ "Dreamscapes" - I first saw this corps in Manchester. I did not have my program and the announcer saved the show decription for when the corps were leaving the field, so I had no clue as to what their show was about. When they marched in I noted their uniforms: off white pants and white shoes. I admire a corps that takes the challenge of having their every flaw accentuated by that choice. When the guard started setting up some strange looking equipment, I was puzzled and maybe a little put off. When their show started, I thought, "What's with the pillows?" The next thing I noticed was, " Whoa, these kids can really march!" And I sat up and paid attention. The horn line and battery wove changing patterns and shapes. I got so mesmerized watching thier feet that I could only get glimpses of the guard on the edges on my vision. The plexi-glass boards with the streamers made me look, but I sank back into watching the drill without figuring out what it was all about. Somewhere in the middle I realized they were playing "Hymnsong of Phillip Bliss." I love Holsinger. The rest of the performance was sheer enjoyment. At the end when I saw the pillows again, it hit me: it was all a dream. Pride of the Lions/ "Visons of a Prairie Sky" - This was an open, moving, flowing show. It took the audience through the seasons perfectly. Sharp uniforms, beautiful guard. They spread out nicely on the field. The flag choices interpreted the seasons well, particulary the light blue sash attached at both ends of the pole for the "Jack Frost" patterns. Music nicely arranged by Key Poulan. I must admit "Danny Boy" is a personal favorite and they did a nice job with it. For their few minutes on the field, they created their own atmosphere and welcomed you into their world. Racine Scouts/"Frontier Chrome" - I just all out loved this show. Classic drum corps stuff. The hornline was excellent. Notice I did not say "excellent for their size." They were just plain excellent and had a really full sound. The battery and ensemble were tight. The faces on the guard were open and smiling and their enthusiasm was catching. The drum major was very professional. They even carried the colors with pride and dignity. I could not ask for anything more. [Edit - Raiders/Jesus Christ Superstar - I was remiss in failing to mention that the Raiders were a big favorite all year for me. When I saw that first performance in Malden I knew it was a show that they could take all the way. Catchy music, good drill, it had everything it needed. These kids performed their best every time I saw them and they worked hard at perfecting the small details. Their success was much deserved and I congratulate them.] Thanks to these corps and all the Divsion III/II corps for a great summer of drum corps. I hope to see many of you again next year. Maybe I'll even load up the RV and head to Madison. I am just a member of the old guard.

I'm going to go with the thought that the original post was refering to this past summer and it made me actually start to think about the many fine ballads I saw this year. So here are my personal DivII/III quiet moment favorites for 2005: 1) Raiders - "John 19:41/Gethsamane" - when the backfield soloist (who was just plain excellent) nailed this (which was most of the time) it had an eerie hair standing up on the back of the neck quality. The whole corps performed this well and drew the audience in. You breathed with them. For me this was the top ballad performance for Div II/III for 2005. It was truly memorable. 2) Memphis Sound - the quiet, lyric part of "Los Endos Suite" which featured the guard couple. Well-blended sound. The corps was spread well over the field and the sound quality was good wherever you sat in the stands. It was their best moment for 2005. This was really very well done. 3) Spartans - "Mvt 3/ Meditation" (I think) The excellent control of the hornline was highlighted in this part. Soprano player was experienced and set the tone and mood perfectly. The baritone soloist impressed me with how much he improved throughout the summer. The guardwork and visuals for this were absolutely beautiful. Honorable Mentions: Pride of the Lions - "Fallen Leaves" - nice arrangenment of an old classic. I only had the chance to see this corps perform twice and I wish it could have been many more times. This was very well done. Revolution - "Hope" - I admit I really did not like the flags telling me what I was supposed to be feeling (I like the performance to speak for itself) until they raised this one. Then I just smiled. Musically speaking I also found this to be their best moment. Taipei Yuehfu - "Green Island Serenade" - The first time I heard this and saw the guard wave those lovely feathered fans and blue streamers, I knew I was seeing a special moment I would remember a long, long time. Such a perfect blend of culture and drum corps. Thanks to these corps and to the many other's whose fine and quiet moments made for a great summer of drum corps. Please excuse my faulty memory if any of my recollections are inaccurate. I am just a member of the old guard.

