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What is your favorite rifle brand? I just ordered Elite rifles for my guard from FJM... I am not satisfied. I ordered my own rifle from them last christmas and it is great! Then I just got in my guard's rifles that are supposed to be the exact same (thick strap already assembled). The strap is thinner and not as strong. My kids just got them this past week and we have already had to adjust them to the very last holes because they are so loose but they continue to be flimsy. Anyone else have this problem? Any other product reviews?

YES TEXAS COLOR GUARD!

GO BK! Should have been at an 85 a lot longer ago...now to the home show!

Blue Knights will move away from Boston closing the gap to 7th... They got new speakers to amp the pit (couldn't hear them before)... Also look for a change in the guard... Anyone notice that BK was 3rd last night in Visual Performance?

I would rather see a complete guard book then full uniform and flags... I am the type that likes to add those details as the season progresses to keep it interesting... Having the guard book done at the beginning of the season does get the members to perfect the whole show faster...especially in drum corps when changes are constantly made, when the season starts and you still have to fill in work, you might run out of time to teach, clean, and perfect your show and get the score you want by the end. In drum corps, the guard also has a lot of catching up to do. The horn and drum lines have been going at it since Nov and the guard doesn't come back until April. Guard members have to be taught the technique of the individual staff members first then they can start learning choreography BUT they still have to catch up on the drill they missed as well... Good topic...lots of things to consider!

I think it is a little excessive to be moved in and be going from 7 in the morning to 11 in the evening EVERY DAY... That doesn't even give members a good 8 hours to sleep... Maybe that is why members have been getting injured. All I know is that when I was in drum corps, the times the corps had a little more sleep, the better they rehearsed and performed.

Maybe Revolution will go anyway since the Spurs Celebration isn't until Sunday? It would be great since they are the TEXAS BORN Junior Corps! Just wish I was close enough to go myself... From MYSA.com Spurs celebration on Sunday San Antonians are invited downtown Sunday to help the Spurs and the City of San Antonio celebrate a fourth NBA Championship. A river parade community celebration begins at 6 p.m. on the River Walk. Following the river parade, the celebration will move to the Alamodome for a special ceremony beginning at 9 p.m. http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketb...en.64c21bd.html

and they posted on their chronicles that they lost a couple...they are rehearsing like they want to win though... Any other Div. II-III corps rehearse from 7am-11pm?

I wish I could be there! Don't live close enough...maybe Brent can stream the performances live sometime! And congrats to Revolution...I guess they have to prepare for the Spurs game on Sunday in Cleveland (if it gets that far). They always support their community!

Speaking of "being known"...anyone think Power Regionals being spread across the country (3 in one weekend) will hurt those who can't afford to go to a Power Regional across the country? Now that WGI has approved the proposal that only judges who will judge at Championships will judge at Power Regionals, I think that might put some at a disadvantage. Do you need to go to a Power Regional to be successful at Championships?

WGI has posted next season's regional schedule. Absent is the Texas Power Regional and Las Vegas Regional. February 2 Austin, TX Pittsburgh, PA Richmond, VA February 9 Ceres, CA Ferndale, MI Salem, MA February 16 Ft. Lauderdale, FL The Netherlands Nashville, TN February 23 Dallas, TX Pensacola, FL Trumbull, CT March 1-2 Dayton, OH* Kansas City, MO San Diego, CA* March 8 Orlando, FL Phoenix, AZ Houston, TX March 15-16 South Brunswick, NJ* Power Regional Atlanta, GA Hayward, CA March 22 Denver, CO March 29-30 Indianapolis, IN* Power Regional Tampa, FL* Power Regional San Bernardino, CA* Power Regional * two day regional

Surprised by the number of Independent A Class groups who were promoted... Scholastic A to Scholastic Open Americas HS Cooper City HS Lake Park HS Maconaquah HS Marcus HS Oak Ridge HS Taravella HS West Orange HS Independent A to Independent Open Americas Independent Corona Light Lulabel Rhapsody WG Rhapsody Independent Sitao The Academy The Cast University of Alabama Alta Marea Scholastic Open to Scholastic World Carmel HS Plymouth-Canton HS Rancho Cucamonga HS Seminole HS Warren Central HS Independent Open to Independent World Code Black Fahrenheit Zydeco

Whether you march high school or independent guard, money is always an issue. What are some of the best fundraisers you have done or seen to help your program out. All suggestions needed and welcomed!

1) Revolution had a much superior Brass Caption Head last year compared to who is there now. (Although the new Caption was on staff last season, it was Jason Harvey who built that brass line in 2006). 2) Marching doesn't always mean great teaching. 3) Only in 2002 have they been successful with the dark/esoteric music and really that music was recognizable. 4) In 2002 and 2003 there were major re-writes plus they went with a new person in 2004. They haven't won High Visual since 2002 and that is because of the staff that was there. 5) but they are from Texas

Any thoughts on the proposals posted on WGI? Some very interesting ones...I would have to go back and read them all... From the top of my head...getting rid of a GE judge and adding a Curtain are pretty interesting ideas!

For those who marched or know...what are the fees to march an independent guard in your area?

I agree...Pride didn't do much for me either in Prelims or Finals... Fantasia was GREAT in Prelims, but as we have already said...Finals was not their best run.

I loved the way Code Black had the final Flag feature that pushed forward. I love when guards can get GE without having to toss. That takes some creativity.

That is funny. While at Championships, I was thinking that if I was teaching Logan, I would take a year off so there wouldn't be the pressure of winning an 11th title in a row. Of course, I would venture to say that maybe the reason they aren't coming out next season is to save up money. I saw somewhere that Logan HS band was invited to perform at the Olympics in Beijing. And who knows...maybe some other SW guard comes out to win instead of Avon.

