oldguard

I see on the DCP Frontpage that the Raiders have announced their 2007 show: "The Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps of Wayne, NJ are Proud to announce its 2007 Drum Corps International Competitive Show – Musical Selections from “WEST SIDE STORY”. The selections from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story will also feature musical highlights from the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Music will include,- Intro to Stan Kenton's Prologue/I Have A Love/Cool - One Hand, One Heart - Dance at the Gym/Mambo/Taunting Scene (Bernstein/ Kenton)- Tonight. We’ve been talking about doing this show for a number of years now, said Tom Maiello, Raiders corps director. “Over the past few seasons, we have had success with Fan Friendly, but equally challenging programs. In 2005 we played “Jesus Christ Superstar”. The crowds that came to our Division 2/3 shows liked the recognizable music that we and several other corps played. So in 2006 we again went with “Coast to Coast”, music by Gorb, Methany and Ellis. The fans enjoyed it and the judging community really appreciated what we were doing. During these winter months, you can see that our students and educational staff really enjoys playing and teaching this music. As an organization we want to be able to entertain and be competitive. We have found that combination with this year's music and look forward to presenting it to drum corps fans everywhere. For more information regarding the Raiders, please visit www.raidersdbc.org" Sounds like fun show. Some nice music selections, here. I felt this corps took "Jesus Christ Superstar" in '05 and made it new ... put their own mark on an old favorite ... and I am looking forward to them doing so with this classic drum corps theme, too. Looks like I will have to try to get to the Rome, NY, for their debut this summer. The Rome show Divison II/III line-up is looking pretty darn interesting: 7th Regiment Jersey Surf Raiders Spartans Teal Sound and with Blue Knights, Boston Crusaders, and Phantom Regiment, too. I'm buying my ticket. Best wishes to everyone at Raiders for a great summer and great success!

I see on the DCI calendar that H.Y.P.E. is taking their gold horns and "Dark Side of Oz" show on a slightly longer tour this year, including a journey south and and southwest to finals in Pasadena. Sounds like a fun summer for your corps. I really enjoyed your show last year and am looking forward to seeing your Pink Floyd/Oz program. Because you are not coming to the northeast this year, though, I may not be able to see your show until the Bakersfield focus show. See you in California. :) Best of luck to everyone at H.Y.P.E. for a happy and successful summer!

That is a lot of marching years. What a great "drum corps family" act. :) Nice to see the family tradition is continuing. Along matters discussed here, I've always thought the Blue Star uniform to be one of those sharp traditional looks. They certainly have a presence all their own. People here in the northeast, I for one, still remember how impressive Blue Stars were waiting in their long silent line going over the bridge to the field in Brockton for that final retreat in '05. It was so good to see Blue Stars, not only back in Division I last summer, but in semifinals. To get back to more on topic, Blue Star's success (and Academy's more recent move to Div I) gives credibility to the notion that I have that Division II is consistently filled with corps producing shows with a level of performance on the field that could easily compete in a more open class system. I'd really like to see a return to a system whereby more of these strong corps might compete in an open quarterfinals. But that, just like anything I say, is just one man's opinion.

I do believe his time to march will come. And, hopefully, his sister's and brother's, too. In the end, my daughter will relent and let him do what he really wants to do and, who knows, maybe she will even enjoy the shows when one of her own is out there. The image of her in my mind as a drum corps mom is a very amusing picture :) This is what I call a Drum Corps Family. So just how many marching years if you combine everyone? They wore their full, traditional black/red/cream uniform .. and looked as sharp as ever ... but no helmets ... hair off their face and off their collars. I agree that they carry that helmet and high plume off with impressive style, but it was interesting to see those Spartan faces for once. Somehow they still looked just as fierce as ever. My grandson scrambled down the bleachers with a couple of other kids and followed them out of the gym. My grandaughter and I waited for the guard awards. The Spartan drum major stayed behind with the guard captains. My grandson said the corps stood in silent attention, not making eye contact, in line outside the gym waiting for the drum major and then marched silently away down the hall. They do have presence.

