blue blooded pirate

Think it might go better if it were on their lips.

The concept of parity is interesting. I for one believe that parity is already in place. Here's why: The very second the DCA Championship is awarded, that season is over. There is no corps any longer and the new season begins. Every corps at the very moment is even... no membership for the next year, no instructors, no music, no drill, no shows, no concept. They have NOTHING. Not the Champs or the last place corps. They are all even with NOTHING. There is free movement.... everyone is free to go about their business for the next season. How much more fair can that be? DCA/DCI needs to do nothing... it just is. From there - they build. Maybe with some, or all, of the same pieces. But they are all vacant, save maybe the corps who have elections for Exec Board. In most cases, including Bucs, the membership can change up to 2/3... making it a whole new corps. If they can win, that is a testament to the players and the staff. The difference in the dominant corps is what they begin to do at the moment they arrive home. The great ones solidify returning members and staff, begin talking show and concept, get the dates for rehearsals set, etc... The others - wait to see what the plan will be. See what will take shape. While the Champs and top corps are writing music and aligning for another successful season, the rest are wondering what is next. Throughout the season, the top corps are making huge changes weekly, while others are playing catch up for the previous week. There are no guarantees that the 6 time undefeated champs have number 7 in the bag... they are just working harder, smarter and more consistently to the end game known as the DCA Championships. Just like everyone else, the day after DCA they have nothing. The fact that Reading has been good over the past several years with completely different, entertaining, and well executed shows should not be punished... they just put the puzzle pieces together faster than anyone else did. One the TV show Survivor, that's enough to win a Million. In DCA - the first one to put it all together wins a Championship. If you want to talk parity - consider the day after Championships... they can't be any more even than ZERO.

In an effort to increase exposure, performance quality and the enjoyment of all involved, The Reading Buccaneers Alumni, the Schuykill Haven Belvederes Alumni and the Emmaus Sentinels Alumni will be combining forces for the King Frost Parade in Hamburg, PA on October 30, 2010. One of the largest parades of it's kind in the region, the King Frost is the an annual pilgramage for people in and around the Eastern PA area. With the combination of the three Alumni Corps, the size, sound and excitment of Drum and Bugle Corps comes alive in this quiet little Berks County town. Hold onto your mittens - we're Loud and Live in Hamburg. For members of each organization, here are some details that were sent out today: Music will be the Buccaneers Alumni arrangement of America . Street cadence with be the Sentinels street beat. Main guard: Buccaneers & Belvederes. Performing guard will be Sentinels & Belvederes. Uniform will be black pants, black shoes, and black corps jackets or long sleeve shirts with individual corps baseball cap. Main Guard flags - not discussed - possibly each corps carries their respective flag after the American Flag and possibly the State flag. Three drums majors, one from each corps, will lead the corps. Name for Contract will be “Alumni Corps United” Featuring the Belvederes Alumni, Buccaneer Alumni and the Sentinels Alumni. Dates as Follows: First Drum line rehearsal Oct 10th Schuylkill Haven 3:30 till 5:30 Corps rehearsal Oct 29th Hamburg 7:30 location to be announced Parade Hamburg Oct 30th 7:30 with pre parade picnic @ 5:15 Corps warm up at 7:00

My prediction is simple... Every corps will develope a show, recruit members, learn the show, put it on the field, judges will give them scores and one will be called "Champion." Every organziation from top to bottom of every circuit will do the same thing. As of today, no corps has a show that is ready for the field in 2011. Each and everyone of them ended the same way - with the 2010 season behind them, while 2011 looms in the near distance. Right this very minute there is no 2011 Reading Buccaneers, 2011 MBI, 2011 Empire Statesmen, 2011 Fusion Corp, etc. The magna doodle has been erased. The Etch-A-Sketch has been flipped over and shaken. The iPod has been cleared. What makes the difference? The organization that puts it all together and the members that make it happen. Congrats to EVERY DCA corps for an exceptional 2010 season - and best of luck to all for an even better 2011.

Gave up my last 2 years to march "senior" corps... best experience of my life. I made 2 large junior corps lines the same years, both placed Top 3 those years, but cash and living arrangements became an issue. Today, you need to consider what you expect from the program, what you are willing to put into it, the time you have to truly commit to a program and audtion for the organzation that best suits you. The experiences the younger members of the recently completed DCA Championships are no diiferent than those of the DCI corps and the competition is just as, or more, intense. Few corps, few spots, tight scores, great organizations. The DCI touring experience is a great one - but the stress of not having the money could be a bummer... find a way if you can. Either way you can't go wrong. What color is your heart and blood? There's only one way to find out... get on the field!

Any failed corps in an area makes starting a new one even harder. If as the one post notes that this scenerio played out before in the same area, potential new members will have a "wait and see"attitude. None of these corps will exist. Only skeletons of what could have been 1 very good corps with patience, communication and perserverance. I went through it and the players are devistated as look for "home."

Hey, Sevens: I'm a mark... bring it all and show us all what you got!