MCA Public Relations

Reason #17: VE (no kidding!) MCA ROCKS!

Reason #16: Fran Haring!!! ...nuff said!

Way easier to just break down and buy a G bugle.

Reason #15: The Golden Eagles The Golden Eagles Mini-Corps are the 2004 DCA Mini Corp Champions and also the defending MCA Invitational Champions: winning the inaugural event held in Harrisburg, in 2007. For 2008 the Golden Eagles Mini Corps will be performing an all new and very exciting show which will feature a variety of music, including some Latin, Classical and Jazz. Look for something very different in this year’s show and be prepared to hear a number that will bring goose bumps to even the most seasoned drum corps fan. The Golden Eagles

POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony is this coming Thursday... at the Albany V.A. Hospital, Wednesday, April 9th at 1:00 pm. An ensemble of seven CB! members will perform the National Anthem, Taps and "America, the Beautiful".

Reason #14 Mass Brass As 6-time New England, 2006 Mini Corps Associates and 2007 North American Mini Corps Champions, Mass Brass continues to place among the highest echelon of competitive Mini corps at the annual Drum Corps Associates, Mini Corps World Championships. Featuring a classic drum corps sound infused with modern day musicianship and voicing, Mass Brass performs timeless drum corps favorites from such noted drum corps arrangers as Larry Kerchner, Buzzy Bergdoll and Rick Connor. This charter member of Mini Corps Associates looks forward to entertaining the Harrisburg fans with their ‘in your face’ style. Be prepared to be BLOWN AWAY! Mass Brass

Remember that, when you "re-learn" it for the G bugle, it'll be in an easier key, and you'll already have the pitches and intervals in your head. So the second go round will be much faster.

Who is UNAFRAID of being ... Reason #13?: Ghost Riders The 2008 Ghost Riders musical presentations will take you through "Americana" like never before. “An American Celebration” Opener : Battle Hymn of The Republic (warm up and opener) William Tell Overture ("I Got William" aka : "The Lone Ranger") Ballad : American Elegy ( The Columbine Tribute) Closer : Ghost Riders In The Sky Always among the top competitors, and one of the most sought after corps' in the Mini-Corps activity: The Ghost Riders

Here's another activity they're involved in, Jim... Although many Alumni Corps have preferred to stay away the competitve arena, this spring two HISTORIC corps' tested the waters in BHOF Mini-Corps competion: Seldon Cadets and St. Rita's Brassmen First of all, I was DELIGHTED to see a couple of great Alumni programs be represented in the caption. But, not only did they BLOW the audience away, they also did really well on the sheets, too. I was on hand to see both corps', in Garfield and Bridgeport. And, to say the least, they were impactful, entertaining and excellent! Maybe just another option for alumni types to consider!

Reason #12: The Amoskeag Sound Hailing from Manchester, NH, The Amoskeag Sound is one of the performance groups sponsored by The Muchachos Inc. Well known as "the corps that keeps the ‘mini’ in mini-corps", this small but powerful corps has already been a proud and powerful Ambassador for MCA in 2008: participacting in the early season I&E shows. The Corps has competed, with much success, for just over a year now: in the Bugler's Hall of Fame, Drum Fest and DCA World Mini-Corps Championships. Their smaller than average numbers doesn’t keep them from being ‘big’ on excitement and entertainment. Look for lots of familiar sounds, and a WHOLE LOT of fun! I've seen 'em, and believe me... you DON'T want to miss them! The Amoskeag Sound!

deleted sorry, I used the wrong ID to respond MCA has nothing to do with the Interstatesmen Alumni website. While I'm here, tho..... MCA ROCKS!

Nice get, Sara! Congrats!

Reason #11 MCA's Newest Member: The Reilly Raiders Brass Ensemble In exhibition, The Reilly Raiders debut their new brass ensemble, presenting a touch of Broadway with some Irish Flair; with an original score By Chris Killian: "SING DANNY SING". MCA welcomes this new representative of the historic Reilly Raiders!

To expound on Reasons # 6-10: The Mini-Corps That Started it All!!! The Thunderbirds! The 6-time DCA World Mini Corps Champions will bring it, on April 12! The Thunderbirds hold the highest score ever awarded in Mini-Corps competition: "105.0 in '95". The Thunderbirds Minicorps 2008 repertoire includes: A tribute to the late great Maynard Ferguson featuring: “"Blue Birdland" "Theme From Shaft" "Goldfinger"” and a Wild West Medley including: “"How The West Was Won"”, "Hang Em High" and "The Magnificent Seven" Always among the very best Mini-Corps, year-in and year-out: The Erie Thunderbirds.

