Superman

The same story hapen to Dips 2 weeks ago, the corps was receiving some donation monney to reduce the cost of the bus transport, that's all. No member, what so ever, was pay for the show and parade. Contrary, all members pay they own expense, hotel, food and transport. So the border officer (only one) understand that we where parts of an official show, in a stadium, organise by a major sponser that was collecting monney at the gate for that event. According to him, part of that monney was going to all musician, he said it's the same thing as a rock band, you need a working permit, that's it, that's all, case close.

Yes Cathy, the Dips are back since 2006. A few member of Les Diplomates including my self was marching with Les Metropolitains of Montreal. Check our web site; www.lesdiplomates.org or facebook for some picture and video. Those golden year's of Drum Corps, before 9/11, was easyer to cross border. The security and the economic situation make it harder. We have and official invitation and a schedule of that weekend organize by the drum corps community and Barnum Festival. Last week they was a competition in Glennfall, NY, 4 h drive from Montreal, some of my friend where stop again and search for instrument and uniform in the car when they said they where going to see a drum corps contest. They have to show the ticket of that event, before they let it go. Time have change!

Hy Jim, I'm not a contra player but I was with my friend Alan, that is a contra player, when we met at Dynosaur BBQ, I'm a Bass Drum player. ( is the same as a contra but with mallet, lol) I play Bass # 4 at DCA Alumni in 2007 and 2009, in 2008 I play Ténor (quint) but I'm back on my Bass Drum # 4 this year! Soon, we gonna put a vidéo of our 2010 show! We are better this year! The 2010 show is groovy! The Intro, is strong and settle the show, the second piece is Mack the knife with all corps dancing, follow by Moon Dance (swing style Michael Buble version) and Paint in Black (Rock Style) from the Rolling Stone, than a soft one from West Side Story, Somewhere (Barbara Streisand verson) and a powerfull ending call Touski (our own brass & drum composition from the staff). Touski is french for (Give all you have left). Our Parade song is UP from Shania Twain and Besoin pour vivre from Claude Dubois. That's about it! We gonna celebrate our 5th anniversary next year. We hope to cross border and celebrate together that special year at DCA or else where! Best regard everyone!

Happy USA day everyone!

Thank you for your solidarity. It’s funny, everybody that I talk at Kennedy stadium say the same thing “ you should come by Mexico side”, “said SI, SI rather than OUI, OUI and the gate will open”, that was a LOL!. But that particular border, is not so occupied and have a couple diplomatic incident in the past. But when we said we where going at Barnum Festival, they search the car and see the music instrument, uniform they knew that we where part of the show. (you know the rest of the story). We will work harder with Barnum organisation and Parc City Pride next year. Because we want to come, the Dips use to compete at that stadium in the 70’s, it was a come back for us after 37 year’s in Bridgeport. We are hopeful that everything will settle in and be back stronger. Quit? Never! That’s our goal! We are good neighbours since 1534 and it’s not a misinterpretation of a border officer that will destroy that! See you guy’s soon! Blest every one!

Well my friend's. It's gonna be hard to all American fellow to see a canadian drum corps comming through the US. Junior, Senior, Alumni name it! All entertaintment/competive group what so ever (including drum corps) need a P-1 Visa according to the law of US. Look what they asking: Entertainment Groups The entertainment group must be coming to the U.S. to participate in entertainment events, and must have achieved international recognition for a substantial and sustained period. Individuals offering assistance and support to the entertainment group may also use this category. Entertainment Groups Your group's achievements must be recognized internationally, and the group must be coming to the U.S. to perform services that require such recognition 1. You must provide evidence of a legal contract with a U.S. employer or agent, and prove that: a. The proposed services in the U.S. require an internationally recognized entertainment group b. Seventy-five per cent of your group members have had a sustained and substantial relationship with the group for at least one year and provide functions integral to the group's performance c. Your group received significant international awards or prizes, or nominations for its outstanding achievements 2. In addition to the above requirements, your group must offer proof of at least three of the following: a. Your group has performed, or will be performing, as a starring or leading entertainment group in events with distinguished reputation b. Your group has received international recognition and acclaim for outstanding achievements c. Your group has performed and will be performing services as a leading or starring group for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation d. Your group has had major commercial or critically acclaimed successes e. Your group is highly recognized, for its achievements, by organizations, critics, government agencies, or other recognized experts f. Your group has commanded or will command a high salary or other substantial remuneration comparable to others similarly situated 3. Artists and Entertainment Groups must submit at least two of the following documents: a. Records of the group's participation in internationally reputed events b. Record of group's international recognition as shown by reviews in papers, trade journals, etc. c. Recognition of group's achievements by leaders in the field d. Record of group's commercial success e. Records which show that the group commands a significantly high salary compared to others in the field Artists and Entertainers You may be issued the P1 valid for the period necessary to perform the event not exceeding one year. An entertainment event could include an entire season of performances. The USCIS may grant further extensions of stay in one-year increments with a total stay on P1 artist visa not exceeding ten years. Spouses and Children Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join you in the U.S. for the duration of your stay can apply for P-4 visas

