Scooter Pirtle

Rene-shaft? He's a bad mother.... Shut yo mouth! With optional pimp cane.

Meat hat has potential, but it might get a bit gamey on the cross country trek to DCA. How about Renegade Spidey Sense:

The store was out of miters, so I had to substitute a miter saw: Hopefully Ron has a strong sense of balance.

"Open the pod bay doors, Hal."

How about Renegade Viking Warrior:

Shoe hat has some possibilities. But I think my clear cut favorite would be the "It's only a flesh wound" special: Now THAT is Evil. Probably not fun during a day show or a long parade, though.

Chris, The uniform is awesome on a lot of levels. I agree about the shako. Besides, the pith helmets you'll be using are much more appropriate. I'm throwing in my contribution to the "clothe a renegade" fund this morning!! Let me know if the soon-to-be-retired Nehru jackets end up on eBay.

Der Gansch Horn by Shagerl.

Copy that. I know they make a Claude Gordon flugelhorn mouthpiece. I haven't yet tried one. Thanks for the info.

I've used a lot of flugelhorn mouthpieces on mello through the years with success. It's not as necessary now with the number of mellophone mouthpiece configurations available, but the deep cups on the flugelhorn mouthpieces certainly work well with the horn, particular F mellos. However, keep in mind that there are lots of different tapers available for flugelhorn. The shanks used on the mouthpiece are smaller than trumpet shanks and may not fit into the mellophone well. I've had to use plumber's tape to enlarge the shank enough to fit into mellophones before. So, there's going to be a lot of turbulence created at the mouthpiece gap (which is not a good thing, particularly on a mellophone). Most manufacturers can prepare a their flugel cups on a trumpet shank. You should also consider the Curry TF series (which should fit your horn great). Karl Hammond also makes outstanding mello mouthpieces with deep cups and several diameters. Let us know how the mouthpiece safari goes. There are a lot of folks who view this who are perpetually on this journey (including me!!).

Blue Rock should probably get the credit for hastening the extinction of the French Horn. Phantom used an instrument in the mid-80s that they called a "cellophone." I believe it was low brass. Could it have been a bugle version of a flugelbone?

Yep, sadly the Boy Scouts discontinued the practice of mandating buglers in their ranks in 1986. You can obviously still purchase the Rexcraft or Buglecraft bugles new or used, but they are dreadful instruments. If you have the cash, the Getzen Field Trumpet is excellent. You'll need the optional G crook to bring it down to G. Kanstul also makes a B-flat signal trumpet, but I'm not sure if they offer a crook to lower the pitch to G. I'm sure someone else here would know. If cost is an issue, you should procure an old Conn bugle from eBay (that's in decent shape). They're great instruments!

Tiff, it's a darn good thing you guys didn't go with the headgear. Rumor has it this is what was planned to be used: Probably not fun headgear if you're undertaking a five mile day parade. However, it would make you guys look at least a little less sinister!

The best horn will probably depend on the application. Are you a jazzer? Brass Band performer? The Kanstul ZKF 1525 is an exemplary flugelhorn with great intonation and tonal characteristics. You should take an opportunity to play one and see for yourself. It's favored by artists and appears to be popular in North American Brass Bands.

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This is Cozy at DCI Finals in Bloomington in August 2008. At the time, he was mad as a wet hen because handicap access to the stadium was all fouled up. He was struggling to find a spare golf cart to help any of the folks attending Finals who may need help up the ramps at the stadium to get to their section in the balcony. This is the last time I saw Cozy. It was after the DCA I&E in Rochester in August 2008. As many of you know, Cozy was always involved with the event, even sometimes stepping up to help a mini corps in need of an extra player. Cozy took the time to visit with us in Star United and delivered the the medals we inadvertantly walked away without requesting. He held an impromptu awards ceremony in a very crowded pub, adding another great memory for all of us. Godspeed Cozy. Your love for the activity was never in question. You left your mark on a lot of people. We'll all play a little louder so that you'll be sure to hear us!

Cozy: You're one of the activity's greatest ambassadors. Thoughts and prayers are heading your way Cozy! Get well soon. BTW, you soprano players are tough customers!!!

