oldguard

... just an amazing writer ... you can almost feel the rain ... see the faces ... hear the music ... share their victory ... Congratulations to these band members. A golden pen to this writer. Thanks for posting this link.

Ah ... maybe ... Something else I found while perusing corps' websites: From http://www.7thregiment.org/ Found under 7th Regiment's "faq's" "What key are your horns in? The audition camp will be held using Bb brass instruments (mellophones in F). Whether we march G or Bb for the summer has yet to be determined. " I'm looking forward to seeing 7th Regiment, too, next summer. In my opinion, they made a big step up into the competition in the east in Div III last year. I am hoping to see another big step this year for them in Open Class. But we digress ... Indeed, I do too. Sometimes, though, you just have to grow and change and move in accordance with the times or you find yourself in an empty place. I enjoy a good Bb hornline, too. :)

Yeah, man! I like cymbals. Good going, Raiders :)

According to my old ears in the stands, they have been marching the same G horns for the past few years. And they were doing a great job of it, too. I am looking forward to hearing this hornline on new Bb's. :)

I was cruising corps' websites for the news today and found the following at http://www.spartansdbc.org/ "Bb Horns on their way! 11/4/2007 New Equipment has been ordered – Complete new line of Brass Instruments has been ordered – we are awaiting their December arrival." As much as my old ears like to hear the sound of G bugles, I think this is a wise choice in the current competitive environment. I see they have also rescheduled their Open House to two dates: Sunday, December 9th & Sunday December 16th. Best wishes to everyone at my favorite Junior corps in NH and I look forward to seeing you on the field next summer.

Nice concept. :) Looking forward to hearing about your musical selections. I enjoyed your show again last year and I hope to see you on the field next summer. Loved the Resonate '08 recruitment video on your website. Best wishes to everyone at Oregon Crusaders.

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I'll take your word for it. I think I hear Surf only in the begining, but my memory can certainly be faulty. There is definately a place where they have a shot of Surf on the field and I hear the Spartan "magician" theme in the background. It's been too long since August. And way too long until next summer. Need those DVD's to arrive! :)

I just read through the whole thread again. Since this sums it up in your own words, I think I will pass and vote no. I can follow the current model just fine. I guess I am looking for something that might shake things up a bit and make things a little less predictable. Therefore, this isn't it. I do appreciate your many thought-provoking and creative ideas, though. Please keep them coming. :)

My favorite line from the clip: "... can't explain what it means to be in drum corps ..." said the first of the two women interviewed who marched in the '70's ... " ... until you're in it ..." finished her friend ... that about sums it up. :) References to movies and college bands aside, I thought as a news piece that this was very well-done. And, yeah, nice to see the Div II corps featured. Sounded to me that the music was all Spartans, though they had some nice footage of Surf, too.

I think this is a very valid point. As someone who saw a lot of corps in the early season and who later attended finals, I just have to agree. Interesting discussion going on here. I have not voted on this one yet because I'm still thinking. I do think I like the basic concept, but as others have said, it needs some fine tuning.

As it is now November and the push is on to practice, polish audition pieces where needed, finalize the details that will get you to audition camp or open house, get yourselves mentally ready to show them all what you have to offer, I want to wish each and everyone of you the best of luck ... may you make your drum corps dreams come true ... ... and thank you for chosing to march. Hope to see all of you somewhere on the field next summer. May you and your corps have a great run! ... I am just a member of the old guard.

It is interesting to see how close the vote is on this idea. I'd like to see a few more people tell us how they feel about this concept. :)

As it is now November and the push is on to practice and polish those audition pieces, finalize the details that will get you to audition camp, get yourselves mentally ready to show them all what you have to offer, I want to wish each and everyone of you the best of luck ... may you make your drum corps dreams come true ... ... and thank you for chosing to march. Hope to see all of you somewhere on the field next summer. May you and your corps have a great run! ... I am just a member of the old guard.

Actually, you are right in this respect. Were performance fees more equally distributed to all corps ... which is how I personally think it should be ... this would not be the case. Under the present structure. However, it highlights the need for change.

