whatsnext?

Hats and Shackos off to you Anthony and the rest of the Buglers Hall of fame for a wonderful show and day of Drum Corps! The day was filled with very talented individual performers and ensembles. A very good day. So much talent displayed in the individuals contest. Truly a tough day to be a brass judge! As always it's great to have the opportunity to mingle with the legends that built this activity. For the Individual Soprano contest, Wow! I'd be proud to perform with any and all of you that was a tough race. I'd pass the very classy award to South Jersey for the "Old Style" Soprano line. Nice job all! Such a Good day! I better get to work on next years solo!

The placement of Holy Family quickly caught my eye! When this show went on I was 4 years old it took ten more years for me to join up with Rockland. I'm not familiar with the show they did or the size of the corps. Today though the Baritone line is 20 + Bari's and Euphoniums :) Contras I think are 9! Mid range is about 12 + and Sopranos 20 - 25 + The Brass line is HUGE. Something that I am very proud of 60 + horns. It's really cool to be in the middle of a wall of sound! But... I agree, someone does have to come in at the end of the pack.

Five weeks away! This show is a good one. Our area Boost 3 Very Good Drum Corps and this show will be one that you will not want to miss. In addition to the 3 Alumni Corps we have Smaller ensembles, Percusion lines and Mini Corps that love to display their stuff. Let's not forget the Individuals Contest. With the many buglers and percussionist that hail from this area this show could be an all nighter if we all were to enter. Hey, a note to any person that is considering entering or are on the fence about it... GO FOR IT! It's such a rush! For you Individualist, You don't have to be professional musicians to perform. Just take the first step and the rest will be pure excitement.

Back in the 80's I was browsing a music store here in eastern Massachusetts. I had been out of drum corp for a couple years. I was a reed player, a yes a wood wind. But a Euphonium Bugler none the less from The Defenders. Then another casualty But NOW REBORN! as a all age Alumni Corps. While at this store I saw a familiar horn. I imediately bought it for my small and growing collection. The horn is a valve rotor Soprano the beaten up case was marked "EPOCHS" I still have the horn though I did toss the case which I do regret now. The start of this post list a lot of dead corps and I think I found the Epochs on your list "Epochs, Garfield, New Jersey". Anyone have any info on the drum corps. I like to know the story behind my horns.

Congrats Dan on all your work. It was a wonder show. Thanks. Hey Ct Alumni, You guys were just Awesome! There was Great music made today. I'm looking forward to next year!

Hey Dan! I'm looking forward to the show. I'll be tooting the Euphonium this time. Hope I can get all the bad notes out of it before the show.

Here's a link to my Trombonium. This is a picture from BHOF Garfield. Though it may look a little like the Shoulder Euphonium that was shown they are not one in the same. I play both horns though my Euph is the traditional horn you hold way out in front of you. It has a sweet deep resounding tone. It makes all the other baritone players jealous. My Trombonium kind of rest on the shoulder if your arms get lazy and it sounds like a trombone in many ways. Mine is a two valve horn and I wish it had the third valve so I could play it in some of the other B flat groups I perform with. When transposing concert baritone parts for a G bugle many times It puts me into 4 flats and my brain gets overloaded and shuts down.

As a bugler, is there anyone who will be playing Taps in honor of those who died on September 11th. A few weeks ago I got word of a memorial service for the fallen and I felt compelled to offer my euphonium services for Taps. Those of you who've done this before can admit that the experience is like being on the field for DCI finals. I plan on being brought to tears.

What a day! An afternoon of awesome performances, talent, laughs and good times. These Hall of fame shows are just wonderfull. See you all in Bridgeport!

I have a Dynasty Euphonium. I prefer Euphonium over Baritone. The Euph has that rich deep tone that a bari can not attain. My Euph is Three valve G Bugle. I have played it with corps that use G bugles and I have played my G Euph with Bb horn lines. With the Bb lines you get to play in more challenging key signatures when transposing. haha. I had the opportunity to play a Kanstul Euph once. The valve action on that horn was far superior to my older Dynasty. The sound was very similiar in regards to tone and quality. I played a King two valve Euph recently and again great sound and tone. Two valves will limit you on the scale though. As for Baritones... Naw, I like my Euph.

Bump- bumpbump pa- dump Phil, Maybe I can try out for the bass drum line?

This Sunday is our Open house and the start a new year for this group. We are playing a few of our favorites from last year and some new tunes that we will see on Sunday. This Corps is a very talented and dedicated group. We're serious about playing and sounding Awesome and we know how to have fun. We have a very diverse age group ranging from late teens - fresh age outs to grandma and grandpa. I'm somewhere in the middle. We have a big horn line. Our arrangements are top notch. The drum line is awesome. Our color guard is wonderfull and adds all the flair. This Corp was my corp when I was just a kid. It taught me all kinds of skills and things that I have brought with me through life. The traditions such as excellence, respect and Love of performing are just as evident as they were 30 years ago. If you're looking for a group to enjoy these things, If you have just stumbled back into Drum Corp after being away for years, If you're new to the game then consider dropping in Sunday or sending me an email. If you do drop in to see us this week-end then I hope to get to speak with you. I'll be the guy holding the Euphonium with a big smile on his face. Dan

That's awesome!

One week away! Come on down and check us out! Bring your horn sit in with us. Last year was a blast. This year will be even better!

I agree Phil, This year will be awesome. I can't wait to get started.