Pit_Girl_77

We have a gig on Saturday-----short parade and a concert, playing the full show!

2006 Phantom (HM: Cavies 91, Star 93)

91 Phantom (I had fun at local drum corps shows before I saw this on PBS, but this was the first year my family taped the show off TV and I had the thing memorized within about 3 days.)

http://www.berrycenter.net/ DCI has huge shows at the Berry Center on July 16th and 17th right before the San Antonio Regional. Now, on their website, they have Cirque du Soleil show during that same weekend, at the same time. I am not sure if the Cirque show will be in a tent in the parking lot, or in the indoor arena, but either way parking might become a pain. And, if you want to roam the parking lot you might be disappointed if parts are roped off or the corps are parked next door at the communit college. Most weekends there are more than one thing going on at the Berry Center (I work in the school district, so I am there pretty often), but I don't ever remember 2 things this big at the same time. Anyone else have info on how this is going to work? I suspect it will be fine, but the traffic/parking has me worried a bit.

12 hours...

me three!

If you find yourself in the Houston Area this weekend, join us for drill camp #3 on Saturday from 10-8. Check out our show, look into marching a spot, or just hand out for the afternoon. With the winterguard season wrapping up, we will be seeing more folks joining the line in the upcoming month, if you want a spot now is the time to speak up! Sunday we will be performing most of our 2009 show music, as well as several concert selections, at the Woodlands Art Festival. Weather for both days looks great at 82 and partly cloudly. Info, maps, and anything else you could want can be found here: http://www.gulfcoastsound.org/index2.html http://www.woodlandsartsfestival.com/

Well, we might be nuts to be in drum corps, but not soooo crazy that we want to learn drill for 10 hours in Houston in June!!! (At least, that is the plan....lets hope the plan stays the course!)

nope, have the first real burn Tune #2 is going on the field on March 21st---come on out and see our progress!

We are having a show in Houston on July 11th, need a few things to fall into place to make it an official DCA show, but it is looking good at this point There is also a sweet non-DCA event called the Texas Drum Corps Preview that is in Austin on June 20th: Free on the capital steps you are likely going to see at least 5 drum corps from the Lone Star State, maybe even 7-8!

It sounds like a great start-keep up the good work! (Rope in all the husbands, wifes, and significant others...GCS usually has had 3-5 married couples on the field together, some had never played or spun before we talked them into it )

Clarification: Brass, Pit, and Guard practice 6:30-9:00 this Thursday, the drumline has a full weekend planned with all the out-of-town folks. Full details at www.gulfcoastsound.org

Open your big mouth why don't ya---it is snowing in my Houston back yard right now! And I thought middle school kids in MN were wild during the first snow of the year-yikes! so...the two cold-weather outfits I own are already packed for Rochester, guess I got some shopping to do tonight :)

George will be missed dearly in GCS, but never fogotten. His children did a wonderful job honoring him today at the service. Notes for the family can be left here: http://www.mem.com/Story.aspx?ID=2713374

Thanks Dwight! Mardi Gras 2009 is on the meeting agenda during lunch, we will be thinking of ya :big hug:

On Thursday November 20th we are having a regular Thursday-night sectional, right before open house. This is another great time to come check us out! Hornline will be in the fellowship hall, drumline outside or in the youth room if the weather is bad, and we will get together at the end of the night to jam. Show up around 6:30, hang out until around 9:30, and play a good chunck of the 2009 show. Official show annoucement is coming soon...

SWEET!!! We had a blast with everyone after the Dallas show, can't wait to see you all again!

2009 Open House The 2009 season will officially kick off with the Open House on Saturday, November 22. The event will take place at the Corps home, Rittenhouse Baptist Church. Starting time is 10 AM. Lunch will be provided and we'll wrap up around 6 PM. The cost is free! The Corps will provide the instruments and music that you will need for the day. If you have your own G bugle (2 or 3 valve) you are welcome to bring it. We have a full "battery" of percussion and front ensemble equipment. The hornline uses 3 valve G bugles which are played just like most concert instruments. In fact, the music is even written the same way. So, there's very little adjustment needed to perform on a bugle. The color guard has an array of flags, sabers, and rifles available. Percussionists need to bring sticks. Hornline members need to bring a standard shank trumpet, marching mellophone, trombone/baritone, or tuba mouthpiece. Guard members need to bring guard gloves. Everyone is encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes, there will be a lot of standing and moving around. The Corps will provide water for you, but for personal convenience it's always better to have your own close at hand. The day will be spent playing through some basics, our warm-up book, and several concert charts, as well as two or three selections from the 2009 production. During lunch the staff will explain the 2009 production, the 2009 tour schedule, the dues structure, and other general information about the Corps. Parents and spouses are HIGHLY encouraged to spend the day and get to know the Corps and the staff. If you are under 18 you MUST be accompanied by an adult sponsor. For more information on the Corps, maps, staff e-mail, video and pictures of past shows, and more visit www.gulfcoastsound.org