Again, thanks for the clarification. :)

Thanks for the clarification and sorry if my questions muddied the waters. (Just my thoughts on some of this: I still think I like the idea of the open Thursday format, although personally, I would be in favor of allowing corps who have proven themselves on Thursday to compete on Friday in World Class. I do not, personally, believe that a corps who might move from "world" to "open" semi-finals would be "falling." I just think they are being given the opportunity to compete with other corps performing at a similar level for an annual award. I am really have not decided how I feel about changing classes under such a system for the following year. I am inclined to think maybe it would be best. It starts a corps off in the spring at the level they are currently achieving and under such a format they would be free to move back at the end of the year. A corps that is struggling financially might actually benefit from this for a year. Also, it recognizes and increases the opportunities for those corps who are achieving and may be ready for the next challenge. ) Thanks for a poll with such a interesting concept. Carry on.

I am wondering how the "class" designations might be affected by a format such as this, for both semi-finals and finals and for the next year. How many corps are you having compete in semi-finals? If you had an "Open" class corps who came in 16th or 17th in the open Thursday pre-lims, that corps should then perfom in the "World" semifinals? Should such corps be then classified with "World" corps for the following year? And what happens with "Open" class semi-finals? You would have "World" corps competing for the "Open" Class title? Then would such corps would be classed "Open" for the following year? Or do you mean when you say "all" that after prelims everyone goes back to their original class for semi-finals and finals? Thoughts on this?

I think I like it. To make it work, some adjustments with the time might be necessary. For example, Open Finals might have to start earlier on Saturday, maybe 10:30 or 11 am to clear the stadium in time for World Finals. Maybe Fantastic 5 ticket holders should be given the option to stay. Maybe sell an "all-day Saturday ticket" for both and not make these folks leave either. Maybe offer all-day tickets for the other days, too. Would have to sell individual tickets for all events to keep it affordable and meet the needs for everyone, though On the plus side, all corps are given the opportunity to see how they stack up on Thursday Prelims. On the down side, that makes for a very long day. Since I love drum corps, I would not mind it, although the old bones do not like sitting too long these days. Give me a few minutes break here and there throughout the day and I would be there for every corps. I would really like to read some pros and cons on this idea.

My favorite performance ... no contest ... Spartans '05 (Thursday night performance) ... Runner-up ... Patriots '99 ... and a dozen Honorable Mentions ... (in no particular order) ... Mandarins '01 Cascades '01 Spartans '99 East Coast Jazz '98 Southwind '92 Blue Stars '93 Jersey Surf '06 Oregon Crusaders '06 Spartans '06 Taipei Yuehfu '05 Raiders '05 Memphis Sound '07

As I am, also, a dinosaur ... sometimes I feel like I am already a fossil ... I stand with you. Still. I can close my eyes and remember the feeling that came with standing in those retreats. Thank you..

This is great news! I looked at the Catskill Community Center website: http://www.catskillcommunitycenter.org/CCCPrograms.asp for more information and found the following under "programs": "Drum and Drill Corp. Days and Time to be announced Open to all children ages nine (9) through twenty-one (21) More information to come. If you have any questions or would like to help in organzing this Corp please contact Kellie Darling, Program Director at www.Director@Catskillcommunitycenter.org or by phone (518) 719-8244. There will be an Open House, Friday, November 9,2007 from 6-9 for all interested children and potential volunteers." This reads like the kind of start-up corps I remember well. Community based after school and weekend youth program teaches kids to march and continues the long drum corps line. This really makes my day. :) Looks like a good opportunity for recent age-outs to volunteer and help get a new corps up and marching. Best wishes to everyone and I hope to see you all in uniform soon!

Best wishes to everyone at Vanguard Cadets for another great season in 2008! Looks like an interesting program. I shall look forward to hearing what music selections they will chose ... and, hopefully, I shall see Vanguard Cadets' show this summer ... maybe add my "perspective" in review. Keep those cards and letters and announcements coming. :)

Some good stuff going on here: http://themusiclife.org/about.html Check out the rest of their links in the lower right hand corner of the page, too. Best wishes with this program and hope to see you on the field soon!