K2SMA

Perhaps that explains why they're not returning phone calls.

Summer 1983 No, I don't remember the month, but it was the Sunday morning after the Crusaders' DCA contest at U of R's Fauver (sp?) Stadium. I was a member of the Archer-Epler Musketeers at the time and vaguely remember being at a party after the contest the night before. Vince had invited me to the Statemen's rehearsal at Holleder (formerly Aquinas) Stadium. I couldn't believe he had started another drum corps! Yes, the corps was rough. But there was a certain indescribable energy. They wouldn't be a finalist until Archie went inactive for the 1985 season. Perhaps it could be said that we kept them out of finals for two years. But the ovations they received after performing in exhibition at DCA finals in both 1983 and 1984 portended their destiny as a crowd pleaser. So thirty years later, it's coming to an end. It just doesn't seem fair.

Jim, I just sent a note to Glen asking the same thing. He's probably beside himself with details pertaining to this coming weekend. I am trying to get scripts and slides in order for prelims. Certainly Glen will get things posted as soon as he can. Now to dig into getting alumni corps announcements together for Sunday...

WNEW? Was that call sign re-assigned to a station in DC? Sorry to be off topic...

The G.A.S. has been active for many years now. I've attended several of their reunions, both in the US and in Canada. But beyond the actual reunion, I'm not sure I understand their purpose. So my question to you is, "What would be the purpose of a proposed alumni association?" As for regional associations, once a purpose is developed, it would certainly make sense for alumni corps to start their own associations in the areas they serve. But beyond supporting the parent organization, there does not seem to be any other impetus to start/create such an organization (certainly not a performing alumni corps) in the DCI ranks, except for special, celebratory purposes. I would appreciate seeing more discussion on this.

The anthems at prelims were recordings of the Canadian Air Force and US Air Force Bands. These are "stock" recordings used regularly at the stadium.

With so many former members of corps #4 marching in corps #5, that could be a difficult question to answer, Fran! Perhaps they will merge again, as they did in '68... Of course, it's not likely that anyone here still remembers that, LOL!

This was one of the BEST moments of the weekend, and certainly of the Alumni Spectacular. I was a bit unsure how this would go when Larry Hershman first brought it to my attention earlier in the show. But thanks to both Paul and Frank being up in the booth with me, it went off without a hitch. There was no reharsal and it seems that everyone was pleased to hear the story - either "again" or for the first time!

Now THERE'S a man with a severe case of withdrawal...!

Yup, all your fault, Tom, for getting me back behind the mic a few years ago. Mr. Pronti also gets some of that blame! Some other comments... I loved Jim's comment about "corpswidth". Most appropriate! As for audio levels, I had no control over that. The level for the stadium audio was set and steady throughout. The level taken for the webcast did seem to vary throughout and I suspect that the control room output level may not have been adjusted consistently during the day. This was handled in the make-shift control room in the un-airconditioned stadium pantry (believe it or not!). This was separate from the "trailer" control room, and I suspect that the pantry may have handled solely the webcast side. Something that, perhaps, Mike Symonds could discuss. I, too, would be interested in the technical details. What I do know is that Mike and his team were in Rochester for nearly a week to set-up the production. Up until about 10 minutes before "air time", no audio was getting to the pantry and there was a mad scramble to make available fiber lines work. In the end, I believe they had to run a separate line. The biggest gaff of the day was mine - the "premature enunciation" during the Long Island Sunriser's performance. The production trailer may have taken their cue from me or else they were fooled, too. I feel bad about that one. Much of the day is now scripted, which keeps everyone busy. I try and keep a stopwatch on everyone but don't always have a sixth eye available to watch the watch. I remember doing that once before back in 1991 (I think?) at a DCNY show in Canastota with the Crusaders at the end of Channel One Suite when they still had Something left to perform. I remember the look I got from Beth - I should have been DEAD! But such is live production. Each year I take notes to try to make each succeeding season better. Having had the webcast available for review has made that process more fluid; an invaluable tool for improving production values. A "machine" behind the mic? Perhaps an old, hand-cranked model..!

The thanks are appreciated, no matter what special Ed says. But it is Mr. Peashey who should take the blame for my presence. :) And I gotta tell you, this was a lot easier than trying to read a spiel AND march onto the field with the corps at the same time! (Good ol' Mac Stadium!)

John, this is a good move and the timing is most appropriate.

Noticed Sunday that Bridgemen weren't "plugged in" - somewhat surprising I noticed anything since I was so busy at the time. Anyway Scott, glad you enjoyed your trip and the shows! It will be quite a few more years until DCA loses its "all acoustic" quality. As some in the know on here noted, electronics has never gone to the floor of the Rules Congress.

Nothing has changed from last year in this regard. The "balance of power" based upon the number of voting members in the regions has not changed. The Govenaires won the vote vacated by the Kilties and Fusion Core now owns the vote formerly held by the Bushwackers. The addition of a southern corps (and, in this case, a new corps) in finals does not automatically give them a vote. Per the changes approved last December at the DCA Rules Congress, DCA votes go to the ten highest scoring North American corps, based upon prelims - not necessarily the top ten open class finalists. This is the first year that any class A corps has received a vote, let alone two of them. Thus, the 9th and 10th place open class finalists don't get a vote as they were outscored by the top two class A corps. I expect many will be confused on this point. POST THOUGHTUS In thinking about this about an hour after I posted it, I'm not sure if this was actually approved at the Rules Congress or if, instead, everyone suddenly came to that realization!

