MelloRick

I gotta say, I enjoyed your Satruday afternoon rehearsal very much. And the members that said hello and made my wife and I feel very welcome! Said it before, and I'll say it again...wish I lived on the left coast. Since Sky is not on the field, you guys are at the top of my list....

I have to take issue with the entire "gate" procedure at that stadium. First of all for handicapped, I think the stadium staff is grossly negligent. Last year my dad had taken a taxi to the stadium from the hotel, and the taxi dropped him off at the starting line end, and they would not let him in that gate no matter what, and literally made him walk around the entire stadium. When I found him he was nearly falling down he was so out of breath. Sometimes common sense should dictate in certain instances. This gate for one thing another for something else etc... There is no excuse for it. IF somebody shows up with a ticket, or a hand stamp there should not be an issue with getting in and out of ANY gate! While I don't condone arguing with staff as they are not the ones that set the policy, I feel this issue with gates and who goes in which one needs to be addressed with the proper authorities at Pataec Park. The parking is still an issue, most of the parking is some distance from the "proper entrance" of the stadium. I am curious what they do the day of games there. Do they treat the fans of their soccer team like they do the drum corps fans? I have been around drum corps for years and never seen such an anal stadium crew! Scranton had NO issues that even came close to this. I absolutely love the Rochester experience, EXCEPT for the stadium deal! To me that is ONE reason to not go to the show. JMO...

Gotta say, last night was one of the most exciting I have ever experienced as a member of Mass Brass. Hats off to Star for that great sound. But I would personally like to thank the crowd in attendance for the OUTSTANDING response you gave us. I had such a hard time falling asleep last night. I think my chops are still buzzing! Looks like everybody brought it last night, and to end up second with the talent in that show was truly a thrill. Our show was very special, and the excitement flowing through each of our members is something to behold. When we started playing the last tune, I couldn't believe that we were already into our closer. Last time I got that feeling was in 1978, when I took the field with North Star. I don't know what or where we go from here, but I am sure it will be even better, although that is extremely hard to believe on my part. Mini Corps ROCKS. Now on to Albany, and let me remind you all, if you can make that weekend, September 27, be there, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! I enjoyed my stint on the midrange individuals stage, and felt I did a decent job, but alas it was only good enough 8th. Guess the judge didn't like "Alfie". All kidding aside, I finally got to watch the other competitors, and man you guys rock! Scooter, man, that was awesome. I did miss Paul McDonald, but I would like to congratulate all those in the I&E...it takes balls just to be on stage by yourself and let it all hang out! Lastly, I want to thank Larry Kerchner for writing a book that ROCKED THE HOUSE, Steve Conant, or main horn man, accompanied by Mike Cahill, whom I have learned an enormous amount from this year, Neal and Tony Smith, who staged us masterfully to give us that great unified sound, and mostly my Mass Brass family, who have understood and helped me through some very trying times with my dad being very sick. Finally, my dad...Dad, this one was for you!

Ok, you will not be disappointed! This past Sunday I believe we had 43 horns with a few missing. Show wise...You liked Jerry Noonan solos....hope you got your socks on, and clipped to keep them from flying off.... Enjoy! (how is that for being evasive)

Hey, you forgot the ONLY corps that practices in Boston, albeit, South Boston....Mass Brass! Yep, what sopbabe already said...only the team and owners...and oh yeah, THE CHEERLEADERS!

I'll add to the disappointment of The Renegades absence in Minicorps! Whoever wins this year will be just a bit tainted, IMO, due to the absence of one of the best. For anyone to claim to be the best, you first have to beat the best, and no matter who wins, the tinge of doubt will remain without you guys in the show! I do look forward to seeing the field show. You guys converted my 14 year old daughter to a drum corps fan in one show last year. She is coming to Rochester with us not to see her dad on Friday and Sunday, but to see the Renegades on Saturday.

Agreed..100%..Along with Illuminations at Epcot...

