StarAlum

I can't believe that Shorty Bartholomew took so long to pop up. 82 Garfield soprano solo at the beginning of the show was amazing. Shorty was an amazing player. Also, quite the lead line. Goober, Shorty and Skeeter. East Coast guys with hilbilly nicknames. Classic!

Star United fields a class A all-age group? Just sayin.

The standard for blend we used at Star of Indiana was 8 leads split into upper and lower part, 2nd and third parts were covered by Euphoniums. I like to think that we put some really nice baritone sections together. As far as what we marched, it was the King. I loved that horn. It played great! My only complaint (Besides the weight) ((It sucked to carry)) was the valves were so big that they had terrible response in technical sections of the music. They were slowwwwwwwwww! I marched one for 4 seasons and would love to get my hands on an old King G Euphonium.

Has Star United gone on yet? Anyone able to do a few pictures of their performance?

Nice Ben!!!

I am seeing something Italian....Gladiator Show? Spaghetti Western Show? Just a thought.

Thanks for all of the compliments. The playing members of the Alumni Group last night hit a home run! It was both an emotional, and beloved experience for me to watch old friends recreate our signature sound. It was also nice to see the video clips of Dubie, Mr. Cook, DVD, and George Z. But, most of all I enjoyed seeing Jim Mason recognize the efforts of the people participating last night. Jim has distanced himself from our group over the past few years and his abscence has been a bit of a mystery to us. However, I have to say that there was one bitter-sweet moment for me as an alumni. It was absolutely amazing to watch the crowd and feel the warmth of the praise heaped upon the group. For those that say we were universally loved as a goup...I beg to differ. During my years I saw, heard, and felt the wrath of MANY unappreaciative fans in the form of boos and other disparaging remarks. I turned to a close friend while on the sideline last night and made the remark that if we would have been received like that more often in the early 90's we probably would not have an alumni corps on the field, but a compteing junior corps. Who knows...maybe not. However, I can assure you that last night went a long way to making up some of the feelings that all alumni from star can relate to. Thanks to those who participated and I wish I could have been there with you!

I am surprised Pittsfield, Mass has not made the list. Great environment for Drum Corps, but a wicked pissah of a field to march. Press box way off center, the crowd being so far away from the sidelines and of course the huge mountain they called the pitchers mound out there. I think we had a snare drummer go down on that field in 86. Another interesting place to pull a show was Rome, NY. If I remember correctly, they took us to the Polish home and fed us to the point of gluttony and then sent us on our way to finish rehearsal and do a show. It was it's own little puke fest after eating all that food. Those people were wonderful up there.

Congrats to all the Mini-corps, but a huge shout out to my home boys! Crongrats guys! Scooter, if you need some help with arranging airfare and such for the conspiricy theorist in the crowd....I would love to help! Unreal performance!

I have not doubt whatsoever that DVD can oversee three incredible Brass Lines operations. Matt Harloff has put together an incredible staff at Crown that can be successful for years to come. Frank Sullivan and Josh Talbott are going to do great things at Blue Stars, and I am sure to expect nothing less at the Scouts. DVD has done nothing but set these groups up for incrdible long term success with a proven technique program that works. Just wish I was 19 and could do it all over again.

I have a hard time thinking that Blue Knights are going to fall this next season. I really enjoyed the visual / drill that Sully had them do. I think that there are great things in store for them visually if Sully stays on board. I found them to be very entertaining.

To all my HOME BOYS! (and girls) Best of luck this weekend and bring another title home! Wish I could be there! As Becky Says...."Don't Suck" Go Star United!

I am not sure I have seen it mentioned on any of the current madison threads, but I would love to know if Tom Hannum is being considered for the position of Drum Caption head. Am I the only one around the loves the way Jimmer and Tom worked together in the past? Is Jeff Lee not one of Tom's guys? Seems like it might be a good match. Would a Tom Hannum drum line fly in the face of the Madison faithful? (Personal Note) This particular flavor of Kool-Aid is pretty palatable for me....I have been drinking this staffs kool-aid for years. I can show you a closet full of Ott Trophies. (Earned Consecutively by the way.) I would still give my big toe to get to march and be a part of what is going to happen to that wonderful group that comes on board next year.

