mvbailey12

On twitter, they said that there was to be a big announcement today at 3pm at regiment.org and I can;t seem to find it. The only thing I can see is that they hit 10K fans on FB. Is that it?

What is this for? This isn't the score from Dallas? Is this from Houston?

First Disclaimer - I hate to see other corps have to be "the one" that is "finally" beaten (I guess you could call it that) by Pioneer. BUT - I am really happy that Pioneer looks like they might be getting some of the pieces together!? I don't know where this will take them - and I know that we are all getting excited over just one night of them having a better score over a corps that did not even field last year, BUT (again) their motto is "Better Everyday"! I do hope that they continue to work on harder drill and music and do it well! To the staff and students - We are very proud Pioneer! Keep it going!

Valdosta Score According to the DCI website, I don't think that MBI or Hurricanes or Brigs or whever is gonna beat the Sun Devils this year! They just scored an amazing 55713.000. I didn;t even know that it was possible!

I would have to say PR Guard in 96 when they wore those red dresses. That was very nice.

Wouldn't you know it? I actually went to McHenry High School, I marched with Northernaires, Bob Doran was a guidance counselor at McHenry East Campus for many of my friends and marched with the Kilties and Royalaires (I think the McHenry Vicounts also). Now, I live in MN and am leaving for a mission trip to Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming that day. The last show that I got to go to in McHenry was maybe '89 and Star of Indiana was there that year at McCraken Field and they were wearing plaid that year - the British Invasion year where they were only .6 out of 4th place? In fact, I found the lineup and scores for that show 1 Cavaliers 84.9 2 STAR OF INDIANA 84.4 3 Phantom Reg Cadets 46.4 4 Guardsmen 40.5 5 Madison Jr. Scouts 38.1 This might have been my first drum corps show. I just fell in love with since I was a band geek. I remember that I bought a Cavaliers belt buckle. I think I still have it too! Anyways, have a great show! I really like this whole SDCA.

Wouldn't you know it? I actually went to McHenry High School, I marched with Northernaires, Bob Doran was a guidance counselor at McHenry East Campus for many of my friends and marched with the Kilties and Royalaires (I think the McHenry Vicounts also). Now, I live in MN and am leaving for a mission trip to Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming that day. The last show that I got to go to in McHenry was maybe '89 and Star of Indiana was there that year at McCraken Field and they were wearing plaid that year - the British Invasion year where they were only .6 out of 4th place? In fact, I found the lineup and scores for that show 1 Cavaliers 84.9 2 STAR OF INDIANA 84.4 3 Phantom Reg Cadets 46.4 4 Guardsmen 40.5 5 Madison Jr. Scouts 38.1 This might have been my first drum corps show. I just fell in love with since I was a band geek. I remember that I bought a Cavaliers belt buckle. I think I still have it too! Anyways, have a great show! I really like this whole SDCA.

I, for one, have always been impressed by Pioneer. It's not that one corps is better than another. Score wise, financially, placement and talent, maybe. But for me personally, and I do mean personally, I just have an attachmenet to Pioneer. I have met many people from the organization, from marchers to Murray and Roman. For a corps that is considered "lower-tier" or whatever you want to call them, how can it be possible that they keep getting kids to come and audition? How can they still be alive financially as a corps. Especially, when we have seen so many come and go over the last decade? I, for one, am amazed at the fiscal responsibility/accountability that Roman and the crew have chosen to take to make sure that they are able to field a corps season after season. I do believe, that if Roman really wanted to, he could sink in all the money in the world and up the "talent" requirement and buy all the bells and whistles that he wanted to make Pioneer a finalist, like we have seen some corps do and then fade into existence. I also do agree that it would be nice to have Pio do some different music, every once in a while. I'd be o.k. with it. I love the Irish, but I don't think if anyone would complain if they did some wacked out tribute to Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphy's, the Cheiftans and Van Morrison (or insert whatever you would love to see Pioneeer do). BUT, Roman has done a great job on acquiring quality staff - i.e. Murray, Donny and others, has made sure that the youth are always taken care of, are always fed (not just some old pb & j or whatever all the time) and is willing to bring kids in and (I know that some people might get upset at this) teach kids that want to learn and have a quality music education. I know that there are other corps that do this also, but, this is what I, personally, have seen from the Pioneer organization. When my kids are old enough and if they want to march Pioneer and I have the money, I will be proud to let my children be part of the Pioneer family, knowing that they will be taken care of throughout the season and camps. I tip my hat (whatever style that is on Roman's head) to you Pioneer! Better Everyday! (These are just my opinions, if you could not tell. So, flame away!)

