Odessa

OK- help a frugal 7 month pregnant lady out... Is there nearby free parking? Any idea how much parking is? Thanks...

Just askin' because its not there... And I want to know why!

I think this forum has been pseudo dead since DCI started. I would wait until after the summer for some info, or possibly contact the Cascades Drum Corps. Maybe someone there would know? Good luck!

It makes all the difference in the world. We pay respect to those that have paved the way for us to spin how we do today by keeping sabres and rifles in the shows. It was how the activity we know and love today was founded. Many years of tradition, innovation, skill, and good old fashioned blood, sweat, and tears have crafted these tools so that we can have the technical and aesthetic appeal that is known to amaze today's audiences.

I'm not sure where you all fall into the tour schedule (if you said earlier, I'm sorry!), but if you set yourselves up as a mail drop for the corps, the members would be able to get letters/postcards/small packages, and that is something that goes a long way with members. For staff, having an open room where they wouldn't have to move desks/chairs/etc to sleep would be awesome. When I taught a few years ago, a guard instructor for the school we were staying at offered to take us around to get things that we needed. With his help, we were able to get dye to complete our guard costumes. Good luck!

Congrats on being named co-captain! As an instructor, I look to my captain(s) to be responsible young performers who can always stay one step ahead. I usually name a captain that has been in guard for 3-4 yrs and who always demonstrates maturity, a good attitude, patience, and the uncanny ability to keep those around them on task and happy. In short- someone who would make my life easier! If you have an instructor, talk to them about your specific role. Once you know what they are looking for/expecting from you, then let the instructor tell the other members what your roles are. Try to keep an even temperament. Nobody likes a diva on a power trip! Work harder than everyone else, give compliments and constructive criticism. Get to know the rookies really well! Plan a pool party or some sort of get together during the season. Think of ways to keep guard fun! Also, colorguardeducators.com has some great articles suggesting ideas for student leaders: http://www.colorguardeducator.com/index.ph...8&Itemid=35 http://www.colorguardeducator.com/index.ph...3&Itemid=35 Have fun and good luck!

Towson University in Baltimore, MD has a great outdoor color guard and is looking to start a winter guard that will compete WGI next season. The marching band also offers a $500 stipend for every marching band student. Also, TU will be marching in the 2009 Macy's Day Parade in NYC! Good luck!

Wow... I'm printing this article and am going to file it. I'm teaching a high school that's new to competitive guard and plan on introducing weapons to them next season. With everything else that's happened in my introductory season, I'm salivating to find out if something like this happens next season. Good luck, Marie. I hope you understand that your school system, while protecting many, is being ridiculous by taking it this far.

I love their "Catch a Star in a Jar" show, and the music is perfect for it. Does anyone know the music? Its beautiful. I must have it on my iPod! Great job RB!

Once, a wise old guard designer told me that the uniforms reflect the concept of the show while the flags represent the color and the mood during each part of the music. A few years ago, I designed uniforms for my guard that were shades of orange, yellow, and red. They just POPPED against the band's blue and white uniforms. I got compliments on it all season long. You want the guard to stand out, if the show calls for it. Its all about being a character, not being uniform as an ensemble anymore. Just think about all the moments that would of been lost if the guard wore something that matched the corps/band... SCV's guard in 04 wouldn't have stood out, PR's guard in 05 in the purple and orange "showgirl" outfits, 00 Cadets in the individual outfits to celebrate their individuality. Now, think about what the show would look like if everything was matchy-matchy. I don't want to. You know, if some costume/uniform made you curious enough to ask, then that designer did their job. I hope this answered your question!

I think its fantastic! After all, the guard provides the visual impact of a corps (especially when the horns and drums are marching in straight lines). The guards (for both Colts and Cadets) were great. Loved the Cadets head pop when they were cutting the 45 plane. Colts guard looked great as a group, pretty much squeaky clean! I was wowed, but then again, nothing less is expected when you're performing at that level! Great job to all the guards, actually! I know what its like spinning in 25F weather!