I've often wondered if those of us who participated in the activity might be at greater risk of skin cancer due to the amount of exposure we incurred. Anecdotally, I have a parent who has suffered bouts with skin cancer for many years and I motivated to be particularly careful during the seasons I’ve marched. So, I was one of the fair-skinned, nerdy guys always wearing a hat and a shirt (along with sunblock) back in the ‘80s when it wasn’t very cool. Even with the precautions, I got burned many times, but so far no ill effects (I’m in my early 40s now). Back then, it seemed customary for us all to get burned pretty badly during the March and April camps, then most of us never seemed too concerned with the exposure for the rest of the summer. We just had to figure out a clever way to explain the sock lines or drum carrier lines to our friends when we got home. Best of luck with this study. It would be interesting to learn if there is an additional risk being borne by today’s performers.

Agreed. As much of a Garfield fan that I am, I find that I still watch '87 SCV with amazement. From the atomic "hip shift" from the baritone player [and yes, you know which one I'm talking about] in the push of "Russian Christmas Music," to the "Great Gate" in the closer, it's a tremendous show. It was a very clean program performed with intense agressiveness. I agree with previous posters about the headhear. Hated the hats and I still try to visualize the corps in their proper headgear (which they did use at retreat) performing this show when I watch the DVD. A Cavalier from that year disclosed to me that he stole the snare drummer's fuzzy hat just prior to them entering the stadium for finals. At least the kid had black hair. He should have done us a favor and stolen all of their hats!

Sounds like one of those cop movies when the detective flags down a citizen’s car to commandeer. I can’t imagine what was going through that trumpet player’s mind when you approached him! A friend of mine was a baritone (maybe it was a euphonium) soloist at Madison in ’86 (Dean Smith). If you remember, they had that nifty running rotating block to start their show. Dean uncharacteristically busted his butt crashed his horn. It was a show in Ohio (not finals) and his bell was closed down like a clam. I think he got through the show and his solo without switching out horns with anyone.

The visual component has become an increasingly important part of auditioning for the top World Class corps. You don't have to know the particular style, but it doesn't hurt. Most importantly (from what I observed at auditions for the Blue Devils), you need to have an awareness of posture and accurate timing. If your feet aren't with the beat, you are doomed, regardless of how pretty your technique is. Most importantly, and this applies to playing an instrument or visual movement, you need to be able to adapt quickly and show an ability to improve. The staff will have little time to determine whether or not you are committed and if you can absorb all of the information they are going to bombard you with throughout the season. So, when they ask to you make some sort of adjustment during the audition process, it will be extremely important for you to accomplish the adjustment. Also, there's a lot to be said for perseverance. If you really want to march in a corps, and you are really committed to do it, you should keep attending camps and showing up prepared even if they cut you. There’s always a chance a vacancy will occur or the staff will see your level of dedication. The attrition rate is pretty high in the hornlines of every corps. Check out how the veterans operate in the rehearsal environment. Emulate them. If they stand at a relaxed parade rest when not playing, do the same. Listen closely to instructions and work hard. Pay attention and get prepared for long rehearsal blocks that can be rather intense at times. Lastly, you should strongly consider an Open Class or All-age group that is close to your location. There are a lot of great organizations out there and most of them have great instructors and you’ll make lifelong friends.

This is tremendously good. Thank you for posting. One can't help but wonder how the activity would look today if...

It only makes it a greater accomplishment for those Blue Devils performers who were able to inflict some heavy damage with those things. It's sort of sad to consider that we'll probably never see a corps innovate in this manner again because of the contracts signed with the major brass manufacturers and the preponderance of stock instruments. I'm not bashing the B-flat/F concept, it was inevitable. But, I still miss the old days when some of the corps (either by choice or necessity) did a little "home cookin'" with their hornlines. BTW, the Meehaphone at Marian College is s/n 1037. It's missing a valve button and the brace that connected the flare and the tube exiting the second valve. The tubing has also separated from the first valve slide. Otherwise, there are not dents on the rascal and the pistons seem to move pretty freely. I'm hoping I might be able to persuade the college to let me undertake a restoration project on this critter. It's also real #### cool to see some of the Meehaphone pilots chiming in.