txtubadude

1) They had had a hard season just like your corps, going through rebuilding and probably just wanted to end the year with a laugh. 2) No harm can really come from a Mike and Ike (I spoke to a friend who marched) because they would be soft from the heat. 3) Not the entire group threw the candy, did you actually watch hornline? Guard? 4) I think it was only really offensive to Dutch Boy because it was their first time making finals in.... how many years now?

I think this will help their numbers out with a better recruiting basis too. Anyone know if they plan on going to any USSBA competitions to recruit?

Even got some kids to switch D I corps (from Crossmen to Troopers because of the Code Black staff)

1) Harvey was superior in teaching G bugles. Plus Harvey was not there the full tour (of course almost all music directors have their own bands at home.) But having gone to the camps that were not closed they also have some interesting techs that help add to the overall picture. 2) One big reason I feel Revolution lost last year was because of challenging guard work. Marching may not mean great teaching, but it certainly does more than nothing. 3) Actually, 2003 and 2005 were successful years. 2003 they moved up to D II and placed higher than where they did in 2002 in overall D II/III finals. 2005 they barely placed outside D II/III championships being one of the few corps to make a comeback from a year off. 4) The drill this past season was alright, but it could have been much better. I've seen most of Creighton's drill (corps and high school) and believe that his drill is more competitive and challenging. Not a problem John. I cannot wait to see what all the Texas corps are up to in June at Austin! I'm sure I'm going to love it all from GCS, Frontier, Austin Stars, Crossmen and Revolution.

1) Revolution switched over to Bb/F. Last year they won brass in G bugles, so brass is most likely ahead of last year. 2) The new color guard caption head actually marched as opposed to last year with a high school director. 3) From the sounds at camp, they are going back to their "identity" types of music (dark/esoteric), different from the 'bright music' of last year. 4) From their website, Revolution went back with their drill writer from 02 and 03, which should help their GE and visual more than the past two years. 5) and... they're from Texas, enough said. lol

I think the move more affected Revolution. From the looks off their forums, they are still looking for several numbers in brass and guard this late in the season.

In 2005 DCI allowed Teal Sound to stay D II even though they lost members, and as for Impulse, they declared D II but lost so many members that they were way under the 71 mark and were told to either to go D III or take the year off.

Revolution's line did not go to Dayton. But they were pushed up from Independent A to Independent open and won in the TCGC *Texas Color Guard Circuit*

When all showers/washers/sinks/dryers/Walmart lines are taken, double/triple up.

Also try VFW's and Lion's Dens in the area, at least half of your fees can be paid off by them. Write them all, every penny helps.

Dropped by Revolution's last camp, still wouldn't be able to tell on the D II or D III part, but they had 7 contras

When I marched, it was in the rebuilding years of a young corps, so it was cool to integrate old traditions and make some new ones. It'll be nice to see it all a few years down the road.

No clue, but it seems that their corps director quit. Sorry to see it, but I'm sure the corps will do fine regardless.

Ever since the major change of staff I was a little hesitant to say something of a finals possibility, but I've seen JSU at the end of the season (finals week, shared a field with them at housing) and know from experience that the Crossmen show will certainly grow throughout the season, hitting them at the point of fighting Blue Stars, Colts, JSU and Glassmen for a finals spot. I just wish there had been a tuba line of 10 there at camp. I would have needed to change underwear every time they did a run of the parts they had. b**bs

Not sure but they may still be waiting on approval from DCI.

Okay, so I was super bored since all my friends left to different WGI/TECA regionals for winterline and winterguard so I decided to drop by the Crossmen camp give back one of the staff a radio I forgot was in my pocket when I helped at one of the USSBA competitions. Gave it back and decided to just see how the progress was going, and well, I have to admit... Colts, Blue stars, JSU and Glassmen and possibly BAC and Scouts need to really jump up the program if they want to see 2007 in finals. Really good things going on, music selection is a great mix of new genre and classic Crossmen, pretty much what their title is, Metamorphosis. Same classy jazz feel with a different sound. Although it was somewhat dirty and some kids were missing, by the time tour comes around, watch out!

