the_soon_to_be_famous_drummer

I'm all for a corps being treeated the same no matter the size. But when it comes to competeing then it does matter. A 60 member corps just can't make the same kind of impact a 135 member corps can. It's not a lack of talent, just a lack of sound and visual presence. If we're gonna change the competition at all we need to change the way div 2/3 finals week is done. The whole this is messed up. Prelims are fine, then it's the top 9 from each division, then it's the top 3 and then the next 6 highest scores. Thats messed up. 9 times out of ten a div 3 corps is not going to score higher than a div 2, unless they are in the top 3. I think it for finals (or whatever they want to call the last show) it should be the top 6 highest scores in EACH division. That way everyone is competing against their own division, not against each other. Better results and more chancees for the div 3's to make it to saturday. Speaking of that, i think div 2/3 should get friday night at the div 1 finals stadium for finals. that way they can get the rush of preforming under the lights. And they should stagger the preformances, div 3, div 2, div3, div 2. That way it's not stacked div 3 first and div 2 last. Don't get me wrong, I love all divisions. But some love needs to be shown for the little guys and give them their chance at preforming under the lights on the field of honor. Just my 2 cents, or 4.

Matched grip is good for concert snare drumming, drum set, tenors, etc. But traditional is just much more versitile for marching snare. Many more visual options. It would be awsome if more corps went with the tilt. The tilt is bad ### and makes traditional even moreso.

Dance parties on the buss are awsome. Singing, dancing, lots of fun. I remember one time we had the isle full of people doing the macarena. Thats no easy task. It was fun. Sadly I don't think anyone got a picture. ALWAYS BRING A CAMERA ON THE BUS! lol.

This is good stuff.

True dat. I remember one good one. We finally had a buy stop in 05 and me and my friend Gretchen got some good snacks. A bag of chedder and sour creme ruffles, and a half-pint of chocolate cappuchino ice creme. (Ben & Jerry's? Hagen Daz?) OH it was awsome. That ice creme was gone in 30 minutes. lol. mmm.

Well i'm talking about more about drum corps+life/school/job= occasional stress. Not like serious, "I neep therepy" stress. Just little things. Tight muscles, a stretched mind, long days, etc.

I know drum corps can be stressful, espicially if mixed with college, high school, jobs, etc. How do you deal with the stress? I like to hack, it's a good stress relever for me. Massages are good way too. Listening to music, reading a book, just shootin the _____ (<<insert word here) with friends, sleeping. Anyone else have good stress releving tecniques? P.S. if anyone has any good massage techniques to share too, i'm looking for new ideas. :)

YAY!

I agree that the whole conflicting I&E and Div 2/3 semis day is not good juju. Even though i'm probably not going to go to finals this year i know that I&E is a fun chance for all members to show their individual skills and for some div 2/3 members to go head to head with div 1 members. IT's not all about the competition but it's still fun.

I think it is going to be an interesting year overall for EVERY single person involved in drum corps at every level and capacity. I look forward to the summer with the same excitelent and vigor every year, no matter what the situation with the corps is. For me it's all about that amazing feeling of coming off the field to the crowd screaming for you because you just put your heart and soul into your show. Thats why I do drum corps. Even in the summer following the "rebirth" I put every ounce of myself into every show, even if the crowd was small or wasn't there to see my corps. I was determined to show them what capital sound (and myself) was made of. Thats what I think some people have lost sight of. It's not about where you are preforming. I've done shows where there were no bleachers and some shows on the backsides of baseball fields. It's about the show, the crowd, the corps, and the passion that flows when they all become one.

U think you could make one for Capital Sound?

Where do you make them? Is there a website? Is it photoshop?

Where do people get these awsome banners in their signatures? Is it a website? info please??

No need to worry man. LOL. i'm in college and I have several ideas of what to do in life. All of them involve music and most are attainable. Being a rock star is of course one of them but not quite as attainable as being the owner of a drum store or something else like that.

I'm a fairly new addition to DCP but not new to drum corps. Yes it's sad i know, 4 years in corps and i'm just now getting involved in DCP. But better late than never. my credentials are below in my signiture. I'm auditioning for Phantom Regiment next month on Bass Drum. If I don't make it i will march with Capital Sound for my 5th year running. I love Capital sound. They have been my home ever since I joined corps.