Beckham

In 07 I auditioned for my "dream corps" and was offered a contract in February. Going into everydays we had 13 mellos and 12 spots so obviously one would be an alternate. Through the spring camps I had been given the impression that I had a spot including learning a drill spot in the April and May camps. When I got to everdays I was informed that I was going to be the alternate and when I asked why the mello tech and brass caption head never gave me a straight answer. I was not happy but decided to stick it out hoping I could get on the field. Never did. Spent the entire summer as an alternate. In 08 I didn't go back but instead aged out with a lower tier corps. Best summer of my life. Has anyone else ever had the experience of spending the entire summer as an alternate? How did you feel about paying all that money and working your tail off but never getting onto the field?

I'll be there. Hoping and praying that the weather is good this year.

Haven't seen it yet. Don't care. Still gonna be my favorite show this year.

Sooooo looking forward to see this show. One month until Firstbeat!!

1.Holy Name Cadets 2.Phantom Regiment 3.Blue Devils 4.The Cavaliers 5.Carolina Crown 6.Blue Stars 7.Santa Clara Vanguard 8.Bluecoats 9.Boston Crusaders 10.Blue Knights 11.Crossmen 12.Glassmen 13.Colts 14.Madison Scouts 15.Jersey Surf 16.Spirit 17.Troopers 18.The Academy 19.Pacific Crest 20.Mandarins 21.Pioneer 22.Cascades

It would be nice to march this summer, or next, if I wasn't too old. Or if there was a DCA corps that anywhere close by.

Columbia, SC and now that my Atlanta plans have been canceled because of circumstances out of my control (urgh it pisses me off...) I should also be at Rock Hill, SC.

My question for people that don't like corps jumpers.... What is so wrong about wanting to win? Sure its very admirable for someone to ageout with the same corps they've been with for years even if they consistently place low. But what so bad about wanting to go and ageout with one of the top groups?

I saw it out of the corner of my eye. It was in the general vicinity of that small building behind the endzone to the right of the field. But I'm almost certain it was either one of the light poles for the football stadium or possibly one of the lights for the baseball field right behind it. Either way, it was close, and it was LOUD!

I'll be there. And last year technically was a "lightning-out". Definitely commend the 08 Colts for pushing through their closer and having a great finish to the show last year when lightning hit one of the stadium light poles.

Huntersville, NC worked just fine. Not loud enough to my liking, but besides that it worked fine.

Turns out I'll be going afterall. Since the last time I checked the theater list they added the Birkdale Stadium 16 in Huntersville, NC. Much closer then the other options.

My couch. Don't really feel like driving an hour and a half. Especially when I can watch all the shows at home for free. Bonus: Healthier popcorn

Recently I've pulled out my drum corps DVDs and have noticed the progression from year to year in the video quality. Now I know about the whole thing with IBM in 96-98. The 1999 Legacy DVD looks great save for it being a bit too dark for the top 3 or 4 corps. My question though is what happened in 2000 and 2001? It seems as if the video quality, (and audio to an extent), really dropped off in those two years from what it was in 1999. To my eyes it seems that they took a step back to what it looked like in about 1994 or 1995. Anyone around here that would know what the deal was those two years?

Heard awhile back, (from a reliable source), that Blue Stars are changing to solid blue pants. Dunno if they're still doing that or if its even true though.

Ticket prices aside, the doubled drive time really is a killer for me. I know it's not anything that can be helped as the show had to be moved and District 3 was the best option in the area. But when money is tight every dollar counts. That means cutting back on luxuries. And while I do love drum corps, going to shows is a luxury when I can instead spend the money on something essential. Who knows, maybe things will be better come July.

According to this THIS I've got those ticket prices correct. If you referring to the prices in years past, well I don't know exactly what I paid but I know I could get much better seats for the same price or even lower. There is a difference between paying $30 to sit right behind the drum major and paying $30 to at least be able to see the field over the drum major's head. And in the past the latter was definitely the case.

I just checked out the ticket prices and.....I don't think I'll be going this year. I believe for the last few years in Charlotte I was able to get a seat on the 50 about 20 rows up from the bottom for $25. Now it appears that the first four rows on the 50 are $30 then the price jumps to $40 after that. Sorry Crown, but if you're going to effectively double the cost of going to the show for me with the higher ticket prices and the twice as long drive each way, and all of that for a show with only 9 corps, you won't be getting my business this year.

Just press 0. With most automated answering systems that will usually take you directly to a real person.

Oh you people are funny! I LOL'd!! Cause, you know, no one else has ever used any kind of voice other then The Cadets. I bet if Bluecoats said they were adding 8 more horns everybody would just "BLOO" a little bit louder and say it was the best thing that ever happened.

If you live close to the corps that you want to volunteer with maybe you could check out volunteering at an upcoming weekend camp. While that would mainly only involve cooking/cleaning and not other volunteer duties that there are on tour, it would get you some experience. Also, you could meet the administration of the corps and the some of the regular volunteers that sometimes spend a large portion if not all of tour with the corps.

Not quite sure what your thought process is here. USSBA is an independent circuit that anyone can participate in. UIL is a state circuit that ONLY Texas bands can participate in.

My point exactly.

If by "best" you mean have constant synth playing throughout the show with the brass playing backup to it, and having a 2 minute long synth break in the middle of the show where no one else is playing.....then ok yeah they'll be the "best".

Probably on purpose as a joke. Sets like that are not all that uncommon....