ESBarimom

Cybersnyder: I'm fifty, been marching with the Empire Statesmen for 9 years and play baritone, and for what it matters, I'm a mom of two daughters, both in their mid twenties. One who marches in Statesmen colorguard. My husband marched for 10 years and is taking time off, at 51. We have hornplayers who are in their sixties marching! I support, whole heartedly the notion that you must get yourself in shape and start playing again. I was a flute/piccolo player in high school and learned how to play a brass instrument in St. Joes Alumni in 1995, which was alot of work, but I wouldn't go back to my woodwind instrument now. Run, walk, ride a bike, kayak.....anything aerobic that you can do will help. It's tough in the spring when you begin learning drill and that first run-through of the show can be a bear! By the end of the summer, you'll be in great shape!! Any DCA corps is worthwhile visiting and participating in. It's about your ability to travel and your personal interest in their program. Good luck!! Leslie

Hey! So, work kept me from practice on Saturday and I looked forward to joining the group on Sunday. I wasn't disappointed. Our opener is growng on me, Fanfare is a great way to introduce the show and as Matt's dad shared, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy will have everyone swinging and dancing! One voice - all I can say is wow. It's great to see new members join us each rehearsal and sharing our special spirit with them. I will miss you all at Dundee, and I will definitely miss the crowd there. What a great opportunity to share our show with people who truly appreciate drum corps. To our new members, please plan to enjoy the celebration Saturday night! See you at the next camp! Can't wait to get this show on the field! Leslie

Jeff: I'm truly not offended with the review and this needs to be the last time I say I was only looking for clarification on "moving". Dale knows me pretty well and summed up my question pretty well. I only added detail to the statement to highlight what movement meant to me. So, I still do await a response from the author. As I said before, I will learn from it and take his interpretation and perspective with me as I watch future shows through his "lens". We all need to be open to the viewpoints of others in life.... Leslie

Thanks! Because we couldn't see your show.....didn't know it was part of it! Lots of you throwing them around and having fun with them at retreat!!! Best of luck next season.

Thanks Tom! I know how I felt when I left the field on Sunday night! WOW sums it up well. Didn't mean to start controversy - just trying to understand!! See you in November!!

You are absolutely correct. I am not taking any offense to what was written. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and what a great country we live in that we can express those opinions. I was really trying to understand what the author meant by "not moving". Perhaps it was his interpretation of our drill and that we didn't have enought curvilinear forms or that we may have played music at a slower pace for some of the show.....Could be a variety of things. So, I hope that I will hear back so I can better understand his interpretations. I will learn from it!! As a side note, I'm very proud of the accomplishments of our corps as well as all of the other members of DCA. The Championship weekend is truly a celebration of the hard work we have put into our hobby, of the dedication we put behind our organizations and of the energy of all marching members/corps support personnel/corps staff members/corps fans. I celebrate this past year and truly look forward to next season. So, to the author of this review, please, at some point, help me understand how to interpret your comments!

Congrats to MBI! Job well done. It was great to stand next to you at retreat and be able to congratulate members personally for earning second place. As a member of the Empire Statesmen for the past 8 years, I can tell you that we are proud to have been the standard bearer for the traditions of DCA and wish you the best of luck as you prepare for the 2009 season! By the way, what were those "toys" you had with you out on the field Sunday night? Leslie

Patrick: What help do you need to come back and march for two months!! Our shows are in great weekend locations - perhaps this could help????? Hannah, James and Spence are doing a great job representing your program!! Leslie

Here, Kenny, I'll help you out this time!! Can't wait to see your pic's from Toledo! Leslie

Kenny: how can we view your empire photo's? Ever think of putting them on the corps website??? Thanks for sharing them. Leslie

Hey Judge! So glad to have you with us and enjoying your hobby, as you always tell me! Mr. B would be so proud!! Leslie

Are they one year old already? When do they get a uniform to march?? :):) We'll miss you at the home opener - you should be able to check out pix at the website afterwards. Toledo should be a blast - we already have plans to meet with two of the junior corps competing that night - sharing our shows and/or eating with them. Take care of yourselves and see you at some point this summer!! Leslie

