shelland

In my rookie year of 1996, we finished 7th (the highest ever) and the corps was elated. I can only imagine the celebration on that field tonight! (and beyond!)

Congrats Govies!

You mean the Blues Brothers marching band?

Like Mark Dayton has any idea what drum corps is.

Keep in mind that the bus riders leave right from the show - so all of MBI will not be there. But I sure wish I was!

That's what I like to hear!

Finish MBI! Thanks for the Minnesota love Govies! FAWK

Bring home some championship hardware tomorrow night Brass and Govies! Our sports teams sure can't do it... FAWK

Good to hear he was alert. Keep us updated Brent! Wouldn't expect any less from Kathy than to go with him and miss MBI (not sure if this started before their show or not). I'm sure Rick told her to stay.

You could tell it bumped up their adrenaline a bit. But it had to be hard finishing their show with people streaming up the stairs.

I spent $150 on tickets tonight, so am obviously disappointed that we didn't get to see the majority of the corps that we wanted to see. But I'm not sure I would have even bought tickets if it was in the Metrodome. I'll gladly go back to TCF in a heartbeat. Hopefully next time I don't spend so much time in the bathroom though. ;)

Very cool that MBI stuck around to see the Govies encore. I hadn't heard that story from 2 years ago. They normally head right out of the stadium and load the buses to get on the road, so it's great to see hear them showing support! I remember talking to Govie members for years about whether they thought they would ever go to DCA.

Good ol' Govies! Congrats to them after not going to DCA all these years! Free drinks at Patrick's? I can be there in about 45 minutes. :)

Way to go MBI! I finished my rookie drum corps year marching DCA in Rochester in '96 (in the baseball stadium). At that time I believe the corp's highest finish was 9th. This corps has come so far since then!

They let rookies use props? And the only time I saw you groove was when you were forcing people to drink straight Everlcear!

Congrats MBI - I can only imagine the reaction of the fans and the feeling as a member as the scores were announced. My first DCA was in Rochester in 1996. We finished a then-best of 7th. We were right next to Empire on the field, and I can still remember their reaction as we played "Jackie" off the field that night. They were class acts all the way, and I'm sure this weekend was no different. I can't say I've had many direct dealing with them, but the few have all been positive. Congrats again to all - wish I could have made it to a show this year. It's about time you finished higher than the last year I marched... ;)

Here's the story from a local TV station tonight - including MBI practice footage: KARE 11

It's been a few years since since I marched and instructed, but that's the exact route I would have taken if I still was. I too realized it was "Wednesday" not long after the story broke. For those from outside the area, not only was this disaster in as area where a drum corps resides (actually multiple), it was a mere 2 miles from the practice site on the busiest bridge in the state minutes after the scheduled start of weekly rehearsal. I can't believe any singing of "For All We Know" in corps history will match the emotion of that night. For all we know, we may never meet again...

When I marched MBI, I crossed that bridge going to and from practice. It is very close to the practice site, and as has already been mentioned tonight is MBI rehearsal night. I also used to cross it going to and from work every day (although not since about 1998). I honestly find it amazing that no one from MBI happened to be crossing the bridge at that moment driving to practice. Obviously the lives and health of those involved are most important. But this is going to have a huge effect on traffic in the Twin Cities for a long time. It is one of two major highways entering Minneapolis from the northern suburbs. Not only is it used to get "to" Minneapolis, but many use it to get "through" Minneapolis to get from north to south and vice versa. I heard an estimate on TV (not sure if it's accurate) that it would take a minimum of a year, and probably closer to two to replace the bridge. I'm thankful I rarely drive anywhere in the area since I work and live in outer suburbs, because traffic is going to be awful (as if it wasn't already) for a long time to come. I heard an estimate that 100,000+ cars cross that bridge every day. Prayers go out to everyone involved - no matter who you are.

We happened to go on a Minnetonka cruise for work the day after the Vikes story broke (not Al & Alma's - Queen of the Excelsior). Apparently they don't think enough of us to invest in the extra "perks"... b**bs

Even though it's been 2 or 3 years now, it still seems strange to read "trumpets"... :)

I have a copy of the review for Drum Corps World. B)

I ran into Joel during intermission. We played together in Concert Band in college and went to high schools in the same conference, and had no idea each other had any tie to drum corps. He was involved before college, myself after. Since you obviously must know him - do you have an email address for him? I checked the webpage for the paper, and couldn't find one. Neither of us had business cards handy at the show.... Or, feel free to pass along my email address to him if possible. Thanks! :D

dude, you get better w/age.......i bow to you At our home show, we went on last - after Phantom and Cavaliers. I happened to look over at the end zone where corps were lined up for finale right as this solo was starting (I know another of our techs said he did the same), and I saw a number of Cavies/PR jaws drop and fists pump by the last note. As the season went on, I always tried to watch for reactions of people. :) And wouldn't you know that my camcorder battery died during Tunisia in the parking lot.