I was not inferring that MCA is "chaotic or unorganized" it was simply a suggestion that to not have a beginning or an end of a "competition" season COULD lead to being unorganized or chaotic. That's all so perhaps you need to lighten up some..And when you are quoting somebody directly as I am here I am talking to you, much as I took your comments personal. That's how this forum things works. If you want to make general statements there is a separate button for that called "add reply" or "quick reply" as opposed to hitting the reply button at the bottom of a post. Now, only reason I mentioned the Crusaders was because when you made the "off handed" comment about mixing the alumni shows with MCA, well once again, since you quoted me directly and know who I am, well of course I took it that you were commenting on my involvement with the Crusaders...again, you quoted me, and if you did not intend that, then you shouldn't have quoted me in your response. BTW, I read all the posts and only saw a glancing message about alumni corps season. And my last comment about standing in the same line as you was a feeble attempt at humor to lighten up the subject a bit...sorry, should have used a smiley face... Once more on the record...The present board of MCA does an OUTSTANDING job at getting the organization off the ground and operating it well..I in no way meant my comments as criticism or think that it is poorly run, chaotic, or unorganized! Clear enough?

Where the hell did I say ANYTHING about the alumni corps? Where??? I was not critisizing MCA, merely making a statement...In fact I commend MCA for taking the lead with the mini corps activity and making it something to be proud to belong to. You said yourself... Simple as that...my involvement with The Crusaders has NOTHING at all to do with my comments! Period! So please don't put words in my mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geez, can't imagine what you would do if I didn't play in the same corps as you!

Bingo....Glad you got my point Tom...

My point on the season was strictly for competition purposes. Any and all competitive activities have a beginning of competition (first game or competition) and an ending of competition (last game or championship). To do otherwise, IMO, is chaotic, and unorganized. When I referred to an "off season" I was referring to the end of competition. At present, there is two competitions, but I see the opportunity for that to grow. So I am looking for definition, and since MCA is at the controlling organization, I am looking to it as the defining body. It's not a roadblock Paul, it's organization. I was not suggesting the end of performances, or exhibitions, or of dictating what corps can do with their time. I have been involved in drum corps my entire 50 years in one way or another. So, I know better than suggest closing the doors for a length of time. Hope that clears up my comments for you and John.

I would have to respectfully disagree. If we were to go on endlessly in a continuous loop we would risk high levels of burnout, IMO. Everything in life has a beginning and an end. At present, I can see where it doesn't make much difference, but as the mini corps activity evolves, and it will, shows will get more plentiful and the activity will increase. I guess I am just seeing this as an opportunity to plan that into the activity from the beginning so it has somewhere to grow to. JMO...

I have a basic question to our "proposed" off season season. We know that DCA begins in June/July, and ends as we know the end of August beginning of September. Now the question. When does MCA season start and end? AND shouldn't a championship be put at the end of the season?

It was truly an amazing weekend. I to had a problem with parking...they wouldn't valet the train ...Harrisburg itself has cleaned up pretty well as I remember it from last year. Yes, I actually did walk the two blocks from the train station at 12:30 AM, and didn't fear for my life at all. Met a cabby at the station he offered to take me, when I asked how much he said he would give me a bargain for $10...yeah, ok for 2 tenths of a mile. I would like to pass kudos to Amtrak. The service was actually very good. Both going and coming back every station was hit and left exactly on time. 7 hours each way from RI, but I would do it again that way. Now, in all my years of marching and involvement in drum corps, I never ever remember those I competed against congratulating us for winning, and seeming to actually mean it. That was amazing. This MCA thing is something extremely special. The Forum was fantastic...WOW...My only disappointment was my dad could not be there. I know he would have been thrilled with the venue. He has always been my number one fan, and performing with him in the audience has been something special to me all 45 years of my playing career. He has been having some health issues that is keeping him from traveling long distances at present. Hopefully next year! The Party...Yikes...Drum corps has grown and we no longer have to party out of trunks of our cars. Instead we get a 4 star hotel... I don't post much here on DCP, but check in every day, multiple times, and it was good to put faces to names..yep spoke to many of you, anonymously.... Met lots of new friends, and got to see many others I have not seen much of lately... Lastly, thank you to my Bridgemen cheering section at the party...

It was truly a fantastic experience from start to finish. I want to thank our competitors for forcing us to take it up a notch, but mostly for being such a great bunch of people. I can honestly say I have never experienced the response from a competitor that I have this weekend. It made it very special indeed. I can't remember enjoying performing so much. Your response to us definitely brought my level of performance up a notch... Our new relationship with Larry Kerchner is just what the good doctor ordered! I mean the man is a music god! Mikey our drummer...What can I say! Those that were there know exactly what I mean! The rest of my MB brothers and sister...it is an honor to play next you all...!!!!!!!!!! Again...it was just a thrill top to bottom..win or loose..this is what MCA is all about...Drum Corps..The Way it Was Meant to Be...IN YOUR FACE FUN! (we need to do this more often...)

