FlamNCheez

I have grown up in parade corps in the Mid Hudson Valley of NYS. In addition to the usual St. Pattys Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, there are volunteer firemen's conventions in each of the local counties in addition to the Hudson Valley Firemen's Convention (this year's was held in Lake George with well over 100 NY fire companies) that keeps many parade corps gainfully employed. There has been years where we've (tcl.org) had over 30 parades (too much for my taste). In this area, the work is there. Also, check out Tappan Zee Bridgemen (tzbmusic.com), a professional group I play with that exists just for parades. The fact that some corps actually pay to be in a parade baffles me!

Kingston had a decent crowd, stands prob 75% filled. I have seen the stadium more full...a sign of the times, I guess. Maybe the ticket price too. I say this b/c it hit home a little. Let me say first that I would pay that and find it WELL worth the price given what you get for the $. That said, I didn't have to pay as my family and I were in an exhibition corps that night. It hit home as my brother was supposed to come with his family and bagged out when he heard about the price of admission. I believe another poster had mentioned that some of the show sponsors offer child prices. I'd highly recommend that for all shows. It would have cost my bro $80 for him, his wife and 2 kids. He was in drum corps when we were younger but has never followed the competitve side other than coming to a few shows that I was in. There was a chance to grab and make more fans (my nephew has been a percussionist for a year or two now). What I suggest is play the psychological game and charge $19 ("under $20") and offer a discounted rate for kids, say $10. Of course, 10 years ago, those stands were packed and I don't believe they had to do that. Maybe now's a good time to make that concession. Me, I go to Kingston every year in one form or another (performer or spectator) and enjoy it very much. Great venue and I see many people I've met throughout the years in this great activity. With close to four hours of entertainment, $20 is a bargain, IMO. Add to that the great cause that is the Children's Home of Kingston, it's no question.

What a great lady Donna was! Her and Pete have done so much for the activity in the Hudson Valley. Really good people too. She will be sorely missed.

Good luck tomorrow, Tom!

We're all very excited about doing the Kingston show again, Tom! Few other things to note: - Over the winter, the corps purchased and successfully made the switch to Bb/F brass instruments. - Over the last couple months, the corps has been fortunate to see many new and returning members. The hornline saw three returning members at last Friday night's rehearsal. Wahoo! - As Tom alluded, the corps enjoys a strong alliance with Capital Brass, giving participants the chance to perform in two distinct drum corps genres, parades/exhibitions and mini-corps competition. It's good to see many members from each group take advantage of this reciprocity. If you are in the area, come check us out! www.tcl.org

Great additions to the corps! Look forward to seeing their contributions!

We (20th) had a good rehearsal tonight, Tom! We're looking forward to putting it all together on Sunday! Safe trip!

Uh, huh! You did get the colors right!

I remember that day as well, Brain. I'll bet I was standing right next to you! ;-) THey were playing New World! I believe Sun was in the parade that day too, right? There's no such thing as too many drum corps! Good luck!

That's too bad! Was looking forward to seeing Bush there myself!

Yeah, should be fun Tom! Looking forward to it!

Consider it saved! Looking forward to a great day (and year)!

Roger et al, Best of luck to Frontier in 2009! Enjoy the horns! Sorry I wasn't able to meet you last Thursday! Hope to catch up with you in Rochester. Greg Morgan (Hudson Valley Music/20th Century Ltd)

Great to see everybody back! Looking forward to 2009!

I love the music! Can't wait to see what the corps does with it! My son, Ben, wants to bring the big globe on the field. Can we do that? Best of luck to Fusion Core in '09!

Congratulations, Izzy! Well deserved!

What you have to understand is that a corps' actions affects more than whether it competes in a given show or not. If it's June, a particular corps has shows in August and they are sitting there with 27 people on the field, don't you think you should call it an exhibition corps for that year and try to get in shows as such? Heard of one instance where the corps wasn't prepared but pushed it to the end when they should have called it three weeks earlier. In that case, they would have been no fines. Show sponsors rely on corps to show up and compete. If it does not, it can affect ticket sales and whether it would even be a DCA sanctioned show at all (given the 3 corps minimum). At least a month would give the show sponsors time to try to get another corps. Regardless, the fine should make corps managements seriously consider the chance of making it or not. Now, say you have 45 people and a dozen of them are in a van accident and are out for the remainder of the season. Not speaking for DCA, but I think that would certainly be reason to waive the fines. Regarding the 35 min rule, at what point do you make the cut-off? If it is 25 people, it will still affect start up corps out there. As has been mentioned several times on DCP, smaller corps have an opportunity to compete in mini-corps. Just my $.02!

Thanks for pointing that out Sayre! I was a few rows in front of you and heard it well. I felt like I kept missing something, esp in the CG, as there was a yell/scream for every toss/catch. It was very distracting from a great show. Please be considerate of those around you. Thanks for the review!

Definately use a metronome and start slow. Make sure you stroke out the second note on each hand (as previous posters have indicated). Gradually increase your speed. Make sure your sound and stick height is even hand-to-hand. You have to listen and watch yourself. When it goes bad, take it back a notch. As you increase tempo, use the tension of the drum head to get your bounce. I always told the kids I've taught that they are their own best tech, so listen and watch what you are doing! Couple hours a day and you'll be good to go in no time! I've always found it helpful when working rolls with lines to be able to play rolls starting on the left hands as well as the right. This will even out your rolls, hand-to-hand and avoid the pulsing you hear in bad lines. It is very awkward (and dirty) for a beginner line to play it on the left, but when you switch back to right, generally everyone is surprised by the result. Good luck!!!

Wondering where Cape Vincent is, I did a search. As I did, I saw an island to the south named Grenadier Island! If I were you guys, I'd storm the beaches and and claim it for the corps! Looking forward to seeing you guys back in action! Wait, there seems to be two Grenadier Islands!

Thanks for the great review, Dale! Much appreciated since unable to make it to the show.

I marched snare last year with Fusion Core at 42. Helped me get in better shape. Felt pretty good too. I do miss it. I know that Cyrus Maddoske (Sky, Bush) is playing snare w/FC in '08. I think he's closer to 50 than 40. Sorry I had to let that out, Cyrus! Frank, I'll bet you could still strap on and do it again! You were a monster! Larry V. was a mainstay in Sun's snare line up until what, 3-4 years ago? How many years did you march snare, Larry? He eventually had the "oh my back" lean incorporated into the show!

This is great news, Tom! Best of luck! Hope to make it up for it!

That is impressive, Donel (I presume). Daulton has come a long way in a few short years. Congratulate him for me! How's it going with the 2008 competitive plans? Anxious to see you guys on the field.

Great addition to the DM contingent! Huge loss for the mello section! Congrats, Lauren! It's well deserved!