Canuck DCGroupie

I think thats a great idea but probably should be in the afternoon. Isn't the alumni event Sunday morning at 10:00am? You would probably get a lot of the alumni crowd to stay and pick up some of the crowd coming in for finals which start at 5:30pm. I for one would end up hanging around all day and only have to move to which ever seat I have reserved for the respective show. This would also be a bonus for people who are coming from out of town like myself. We would get to see more shows. Excellent idea!

You mentioned Crusaders. How are they doing? Hope they make it to Open Class.

My family and I caught the parade. One of the highlights for sure was the Empire Statesmen. Their size and sound was incredible. I know Drum Corps usually don't do alot of parades but Empire just seems to have a knack for doing them. They play to the crowd and the crowd always responds. It was great seeing some of their alumni marching along with them and I am looking forward to their home show July 5th.

Will the Statesmen be debuting their show before Rochester on July 5?

Thats great, one less thing to worry about, good luck this year.

Timmy How many horns do you have? When you say you have a full horn line do you mean 65? If this info is private for now no problem, just asking.

Timmy, That is great to hear. I only made that judgement based on what I see and read online. It is great to see both Rochester Corps "loaded up" for this season. Good luck this year!

1-Empire 2-Bucs 3-Bush 4-Cabs 5-MBI 6-CV 7-Brigs 8-Kilties 9-Renegades 10-Hurcs or MCL Its hard to get a feel for this so I based alot of the above on both last year's performances I saw at finals, \reviewing corps websites, looking at staff additions etc and of course reading DCP. This is one of the reasons I placed Empire at the top. Their weakest kink last year was drill and they seem to have corrected that with Pete Weber. Also Jimmy Steele is back to run the brass. I have a feeling that their show will be a real tear jerker especially for the older DC crowd. I love the music Bucs have chosen, Ode to Joy will be a great closer for them and they have great staff already in place. They won't change much. I only placed Bush over Cabs because I feel they have been improving each year. I would love to see MBI move up as well. I too am concerned that Renegades and possibly Brigs are having numbers problems. I also heard and see constantly on DCP that CRU is still looking for members. This can't be good especially this time of year when most corps have their music wrapped up and are hitting the field. Being a longtime fan, I know that this year will be great again and I am looking forward to Labour Day. I wish all the corps great success this summer.

Another great drummer from Ontario is Joe Shuker. He marched Cavs around 2000. He too worked in Burlington is now with Dutch Boys.

How long was he in Sarnia before going to 27th Lancers? Apparently he is back in Burlington helping off and on with their band.

Growing up in Southern Ontario in the 1970's there were many more youth bands; the Burlington Teen Tour Band and 2 or 3 from Windsor being the most prominate. There were also a ton of drum corps. The Burlington Band is primarily a parade unit that tours mainly in the summer and does a major tour every year or so. Recently they went to to Rose Bowl (fourth visit). In the 70's they and the Windsor bands would compete in the Detroit area in fieldshow competitions and once in a while you would see them at a DCI/DCA event as an exhibition unit. Vince Bruni came up a few times and taught Burlington's drill. There have been many Burlington kids jump to drum corps and as stated in this thread, they were drummers. A few went to Toronto in the 70's and one snare drummer went to 27th Lancers. I know for fact with the Burlington Band they had and still have an incredible feeder program and a great drumming program. Their instructor is a former Commander (Lorne Ferrazutti). He is also connected with Optomist Alumni. The Windsor bands have since folded or are smaller versions of what they use to be. The Burlington Band is still going strong (180 members) and is under the management of the City of Burlington and a well established booster organization. Any bands or Drum Corps left in Canada that I have seen are in th 50-80 membership size today.

Empire Statesmen-G

An amazing Pete Weber drill

Really looking forward to hearing this year's summer music! (and of course all the other classics) Will be your best $ spent this week as it will be going to a good cause. Bring all your friends and family, I am. See you on Saturday Statesmen

I just want to confirm that the Winter Show this weekend starts at 7:00pm PM on Saturday, is that correct? What other groups will be performing at it? Thank you, A big fan.

I recommend that you make it to one of the Statesmen's Winter Shows, you will be in for a treat. All the buzz about their show this year is true and they will not disappoint. You will also be helping a local school's music program raise some much needed money. Their show this year is going to be amazing.

I think it would be incredible and quite the experience for all alumni who are currently marching in the above mentioned corps to once again (even for 1 day) be a Statesmen. As a spectator, I think it would be quite moving for the fans and past /current Statesmen. It would also be one of those once in a lifetime "Kodak" moments especially being in Rochester. Keep signing up alumni and give us fans a show to remember!

How do you buy tickets for this show? I want to come down but don't want to get there and it is sold out.

Can you post that picture. It would be great to see.

I guess thats one of the reasons Empire switched to black pants. Black looks better anyways.

Congratulations Empire on an incredible addition to your staff. Just another reason why you are one of the most entertaining drum corps!

I think there will be way more resistance to these changes as most DCA Corps are managed/staffed by DCI people from the past. Also, most DCA corps have limited budgets and don't want the added costs associated with these rules.

Did you go to the Salem Show? I went and as far as I could see, it was close to 3/4's full. I also saw alot of Bluecoats supporters at it and the event was a DCA competition. One of my favorite shows this year because of the appreciative crowd and the fact that MBI and Corps Vets from Atlanta came all the way across/up to compete. Empire Statesmen sponsored it as well. Sorry just wanted to mention the attendance as it wasn't almost empty.

You will not be dissapointed when you go to a DCA show this year. DCA is rich with tradition and talent. I have been attending more DCA shows in recent years than DCI mainly because DCI (shows) left Canada years ago. A family member is playing DCA in upper NY State and loves it though she would love to play in a DCI Corps. The diversity of style within DCA corps is amazing. There are corps like The Cabs who have stuck to their style pretty well from the beginning. Corps like the Renagades and the Empire Statesmen still play on G Horns even with younger memberships and are there to entertain the paying public. You have corps like the Buccs, Brigs, Crusaders etc, etc, who have great traditions behind them and continue to entertain. There are corps in DCA that have history in DCI such as the Kilties. I attended DCA Championships this year and was amazed with the smaller corps as well as the Alumni units. These alumni corps have both DCI and DCA histories. Enjoy the 2008 DCA Season! Its going to be the best one in years.

I understand but I have seen posts in the past by others (including you) rehashing old news of "purging". Any record that needs to be set straight should have been done years ago. That was the early 1980's. This is 2008. I have also seen you compliment Empire! I am not in Empire but do enjoy their style of performing. If I could I would probably play with them. I don't know what happened in the past. This thread is about their future.