If East Coast Jazz wishes to wear rings to commemorate earning the Divison II Siver Medal in the Finals and winning the World Championship Flag and trophy in the Grand Finals, I am all for it. May they wear them with pride and honor. And as I have said before, may the Spartans who have earned the Divison II Gold Medal and the right to wear the rings for their victory in the Finals, also, do so with pride and honor. And may the members of both corps show good corpsmanship toward each other and respect the honors that each have earned. Best wishes to all of you, I am just a member of the old guard. "Corpsmanship begins and ends with what you think about yourself and others."

This is a personal message to the person who contacted me privately. If you are not that person, please stop reading. I hope you will not be offended that I am choosing to reply on the public forum. I am a little uncomfortable with the idea of corresponding privately with a young person on the internet. Please forgive me. "... thank you so much for your words on performances that I've poured my heart and soul into ..." You are very welcome. "... the feeling I got passing in review and knowing that I had left it all out on the field, depleted of energy I didn't even know I had..." Yes, this is what it is all about, isn't it? May you carry this energy into everything you do in life. Best wishes for the future, I am just a member of the old guard.

Although it is true that what matters most to me is my memories of friends and the times together on and off the field, I feel I must speak up. Although I value and enjoy every performance by every corps as if it were a gift, I feel I must speak up. I am a traditionalist and I must speak up for tradition. In drum corps tradition one symbol stands alone for victory on the field of competition. It is the gold medal. It is a symbol that is beautiful in its simplicity. When the gold medal is awarded, you know the contest is over and the victor has taken the field. There was only one gold medal awarded in Division II this year in Brockton and it went to the corps on Thursday night who earned the highest score. With it goes the honor to wear the rings. With it goes the tradition of the laurels. I have read many, many opinions here and in the end they are just words thrown at this symbol of victory and they bounce off the gold medal and it remains untarnished. I ask all of you to consider this matter and ask youself if you wish to change tradition by deciding that something other than the gold medal is evidence of victory. I, for one, am not ready to change that tradition. Upholding tradition is something you do not just for yourself but for those who will go after you. And so, I charge the Spartans with the task of upholding the tradition and the integrity of the gold medal. It will be a difficult task. There will be those who will mock you. I ask you to hold your heads high and with honor wear the gold medals and the rings. In good conscience, I do not know how you could choose to do otherwise. I am just a member of the old guard. "Corpsmanship begins and ends with what you think about yourself and others."

A note to The Spartans, Congratulations for earning the DCI World Championship Division II Gold Medal for 2005. I loved your show on Thursday night, August 11th. When you performed, you made my heart pump, my blood run and my vocal chords vibrate. Thrilling. When you perform, I relive for a few moments what it felt like to be out there on the field living the dream so many years ago. Over the years since I have marched, only a few great corps have given me that thrill. The 2005 Spartans are one of these few. I cannot thank you enough. It is a great distinction to earn a championship gold medal. To have done so against such a field of worthy opponents is an even greater honor. May you wear your gold medals and your rings with pride and honor. I shall look forward to seeing you next year. I am just a member of the old guard. "Corpsmanship begins and ends with what you think about yourself and others."

Thanks for this post, DCI Dadx2. It does indeed make me smile. I read the original Corps Behavior thread with concern. I did not comment there because Spartans DC Dad said everything that needed to be said in a manner that showed the true depth of his corps' dedication and commitment to corpsmanship in everything that they do. I have seen a few moments of good corpsmanship myself this past weekend and I would like to share a couple ... In Bridgeport, CT, there as a huge display between two corps who were apparently sharing housing for the event. As Impulse took the field, a great cheer went up from the members of Taipei Yuehfu who were in the stands showing support for their new friends. For a moment these kids from different countries called and waved back and forth to each other. That was a good moment. Also in Bridgeport, near the end of the show during the wonderful exhibition by the alumni host corps, I watched a polite trio of young men from Revolution clap, cheer and call for an encore after Park City Pride's drum solo. It was a small but very real tribute from the new to the old guard. Sometimes these moments are large, sometimes small, some are seen by others, some go unnoticed, and some exist only in our hearts, but all of them are what makes drum corps great. I am just a member of the old guard. "Corpsmanship begins and ends with what you think about yourself and others."