What a fantastic camp!! Having the opportunity to sit on the sidelines and watch the drill and hear the music was exciting, though not as great as marching along with the rest of the corps! The drill is outstanding, the music.....welll....Mr. B was smiling this weekend, and the work ethic of this group is simply great! Kenny, thanks for building the enthusiasm with your pix and weekly entries! Can't wait to be in Toledo with everyone!! July 5th St John Fisher College Empire Statesmen annual show The Alumni will be there to join us for post show concert you won't want to miss. Leslie

Tom: Pressure??? What pressure? You've been through an all day, all weekend camp with Mr. Bruni, right? You get used to that and pressure is like a soft sofa with a hot tottie to boot!!! Honestly - the alumni sharing their stories and experiences throughout the year will help our members "get" the entertainment value of the Statesmen - both old and new! That makes for great memories!!

Most memorable for many reasons.....especially for bringing alumni, families and new members together for a fantastic summer experience. You will NOT be disappointed in this show! The HYPE is for real!!

Most memorable for many reasons.....especially for bringing alumni, families and new members together for a fantastic summer experience. You will NOT be disappointed in this show! The HYPE is for real!!

Hey Pices!! Wow, what an honor and so well deserved! Your students are so very lucky to have you teaching them about music, about life and about the diversity of our world! So very proud of you and happy for your recognition!! Can't wait to talk with you about it. Your in education, Pices!!

Gord - you know it! I can see and feel his presence each time we perform the ballad on the field. The smoke....the hat.....the coat..... and Mr. B. walking off the field! What a moment. Great to see you again and you always have a place to stay at our house!! Laura too. Leslie

Allen - hey, if I knew you would pay me for compliments.....wow! I could be a rich young lady right now! Can't wait for the upcoming weekend - it'll only get better from here!! Leslie

I haven't been around an organization before that is working as hard as this Alumni Group for the Statesmen. As a marching member for the past 8 years, I thought I knew alot about the history of the Empire Statesmen. How wrong I was......Thank you to David for bringing back former members at our Winter Camps to talk about their experiences and for sharing wonderful memories about Mr. B! Allen - your work can never be done as well by another person and your pix from back in the 80's are.....well....can you say "mullet with a smile?" Jimmy, Tom and the rest of the Alumni committee - you are sharing so many great memories and really helping our younger members understand the storied history of this group and why it was created! Each weekend we grow stronger as a unit and it's because we are learning to appreciate our past....our ROOTS! Any DCA fan that is in the Rochester area on the July 4th weekend should plan to be at the Statesmen show to witness a great competitive battle between original DCA member corps as well as newer organizations - it promises to be a great show! AND, you won't want to miss the Alumni joining the current marching members to share musical memories with the audience and perform as we have been taught how to perform! As Heather stated in her post - it will be AMAZING!! Can't wait! Thanks again!! Leslie

Hey Gadget - are you going to the show in Toledo? Boy, it would be great to see you again, and your lovely bride!! I'm sure you remember Mr. B walking off in the cloud of smoke in 2001 to My Way - right? As a matter of fact, I remember you running through that whole drill - that end spot is a killer isn't it!! Hope to see you there!! Leslie

I'm loving this show! I'm very impressed with our organization and I can't wait to put this performance on the field for the fans! Mr. B would be totally proud of our ballad - I can still see him walking off in the "smoke" with his hat and Sinatra stroll in 2001. This piece will surely evoke images of that moment! 5 weeks to he hit the field in Toledo!! Can't wait. Leslie

What a blast the parade was yesterday, the great turnout, the old streetbeat and vocals, the crowds and the Statesmen family - can't beat. My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of the alumni that joined us yesterday and gave us a lesson in Statesment entertainment. Mr. B would have been proud. Practice was....well....WOW! Our hard work will make our Toledo experience so much more important. Pete Webber has done a great job with our drill, Jerry and Jimmy are working wonders with our music, the guard...well...does crazy and exciting tell you anything and our drumline and pit are spectacular! It's an exciting time to be around our corps!! Thank you to our staff for all of your hardwork. You will not be disappointed with the product!! Leslie