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.

So now I can get the sneak peak? I won't let Fred know.

That's not fair Fred. Steve, How do I get my sneak peak? I'm low brass too.

I'm ready!

Just have to write a solo now. I have to let it brew for a few days. Definately a trombone number

Thankyou, if anyone gives me a hard time about this horn I'll tell them you said it was ok. I like the unusual and I agree with you on being ahead of it's time. I want to use it more in small group ensemble

we are looking to add to the I&E portion of the show. Hey Dan, with Plymouth over now and no rehearsals until after Christmas. It's time to prep for the I & E. Maybe I'll enter as euphonium. Is there a category for Trombonium? the other dan

Saturday night was AWESOME for all corps! Whether we all just had our game on or the moon and stars were in align what ever. We all just rocked the house. I perform with two of the corps so I did not see any of the show. Something must have been working for us all in the church hall that we warmed up in. We got ready and we brought it to the show. The part of the show I saw was the afternoon run throughs. I must admit that Bridgemen were always my favorite as a kid and 30 years since the last time I saw them it has not changed. They just blew me away. Words can't describe it? At the end of one of their songs they were playing so loud the drum major turned around and saluted the crowd and turned back to the Corp and raised his hands and they got even louder. After their run through I went down on the floor to tell their DM just how appreciative I was for there performance. I felt as if I were amongst the Drum Corp Gods

The latest weather report is the best and will sure compliment the great line up for the parade and the show. Weather report has it as partly cloudy and 52 degrees. Very nice for the Plymouth Parade. For all of you that have that 6 hour drive ahead of you, I almost wish I was on the way to plymouth too because I'm so excited. But, unfortunately I live only 25 minutes from the center and have to wait in anticipation for the sun to rise.

A Trombonium?! I haven't seen one of them since Santa Clara and 27th in the early eighties. I too would be interested in this horn. Please send pic and price.

At Noon today, just after church The congregation assembles at the flag pole to hear a list of servicemen and women from the area that both died for our freedoms and that are enlisted presently. After which there will be Amazing Grace played on the Bag Pipes and then a moment of silence. I will then play Taps on the Euphonium. It's a pretty powerful moment.