I just watched the 92 Crossmen show...what part are you talking about. I guess I missed it.

I know that there is a page with talks about their new unis, but I saw on the Phantom Facebook page that there are concert photos of them with Boston Brass from their Concert in the Park last night. The uni's look great! I do like the DM's unis also. Go to to see the album of pics. They look great and have some great numbers in there too!

Actually there is a TV station already that does this - it's in spanish though - it's called "Uni"vision

When yous guys is talking about foreigners joining corps to perform - does that include "Yoopers from Da U.P.?" They don't get much more foreign den dem guys and gals!

You can go to SDCA Menominee, MI Inaugural Show for pics from the show! Great job guys! You Never Walk Alone!

I am currently listening to the soundtrack from the upcoming movie "The Watchmen". The one piece on here that I think a corps could do is the Philip Glass Ensemble's "Pruit Igoe & Prophecies". I know that many corps have done Philip Glass before, but I do not know this one. It is dark and would be done by a group with great low brass ala Phantom, Crown or maybe Glassmen. What do you think?

Maybe I missed it, but you did see that if you click on the pic on their website that you can see the selection of pieces, right? Extreme Make-over by Johan de Meij Pampeana No. 3 - Impetuosamente by Alberto Ginastera The Engulfed Cathedral by Claude Debussy On the Great Divide by John Adams Just in case you were wondering

I would love for them to switch the unis over to a kilt look. That would be great! Unfortunately, it won't ever happen. They could go with the tam then for a hat. I say bring back the yellow slickers of THE THING days. They could have a different corps uni for each show. I'm sure Roman and Murray have them put away somewhere on Pioneerland.

THanks! So, what did you think?

I just caught a group on the grammy's and they had a drumline and a hornline with them in the background. Does anyone know who it might have been? Was is a college or corps or high school band? I don't even know where to look! Can anyone help?

On MSN.com today there is a very interesting story. Drum major in hot water Would this be permissible in most Junior Corps today (especially top 12) or is it more of an old school thing that you don;t break ranks? Let me know what you think.

I hope you don't mind, but I found a sight were you can listen to Three Celtice Dances: Three Celtic Crosses by Brian Balmages I also listened to the mp3 on the Pioneer-corps.org website and listened to the midi version. I think that this will be a good course for them! Better Every Day!

I just saw the group Street Dogs with Time Agian and Flatfoot 56 in concert last night here in Minneapolis and it was great! The lead singer from Street Dogs is the Dropkick Murphys old front man Michael McColgan. What a great entertainer! This group is from Boston and have strong Irish roots. If you can see them somewhere - go! Flatfoot 56 is a Celtic Punk band that just blows my doors off! They do some great Oi Punk - Brotherhood, Knuckles Up and their version of Amazing Grace would be fantastic to do. Granted the kids would be exhausted after the opener, but thata's fine!

GOOD JOB BRASS! Hard work, Done Well, Feels Good! FAWK

GREAT JOB MBI! This is absolutley amazing! I am very proud of all of you! I will see you in January! FAWK

is it just me or does it not look big enough really for them to have a good home field side for a crowd that DCI can bring? I just looked at the seating chart and I still think that it is not gonna be great for viewing a show. Whatever...that's why I'm not chosen to make these decisions.

I am a youth director and every year we have to do fundraising for mission trips and the such. I am wondering what corps do fundraising (beyond corps dues). I know some have bingo or whatever, but what do most corps do for "real income" for the year? I know that they get their big cash prizes at shows, but that in no way can be enough for corps to survive on. Also, what fundraisers have corps or other groups you know do and do well? I don't mean the sell hot dogs in front of a grocery store for 14 days to make $11 either. I'm talking about little input for good return. A giant one day event or something where you can make ssome real ching. Any ideas?