Reason #2: You won't have to get directions to the party, later. (It's at the same hotel)

Okay, let's try it THIS way: Top Reasons to Attend The MCA Invitational: Reason #1 There's a BAR!!!!! ...within a short stagger of the performance hall.

I was thinking of doing a Top Ten Reasons to go to the show.... ... but we all know where it would go (cash bar). No mystery really takes the wind out of a top ten list.

Here's the line-up for the ... MCA Invitational, in association with Serenade in Brass Saturday, April 12, 2008, 2:00 pm Crowne Plaza Hotel Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 2:00 pm Reilly Raiders Brass Ensemble, in Exhibition 2:15 pm Erie Thunderbirds - Erie, PA 2:30 pm The Amoskeag Sound - Manchester, NH 2:45 pm Ghost Riders - Batavia NY 3:00 pm Mass Brass - South Boston, MA 3:15 pm Golden Eagles - West Sayville, NY 3:30 pm Excelsior Drum and Bugle Corps, in Exhibition The highest scoring mini corps will appear in exhibition that evening at the Serenade In Brass Concert at the historic Forum. The top three scoring mini corps will appear in exhibition at the Harrisburg Crowne Plaza at the party following the Serenade In Brass Concert Time to step up and support events like this by ATTENDING! .......And BRING A FRIEND! We need another SRO crowd, to send a message that the public wants exciting and entertaining events like this!!! (mca rocks)!

Those of you who have seen a Mini-Corps contest: I realize that you KNOW this already... If you HAVE NOT seen one... PLEASE... don't misled by all the hyping, posturing & good-natured bickering we all put out on DCP. The corps are not THAT good. They're WAY better than you imagine! Mini-Corps is a REAL serious endeavor... with some of the most exciting shows and most talented performers that you'll see in drum corps! Sure, they're all having a BLAST. But every one of these corps' arrives prepared to blow you away with the very best in drum corps sounds! A dizzying variety of styles, hot soloists, excellent percussionists and blazing hot horn lines! (even some VE... really!) I KID YOU NOT! April 12 - 2:00pm - Crown Plaza, Harrisburg. It would just be SILLY to miss this show! More to come....... (mca rocks)

Nice job of pulling off a great show, Cru! The "off" season just keeps getting better with events like this. Congrats to Donny and Ghost Riders! Way to represent! MCA Rocks!

Nice job yesterday, Andy! Would just like to add..... MCA members Amoskeag Sound and Capital Brass! both competed in the event. These two corps have been regular participants and supporters of the new I&E shows, since you guys got this all going again, last Spring. Thanks Amoskeag Sound, for coming all the way from New Hampshire to help make this show even better than last year! edited 'cause I forgot to add...... MCA Rocks! next up: HARRISBURG! ..... April 12th

WATCH THIS SPACE... for several releases of IMPORTANT info over the next few days! re: The MCA Invitational, in association with Serenade in Brass Saturday, April 12, 2:00 pm Crowe Plaza Hotel Harrisburg, PA yeah... I know some inside "stuff".... but, I can't tell you just yet..... (mca rocks)

STILL only March... and these corps' have put together a dynamite show. (note MCA powerhouse Ghost Riders will be in the house) This show is a great way to bring it out to new fans! Kudos for putting this together. And have a ball tonite! Make sure to get pics for us......

Don't Forget! Saturday, April 12...2:00 pm 2:00 pm Reilly Raiders Brass Ensemble as Exhibition 2:15 pm Erie Thunderbirds - Erie, PA 2:30 pm The Amoskeag Sound - Manchester, NH 2:45 pm Ghost Riders - Batavia NY 3:00 pm Mass Brass - South Boston, MA 3:15 pm Golden Eagles - West Sayville, NY 3:30 pm Excelsior Drum and Bugle Corps as Exhibition One of the best entertainment values you'll get this season! MCA Rocks!

As of today, there were still rooms available at the Crowne Plaza ... even some at the Serenade in Brass reduced rate. If you stay there, you're right on site for the after-show party... AND, of couse.... The MCA Invitational - Saturday, April 12.. 2:00pm