jacksop5

Great review BigW. Thank you for taking the time. I always look forward to your reviews. I am excited to be going next week to Reading and look forward to seeing ALL the corps. Jack

No DCI for me. Started with Bucs Alumni fall of 95. Shortly after I joined Bucs competing corps. for the 1996 season. I was 13. We were very small, but made our way back in the top 10 at finals playing a John Williams show. If anyone recalls, the Bucs were all but dead in 96. Marched with them through the 2001 season. I got to be a part of the "rebuilding years" of the Bucs we know today. I took a few years off, about 8. You know, moved to Jersey, got married, had three kids. The whole 'life' thing. Last year, I rejoined the Alumni and am loving it. I would love to go back someday. Maybe when the kids are older. I would have never been able to pay for DCI back then. DCA gave me the great drum corps experience, without the hit to the wallet. If you can do it, DO IT!!!! You wont regret it.

CONGRATS ON A THREE-PEAT ON YOUR 50TH!!!!!

I just want to say that, I never said the Bucs were a "Lock". They may have a very good show, but the Cabs and Empire also have very good books, and are obviously catching up. You maybe right about the "copy-cat" thing, and you are intitled to your opinion, as am I. Didn't mean to make you upset, just saying my opinion. Just because i support the Bucs, doesn't mean that i am speaking for the corps membership, or organization. I like to support all the corps, and the programs that they do. THEY, are what dipicts what DCA, and Drum Corps future will be. Good luck to all the corps. Championships will definetly be interesting. Jack P.

Boring?? i don't know if i would call any of the corps shows boring. Hard, definetly. I guess shame on the corps that want to challenge themselves, and also put out an entertaining show?

Thats a nice thing to have as a Class A corps. The power of a vote, and $$$$. jack p

Ok, i can agree with that. When I said grow, that doesn't just meen in size. Just because your a small corps doesn't mean you can't produce a quality corps. The year the Bucs played batman,(not sure on year, early 90s) they had a very small hornline and finished in top 5. Just because you have a small corps, doesn't mean you can't have great success. Oh, sorry for all the references on the Bucs. Its the only corps i marched with, so I know the most history about. These are just examples.

Here is an example of what the new rules are doing. Before 1996, the Buccaneers were out of the Top Ten (at this time no Class A) for years. There for, they were not a voting member. The corps was on the virg of going under. 1996 prelims, we made it back into the Top Ten. Look at them since then, they worked their way up throught the years, and now they are 2 time defending World Champions. Why any corps. that would not want to grow, and better their organization is beyond me. This is a great thing, and makes it easier for a corps (not that it is ann easy task) to grow their ranks, and move up the chain.

i haven't played the dynasty Bb, so i can't say how it is to tune. but when i marched, i know it was always a battle to tune every note on a G. in particular, the kanstuls were harder to tune than the degs. and i know this because we had a mixed sop line for years, and the degs just played in tune better. although, i personaly think the kanstuls flowed better.

agreed, an out of tune hornline can be loud, i would also take a hornline playing at F who is in tune (goosebumps), aposed to one out of tune playing FFF.

I believe the difference between a band and a drum and bugle is the fact that there are no woodwinds in a drum corps. not that there is anything wrong with woodwinds, I like the sound of a good symphony, or concert band. They work great indoors, in a controled environment. They just get lost outside.

Agreed. I was just wondering what corps. are using Bb and who is using G. This was not intended to start a debate on G vs Bb. So, I am sorry if I stirred the pot. :sshh: Jack p

Great to hear that. Its good to see new corps starting. I saw you guys at Clifton, and I thought you guys and a full, rich sound. Not bad for 24 horns or so. (don't quote me on horn count. I just took a quick count at clifton.) Good luck, and keep pushing. You'll get through the first few years, and establish yourselves as a good corps. jack p

Sorry, i must have been misinformed or misinterpreted what someone said in the chambersburgh topic. :( jack p

how about brigs, sun,? i know fusion uses Gs being that the Bb is still with in its first few years in all age, and a used G horn is probaly easier to find cheap than Bbs