dianeh

Two other Corps that have made the trip from the UK to compete in DCI back in the 80's are Dagenham Crusaders and Basildon Blue Eagles.

And one that's flown out from the UK 3-4 times per year to audition/march with the Blue Stars (along, of course, with other UK'ers marching other Corps past and present) that's how special the experience is so distance can't be the only issue - if you want it bad enough .... As a parent I can honestly say Im glad she chose the Blue Stars - the experience was fantastic!

Im flying out from the UK tonight to support THE BLUE STARS and my daughter (Amy) in their Guard on all three nights! GO STARS!

I can't tell you how glad I am that my daughter is marching with this Corps for her 2nd year - she is the one and only 'Brit' in the Corps Her dad chose this Corps for her as he believed they were "going places" - he was right! That video just about sums up the season so far for all us BS fans - but then it had to go and pan straight onto my girlie right at the end (middle of the 3 guard members) GO AMY GO STARS 16 more Sleeps 'til I get to see you at finals

Must be the British influence

LOL - I heard them from the UK!

Its cold and raining as per - but corps over here are used to that Very rare shows go into the evening as most Corps travel 100 miles plus to get to shows and have to go back home the same day.

She is! Nice accent don't you think lol

I so wish DCI would have afternoon shows like we sensibly do in the UK - its 2.00am in the morning here and I have to stay up for the Blue Stars (my daughter is marching with them) are they on yet??????

ME TOO

I have been involved in marching band and then drum corps since I was 8 - a lot of years! Last year, my daughter marched her very first year - in both winterguard and drum corps at age 17. As we live in the UK and I could only make finals week, of course I was glued to the corps forum trying to catch updates and photos of my daughter and on competition nights until early morning here being behind in time for results. This was only for the short duration of the season which out of the whole year is not much and besides, my child was 1000's of miles from home, alone with no-one there for her. My husband (2nd husband and step-father) - a non drum corps person - did not appreciate this at all, in fact took a dim view of it all and gave me a hard time over making the journey out there, even though I wanted him to come along. He just did'nt want to know. He is now my ex-husband. I think, however, some of this can mainly be put down to one word - ignorance - inherent in certain people - ANYBODY you care about, you at least accept their interests even if you don't quite understand them - I don't like sports really, but I would never give someone a hard time over it! As a drum corps fan, I think if you marry somebody from outside the "circle" who can appreciate your interest, you are lucky. If you marry someone within the "circle" - you are blessed.

I started in drum corps at too late an age to benefit from years of marching, but like most made many lasting friends and memories and taught/was involved with marching bands and drum corps from age eight in the UK and got to march once at Wembley! 20 odd years of being involved in this amazing activity came alive when my daughter stepped out on that field at the Rose Bowl this year to perform. I can't describe how that felt, it was more than amazing and hopefully many more will get that experience

The American military drill makes ours look like child's play - mmm must forward that one to the Queen E. to see if we could liven up the Changing of the Guard a little!!!