JPeg

Oh! Pick me! Pick me!

I did this in marching band. I played challenging music at almost 200 bpm for long periods of time. I hated telling people I was in marching band knowing what immediently went through their minds when I said that: Everything you see on TV that involves the activity. And before you say it, I did also march a world class drum corps. I'm trying to think of the differences myself. Sure, we didn't go on a three month tour and live in a bus the whole time but we still traveled quite a bit. The work ethic was about the same, if not higher in my marching band at times. Rehearsal standards were actually higher in my marching band because of having less time to rehearse (8 hour rule of Texas). Our drum corps became a tight knit family organization...but wait, so did my marching band. Any group has to in order to succeed at those levels. The biggest thing I can think of is that in marching band, at the end of most days, you can go home and unwind. You can see your family, go to the movies, play video games, etc. so the mental anguish and stress level is lower in marching band. But wait, there's the open class corps and DCA corps that can do that too...crap...

Wait! I thought they just changed their name and identity to the Vigilantes!!!one!! *cough cough*

The Blousemen wore shoes?

In any other sort of group with members of the same ages, I think this would be the case. However, by competition time (which is of course after everydays), no one does feel singled out and a division isn't created. The bond of the members is so strong already that if one doesn't want to participate, they don't and that's that. No feelings are hurt. No one is judged because they did or did not participate.

Two last names? Well, I do have two last names, ironically. But I'm pretty sure that's not what you meant to say... Yes, women go to school now and are educated :)

You quoted a question, not a statement. Therefor, nothing can be wrong, sorry. And if I knew the answers...why would I bother asking the questions? And if I did know the answers, then my "slander" (slander implies false information which nothing I have posted is false) would be based on my knowledge. Sorry, you're not making any sense here. I'm actually using my Saturday to relax from my hectic week and catch up on my shows. Thank you for your concern for my media habits though :) I am not acting on anyone's behalf. No one knows who I am. I have, infact, gotten several messages private messages from former board members and staff rooting me on and confirming my facts, but they do not even know who I am. I do not reveal my identity on any public forums usually to protect the groups that I am involved with. But yes, someone does indeed need to come and set the record straight. I don't know how I would "eat my words" though since I've stated facts and asked questions that have remained unanswered and really ignored by this new corps staff. It's apparent that they have been on here but have failed to acknowledge this situation. Why is that?

You seriously had to go back to my first post to find something wrong? I'm just trying to figure out the truth. I haven't been mudslinging either, I've just been pointing out facts. The term "mudslinging" implies the use of insults and gossip. You're the only one that's been "mudslinging." Resorting to calling me childish and saying that I need to be a man? Seriously? Resorting to immature and shallow insults? And, the Vigilantes "Drum and Bugle Corps" has no reputation to soil but if someone doesn't come on here and start telling the truth, the reputation isn't off to a good start. The original question that everyone is wondering is this: Who are the Vigilantes? Did Frontier just get renamed? If so, why was it announced as a new corps. If they are a whole new corps, why do they have Frontier's money, show idea, members, staff, etc?

It is actually. I am pretty close to a few members. They were under the impression that the corps name was just changing. Not that a whole new corps was being formed. I'm sorry, sir. It's not in my interest to get gender reassignment surgery.

The drums were never presented as yours. They were always presented as "Frontier's new drums. And, I'm sure none of the membership dues, fundraising money, or money that came from selling old equipment covered annnny of the cost. I distinctly remember an issue that arose awhile ago when a old Frontier director was using the Frontier mailing list sheets to recruit for a junior corps and the current Frontier director, at the time, had a conniption over it and now the exact same thing just apparently happened. He went off and formed a "new corps" and used Frontier as a recruiting pool. It's a pretty hypocritical situation. It wouldn't be nearly as big of a deal if they just announced a name change but calling it a whole new corps totally discredits a lot of hard working individuals that founded Frontier Drum and Bugle Corps. It's taking credit for their work. And now they're saying that Frontier is still welcome to field their own corps even though all their money, equipment, members, and show have been taken. And, if it was really a whole new corps, shouldn't they have to apply for everything over again including non profit status?

Yeah, something is way fishy about this. He said that Frontier could still field a corps when they took all their members, some (don't know how many) of which were under the impression that the name was just changing. Also, what about Frontiers old equipment (including all the brand new drums)? Shouldn't that still be Frontier's if that is infact what happened?

I really doubt the members were very well informed or had much of a choice.

So now you're saying that this new corps took all the members of Frontier to form a new corps? That's pretty messed up...

So...that's a little silly to come out and say that there's a new corps since it's the same exact one.

Usually they try to go to one within walking distance. But yes, they all go to the same one at the same time to maximize rehearsal for the rest of the day. And everyone makes it out to be a much bigger deal than it is. I'm pretty sure I can count on one hand the number of times they went to church last summer.

I like how everyone complains about the whole Pioneer church thing except for the members.

I marched in a very well known and top tier band program in high school, then after I marched a world class drum corps. To me, the main difference is that the staff in a drum corps doesn't have a school board to answer to so they are more free to utilize more harsh methods of punishment (long distance runs, etc). The physical demands, other than that, were the same. I think the musical demands in high school marching band were higher actually, but it's hard to say because I marched different instruments.

School districts usually pay for UIL events. And I'm guessing you're from a 4A or 2A school since 2001 wasn't a state year for 5A so you would also have a lot less people to transport as well as other things.

I don't think that was his point

$250 maybe would have even covered our plane tickets (to Indy)

I don't see how a nationally competitive high school band can go without raising money. The school district provides some, but not nearly the amount needed to cover all that I said earlier.

I don't know of any in Texas where you don't have to pay anything. Especially with gas prices the way they are. We didn't have to pay to get to football games of course, but places like San Antonio, St Louis, and Indy aren't cheap to get to. Then you add up things like entry fees, uniforms, insturment repair, copywright fees, and the drill writters and music arrangers have to get paid too... It was definitely worth it though.

I marched in a very competitive Texas Band. Our band director wouldn't let us march corps while still in high school. I think it was mainly because it overlapped our summer camp. For me, I know that I would have been way burned out and the fees (about $2000 for corps and $1000 for band) would have been impossible. Also, Texas bands are very...good and continually make finals at big competitions. I now feel differently, but right after graduation, I wouldn't have even considered marching somewhere that didn't make finals. It sounds bad, but it's just the mindset that gets rooted in you. Another thing could be is just that a student's loyalty is probably already with another corps. I would think that in another three or four years, it would get easier for Crossmen.

On the website it says that there's a camp that starts the 24th of May. I'm assuming this is when move ins are. Correct?

No one can require someone else to worship. Just because you go to church, doesn't mean your worshiping. I don't go right now, but I wouldn't mind the time off for reflection.