DCIguardgal

GO DAWGS!

Just another bump. I hope you can get at the very least your memory card back.

It's not much of a "legend". I've seen some occasions where a corps I've marched with has fed others, and I've watched other corps feed others. It's a shame it happens, but it does happen.

Wow, that's quite a handful of people who march DCI from UGA. Awesome. UGA = for me. GO DAWGS!

Ever since I started drum corps in '02, I've always wanted to age out at Phantom. I took this past season off after 6 years, and hope to be a part of Phantom for my age out this coming season. I haven't fully decided on my back-up corps yet.

CONGRATS PHANTOM!!!! :worthy: :worthy:

2002 Teal Sound-- Only made it to Prelims, and don't really remember what was going through my head. 2003 Teal Sound-- Made it to Semis, and it was a rollercoaster of emotions because we had a great performance but knew it was our last. 2004 Teal Sound-- Finally performed in Finals after 2 years, but it was bittersweet because my parents couldn't make it. 2005 Spartans-- I was happy about the performance, happier that my glasses that had fallen off didn't get stepped on, and even happier when I got some water. That day was brutal. 2006 Spartans-- I was just happy to be back in Camp Randall, where it all started for me. 2007 Spartans-- I was a WRECK. I knew we had an amazing performance, but I was crying my eyes out because I knew it was the last time I would ever march with my brother.

Back in 2005, Spartans and Oregon Crusaders were at a show together. We (Spartans) went on right after them, and their colorguard stayed behind to watch our show. After we came off the field, we were laying our equipment down to go circle up with the rest of the corps. I assuming it was their guard captain who approached me, but she was asking me if they could roll up our equipment for us while we were being talked to. I was in my rookie year with Spartans, didn't know what to say, so I grabbed my captain who was just catching up to us and she agreed to it. So as we were being told how the show went, OC's guard stayed behind to roll and separate our equipment. It was something that was greatly appreciated because we could load the truck quicker and spend more time talking with one another. Another year, I believe 2006, Spirit's food truck had broken down and Spartans provided them with breakfast one morning. In return, at our home show, they gave us peach cobbler. That put me in heaven considering I grew up in Georgia and had recently moved up north.

Do you have a Panera Bread near you? Often times, they're willing to donate the leftovers from the day to non-profit organizations. Cinnamon crunch bagel on tour? Also, if it's not very last minute, call a local Olive Garden and speak to the General Manager. They do "Hospi-Runs" and donate salad, soups, breadsticks, and a pasta dish. Homemade rice krispy treats, brownies, cookies (and Gatorade!!) are always the quickest way to a corps' heart!

Well, if you were in Teal Sound 2001 performing "MeTEALlica" then I'm sure the Metallica tat wouldn't be a problem. =) I have a couple of tattoos, one is designed around a show I marched (but is not a corps logo), one is easily hidden since it's on my foot. The other is hidden so long as I'm wearing pants. I see no problem with tattoos being visible, so long as they're not offensive to anyone. If I'm asked to cover the one on my leg, then I will, no questions asked.

Where's the button for none? The band I used to march for would do shows more like "Drumline". The band director had a burning hatred for Drum Corps--and the one student who marched it.

Wow. I definitely wish them the best. If I wasn't figuring out a way to buy a tire of my own for my car, I would have donated to their fund. Being one of their former competitors, I was always happy when they were at the same shows. Not just so I could see their show, but the corps as a whole was so classy. I remember after one show, their guard rolled our guard's flags, and even separated them by the movements, while our instructors were talking to us. It's sad to hear bad things happening to great people. I really hope they can stay on their feet and make it to Indy.

Agreed. It's somewhat of a "darned if you do, darned if you don't" situation unfortunately.

It's interesting that you mention World Class by 2010. Back when I marched, Michael Butler had dreams of becoming Division 1 (now, World Class) by . However, I would like to see Teal Sound stay in Open Class, along with Surf and others. You can have the quality of World Class and become one of the power houses for Open Class. I'd like to see something like that happen with Open Class, rather than seeing the corps' jump to World Class and stay towards the lower-half of WC. I'm not saying that that is what will happen, but it seems to be the trend.

Well, if you're going simply based on what dci.org says, then technically it's Cadets with a 98.7. But that's clearly a typo.

I would love to see Crown or Phantom take it since they're my two favorite corps. Plus, it'd be nice to see/hear someone else win the title other than the usual 3 suspects.

