SACMellos2010

Brass Arranger - Jim Prime Brass Caption Head - Donnie Van Doren Brass Tech - Barry Hudson, Frank Sullivan, Matt Jenkins, Craig Headen, Matt Harloff Percussion - Tom Hannum Percussion Tech - Brent Montgomery Visual Design - George Zingalli Visual Tech - Mark Sylvester, Joey Keays, Todd Ryan, Ken Karlin

Glad to see the 92' Star Line getting the love. Those guys worked their tails off as the line was not full until mid July and I believe that Preview was the first show with the full contra line. They also gave up some laundry time to stay and rehearse.

Star 90 and 93 Cadets 84 and 87 SCV 87

Corp - Star Of Indiana Years Marched - 1985, 1986, 1987.... 1991 and 1992 Event to Change - I would have come back a year earlier and marched the 1990 show. Relive- It was all a great ride and can not say there was any of it that I did not enjoy.

I think the Bridgeman issue you were talking about must have been 1984 since one of the big reason that we were able to make finals in 1985 was the fact that Bridgemen folded and we got the bulk of their members and especially their percussion and Drum major.

TRUST me we are all not taking it very well either. As for the Lease or sale I believe that it is either at this point from what I have gotten. I have not talked to directly to the property group so that is second hand information. Also on the Bus lines I believe it was sold a couple of years ago. We would love nothing more than a drum corp to buy it or someone wanting to start a drum corp!!! PLEASE!!!

I think we can all argue that the 80's was probably the best era of drum corps. ON the 84' debate I also agree at how great a year that was but I liked the Garfield show a little better and it is still one of my all time favorites. 84 Phantom - 1812 rocked!! And oh yeah! That whole ring thing. Well to me the ring is a little overrated as I think I have worn mine a total of 5-6 times but the memories never go away. Anyone else have the same feeling???

Like the man said above at the end of the note take a breath to create the release. He is not speaking out of turn but helping to give some insight into the approach. DO not end the note with a tongue release or any other approach to release. TAKE A BREATH!!!

You'll Never Walk Alone Malaguena Man this should be really cool to hear!!!

Being pretty familar with their brass staff I can tell you to pay attention, be confident, be a team player and show great desire to learn. Spend a lot of time on breathing exercises as that is at the sole of the brass technique that you will be exposed to. Breathe from the bottom up with a very open throat and as was said above work on breathe dah until that is the only way that you play. When you are working on your exercises make sure and pay close attention to pitch center as you move from note to note and make sure when you are playing runs that there is clarity between each pitch and it does not sound like mush!! Good luck and you are about to be exposed to a phenomenal team of brass technicians!!

I feel you saw the visual transformation start with 27 then George took it to the Cadets and had a phenomenal run through the 80's and then fortunately for Star of Indiana he brought it to us and I am honored to have marched his last drill before his passing. For those of you that do not know the story of how the cross to cross move at the end of 91' came about I am sorry because it was George Zingalli at his best and being able to do things like nobody before or after. Just a hint.... that whole piece of the show was never charted and was entirely done by George down on the field going from section to section. Man do I miss George!!!

I think the reason that Cadets seem to be more revered is they were the corp that took the activity in a new direction which instead of me droning on about is being discussed on another thread about the early 80's transition.

That has to be considered as one of DCI's best years top to bottom.

This will be a bit biased but have to say my favorite as far as sound production and pure wall of sound with great blend I have to say the 92' Star of Indiana Line. We did not have the same technical demands as there were on the 90, 91 and 93 line but the "sound production and pyramid" was the best of the Star era. As for the BD fans I am surprised to not see 86' in that lineup as that was a solid line.

Rick- Not an ignorant question at all and yes Dah is the approach that was used at the Star of Indiana and I am sure with other organizations that I am not familiar with. As for what creates the different sounds with the different lines has a lot to do with the breathing technique that is used as well as the approach to the initial attack whether it be a pointed or more soft approach. Also the type of instruments that are used along with the mouthpiece of choice can play a big part in the type of sound that is being achieved. I know that is vague but hope it helps a little bit.

I am very late to this thread and have to agree that Tony jumped on it pretty hard but as has also been stated we have gotten a little defensive as we have heard for 20 years about the whole money issue. As a member that marched in the first year of 1985 and then aged out in 1992 I got to see a lot of growth even after taking 3 years off in the middle. Yes it was very helpful to have the money to get the corp started with good equipment as well as a good staff. But we also had to find members and I can tell you that the majority of the 1985 corp was not seasoned drum corp veterans. As well if it were not for the misfortunes of 2 other organizations, Bridgeman and Pride of Cincinnati, then we most likely would not be having this conversation because we most likely would not have had a full corp fielded in 1985. Now as for Tour fees and Gourmet meals???? Yes we paid tour fees and NO we were never paid to march we all paid our dues. I did make a joke with someone just the other day and could not believe they did not know I was paid a 6 figure bonus as Horn Seargant in 1992. HAHA Gourmet meals, HAHA, we always had food and ate lots of PB&J and cereal for breakfast but did on finals week get a couple of what DC kids would consider gourmet. Next for the whole Crown/Star comparison. Yes there are a lot of pieces of the brass staff that are former Star members and staff and yes we, The Alumni, have somewhat adopted them as our corp to follow. WHY?? Because what we were a part of and what was our family was taken away from us after the 1993 season. I am sure at some point this has been discussed but trust me when I say THE MEMBERS OF STAR OF INDIANA ALL WISH THAT WE WOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT THAT ACTIVITY AND STILL HAD A JUNIOR CORP TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT!! Why do we not?? You will have to ask Jim Mason about that. I wish Carolina Crown the best and do see a lot of similarities from the brass development at the 1989 level of Star. I hope they get to enjoy the success and program that we were all blessed to participate in during the 1990's. Sincerely- C. Brent Smith