I guess the only one missing from the old team is Hannum.....hmmmm, wonder who is going to do the percussion gig?

Just saw the dress rehearsal for Star United. They have a very nice drum corps.

Hey Karen! Long time no chat..... I think there are some "deep pockets" that you referred to in a previous post that now might be a gracious benefactor of the Scouts organization. I don't know this for a fact, but trust the source. I hope that answers your question. If you need further info, I will be happy to respond to a PM but not in a public forum.

I think having some camps in Bloomington would be a great thing if at all possible. The old Star Hall is a drum corps dream rehearsal sight. 3 fields, no waiting! Also the IU Stadium is 10 minutes away. I think that having the board in place in Madison, remaining a Wisconsin Non-Profit and holding some corps operations in Madison would allow it to remain involved in the community and uphold it's traditions. This has seemed to work out well for Blue Stars the last couple of years. I also think that it could aid in recruiting and camp attendance by centralizing the camp location in regard the Madison's southern talent base. If I remember, Lexington, KY used to provide some great players from the UK school of Music for some of Madison's horn lines. Lexington is 3 hours from Bloomington. I was always surprised to see how many southern boys went there. I have no idea if this is in the works, but I sure hope they have some of the camps in B-Town. I think I am not the only Star Alumni hoping to have a home team to root for even if it is only part of the year. Just my 2 cents.

You guys are going to Love Medworth. One of my favorite people in the world!

George wrote the drill in 85, 86, 90, and 91. Johnny V wrote the drill in 92, and 93, and well most of the movement for Brass Theater and Blast. 91 was George's final drill before he passed away. I would give ANYTHING to have the ability to march in this group. Those kids are going to be in for the ride of thier lives!

Just some random thoughts: Congratulations to the Scouts for bringing Jim Mason into the mix. I can remember my time in Star under Jim's leadership and can say from the bottom of my heart, that they were the GREATEST years of my life. We travelled well, worked hard, and were constantly surrounded by the best teaching talent he could bring to the table. Jim was not afraid to step out of the box and give us show vehicles that were different, challenging, and entertaining. This being done sometimes in an enviornment where the DC fans failed to appreaciate what we were all about. Congratulations to the Scouts for bringing Donnie VanDoren into the mix. Donnie is one of those people that you remember your entire life. In fact, he has been more of inspiration in my life at times than my own parents. He is an incredible teacher and will challenge the members in ways that they never thought possible. His roll in being staff coordinator will bring in a brass staff that is going to introduce a new technique program that is not revolutionary nor very complicated. However, it is extremely effective. I wish I could still march, I would be there tomorrow to play in that line. (At least I have the alumni coprs for 2010!) The program will have a brass line that will be competing for an Ott in 3 years! I am pleased as punch these two individuals have been brought in. The kids are in for the ride of their life.

There are other Star connections there as well....Angie Mefford, Jeff Appel, and of course the tour manager Nancy Brown. Anyone know if Nick Angelis is staying on board? The brass line philosophy is really starting to take hold, and I am only excited to see this group grow and continue to play as well as they are starting to play. It is definately refreshing!

I ran into a friend that marched Cadets in the early 80's and asked him if he had seen SCV this year. His reply was yeah, about 22 years ago. I sort of got a chuckle out of that. I really enjoyed elements of both shows. I think 87 is more sentimental to me, as it was my era of marching. I also came pretty unglued when I saw the dissolving company front for the first time! However, I think SCV did a wonderful job with the book.

I tell you a corps that has not gotten tons of love on this thread that needs some" Suncoast Sound - I might be in the huge minority here, but I loved the 87 Teach Them Quick Show. 84, 85, and 86 were also pretty enjoyable for me.

Nice!!!! I love it!