This is a HUGE and WONDERFUL development. And what a bargain! Congrats and THANKS to Gil, Glen, Mike, and the others who have worked hard to put this together and make it a reality.

Fran, It's difficult to express my sorrow and fully understand what you feel. Know that she has earned her place in Heaven with her parents, Fred and Lilian. Sincere condolences from everyone in the Music City Legend family to everyone in your family.

The new wallet-size passport cards, issued by the US Department of State, are a less expensive alternative to a regular passport book, but are only good for land or water crossings (NOT for air travel) between the US, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Carribean. The required DS-11 form can be completed online then printed, or printed out to be completed by hand at http://www.travel.state.gov. The FAQ on this site is informative and very helpful. Cost for the card is $55.00, $135.00 for a regular passport book, and $165.00 for both. You can pay an additional fee for expedited processing. As mentioned earlier, make sure you have an ORIGINAL birth certificate with a raised seal from the issuing agency, usually a state department of vital statistics. I had to write to California (and include a notarized statement that I was who I said I was!) to obtain one with the required seal, since many older (ouch!) certificates were issued before these were required. The postal inspector required me to submit this and my original Social Security card with the application. These were returned to me by mail about 3 days after submitting the application. If you were ever married, be prepared to include the date of your marriage, spouse's name, and her place of birth and, if widowed, the date of your spouse's death. Most larger post offices can process your application, take the required photographs (they do charge a small fee for this, but it is cheaper than going to a photographer), confirm that your application is completed properly, and collect the necessary fees. I found them to be extremely friendly, cooperative, and helpful. I applied for mine on April 30th last year, and the completed card came back in about three weeks, but the process can take 10 or more weeks. DOS says that the cards are (RFID) chipped, but that they do not contain personal information. (RIGHT!!) Since having it and using it for ID at airport screening, going though routine airport inspections for domestic flights has been a breeze. I haven't used it yet for travel to Canada, but it would be very handy for regular travel across the border.

I am very sorry to read of Carl's passing. Please include the arrangements as they become available.

I would like to get in contact with Ken Mason. Please pass along my e-mail address to him. Usually see him at the DCA-South shows but would like to catch up with him before the summer. I can be reached at executivedirector@musiccitylegend.org or through the e-mail system here on DCP. Thank you!

Donny and all, Reading of Carl's condition is distressing. Carl is one of the many people with whom I marched in the "New Bragadiers" -- and one of dozens (or perhaps hundreds) of people who's name you forget as you get older or move on to other drum corps or other activities, people who you want to call friends, people with whom you shared this extrordinary activity. Let Carl not be forgotten now. My thoughts are with him and his family.

Music City Legend's updated history is now available at http://drumcorpswiki.com/Music_City_Legend It's important that all corps list their histroy here, lest it be lost. Some of us are finding thsat our own flagging memories make these tougher to compose each year!

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, we have a winner! Thank you for that, Frank. And BTW, this year, a year I did NOT march a St. Paddy's Day parade, it was 75+ here, but a good bit further south of Holyoke, Walkill, Syracuse, and all the others...

Well AMEN to THAT, Ray!! But that's another discussion for another thread. Anyone who has ever composed and printed a drum corps newsletter to 1400 subscribers (well, 1400 people who you HOPE are interested in your drum corps!) and sorted, stapled, folded, labeled, stamped, and sealed them on top of the garage freezer in subfreezing weather knows what it costs to do something relatively small like that. Yes, I will miss the days of getting into my seat in the bleachers an hour before the contest starts to read up on who did what last week. But, as many have pointed out, a DCW of 1s and 0s is better than NO DCW at all. So we will have to get used to the "fine print edition" available on our handheld electronic devices, and bring extra batteries... Yeah, I hate it, too. But I WILL stand up for Steve Vickers in his efforts to keep the publication alive. After all, I am probably part of the problem for not having a steady subscription for the last 40 years or so...

Ah yes, Black Saddle - could probably play it in my sleep, or maybe I already have... And that parade, it was always warm and nice out the years I didn't march it. But cold green beer was needed on those other years to thaw out. Wallkill, NY, and that big parade in Western Massachusetts (can't remember the name of the city) are the only colder two places on the planet on St. Paddy's Day weekend.

No, sorry to say I was not. '71 was my first year in the activity, shortly after my graduation. Was working at a small radio station in, of all places, Reading, PA, when I heard about the DCA contest there in August. That was my first show. My only other exposure had been seeing the Caballeros playing at a Jets' game at Shea in the fall of '70. I vaguely remember the Cabs were featured at halftime with Doc Severinsen, which would make sense since the AFL/AFC games were on NBC at the time. I didn't join the Brigs until their re-organization in 1991.