My thoughts - IA was correct. SA could have gone to Americas but they had a few important drops that not only hurt the equipment score but the GE score as well. SO was correct. IO - Zydeco had a better show in Prelims and Code Black was on FIRE in Finals. I also have to mention that Ventures could have been close to placing 3rd but had some prop difficulties unlike in prelims where they had an amazing show! SW - as much as it would have been something to see with Avon winning - Logan was also on FIRE. The whole show just built emotion and left you standing in applause in the end. IW - I was very disappointed by Fantasia and Pride's shows at Finals. They were both great in Prelims with Fantasia having a better show on Friday (Pride also had some prop difficulties Friday night). Just like Americas - Fantasia had a few KEY drops in their show that might be put them over Pride. I was also disappointed that Light Brigade didn't make it in...

"George Hopkins will continue in the role of Chief Executive Officer for the next nine to twelve months ensuring a smooth transition and supporting the new Executive Director in his role, while at the same time assuming the responsibilities of the Director of Education and Programs. This change, away from administration, will allow Hopkins to commit his time to the world of education, including the Cadets, the US Scholastic Band Association [uSSBA], and various clinics and workshops such as the ever growing "Music is Cool" events." I think GH just won't be running YEA! so he can focus on the Cadets and drum corps more. If you have read his blog over the year, he has mentioned many times that he loves what he does with the Cadets but did not have the time to fully be involved because of his role with YEA! Now he will be Director of Education and will probably push what he believes the future will be in the band and drum corps activity. So he is far from gone...

So, I have been to a few regionals this year and was wondering what everyone thought about their own regional experience. What are some of the best regional facilities out there? I went to one regional where everything was spread out, classrooms on one side, outside general warm-up, etc. Another regional I went to had everything really close inside one building, but there was still no inside general warm-up, the gym was still not the best vantage point, and hall ways were used but there was a lot of traffic, etc. I guess I wonder if you would rather have plenty of space but is spread out over the campus and you might have to walk outside to get to different areas OR would you rather have everything in one building, but maybe not as much room. Thoughts?!

So there is a big regional this weekend in Las Vegas. Lots of guards going! First time Fantasia and Pride see each other plus a whole lot of A guards, both scholastic and indepedent. Thoughts? Predictions?! Scholastic A Aliso Niguel HS Aliso Viejo, CA Arcadia HS Arcadia, CA Arroyo Grande HS Arroyo Grande, CA Basha HS Chandler, AZ Benicia MS Benicia, CA Bonita Vista HS Chula Vista, CA Casa Grande HS Casa Grande, AZ Ceres HS Ceres, CA Claremont HS Claremont, CA Downey HS Downey, CA Esperanza HS Anaheim, CA Foothill HS Bakersfield, CA Fountain Valley HS Fountain Valley, CA Gilbert HS Gilbert, AZ Glendora HS Glendora, CA Golden Valley HS - A Merced, CA Golden Valley HS - B Merced, CA Hart HS Newhall, CA Helix HS La Mesa, CA Lake Havasu HS Lake Havasu City, AZ Loara HS Anaheim, CA Los Banos HS Los Banos, CA Lynbrook HS San Jose, CA Mesquite HS Gilbert, AZ Mira Mesa HS San Diego, CA Montebello HS Montebello, CA Mountain Ridge HS Glendale, AZ Mt. Carmel HS San Diego, CA Nogales HS La Puente, CA Rancho Buena Vista HS Vista, CA Sabino HS Tucson, AZ Sahuaro HS Tucson, AZ San Marcos HS Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara HS Santa Barbara, CA Santa Margarita Catholic HS Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Sierra Vista HS Las Vegas, NV Skyview HS Vancouver, WA South Hills HS West Covina, CA Tesoro HS Las Flores, CA Trabuco Hills HS Mission Viejo, CA Valencia HS Placentia, CA Valhalla HS El Cajon, CA Independent A Allusion WG Thousand Oaks, CA Corona Light Los Angeles, CA Lealta San Diego, CA Pacificaires Surray, ZZ Rings of Saturn Tucson, AZ UVSC Envision Orem, UT Vegas Independent WG Las Vegas, NV Virtus Independent Los Angeles, CA Scholastic Open Eastlake HS Chula Vista, CA La Quinta HS La Quinta, CA Mission Viejo HS Mission Viejo, CA Rancho Cucamonga HS Rancho Cucamonga, CA Valencia HS Placentia, CA Independent Open Diamante Montebello, CA Insignia Fort Worth, TX Revolution Independent San Antonio, TX Stampede Winter Guard Calgary, ZZ Scholastic World Arcadia HS Arcadia, CA Clovis West HS Fresno, CA Diamond Bar HS Diamond Bar, CA Rancho Bernardo HS San Diego, CA Independent World Apex WG Newark, DE Arpeggio Portland, OR Corona Los Angeles, CA Encorps Alumni WG Calgary, ZZ Escalade WG Calgary, ZZ Fantasia Riverside, CA In Motion Fairfield, CA Legacy Senior WG Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX Pride of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA

It is a great show. They didn't have costumes and they were NOT flawless in Prelims...didn't see finals. They have great performers, many of which have been in the same program (with different names) for many years. You can tell they have great fundamentals. They are really setting the bar high for other indepedent open guards in TX. They will be in the top tier of the open class come WGI Championships. They do have a complete show, as far as I remember. Congrats to them and the rest of TX Independent Open guards.

i doubt they will go div ii. they said on the site that around 120 people have auditioned which doesn't give a great pool. i think this is really low for them... might be because of Crossmen, but i also think because of new staff, new director.