barigirl78

I know there were weather issues that disrupted practice. But, any weather-delayed show impacts corps differently.

I don't know if this happened: Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps @Crossmen · 2hATTENTION SALEM: Our show is delayed! We will be stepping off at 9:23pm. Thank you for your patience!

That's funny. But, I've often wondered if the Guitarist, the bass player, and the trap set drummer could just play Immigrant Song by themselves with a random vocalist singing.

Will they take 62 year-olds? Asking for a friend.

Looks like I didn't read all of the Facebook Post. Here is the Crossmen schedule: Tuesday, 7/30- driving from the Salem, VA show to Kennett HS (Kennett Square, PA) [Note: they are in the Chester show and this isn't a bad drive to there] The corps will be at Kennett HS until after breakfast on Thursday morning, 8/1. Thursday, 8/1- after breakfast the corps will move to Coatesville HS and will rehearse there until leaving for the show in Allentown on Saturday, 8/3. [Note: While not super-close, Coatesville is closer than Kennett Square] After the Allentown show, the corps will house at Trexler MS in Allentown and then attend the banquet on Sunday, 8/4 before heading to Akron, OH for a show on Monday, 8/5.

Housing found. Kennett HS in Kennett Square, I'm told.

I do not know what happened. I only know that they found a replacement. I don't know what the plan is for getting them into the show. How long does it take for a guitar player to learn a drum corps show? (Questions we never asked "back in the day")

There are thunderstorms coming through. Current forecast says "Isolated" between 4 and 7PM. I hope someone reports from the show. I am very curious about the Crossmen's guitarist situation. They had to find a new guitarist and I don't know if they can get into the show this fast. So, will there be a guitarist? If there is, how do they do? If there isn't, what does a guitar-centric show look and sound like without a guitar?

The Crossmen Alumni spontaneously began a "sponsor a meal" program after the season began this year. It has been amazingly successful. Almost all the meals have been sponsored. Some are by individuals. Others are by alumni from a specific year pooling resources. I think people really respond when they know their money is going to something specific.

I feel my answer requires a backstory. I am Crossmen alumnus. I was at the very first practice of the corps—before we even had a name. I am still an active alumni. Over its 40+ years of existence the Crossmen (1) rose to the top 12 in its third year, (2) dropped out of the top 12 a decade later and were in danger of folding, (3) came back and were finalists for another decade and a half, (4) dropped out of the top 12 and moved to Texas, (5) Came back into the top 12. The corps has a motto, “when all else is gone, the Bones remain.” it’s based on this history of always coming back from possible extinction. I have never stopped supporting the corps. When they moved to Texas, I flew down to participate in History Night. The alumni maintained the continuity of corps traditions. It is #### hard when a corps is down to come back up. It’s when they are down, that they need the most support—not just financial support, but emotional support Whatever it is you don’t like, can be changed, but dead corps stay dead. (Footnote: The Crossmen were the result of two struggling corps in the Philly suburbs joining together. They were soon joined by remnants of other dead or soon to be dead corps like the Bracken Cavaliers and PAL Cadets)

Crossmen just had their housing fall through. People are scrambling to find them something.

I'm just finding this out now. But, I can't seem to find out why. Can anyone enlighten me?

Thank you for this. Appreciate the work.

The only difference was that their grouping was split between the two nights at Allentown. Mandarins played on Friday. They went on the same time on Friday as Crossmen did on Saturday--8:46.

Wow, that was fast. They filled the spot.

I wonder what their back up plan is if they don’t get one by the Chester show. It would be interesting to replace the guitar features with a trumpet soloist.

I agree about the competitive aspect. But, I’d also add that the Crossmen/Mandarins/Cadets competition also intrigues me. This will be an enjoyable show.

This is a repeat post to the Allentown thread. One corps in Crossmen's group of three has been pretty #### lucky in the three-way draws. I just wish the Crossmen had won the later slot in this one because it's kind of a home show for the corps' Northeast alumni. At this time of the year, 8:46 is more "under the lights" than 8:29 and this will be the last time I see the corps live this year. I know it is statistically possible, but in every single regional this year, the Mandarins have won the toss for being the last corps to perform in the 10-12 group. That's #### lucky. They've gone on last in this group every show and the Crossmen and Phantom have flip flopped. Edited to add: I calculated the odds of winning a three-way draw three times and it's 3.7%. Yes, Mandarins are pretty lucky. Has this happened in any other three-some where the same corps one the "toss" three times?

There are certain "legacy" placements for Saturday night. The Crossmen and Cadets always play Saturday night. One because of their history of being a Pennsylvania corps and the other because, well, Allentown. When Cadets were in the Top 6, the show was guaranteed them being in there and it was more top-heavy than this one. As far as how they split the other corps, it's probably determined as they put the schedules together. They may even have done this on purpose to increase ticket sales on Friday vs. Saturday if there was an imbalance. (I only go on Saturday because that's when the Bones Alumni picnic is. Frankly, I think that if the rest of the schedule has minimal head-to-head competition among the top 3, it makes Indy more exciting.

I know it is statistically possible, but in every single regional this year, the Mandarins have won the toss for being the last corps to perform in the 10-12 group. That's #### lucky. They've gone on last in this group every show and the Crossmen and Phantom have flip flopped. Edited to add: I calculated the odds of winning a three-way draw three times and it's 3.7%. Yes, Mandarins are pretty lucky. Has this happened in any other three-some where the same corps one the "toss" three times?

Unfortunately, my friend is having a birthday dinner tonight and I can’t see the rest of the show. Enjoy it, everyone.

There's an 80.

First time watching the entire Trooper show. They were quite good. It's obvious from the close-ups that they are mostly young. Let's see if they can position ahead of the Scouts.

I can't argue with that. But, I wish they'd swing for the fences a little bit more to stand out in their tier. The Memphis group has done a good job of standing out and creating an identity. Genesis could do better.

Has Genesis ever played the music of Genesis? I missed the name of this show. It's seems to be about NYC or something. I'm not sure the grey pants help the corps proper visually. They need a few more colored accents besides the tie.