quegrawks

Yes they were! So was Trinity! That was my first ever viewing of any TX Drum Corps!

Yes! Please, thank you! :-)

Can't wait to see and hear it! What a treat! :-D

Yes! That's what we do too :-)

Every flag I've ever had that WASN't sewn with french seams was a total wreck by the end of the season.

I did, but it was in a different forum. Spots still available! Affordable dues and local shows! :-) AustinStars.org

I'd be happy if I could fine more than 1 guard parent who even knows what a sewing machine looks like, let alone be able to use it to sew inverted french seams on lame' and poly-silk flags successfully without having a nervous breakdown. And asking them to make a uniform! Oy vey!...

I got quotes yesterday from transportation companies: A 55 passenger bus to Dayton Ohio from Austin Texas is approximately $14,000. That was just an estimate based on current gas prices, if the price of gas increases again, it will be much more. If we had 55 people on the bus, that's an expense of $255 per person just for transportation, then add on the cost of hotel, which at the low end would be another $100 per person for the time in Dayton. That's $350, plus renting a rehearsal facility, food, miscellaneous expenses. And that's JUST DAYTON! There's got to be an easier, less expensive way!

USF is still up in the air, actually. Hopefully they'll be back out.

We only need 5 more horns to fill our goal for the season! Come check out Austin Stars at our April 18 camp! Info available on http://austinstars.org. Also looking for 4 more for our percussion section!

There was more than 1 judge doing this... WGI must have some rationale?

Can someone please close this? geez! Take a hint!

FIU folding? I don't believe that! I'll ask around to confirm. Is USF the Knights? I've heard that they may not be coming out next year.

The cost is high all around. Bus transport, plane transport. We're all feeling the burden of it. That's why so many guards only go to dayton ever other year, or every 3rd or 4th year. However, if part of your dues is paying for the transportation, that's great! I've heard of guards who have to pay up to $1500 in dues then pay their own way to Championships, AND pay for their own hotel rooms in addition! This is an interesting thread, to be sure! I'd like to find out more about how much people are paying and what the money goes to rather than hearing people complain about the cost. If you WERE a performer in a winterguard at one point, but are no longer performing, what were your dues? When was this? What did your dues pay for at the time? I'm here for information! Let's have it!

Hope some of you will decide to come check us out! We're expecting a big influx of members now that winter drumline and guard seasons are over, and students are winding down their school year! Don't miss out! :-) April 18, 2009 9 am-6 pm Rouse HS 1501 County Road 271 Leander, TX 78641-1516 Event to follow: Bowl-a-thon social event/fundraiser at Highland Lanes in Austin, TX. http://austinstars.org

Pirates? from: http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question13812.html SIMOLEON first appeared in U.S. slang around 1896, and refers to one dollar. There may be a connection between 'Simoleon' and the Napoleon, a 20 franc French coin issued by Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800s. A reference is also made to the 'simon', British slang for sixpence, in the 17th century. In the late 19th century inflation caused the simon to refer to a dollar. The Word Detective goes on to say that perhaps Simoleon is a combination of 'simon' and 'Napoleon', originating in New Orleans, where French currency was still common at the time. Thanks to 'The Word Detective' at - http://www.word-detective.com/082498.html - for his article 'Take back your Moolah.'

LOL! All our performers had to finish paying their dues before championships or they weren't getting their member jackets, which they were allowed to wear on retreat :-) It worked well to get them to pay up!

Wow. DCA dues are only $500, aren't they?

Unless something has changed, I don't believe they have EVERY guard score ever. Especially prior to the prevalent use of copy machines and printers. They are a great resource, though!

i drooled when I saw the video! Can't wait to see it live!

So if Europeans don't have to follow the age restriction rules that US guards do, why have age restrictions on US guards? *Note. I realize that WGI in Europe does not have scholastic classifications, but I don't understand why that would make a difference?

I have one, but no pix of it.

I only know about the ones in South Florida (Flanagan and Stoneman Douglas). Both have feeder guards-- or did at one time. Stoneman Douglas had a middle school guard and Flanagan had a "AAA" guard (regional A, or lower level - A guard). I also know that some of their kids march DCI corps over the summer, as well as participating in their high school marching bands. I believe they do not start their winterguard show until after marching band season, as they are both very competitive groups during marching band; however, I do not know that for sure. BTW-- Flanagan also has a "No cuts" policy in their school. Anyone who auditions for guard gets a spot in the guard for marching band and also for one of the winter guards if they audition for that.

So, it shouldn't be difficult for a guard to be promoted from SO to SW then, assuming the staff is basically the same?

LOL. We had to replace our Fans Favorite videos with DVDs because they were so worn out-- and because I think WGI sells video tapes anymore. They're also now selling previous years on DVD as the "Flashback" series.