I know ... his marching time is marching away. :( This has become a much discussed matter between he and his parents since he saw his first show last summer. Why did it take so many years to even get him to a show? (Poor drum corps deprived kid ... I tell you, it is an outrage. ) His Mom, my daughter whom I love and admire, has never shared the family enthusiasm for drum corps. She chose not to march and did not enjoy the many shows which she was apparently forced to attend as a child to see her siblings, who did march. Also, she knew the day I took him to a show, he would very likely start pestering her to join. In this, Mom knew son. His Dad is a good guy but he knows nothing about drum corps. It is long standing joke in the family that my daughter chose him as a husband for just this reason. I have always respected my daughter's right to make her own decisions and to raise her children as she and her husband think best and they are both great parents. So the primary reason he does not march is the lack of parental consent. The second is the distance he will have to travel to practice. I would help him out here, but I live over two hours away from him and he lives over two hours to the nearest corps and this corps (which is where he says he really, really, really wants to march) does not accept members under age 14. So this is another obstacle that we will have to overcome. Since last summer, he calls me regularly to ask what "we" can do so he can march. :sos: I tell him to hang in there, play his trombone, and wait. It is not a good idea if he constantly grumbles and rants at home about this, as it will negatively affect his case. His parents have more or less decreed that, if he still wants to do so, he may march when he is 16 under the condition that he finish his Eagle Scout project first. He loves scouting; his Dad is one of his scoutmasters and he does want to earn his Eagle. They live in the country and my grandkids are also very active in 4-H. I think he has plans to try to finish his project early and then storm the walls that are keeping him off the field. So time will tell. If he starts marching when he is 16, he will still have six years. Maybe more if we can manage something sooner. In the meantime, he and I plot what shows we can work into his schedule.

Along these general lines: May you also have a great age out year and the very best of luck to you and your corps this summer

Mr. SoonerFan, may you and your corps have an outstanding season this summer and may you just have the best summer of your life for your age out year. B)

Sorry, I can't help you more with that than what I already said. Counting brass line members is like counting sheep to me ... boring enough to put me to sleep. Too many other interesting things going on to try to take in. :) The gym was so packed it was actually hard to do so anyway. There were so many people standing along the sides and around the edges of the front on the floor that the sopranos and baritones on both ends of the arc probably were elbow to elbow with a spectator.

It is always good to see or hear that a corps is doing well. The more corps there are; the stronger they are; the more active they are: it's good for everyone ... the fans, the sponsors, the event coordinators, the competitors ... and most of all the state of drum corps as a whole. I'd like to read more about how other corps across the country are preparing for the coming season. It gives me something to look forward to this summer. From what I have been hearing so far, it looks to be a very competitive year again in Division II and Division III. I really enjoy these shows. Only a few more months to go!