I think they're fine. Although they do remind me of Star Trek.

Michael Butler, the founder of Teal Sound. Without him forming Teal Sound I would've never had the chance to march as early as I did, or probably would've never marched drum corps.

Citations-- Definitely stronger than last season. Their guard is already quite clean and I would say the strongest section of the corps right now. The horn line isn't terribly strong just yet, but give them some time and they'll be up to par for who their instructors are. The drum line is doing good as well. There was the occasional timing issue with feet and the guard, but overall they'll do just fine this year. Targets-- They weren't at the Beverly show, so I don't know how they're doing. Spartans-- I have to admit they were a little bit better than I thought they were going to be. It's clear there has been staff changes and that they are a much younger corps this season opposed to previous seasons. They haven't given up hope and you can see that. There are issues with the feet and the horn line is not very strong. The guard is fairly decent, about how most guards are for this time of the season. The drum line is obviously the strongest section and they are playing that up.

Once the guard finishes their choreography and the visual staff cleans the feet some more, I think they'll be on their way to a top 3 finish. It's nice seeing them do so well.

I was there last night, I didn't see actual talking as in having a conversation or laughing. What I was distracted by was one particular girl in the guard who was counting the ENTIRE show. And sometimes you heard her, other times you could tell she was just mouthing it to herself. I've got no problem with someone in the guard counting at certain times for everyone, however if you have to have someone count the entire show out loud, there's a slight problem. Also what was a bummer, was that the guard had maybe 1/3 of their book written. I can understand having some of the show not written, but they lacked a lot of their work. I hope to see them finish towards the top, considering I spent 3 years there, but they've got a long road ahead of them first. Good luck to all the corps this season! I wish I could make it out to Indy!

Personally I had the best luck with Asics. Over the past 6 years with drum corps, they were the best shoes I had. They were light, had air vents in the side (which definitely helped when we practiced in the rain--everyone else was putting on soggy shoes the next morning and mine were completely dry), nice arch support, and last me through 2 full season of drum corps. As for the blisters, make sure you invest in some good cotton socks that go over the back of the shoes. And if all else fails, it'll be a pain, but put on band-aids where you typically get blisters. Like someone else suggested, definitely talk to a podiatrist. And don't be afraid to go into the shoe store and explain them the situation and try a bunch of types on. You never truly know what's going to help your own feet without trying things on.

Generally when I tell people about colorguard, I just tell them that I spin the flag/rifle/sabre. If they seem more interested about what exactly I do, then I'll explain that the colorguard is responsible for telling the story of the music to the audience through our movements on the field. So, it really all depends on how interested the person is when I explain.

I think one thing everyone needs to remember right now is that change can be a good thing. Only time will tell with it though. Peter LaFlamme was an excellent business man. However, he was not close at all with the members--he didn't know anyone's names, even vets who'd been there 3+ years. Knowing some of the returning staff, and staff that had previously marched, I'm confident that they'll get many members to stay for the next season. It doesn't matter how many members actually put on those uniforms. Spartans was never about marching as many members as they possibly could. It was about taking those who the staff knew could do it and making sure that their limits were pushed to make that individual a better overall performer. It was about creating a family, about getting everyone to have the same goal, and getting everyone to go home and make them wish the season never had to end. And the staff did exactly that. I'm positive that the new staff will get those same things from the new members. Any returning vets may feel differently, but I believe that the rookies will have one hell of a time this year.

It's not bad timing at all. Most of the vets are very close with the staff that had been there for many years, that staff was very well liked. The vets I have spoken with are planning on either following their particular instructor to where ever he/she is going to be teaching, some are seeing this as a "sign" to move on to Div 1, others are simply taking a year off. Many of them do not wish to return because they feel like it won't be the same family they're used to. Sure, new faces come and go, but when that many people on the staff (including volunteers) are asked to leave or voluntarily leave that should raise some suspicions about how the corps is being ran, and the vets realize that. It's been very emotional for some of the vets, especially the colorguard. Lennie Machado was adored, trusted, and seen as a "summer father" for everyone, not just the guard. I'm interested in seeing what this new staff does for Spartans this year, and some of the new staff had previously marched Spartans, so I'm hoping to see some of the traditions continue. I wish them the best, and I hope to see them on top still, but only time will tell.