Colts were great! Great representation of DCI! Thank you Colts!!!

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/01/or...nauguratio.html a link to the lineup

I know of a few top instructors/designers that have their comments on weight, and its not pleasant. That's all I'm sayin'.

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Phantom's 2005 flags... Chevrons everywhere! http://flickr.com/photos/avatar1/33813765/in/photostream/ and http://flickr.com/photos/avatar1/33814544/in/photostream/

I dislike them too. While I've never used them, I have friends who did. They fell apart after one rehearsal, and they weren't comfortable. I'd go with the regular tan gloves, last much longer!

I got a King rifle at WGIs last season. I'm very happy with it. When Ultimate rifles fell off the face of the planet about 2 years ago, I got the Premiers. While I liked the rifle itself, I hated the strap. It was very flimsy and stretched easily, not the quality of the Ultimate strap. The King's straps are much more like the Ultimates, but they're more expensive, so I'm still having my kids buy Premiers for the time being. I'm still curious about the 'new' Ultimates, so if anyone is willing to go out there and get one, please let us know!

Make sure you're dance ability is up. A good basis of ballet, jazz, and modern technique will help tremendously. Be able to do at least 500 drop spins on each hand. You should be comfortable with a variety of tosses (peggy or silk tosses, 45s, and horizontal). Any weapon skills will be a good asset. If you can toss up to a 5 now and work on a 6, you'll be in good shape! If not, just trying it at the 1st camp will show the staff that you won't give up. Make sure you can do both right and left spins in technique block. Perform, perform, perform!!! Good luck!

Is that a book deal I hear? "Winning At All Costs" by Sebastienne St. Jacque will grace the book shelves Spring 2009! Be one of the first 26 to order and get a complimentary used dance belt. Don't delay, or risk the drive-by (or should I say scooter-by) hurling of baby carrots drenched in low fat ranch dressing!

ATX hit the nail on the head- Band Directors could undo a great deal of stress in their lives if they know WHAT to look for when hiring someone to teach/design/ etc for their guards. I would mention that who they hire will always reflect on them and their programs that they come to lead. Hiring someone on their staff can make or break them, whether its a competitive or show band. Also, not everyone in music ed knows about DCI or WGI, nor competitive local circuits. If you can, mention them and how they can find more info about it. Having the future band directors spin some flags can really help them understand how hard it actually is, so maybe they'll appreciate it long term. Just going in there to talk about it is already putting them head and shoulders above others going after the same job. Good luck!

Lets ask my band director boyfriend... He says knowledge about staging the guard properly, how to direct the audience's eye to the right place at the right time, and how to properly transition them in drill. Just an overall basic knowledge about how the guard can add to the overall general effect and musicality of the show, not just having them there spinning because they need to be. He said in his music ed classes, they talked very little about marching band and even less about drill/design/and auxiliary. Will you be busting out flags and having them spin anything? Wow, what a great opportunity to bring to light the mysteries of "those flag twirlers"!

NY Dancewear Unitards A great place to look for certain color basics, and they will cut to order in an array of colors. I've used them in the past with success. They also have lots of sizes! Hope this helps and good luck!

I will agree with everyone's sentiments here. Currently, there is no upward progression in the colorguard activity. Take it from someone who teaches and has taught drum corps, indoor guard, and outdoor guard. Do not get sucked into it- unless you have a full time job and can teach on the side. Very few people can live off of their wages in guard, and those that do design with major companies, make videos, travel to schools every week, and revolve around colorguard all the time. Now, if you would like to teach, make sure you pay your performing dues! March an IW indoor guard and a top 5 drum corps. Make lots of contacts, watch tons of past shows, learn every piece of equipment, and take lots of modern, jazz, and ballet classes. Good luck to you!

Oh my... Strange... Good luck!!!!