Rachel

I liked the beginning of 1996 better than 2008.... musically.

I just think having it on my computer is fine. I can hook it up from my computer to the tv alright, so why have this too? I am still watching some old VHS once in a while. I haven't caught up on those yet!!

Personally, I love the silence before the 2nd place winner is announced. In that 1 second (or two if the announcer is a ######) all of the tension, suspense is pulled together. All of the coughing, laughing, talking stops. Everyone takes a breath in all at once. You'd be able to hear a pin drop, or a heart beat... except everyone's hearts stop for that brief moment. I believe this moment is most dramatic for the members on the field, then to the alumni in the audience, and then to everyone else. But if the corps did their jobs that night at their performance, we were all in it together, as one. We were all on that field, feeling the music with the members. We were all out of breath together at the end. The only difference is that they can't clap and stand up.... they get to march off the field. As soon as that 2nd place winner is announced, the season is over. That's why that last breath of x season wants to be savored longer than the rest.... it's the last one we get.

From a pit member's perspective, I loved when they announced amping..... I mean, look at it this way: we get to now play with some sort of 'technique' instead of just beating the crap out of our instruments to be heard, or always having to choose the hardest/heaviest mallets out there to project the sound up to the danged box. We can play with dynamics (what?!), yes DYNAMICS and use what we learn in college in the pit and be MUSICIANS instead of cavemen and women. Using the mics for certain effects I believe to be alright, too..... to an extent. Breathing..... NOT IN DRUM CORPS. But I was mic'ed for a part of our show one year, while going into the percussion feature, I got to scrap mallets across the chimes. Now, instead of having to use the hardest nastiest mallets on those poor chimes, I got to just use plastic ones. The chimes appreciated that greatly. So did I, since I wasn't screeching and creating a terrible noise so loud that I became deaf..... that sound was coming out of the speakers, though! :D Don't get me wrong, it would have been possible without being amped.... but it saved my ears and the instrument. That is why I am a fan of electronics in the pit.

Oh and by the way.......... beginning of August is raining season on Florida. Way to go, DCI.

Rose Bowl--What practice site are we gonna use again? None. Find your own. Citrus Bowl Orlando--Ghettoville. Don't try walking around the stadium, you'll get shot. Forget about going across the street to try and get food after performing or at intermission. Denver--Lovely parking lot, beautiful for the pit (we like pavement). Practice site availability? There is none. Learn to share a parking lot. Perkins Stadium--No. Bloomington--Pit Nightmare. Nice weather. Veterans Mem. Stadium Jackson, MS--Nice bathroom availability. Madison is amazing. I could list 100 reasons why. Really, I could. But I don't think I need to. This poll speaks for itself.

It's really because I loved both shows and the scores seemed fair. And because holy crap, Phantom finally won in my 'lifetime.' (I've only been in and around the activity for the past 8 years......)

That's be a video I'd pay to have. I mean, THAT'S entertainment. And I'd also like to see what ticks they are calling out, what they are actually hearing to give corps' such crappy/way too high scores. I want to hear what is being played for a judge so it can justify what is being put down in a caption.

Yeah, I showed up to marching band first...... but I didn't start DOING anything until I decided to do drum corps. Drum Corps was when I ARRIVED. :D

I'd help out if there were daycare there. I love kids. And watching the kids of drum corps fans would be like watching nieces and nephews. Family.

That's wonderful! I haven't really been 'in touch' with the other directors... the list on the site isn't updated even with us yet. And the forums are just so numerous, it's hard to keep up!! I'm not a full time director, I am a student as well as a babysitter and a member of an active senior corps. We have been holding our rehearsals at Crown Point High School in Indiana, my alma mater. But I have yet to get sponsership from the city (cheap SOBs), so we haven't as yet settled on our headquarters yet. We're waiting to see if we can get a deal from a nearby joint. Maybe secure even a home show for all of you to join us at. (If you don't know where Crown Point is, it is about 30 min West of Michigan City, almost on the border of Illinois/Indiana, next to good ol' Chitown.... Chicago.)

Howdy to All! My name is Rachel Hulen, founder and corps director for The Valkyrie's Drum and Bugle Corps, the world's finest and most BA all-female corps ever to see Division One competition! I will use this thread to update all you forum'ites about what is happening with our corps. Later on when the webmaster has more free time to work on our website, I will be refering to that a lot more. But for now, this will be our main forum. We have been fortunate enough to fill our corps this year, with the maximum amount of members. I am pleased to announce that these women came ready to work and there is no end in sight.... watch out! They won't let anything stop their rise to the top. These ladies have an amazing work ethic and can't wait to show the world that women ARE better than men, and can do it with style! Our drum line is set at: 9 snares 5 tenors 5 basses 5 cymbals 11 pit members Our Drum Majors are: Elizabeth Boleyn (Head) Tzu "Zuzu" Hsi (Assistant) Our Show for this season is: "Death's Victory" Song Selections (may be included, but not limited to the following): Selections from "Medea", Samuel Barber "Angus Dei" (Adagio for Strings), Samuel Barber "Ostinato" (from "Mikrokosmas"), Bela Bartok "Sanctus" (Canon in D), Pachelbel A drum corps show is an on-going production. We are always adding, subtracting, modifying, fortifying sections of our show. These songs are the meat of the show, but the sauce is what is going to pull you in and dine with the Valkyries.... Thank you for taking interest in our corps! I will update as often as I can between rehearsals. Rachel S. Hulen More to come.... Staff Names (perhaps a blurb about each) Season 1 Section Leaders Tour Schedule, including parades, exhibition shows, and free days Audio recordings of the corps from rehearsals Uniform Design and Colorguard outfit concepts Hornline and Colorguard lineups Sponser Information (yes, we love free shtuff)

The Valkyries don't mind having another day of rehearsal. I don't want to take away the fun of those few people that enjoy participating in I&E. The day before finals is a crucial one. We have to clear our heads. Some members like to participate, but we like to have a BBQ and spend all day making everything perfect. (So that's an 'abstaining' vote for us)