Having seen the Spartans in early exhibition this weekend, I have no doubt that they have plans to be a strong contender in Division II this summer. This past weekend, two of my grandchildren and I went to Boston in a taste of Spring weather for a Museum of Science and Aquarium weekend … with a planned side trip to Malden on Saturday night to see the Sacred Heart World Guard Home Show, where I met up with old friends of mine whose grand daughter was in one of these artistic and athletic guards. This was run by the old Eastern Mass Drum and Bugle Corps Association. I have fond memories of performing in the many regional shows they organized in the 50’s and 60’s. It is good to see that the winter colorguard program is still so strong. From Cadet to C-B-A and Open and World Guard Classes, it was a very fine evening of competition. Clearly, this is the winter training ground for those fine guards of the Spartans, East Coast Jazz and Citations. It was a packed house at the end of the show when the Spartans came out for a standstill performance of their opening show music and to play the National Anthem before the second-half scores were announced. Apparently, they do this every year and it is a much anticipated performance and they were well received by the very appreciative crowd. I would say that they are at about the same size as they were last year. Add the guard and any members who had off-season commitments and they should be over 100 members, easily … a good size for them as they always look and sound larger than they are. Tonight was no exception. Since they were helmetless, you could see their serious and determined faces. “They never smile, “said the wife of my old friend next to me. I thought back to the picture posted on these boards of the final retreat last August and replied, “Oh, they smile alright … when it is over and they have given it their best.” For some reason they staged all the percussion in front of the horn arc, so I could not help but notice that a bar has clearly been raised in the battery. There were, I think, 7 snares, 4-5 tenors, 5 bass and 4-5 cymbals in the battery. As I’ve said before, I am not a percussionist, but even I can detect something new and different … and very good ... happening here. Deep talent, for one thing … there must have been many, many fine drummers that did not make this cut. I hope they have all found a place to march this summer. Nice new writing, also. The front ensemble has about ten members and appears to be the least experienced of the corps, although there are some very fine mallet players here and a nice timpanist. The front played only the first piece. Perhaps winter constraints kept them from having the second piece ready. The hornline was certainly ready. They came out carrying their old G horns like a badge of honor and played over the percussion. Nice horn pops, as usual, and they held their horns up and steady. I really did not count here. I just do not care much about such. I counted the battery only because inquiring minds like to know and it usually gives a good indication of the planned hornline size. There were six contras with a mature sound. This appears to be the most experienced section of the entire corps. The contras together with the front ensemble open the show. The baritones join in next. I’d say they have many returning baritones and this makes me happy. They have a good number in the line and a very strong early season low brass sound. Nine or ten mellos, with some depth in the line, some nice runs, good overall tone, a mix of new and old players. There are a few more sopranos than baritones, The soprano section of the hornline likely has the most new members. The lead sopranos are good and made some nice statements in this music. If you want to play brass and are looking for a good place to march in the northeast and a trip to Pasadena, call the Spartans. They would likely take on a few more baritones or sopranos. They performed two short show music pieces. I recall when they announced their show topic, “Tarot,” that I said I was intrigued. Well, it was a good choice of word. Intriguing describes this music well. Their opener has a surprisingly up-beat and off-beat flavor and an unusual time signature. I counted it out to be 7/8 and/or maybe 7/4. There was change to 4/4 in the second piece and then back again. I could be wrong. It was pretty fast and a lot to take in. But the marching and drill for this should be interesting come June. They have the same able and very classy drum major as the past two years. His left arm injury appears to be healed. This piece was well done by all. The tune is very catchy. Yes, this is Key Poulan original music and I said it is catchy. I like both pieces. The second sounds a little more traditional for the Spartans. There are a couple of nice fanfares. My grandson said it sounded like Robin Hood. This piece speaks of authority and strength. Both pieces seemed shorter than what I’ve heard them play recently and the total was about 3-4 minutes of show music. It left us wanting to hear more. I am really looking forward to seeing where this will go when they add the drill and guard. The strongest piece of the night for the hornline was when they played the National Anthem by themselves. This was well-phrased, well-blended, good intonation; controlled … it was just so well done … it was hard to believe that I was listening to an off-season hornline. Bravo. All I can say is that, although there is a lot of work to be done, if this hornline can play this well together in March, I can’t wait to hear them in August when they have reached their potential. Practice hard alone and work long and well together, Spartans. It will be worth it. It was a very good night. The grandkids and I had a good time. My granddaughter, who will be nine in a few short weeks, was entranced by the guards. Too bad there appears to be no such opportunity available to her in the rural area where she lives. My grandson, who is now twelve, was not as enthusiastic about the guard show and wanted to spend the evening wandering the halls of the vast and circuitous Malden High School in search of the Spartans. I had to keep reeling him in. Good thing for him that in the second half some friends of friends showed up with some kids only a little older who stewarded him around a bit for me. His only real complaint was that the Spartans did not play nearly long enough for him. He pointedly looked at me in the end (with a bit too much attitude), and said, ”So, when can we see them again?” “Ah … maybe the Brockton show,” said I. “if you can remember your manners.” He was so cooperative and helpful the rest of the weekend. Plans are to take the two of them to that first show of the season and my grandson and a car load of his buddies to the Boston Crusaders Home Show in Lawrence. I have not quite talked my daughter into the Spartan Home Show on the long 4th of July weekend, but we’re working on that. As I said, their opening music is very catchy and my grandson and I left trying to hum and tap it out in the blinding snow squall that hit us in the face at the door. Driving was not fun. Hope everyone made it home safely. It was spring again on Sunday. Got to love New England weather. Thank you, Spartans, and best wishes for a happy and successful season.

A new drum corps is always good news. :) Welcome and best wishes for a long and successful run to the Texas Kingsmen!

Hail and well said!

This came through loud and clear all season in every performance I had the pleasure to watch last summer ... and I saw quite a few ... from beginning to end. I hope to attend at least as many this year. One of the things I like about this corps ... and all the corps in Division II and III ... is watching how they grow, how hard the work, how much they accomplish together in a few short weeks. So many are there just for the passion to perform, with the talent to build, the readiness to learn, the will to achieve and the determination to take their show to the limit. It makes for really good drum corps.

Nice article. Thanks! Definately a fun moment to watch from the stands last summer. No surprise that the young people on the field were enjoying themselves, too. Any thing for drum corps, right, guys? B) Have a great time out there again this summer. Go, Surf! Hope a few more Division II and III people send you some stuff for your column. Always good reading.

Thanks for the update. Good to hear that Memphis Sound is alive and well and flourishing ... and in very capable hands ... and still taking in more new members. Go for it! :) Sounds like a show not to be missed. I'm making my plans to be there. Best Wishes for a great year to everyone at Memphis Sound!

