COUGAR

Just saw this post today (Wednesday 07 21 10). As of DATR in Denver, Troopers had (142) members (including 72 horns and over 30 in the guard). Got this from a very reliable source. They are having problems keeping kids on the field with minor injuries, infections, and such. Missing 7 or 8 at any one time. Recruiting has been steadily climbing since Fred Morris took over as director.

I'M VERY OLD, SO HERE ARE MY RECOLLECTIONS 1. SANTA CLARA (74) 2. MADISON (75, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, THIS YEAR'S SHOW A "RETRO" OF 1975 (SORTA) 3. TROOPERS (73) 4. SANTA CLARA (88) 5. CADETS (02)

Go Troopers

That would be Mr. Fred Morris!

Soundtracks. I watched both of these movies recently and really enjoyed the rich, orchestral composition "DANCES WITH WOLVES" by John Barry and "LAST OF THE DOGMEN" by David Arnold. I have one particular corps in mind that I would like to see perform either of these, but I will leave that to your imagination!

WESTMINSTER PROMENADE (IMAX), WESTMINSTER, COLORADO

Troopers. Director Fred Morris is the man! Since he took over: new uniforms, new horns, new drums, guard, pit equipment. Tranportaion is better and more reliable. He has assembled quite an experienced staff of instructors and/or consultants (i.e. Ralph Hardimon). The Troopers went from 20th in 2007 to 16th last year and are battling for 12th this year. (I hope that means 8th place next year!). Even if you discount terms like "sentimental", "mystique", etc, they have come a long way in just three years. I'm sure the Colts and Academy have been and are still working hard to achieve finals night as well. It may turn out to be like a high scoring football game where you get the feeling whoever has the ball last will win! My vote is for the Casper Troopers!

If Vanguard can get within (1) point of BD, it could happen (again). SCV was one point behind at semis in Madison in 1999. Finals night.....tied!

Musical chairs? Bada Bing Bada Boom!

Thank you, Director Fred Morris!

Thank you, Director Fred Morris!!!

I'll go with this one!

Some of the "other" corps that I wish were still around (does that make them legendary?) from the 1970s include the 27th Lancers, Kilties (Scottish style corps from Racine, Wisconson), the Bridgemen, Capital Freelancers, the Skyriders, and the Argonne Rebels (there are, I'm sure, many more). If my memory serves me, all of these corps made finals at least once and most were multiple finalists. I suppose these are "legendary" to me because of style, uniforms, musical themes, etc.

Wow! Not even close, but I was at Philly in 1975 (Scouts 92.50, Vanguard perfect G.E. percussion). Madison, 1999 (Blue Devils and Vanguard tied), Buffalo 2001, Madison again in 2002 (I think this was the Vanguard alumni corps that did the bottle dance), and my home state of Colorado in 2004 (Took the whole week off work, went to I and E competiotions, practices where corps were staying, etc. Quite a feast! When retirement comes.....

Amen. What ever happened to what was once called M and M ? (marching and manuevering). A lot of judging seems so much more subjective (i.e. general effect, visual, etc)

your right. blue was a better choice

they were white chairs in Denver

ditto

YEP, I BELIEVE! THE FIELD PASS (DAN POTTER) HAD AN INTERVIEW TODAY ON DCI WITH THE D.M. AND DIRECTOR. SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE A TOP NOTCH INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF AND QUITE A FEW VETERAN MEMBERS. IT ALSO SEEMS THAT THEIR SHOW DEVELOPMENT IS STILL EVOLVING WHICH MAY MEAN SOME MINOR REWRITING OF THE MUSIC/DRILL TO ADD A LITTLE MORE POP. AFTER ALL, THEY SCORED A 78.800 TONIGHT IN EDMOND WHICH WAS A 1.55 JUMP FROM LAST NIGHT. I'VE SEEN THE COLTS AND MADISON AND AT THIS POINT, IT SEEMS THE COLTS ARE THE MAIN COMPETITION (THEY DO HAVE A VERY NICE SHOW). THEN OF COURSE ACADEMY IS NOW LESS THAN (8) TENTHS BEHIND THE TROOP, SO IT'S GOING TO BE TIGHT. I'M HOPING FOR SOME SYMETRY HERE. PLACEMENT 2007: 20TH PLACEMENT 2008: 16TH PLACEMENT 2009: 12TH. IT JUST MAKES SENSE, 4 SPOTS EACH YEAR, RIGHT?

OSMOSIS???

No need for apologies. Someone posted after me clarifying that the Troopers have most of their camps in Wyoming (Casper, Laramie, or Cheyenne). That is absolutely true. It's the attempt to recruit nationwide that is of immeasurable benefit. I think Nov. and Dec. are the auditons in other states, and Jan thru May, all of their camps are in Wyoming. They did try (2) camps this year in the Denver area, but one was cancelled due to snow. I don't know if other corps are quite as isolated (i.e. distance from a major travel hub) as the Troopers are, but that's where they started and probably will always remain. As for Boston being the 1st to recruit outside their area, I have no idea. I'm thinking the upper echelon of corps these days don't have to recruit too hars, but I could be wrong.

I understand Casper is not exactly the center of the universe. However, they have audition camps in Texas, Tennessee, and Indiana. Also, Colorado is "just down the road" and has some excellent H.S. talent as well as C.S.U. in Ft Collins and C.U. in Boulder. (The Blue Knights out of Denver also get their pickings too). Last year the Troopers had (5) kids from Japan! Back in the 1970's, a lot of kids were in fact from Wyoming, but at that time, corps took in younger kids instructed and nurtured them along into their late teens. Nowadays, it's akin to college football. Older kids go from corps to corps to try and get that ring. Not saying that's bad, it's just different from years ago and makes recruting kids a lot more difficult if your not a top five, top ten, or top twelve corps. But, as we've seen with Crown, it can be done! Plus, the winters in Casper are balmy, the summers are cool, and the wind NEVER blows......Uhhh, not!

Troopers: Didn't march at all in 2006, then along came Fred Morris, the director. New staff, uniforms, horns, drums, transportation, etc. Placed 20th in 2007, 16th last year, and hanging around 12th or so this year. An earlier post noted that Crown was 16th seven years ago and look at them now. If the current director hangs around a few more years or someone of his ilk takes over, I could see the Troop breaking into to the top 5 and then who knows....

Thanks for your interest. I thought Wikipedia had everything! Anyway, if you want, the website is http://wjmb.org

They were quite good. Twenty national vfw championships up until 1960 and several championships at various band competitions in the 70's and 80's. Sadly, from 100 to 120 members in their heyday, they are now down to about 10! Perhaps they will rise again, but it sure was fun back in the gool ol days! Oh, by the way, without dropping any names, one guy I marched with is now a corp director, another guy marched with the Reading Buccaneers, so there was some talent that arose from our little corner of the world.