Eh, I just meant it as an analogy. I'm a tuba player, so I'm used to lower ranges anyways, but as for playing high on tuba, it helps. I know to much of a "good thing" can be bad, use everthing in moderation. For me, the lower I kept going, the higher my range could go. I know I know, it was just the best I could describe it! :P

Would you try to lift 200 lbs without any type of warmup? This is similar to how it helps, because pedal tones help control your aumbiture (sp?) by loosening your lips (since they are considered muscles) therefore helping it in the process to tightening them. Does that make any sense to you?

Trust me, I've seen what one year can do, I also know that in one year other corps can improve just as much. I've always wanted to see Colts in finals ever since they made the slight uni change, but wanted Glassmen out (can't stay awake watching any show past 01). I've seen what can happen with an almost all rookie corps, now they are back in motion and cruisin into DCI once again.

I am a fan of Crossmen up to 05 (my fav is 2001- Late Night Jazz). 2006 just made me turn and get something to eat. I know D II and D I are different sheets, but like I said before, Blue Stars beat Crossmen coming out of the D II/III league. Now mind you, JSU has stayed in the top 12 ever since Crossmen fell out. JSU isn't going to hand them the spot, neither is Glassmen or Scouts. I'm just saying, they have to beat out 3 corps (I would have said watch out for Cap Reg, because they were always on Crossmens tail.) Even though they have the talent, keep in mind that you can have a perfectly executed show but if you don't have the programand design, you won't go far. And FYI, I know D II may nor be your cup of tea, but they write shows to be competitive in D II, not D I. So when Academy comes in, they will have designed a show for D I. Blue Stars this past year had a show that was an "on the fence" design to me, more than D II, less than D I. They were testing the waters rather than jumping in like some other D Is that moved up (ie Seattle and Magic).

1) Phantom - continue climb and take it finally 2)BD - Will go back to trumpet solos (although the tuba solo was nice) 3)Cavies - GE on Billy Joel is a little hard to do as compared to 007 or Machine 4)Bluecoats - come on strong again 5) Cadets - Great show along with top 4, toss between 3-5 around all season 6) SCV - keep it up, clean some more 7) Crown - take care of some issues which helps place them over... 8) BK - SOS (same old $h!t) 9) BAC - always a great performance 10) JSU - step it up another notch and climb over scouts 11)scouts - major changes have them trying new things, works, but not well 12) Colts - finally get the credit they deserve and creep into finals 13-14) Crossmen or Blue stars - Blue Stars set up all the books while Crossmen bring a clean powerful show 15) Glassmen - pushed out of top 12 for dirt and design, not the kids fault at all 16) Academy - could top Glassmen, but first yr jitters get them 17) Mandarins - stay put, but clean more, unis help again 18) Cascades - get some OC staff, improves and cleans 19)Southwind - bring up a great show, just need some cleaning dont know where to place 20 Troop 21 Pacific Crest 22 Esperanza 23 Pioneer

I'd have to agree a bit, we have to realize that they still have to hop over Blue Stars and Colts and push JSU or Glassmen out, in addition, they need to fend off Academy (2006 was the Blue Stars' first year in D I in a long time, and they got on top of the Crossmen.) Yes, Texas has talent (as we have seen from Revolution and Bluecoats) that will help, but it also comes down to design and execution.

What kind of story are you looking for? Any? I'll chat around some friends and see what I can get for you.

Haha, reminds me of trying to play a Besson in my college band. Thing was heavy, and huge. Ok, I knew I saw some pictures somewhere. Thanks for the input!

I swear I saw one of the drum corps this past season with sousaphones (not D I, but in the D II/III area). Which rule says sousaphones are illegal?