quegrawks

Plan for the best, but prepare for the worst. got it :-)

All very good responses. I'm not basing my concept of having guard, perc. etc from those who walk through the door. I know that once Winter season is over, that they will be coming to us, as we're recruiting with local HS guard and percussion instructors. I'm also basing it on people who have already signed their member contracts (even though that's not 100% way of counting on them either). Still, the main issue seems to be brass players, and overcoming the misconception that all age corps are lazy or no good, all they do is drink and smoke...blahblahblah that people have even though they've never SEEN or heard an all age corps, let alone attended a rehearsal. All these are issues that can be overcome easily, I know. I like the idea of asking members to bring 3 friends rather than just one.

I've found that it's easy to talk to people at shows and get them interested enough to at least fill out a contact information form. I think I need some help in TRAINING staff and members to go out and recruit. I've seen that they have a tough time talking to people they don't know, which I guess is common. I know that Word of Mouth is one of the best ways to recruit, but not having had many people see us perform before this point really doesn't help! We need to get out in public more! I really appreciate all the feedback so far. What are some things that have been helpful to those of you who are reading this? Or that you think might be helpful?

Austin Stars has a full guard and our battery is close to complete. But we're low on horn players. Is this common? Any suggestions, recommendations?

Austin Stars Drum and Bugle corps is seeking 10 horn players to complete our brass section for the 2009 competitive season. We seek: 2 contras, 4 sopranos, 2 baritone/euphonium, 2 mellophones Austin Stars is a competitive DCA drum and bugle corps based in Austin TX. We accept members 16 years of age and older! We have a relaxed rehearsal schedule to allow you time to work full-time, and still have time on the weekends to spend with your family and friends. This is a great opportunity to gain experience for those interested in marching DCI corps, or for those who miss the fun of performing drum corps, but can no longer participate in DCI. For more information, please contact our brass caption head, Chris Thomsen

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Hey Sayre and Chris! Thanks for the congratulations :-) I hope to bring the Stars all the way from TX to Rochester this year! Lots of planning going on right now to make that a reality! :-)

Wow! Another Shikellamy HS Graduate?! Small world :-) Class of '89!

Yup! We'll be there. Perform shortly after 7 pm. Moses, Sergio, and Jen won't be there though :-(

Hope to meet up with you! I'll be there with ATX Winterguard :-)

I will be in the audience cheering my head off! I miss my Skyliners family!

Awesome! Another DCA corps in the works! Congrats and hope to see you at a show sometime!

WOW! No Fantasia AND no Pride of Cincinnati this year? This will be an interesting season in IW!

I've never experienced that kind of colorguard. I can't imagine what it was like. Anyone know of any videos on youtube or anywhere what I can have a look?

I don't think getting a tattoo is stupid, but I think the way you are approaching it is a bit silly. At least, the way you are explaining your reasoning comes across as silly, and makes me believe you will eventually regret your decision, if you even actually go through with it. You do know you can get tattoos AFTER you turn 18, right? Got my first one when I was 25-- after aging out of everything except DCA and Senior Guard.

That's great to hear, but I've heard it before. Until it actually happens, i won't hold my breath! PS -- just read the website, sounds like someone very angry, but at least they can spell better than the other son! Believe it or not, that goes a long way with me. PPS-- so, do Premier Rifles really violate a Do Not Compete clause of a contract? To the best of my knowledge, the Premier Rifle company wasn't established until the original Millers and Sons went out of business.

Use the name of the song Most people don't listen to the title of the show. They're busy talking about the last show they saw or about something else while your guard sets up Judges are generally busy completing notes/scores from the previous show and/or making their intro comments, getting a quick drink of water, etc. and don't really pay attention when the announcer is talking. And honestly, the name has no impact on judges' comments or thoughts about your show.

that's what I use. I like Audacity. It's great for turning MP3s into ring tones too!

Good point. Might want to talk to April Gilligan about this (Braddock had this problem-- couldn't use the voice on the WGI video, but could use a midi version of the music-- they were allowed to perform to it, though). She might have some insight to offer.

The problem: you can't take just words/voice-overs out of a DVD soundtrack. If there is music or background noise, that is also part of the soundtrack. You would have to have the raw tapes where the voice was recorded alone (if it was). Are you interested in CREATING your own music, or in being able to splice/edit already existing music, or both?

Does it happen when you're not spinning? I mean, do you get that pain at other times? It could be a number of things: Tendonitis, Carpal Tunnel, arthritis, "tennis elbow" or muscle tissue inflammation. I've experienced the type of pain you're describing before, and it was Carpal Tunnel. I was losing my grip, and it made my fingers tingle, almost lose sensation, and hurt when I bent my hand back (to stretch my wrist). I had to stop spinning for a while (a couple of months), and really focus on not overdoing it. I also had to wear a wrist brace when I slept to keep my muscles still at night.

I'm not marching a DCA corps right now, but we did have auditions (for parts) when I marched a horn spot. When I started marching guard, most had "auditions" to see who would be on weapon, dance features, etc. But, as to whether you got a spot in the corps itself? No, we didn't have auditions like that.

And they were Fantastic! I lived in Florida for a few years and never even heard of this group! Do they do anything other than parades?

Find out what you need to be able to do before you go. Be able to do it. Show up with a bundle of nerves and a great attitude (but don't be annoying to the instructors or other people). Try everything. Ask a few "sensible" questions. If you don't make it, try another group or get some more experience and try again next year.

I think you missed the point. See TODAY's Shows are horrible! They have such long titles that they must be trying to hide something about the attrociousness (sp?)of their design or concept! EVIL 21st century DESIGNERS! Now, back in MY day, it was just the shows that went on forever, not the titles! That's the way it should be! </snarkiness>