Aloysius

While we were rehearsing in the parking lot at Monroe Community College for DCA, I just happen to look up and notice Cozy...it was great to see his expression as he enjoyed our performance. The drum corps community will miss him dearly...

This alum may be making an appearance...

"7"

I think I was 18 and driving a Pinto station wagon with wood panels and catching a bite while going to college...yikes, I was a danger to society then! :P

Sam, are you being bad?!?! I triple everyone back -- I miss you all already... :( George...nice 9/11 remembrance logo. That's what we're here in Afghanistan for. Here's an online blog on my adventures: http://al-afghanistan.blogspot.com/ Cheers!

Greetings from Afghanistan! Just want to personally say a big thanks to the entire drum corps community for all of your kind words...WOW, is all I can say! Hope things are going well for you all back in the states. Like everyone else, I’ve been following the news on the Katrina disaster down in New Orleans. In fact, my unit sent our remaining helicopters to rescue trapped folks in the flooded zones. So, we’re doing double duty both here in Afghanistan as well as down there in the Big Easy. Haven't missed a beat since I got here on Aug 30th -- we’ve already posted 6 combat rescue saves. The mission is awesome knowing that we're assisting friendly forces, yet going after the Al Qaeda troops that started this whole mess with 9/11. Speaking of 9/11 -- remember to honor the victims this weekend on this 4th anniversary. We're planning to do something special as well. I'm also incredibly proud of my Renegades. A top 5 finish in finals -- wow, we've been there in prelims, but never in finals! I'm especially proud of the color guard because it's been a very challenging season. They buckled down, worked their butts off, and showed their true colors. :angel: As for here, I've coined a new term: "AFGHANISTAN HOT". Everyday it reaches into the low 100s yet is dusty as ####. Don't know how the locals breathe this stuff...I hope my sinuses and lungs can hold out until I return. Gotta go for now. Can't monitor this because of mission requirements, but I thank you all for a wonderful 2005 season. Take care and all the best... >> Al -------------------------------------- AL YEH, Capt, USAF Logistics Readiness Officer Undisclosed location, Afghanistan --------------------------------------

Best wishes for a great 2005 season...we missed you guys last year!

My .02 cents worth: Biggest Amazement Gotta agree with the remarks on The Academy. Wow, I saw their show from the sidelines as we departed the field and was blown away by their sound and visual cleanliness. This corps came out of nowhere fast and stole the night IMO. Biggest Letdown In 2002, Esperanza was visually amazing with a huge color guard (40) as a Div II corps (they grew out of a winter guard organization). But, 2004 turns out to be a different season altogether. As a new Div I competitor, the corps' book was fairly bland, and I didn't feel much emotion from their show. Gotta say that the hornline is definitely much improved (and larger) and is carrying the weight versus the color guard from two years ago. But that's the main point of my disappointment...they've gone away from one of their strengths in their bid to join the majors.

You are right, T1! I gotta agree with the other posts on this thread...I LOVE SCV's Scherazade show. Saw it 3 times now (SCV Family Day, Moonlight Classic, and PP/PW), and it gets stronger each time. The power, emotion and storyline really captivates the audience's attention throughout the whole show. Not that I always love SCVs shows...last year's version was too esoteric and sterile for me and I never got into those TRON-like guard uniforms either. IMO, the Blue Devils won Sat with a cleaner show, and I felt they were a little more "on" than SCV on Sun as well. However, I think SCV will be a very strong contender for the title this year...the season is still young and they have a great program that is already awesome, but still hasn't reached its full potential.

Good to see that you're on board DCP, Ron. :) BTW, Ron doesn't just leap. He floats elegantly as if he has command on space and time itself. :P

Also, it sounds like there may be customs/tariffs problems as well that are clouding the issues. If you purchase in bulk, the unit cost per item is lower which translates to lower customs/tariffs per item. But purchased individually, this cost can be pretty high depending on the specific country. I suggest that you check out your local customs to find out more info. But, I also thought that the EU should have resolved/mitigated most of these custom discrepancies between countries within the union, right?

Yes, I spoke to one of their reps who visited our souvies table at DCA. I just hope I can see their show next year... :)

Yeah...what an inappropriate comment from an announcer. <_< But, I guess that's what you get for those screamin' sops. Good thing I'm behind them the entire show except for the end of "Tears in Heaven". Would otherwise be deaf by now...

What happened to the rest of the show? Did he fall asleep? -_-

GEESH...keep the darn rifles! It's a part of drum corp heritage as well as the visual program (when utilized correctly). As LisaLisa mentioned, just don't point them to the audience...that is stepping over a fine line. P.S.- I want to grow up one day and become a Renegade rifler... B)

I've got one... Need to know the worldwide distribution of drum corps (countries/languages) for a project. I've looked on the DCI website and found: English (US, Canada, UK, South Africa), French (Canadian), Dutch, German, Swedish, Chinese (Taiwan), and Japanese. Am I missing any?

A big thanks to everyone who made suggestions on this thread! I've consolidated your inputs and forwarded it to our souvie team. Stay tuned...the 2003 gear rolls out in late April! B)

Stephen, OMG--this is hysterical! Hey, we MIGHT have a secret plan (i.e. Bond 007) installed for DCA. Drum Corp will NEVER be the same! ^0^

Great ideas folks...keep them coming!

Do you love those curvaceous "Evil Chicky Shirts"? Can't get enough of the "Give Me a Horn/Drum/Flag, and Get the #### Out of my Way!" t-shirt? This is your opportunity to tell us what you want! The San Francisco Renegades are in the process of developing and expanding our souvenir line for the 2003 season. In maintaining our tradition, we will supply both Renegades-specific as well as Drum Corp-generic souvenirs for all of our fans. Check out current availability of souvenirs at Renegades Online Store. If you got novel ideas and suggestions for new items or you particularly liked an old item that we carried in the past, please post your comments on this thread. We will consider all SERIOUS inputs for the 2003 season. For any questions or comments, please contact us at souvies@renegades.org. The 2003 souvenirs are scheduled to roll out in late April, 2003, and will be available for purchase either online or at our shows. See you in the stands!

Man, I can't believe how many clarinet/alto sax conversions to mellophone there are on this thread--I was another one of them! B) In high school, it was clarinet in concert band and alto sax in marching band. My band director convinced me to move over to mellophone for my senior year. Loved it, except for one problem--the embochure. Imagine a kid with a mouth full of braces...yeah, you get the idea. The price I paid for a louder sound... So, fast-forward to the present. Renegades' mello line is the only section full (two years in a row). I guess I'll be in the color guard then... :P

and joined the guard in a round of...

My bad for looking this up on the INTERNET...like this is a source of reliable information! :o Anyway, congrats to both the Air Force and Navy D&B corps. Saw the Air Force corp a couple of years back when they came to the Silicon Valley Bowl...no field show, but some good sounds in the stands.

Sorry Dude Navy won the last three years '99 tie '00 1.8 over and '01 1.7 over the zoomies get it right ! Should have one this year but the G.E judge was clueless !!!! Stansfield USNA Brass Arranger and instructor 98 - 02 Was going off of the USAF D&B Corp website which was last updated less then a year ago. Hmm...something's not right! :o

Congrats Air Force! 5 in a row, and 17 of the last 25 years. :D