I talked to Trey today, his family is heading to Austin to stay with family, they might get back home in about a month because of the huge amount of damage in the area---yuck! (Trey is a bass drum that I know made some friends from the Atlanta Corps this summer) If you are wonding about anyone in particular from GCS, we have a check-in topic on our corps forum that you can check out at GCS Hurricane Check-in Some folks that know lots of other drum corps folks that I know are doing fine include Jason and Michelle (Staff), Tom H (Lead Sop), and Dena (Mello and CorpsVetts alum). Check-ins will be slow as we are short on power, phone/internet lines, and the cell service is very busy and spotty. We know a few folks will have major home damage because of the location, but so far everyone seems to be OK. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

Jenny and I were the last ones out of the hotel, got through the airport and connected in Atlanta and made it into Houston around 7:00 tonight with no issues (And hooked up with some of our "Dream-Guys" too!). The only ones I think are still out are the 3 in the equipment trailer, and they have some flexibility to get here. The vans got into town around noon with lots of stories, and the luggage in the back of the pickup never got wet. It was dry the whole way home. Dragging our behinds into work in rush hour tomorrow might be interesting... Thanks for all the well-wishes we got in the hotel and airport! So far it is looking fine here, now we get to watch the next wave come in...Carolina? Orlando? Us again? There are something like 5 storms in different stages right now (Gives us something to watch on TV besides the conventions )

I will be cooking dinner for the above event, then performing the event, then resting up for the first day of school on Monday (And getting my sub notes ready for "being sick" on Thursday and Friday!)

-Wednesday morning-GCS equipement leaves Houston -Wednesday after work-GCS caravan with husband as a driver leaves Houston (Suckers ) -Thursday morning at 5:00-call in sick to work because district will not let me take personal days before a holiday even though they all know I will not be in, head to the airport, get in to Rochester around 1:00 pm -Friday 2 AM-welcome the GCS caravan and equipment to the hotel -Friday 9 am-practice -Friday night- I&E, drink some beverages, hang out -Saturday am-practice -Saturday afternoon-prelims, then watch the rest of the show -Sunday am-Hopefully practice, otherwise alumni show -Sunday night-show -Monday-check out and fly home -Tuesday-teach periodic table, go pick up husband from GCS caravan after school Here's hoping everyone has delay-free flights through Atlanta and everywhere else!

Show is this Saturday, and there is a really unique line-up of solos, ensembles, and full corps stuff to see. The church provides a cool (AC ), intimite concert setting that is really fun for everyone. Dinner/social hour starts at 5:00---come check us out!!!

I think there might be a lot of politics as to who has legit reasons and who does not. Also, would you tell the judges your reasons before the show, when you are still hoping that last flight gets in, or do you have to visit the press box after the show but before awards and get scores adjusted? Or, would the very first show of the season you are under you get the lower penalty, and each time afterward you get the harsher penalty? Could you get the lower penalty for both shows of a two-show weekend, or would your score drop several points the second night? Could you choose to take the harsher penalty early in the season, and save the lighter penalty for August "just in case" you need it for a higher seeding score at Prelims? Interesting idea, but it might be better to have just one penalty across the board to make things simpler.

I think a penalty for having under 35 members is a good idea to throw on the table and discuss, it would keep corps dedicated to having the minimum members on the field, but allows groups that show up at a contest missing a few members (For whatever reason) the chance to compete. I think in my perfect world I would lower the minimum to 30, charge a 1 point/person for groups between 25-30, and a set 10 point penalty for groups under 25. New groups or those falling under 30 in two or more contests the previous year would need a DCA review in the spring/summer for permission to compete. This will help make sure judges/funds are not being wasted on groups that are not working towards an improved corps. Thoughts? Throw some more ideas out-what is the best way to resolve this? (Also, is there really a judge that counts the people on the field at regular season contests? Who gets stuck with that honor?)