In other words, don't be a cheap B**t'rd, pay the $5 for a cab?

I am taking Amtrak, but my train doesn't get in until 12:30 AM. Can any of you tell me how safe it would be to walk from the station to the Crowne Plaza at that time of night?

C'mon Dave....3 for 3...lets go...I know you got it in you.

Well if I were to put it into one statement. "Same fun as competing, less pressure!" Lets not forget the "in between" organizations, known as "Minicorps". Not quite ready to sit completely back, still got some of that competitiveness in us, but don't want to run around the field anymore. Now we all know it is much deeper than that. In fact the "alumni" monocle is a misnomer in itself. I believe a check of any "alumni" roster would find an extremely diverse membership, and in fact the term membership should be taken loosely. In fact personally I believe these corps should be labeled "Tribute Corps" much as the "Tribute Bands" floating around are called. This is probably a more truthful statement. There are many members in these ranks that play in many corps. That is where the fun comes in. I enjoy kicking around, and needling fellow members I once competed fiercely with as a North Star back in the 70's. Both Mass Brass MiniCorps, and The Crusaders Sr. Corps are comprised of members from all over. It's all in fun now, and I can say I enjoy those friendships very much. Now when I did St. Kevin's it was for a totally different reason. In the 60's I was cutting my teeth on drum corps and Kevin's was the "balls". As a kid I always wondered what it would be like, so when the opportunity to march with my dad came along at Kevin's I jumped at it along with my then 15 year old son. It was a hoot to march 3 generations of drum corps! BUT a vastly different experience than I am enjoying now with BAC Sr's. At Kevin's I felt I was paying homage to a former great corps, but at Boston I find it is more a feeling of a continuation of a long honorable tradition. With the Boston Crusader jr corps still going strong and big it seems the Sr. corps is a link from the past to the present and on to the future. Kind of like a living history that keeps on evolving. Both are fun for what they are. Ok, sorry for the rambling. You asked a simple question here, and I got carried away. I will stick with my above statement, anything more would probably be incorrect as you are right, the "alumni" or "tribute" (as I prefer) drum corps are as diverse as the style of those corps, and they all serve a purpose. Thank God for Drum Corps of all shapes sizes and reasons! Thanks for presenting this topic. Pretty cool one... BTW...Looking forward to next week in Harrisburg!

What do you mean almost! and from what I remember from last night, that was before they even took their horns out of the cases!

What's not to love?

You want to drop that brand new Kanstul?

What a show last night. It was my first as a Crusader, and will definitely rank up there as one of my fondest memories. What has transpired in the storied Prince Palace the last few months is nothing short of amazing. From the singing of the corps song, to the final note of Conquest it was amazing. With the addition of Rick Connor as brass caption head to compliment Al (Cisco) Colleameno on percussion there seems present a combination that is working to perfection. The feeling amongst the ranks was truly something special. I didn't actually get to count what we had there for brass, but it was surely in the area of 45. This is not your grandfathers Boston Crusader Sr. corps, as the commercial goes. It is a new and improved version for certain. I just watched the video my lovely wife shot, and along with the great sound, the guard looked amazing! I want to thank those that came before me for not only welcoming me into the ranks, but for making me feel truly a part of something great! I have been in drum corps in one way or another for all of my 50 years of life. I say this because my #1 fan, my dad, has been involved since he was 10, so I grew up with it. From a very young age there were two corps that we special to me. They were the New York Skyliners, and The Boston Crusaders. I never marched as neither, but I always admired them no matter where I marched. Something happened in 76 that changed fate, and that is when North Star stole my heart, and I finished my competing days with North Star where I met the love of my life. Been married to her for 25 years. All those years growing up I was always one of the first to my feet at the sounds of Conquest. Well I'm here to say, it's no less exciting from the other side of the mouthpiece! What is going on just north of Boston in the normally quiet town of Melrose is something special. If you are looking for a place to honk a horn, whack your drum or work that flag pole, come check us out! You won't be disappointed!

Don't hold your breath. After 3 years you would think they would get it right. I looked at a friends Minicorps DVD, and the audio quality is awful! After last years DVD's I refused to pay that kind of money for them. What my 17 year old shot with my Mini DV camcorder was better than what they charged $50 for! C'mon...

Ok, so that means guests only, right? Members are to show up naked.... :)