Hy everybody, Some of you guy's asking what hapen to the Dips at Bridgeport, CT. The Dips members are comming from all different city, Montreal, Quebec, Trois-Rivieres, etc. some of them drive 5 1/2 hrs before guetting to US border, then they drive another 6 to 8 hrs to reach Bridgeport comming from different US border. At one US border, 24 members in 6 cars pooling was stop at Stanstead, Vermont. The border officer whant to know what was the reason driving to Bridgeport only for 3 day's. We are going to Barnum Festival, we say. Then he investigated and found out that we are part of the show and think that we are comming performing like a Music Band and the musicien of the the Dips will get paid so we where acuse to try to come working illegaly without a working permit. We are a drum corps, a non profit organisation, not a circus or a Rock Band we said. At that moment they stop everbody and proceed to finger print, picture and all the rest. It took 4 hrs to fill up document to stop acces to the US for 48 hrs (needless to say no show and no parade). The same treatment will occure if other members of the Dips will show up. We have no choice to stop the bus before getting to the border. The other members that already pass through from other border and arrive to Holiday's In in Bridegport un aware of what was happening. The Barnum Festival try to fix everything, even call the state governor and the US Embassy but it was to late (friday afternoon) We sadly cancelled our participation to this event since we start missing important members and volunteers. The members that was already at Bridgeport decided to stay, have diner in nice restaurent, assist to practice of different drum corps at Sea Side Park and Kennedy Stadium, watch the show at night and party with our friend Park City Pride. On behalf of the Diplomates that was present in Bridgeport, I whant to thank the organisation and volunteers of Park City Pride that work hard all year round to organised our visit and all the members for they support and friendship between our two corps, you did everything to accomodate us. Everybody was outraged of this disappointed situation, the Barnum Festival organisation, the mayor, Park City Pride and drum corps fan present at the show and all of us, but what can we do at that moment? sit and cry? No way we are stronger than that! BIG HUG TO EVERYBODY!

Here's 3 link's on Youtube of our fisrt open house held November 28, in St-Bruno-De-Montarville (south shure of Montreal area) Our show this year will be title EVOLUTION, base on the evolution of music from dixie time to today's music. Drum Section: Brass Section: Color Guard:

Our Facebook adress: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=667...1487305?ref=sgm

We have a wonderful day last saturday in Trois-Rivieres with our 1st Open house halloween week -end. Lots of fun and friendship. Looking for a great season! Big color guard directed by Annye Girard (she win the individual at Rochester DCA2009 in flag) Drum Line with our new percussion coordinator Martin Hotte (North Coast Academy, Brigadiers) Horn Line with our brass coordinator Marc-André Pregent (Cabaleros, Brigadiers, Grenadiers) Also, Les Diplomates host the annual color guard Quebec Championnship in Quebec city in mars 27, 2010. (C.E.C.Q.) Our next open house will be held in Montreal saturday november 21st and in Quebec city saturday november 28. More information, go to: www.lesdiplomates.org

Hi Trist, Yes we do have a members that forgot is Shako at DCA, If you can, write me your E-Mail at ; ronaldmasse@hotmail.com I'll guive you the information how to send to us, collect of course. Thank you for your honesty Ronald Masse Logistic for: Les Diplomates 1063, Levis Lachenaie, Terrebonne, Quebec Canada J7W 3N9

The link for Diplomates video, not working.....

From Les Diplomates, our condolences and prayers to Mr. Cozy family and friends. Our Drum Corps activity will miss him.

I agree Mr. Andy, Is there any other corps members that whould be ready to pay 1,000$ to hold a flag in our honor guard? That's why they have my respect! Because that what it cost to join the Diplomates, yes you read it good. The member ship is 1,000$ to be a members (you pay only once) in any section, after, it cost 250$ for each season that you march. We have 163 members (163,000$), with that money we bought new uniform (some pay there own), new horn line (some pay ther on), new drum line, new visuel props. We only have about 100 to 110 members on the field. Many are only supporter, administrer, instructor also pay the same amount to teach us. That why this project is unique and it's the first time that a new corps (in Québec) beguine a season whithout any DEBT and no subvention from any organisation what so ever. . . 99 % of all the corps (junior, senior, name it) in Province of Quebec or Canada close for the same reason, NO MONEY. The only way to survive split the bill through the membership or chip in. That's our deluxe activity now, we chose between golfing, fishing, camping, anything else or DRUM CORPMING if I can say so! So, see you guy's next year on the field! We try to improve again! Ronald (drum line section)