Thank you for your reviews of both the Saturday and Sunday shows in Manchester, NH. I was going to try to write reviews but you have done such a good job, my words would be superfluous. I attended the Bridgeport, CT, show on Friday and both shows in NH focus weekend and by the end I was so awed by the many, many wonderful drum corps performances I had enjoyed that I was just ... speechless. Good luck this coming week to all of these corps. Congratulations to each and every performer for a great season. Thank you, all. I am just a member of the old guard. "Corpsmanship begins and ends with what you think about yourself and others."

Thanks for posting this review for us, scooter. I'll be seeing most of these corps for the first time this weekend and it is always nice too read about them in advance. It is, also, really good to have a newcomers point of view on all this. Keep writing, I am just a member of the old guard

Thanks for the informative and interesting review. I'm hoping to see some of these corps for the first time this weekend in Manchester, NH, and it is always nice to have a heads up. Sounds like I'm in for a great show. I am just a member of the old guard

Sounds like a fine idea to me. Personally, I was not offended or hurt by any comments to my review. We dinosaurs are inclined to have thicker skins than that. Most days I feel like I am fossilizing. I am, however, appalled sometimes by some of the things that some people say on these forum boards. Oddly enough, my original review was in response to a comment that showed a lack of respect for a couple of corps. My decision to remove myself from writing on these boards was more due to a desire to disassociate myself from a venue which can display such a lack of corpsmanship. I was fortunate to have learned corpsmanship by an instructor, both loved and feared, who taught me as much about life off the field as on. His response to our glorifying our performances was invariably, “You want to toot your own horns? It’s called P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E.” I can recall him coming upon us late one night when in our tight little group we were talking about ourselves and our competitors (always, of course, with the emphasis on how great we were) and he shook his head at us and said simply, “Corpsmanship.” Someone was brave (or brash) enough to say something like, “But no one can hear us here. We’ve been listening to what you said and have been behaving ourselves out there.” To which he replied, “You know sometimes, people, you just do not get it. You think if you put on some kind of act out there you exemplify corpsmanship? That’s just phony. Corpsmanship begins and ends with what you THINK about yourself and others.” Okay, I shall try to exercise my thought processes a little better and shall attempt to write a few reviews here and there … because I really do enjoy the shows. Just do not expect my words to be anywhere near as good as the actual performances. Thanks to all of you who have given my efforts favorable reviews. I am just a member of the old guard.

This is the posted reply to my review that has probably offended me. Interestingly, I am a former member of one of the corps that is named on the box in the subsequent photo. In my day, there was a term called "corpsmanship" Is this term still around? After reading through many topics and posts on this forum, I can find little or nothing that is written by an actual Spartan corp member, although many troubling words have been spoken of late about them. The lack of response by the Spartan members shows a great restraint on their part. This shows great character. I think they are actually being taught to respect thelmselves and their opponents. Corpsmanship. I leave you with this thought. This is my last post on this forum board. Best wishes, I am just a member of the old guard.

This photo was taken at field level in the daytime. For the record, when you are sitting in the stands at night and the corps is under the lights and you are on the other side of the 50 yard line, you cannot read the words on this box and all you can see is a pair of red chucks and a yellow jacket, even if you are looking and trying to figure out what this means. A person near me, whom I did not know, said, "What is that? Clown Shoes? A clown jacket? What is going on?" If you have to tell your audience what is happening, you've lost them. Many, many of the people in the stands in Div II/III shows are there because they know a young kid in one of the corps. They do not necessarily know drum corps history and they should not be expected to get something like this. Also, for the record, the crowd in the stands very much enjoyed your show and appreciated it's high entertainment level. Everyone near me clapped, cheered and stood for you in the end. And that is what really matters.

I really enjoyed the drum solo. Please fill me in. Is this generated from your staff or a corps member?