Please excuse this public response to a private message. Since I am just too uncomfortable with the thought of someone my age communicating privately over the internet with a young person, I do not know any other way to respond. Thank you bearing with me. To my young marcher, You are welcome. You are a pretty inspiring story yourself. You are wise to be under your doctor's care for what is clearly not ordinary aches and pains. Coming back from any surgery is a challenging thing. I admire your dedication. You are obviously a very strong and determined person and you are marching for all the right reasons ... being taught the right way ... in a corps that places emphasis on the right things. Any corps would be lucky to have you. You are just the kind of person to be standing next to in the arc. Appears you have a good person standing next to you, too. May you and your corps have a great, great run this year. I'll be there when I can to cheer you all on your way. Thank you, from a member of the old guard

No camp update on the Spartan website, either. However, I see they have an indoor standstill performance coming up at the end of March at an Eastern Mass colorguard show. Hmmm ... think I have an old friend whose grandaughter is in one of those guards ...

... and Jersey Surf is Jersey Surf ... and I like it! I was looking for their February camp report ... (not up yet) ... on their website today and found that nice "Why we are looking forward to Summer" video clip in their news frames. You can almost feel that summer air. :) Man, am I looking forward to summer today ... and seeing what Jersey Surf brings to the field this year. Go, Surf!

Good to hear that many of the East Coast Jazz members have found their place to march this year. May those who are taking a year off come back next year. I wish every success to all of you this summer and beyond and to East Coast Jazz with their re-organization and fundraising efforts. The Spartans are the Spartans and are a formidable force in Div II in their own right. Another must-see corps for me! Best wishes to my favorite corps from the New Hampshire. See you in June :)

Thanks. May you have a great summer. :)

Thanks for the kind words. So I will be seeing you on the field this summer ... (Is this what they mean by older but no wiser? ) ... I wouldn't miss the Rochester DCA show ... it's all good drum corps. Truthfully, I applaud you and admire you for your decision to march again ... at the end of which you will, undoubtedly, be fitter, tanner, stronger ... yes, and wiser ... Good luck with another one of those great summers of your life. :)

Thanks for posting the camp video link. I'd missed this. Oregon Crusaders is one of my must-see corps ... and this year it will be on their own turf. :) I am really looking forward to this summer.

It’s out there waiting for you … the banner hung across the tunnel which says: “Welcome to the World’s Greatest Performers” … the crowd turned to watch your slow march into the stadium … the calls of encouragement from your fans and your proud family … the call to readiness ... the last hushed moment before you play or dance … the field which you will own for 11 minutes next summer. Will you be there? Will you take that step? Will you finish what you have started? It’s that time of year when your arms ache, your back aches, your lips ache, your wrists ache and summer seems such a long aching road away. Maybe you are new to drum corps, maybe you are coming back for more, maybe you are at camp tonight, maybe you are practicing alone, maybe you are thinking, “this is hard.” It is hard. You knew it would not be easy. Last November after I quoted from a private message from someone who marched last summer, she wrote to me again. Apparently she was thinking of not marching this year but when I posted it encouraged her to reconsider. This is an excerpt of what she wrote … (maybe she is standing next to you in camp): “Last year on tour I was in immense pain but I just pushed through. During the off season I wondered how I ever survived the long practice days because it took such a toll on my body ... And I remember when this started and with urgency I asked my doctor "I can still march, right?" And he replied that I probably wasn't going to get any worse or better. But those words staring right up at me caused something to click. Performing. The answer seems so simple. My wrist would be throbbing before a show, but once the announcer called us on the field, I no longer felt it. Performing is the greatest painkiller in the world for me. Possibly because the pain is a personal problem and once I was on the field it was time to set aside personal problems and focus on the good of the corps. Reading that was all the reminder I needed.” Performing ... This summer.... On that field you are going to own … Go for it! You can do this. May these words in some way encourage you to get through whatever doubts you may be having and get yourself onto that field. May I see you on that field come summer. Best Wishes ….

Aww, come on ... just one more ... uh .... million or two ... and Classical Gas an the Chicago Medley, too ... and while you're at it ... how about Shenandoah ... and the English Folk Suite .... and Crown Imperial ... Please?

I do not live in Boston, but I did many years ago. Event info, including times, at the Beanpot Website: http://www.nesba.org/beanpot/ It is a nice event and field. If you have a car, it is an easy 20 miles from Boston. If not, it might be possible to take the MBTA Commuter Rail. There are two or three stations in Beverly, one about a mile from the stadium. You would have to check the schedule about stops and times to see when the last train might be. Check their website. It would be the Gloucester/Rockport line. Once there you might be able to find people who would drop you back at the station or maybe even get you back to Boston. If you are looking for people to go with, I hope you get some takers, here. Good luck!