CrossmenAlumni

Based on what I recall, YEA was formed before the Crossmen became involved, and they were the first corps (other than the Cadets, of course) to become part of the operation. The arrangement began in the off-season between 1995 and 1996. George was actually brought in to be on the Crossmen Board of Directors in 1995 to help try and solidify things and it was clear that the corps was not going to survive much longer, even then. By the time the 1995 season ended, the corps had about $700 to their name and it was all but over. From what I heard, when the idea of bringing the Crossmen into the YEA fold was brought up, YEA initially declined. George and Jim Coates (Crossmen director at the time) sort of greased the wheels to eventually make it happen. I'm sure there is more to all this than what I'm saying, but I'm not completely aware of all the specifics so I would rather not speculate any further. What I do know is that at the time, YEA was a small organization. The Cadets and USSBA...and the band circuit wasn't nearly as large as it is today. So I can see why the YEA BOD was hesitant to take on the expense of another division 1 drum corps. While the Crossmen were associated with YEA in 1996, they didn't become a full program offering until 1997. That's the season when (I believe) Crown signed a consulting agreement with YEA as well. At points during the following two seasons, Magic and Boston and the Sunrisers also had consulting agreements. They were not full program offerings and therefore not "part of" YEA in the same manner that the Cadets and Crossmen were. They maintained their own BOD's and were separate entities who contracted YEA for specific pre-agreed upon services. When the Crossmen joined YEA, they became part of YEA in totality. As they do with the Cadets, YEA owned the name, the logos, the licenses, the equipment, the vehicles, everything. As well as the debt. So it has been 12 years that YEA has assisted the Crossmen. A very long time. Many ups and downs, for sure. But in the end, we can only be grateful that the Crossmen are still around considering how easily they could have disappeared forever. It's awesome that the Crossmen are an independent corps again, and I am eager to see what happens in the future, but I have to be thankful to George and all the people at YEA over the years for all they've done to keep the Crossmen going this long.

In that case, while it isn't in the same league from a performance excellence standpoint, the 1999 Crossmen version is probably the MOST faithful to the original.

You'd think so! But sadly, that is not usually the case. Believe me, I know...I feel like I've been saying the same things over and over for years around here. If the Crossmen had a nickel for every time I've stated the facts surrounding the whole "feeder corps" myth, they wouldn't be in the red anymore. That's what it feels like, anyway. In general, people believe what they want to believe. So many myths, so many misconceptions, so many exaggerations. Certainly, the Crossmen era with YEA has seen its ups and downs. It just is what it is, and thankfully, we can all now (hopefully) turn the page and move forward. The last thing I'm interested in right now as an alum is assigning blame or pointing fingers or dwelling on stuff that might have gone wrong in the past. There is far too much to be excited about as it relates to the Crossmen FUTURE. Turn the page, the next chapter is gonna be AMAZING! :)

You obviously don't know the definition of a feeder corps then. The Crossmen have never been a feeder corps for the Cadets. I've got the rosters to back it up. Yes, the alumni and the CAA have a long way to go, though they have come very far as well. This is, simply put, put up or shut up time for the Crossmen alumni. If, as is claimed, the major road block to their support and assistance was the corps' involvement with YEA, then we should see a pretty significant swell in financial support come rolling in now that the corps is independent again. I personally don't think that will happen...we all have our theories about what will really happen, but it all remains to be seen. Bottom line is there is no shortage of passion amongst Crossmen alumni. Harnessing that passion and focusing it into tangible support (financial, manpower, volunteering, etc) will be the biggest challenge we face. There are no more excuses, and maybe finally we can put an end to the days when many Crossmen alums were defining the Crossmen based on what the Cadets were doing. (cue the Beach Boys...) "Wouldn't it be nice...." :)

1980 Crossmen 1981 Crossmen (I think) 1988 Crossmen Soprano features playing each other's horns. Neat stuff! :)

The cost was minimal. But the effort in getting them made and the effect it has had on the audiences has been well worth it, IMO. Incidentally, these capes have seen the marching field before. They were originally full wrap-around hooded cloaks used by North Penn HS back in 2003 (gotta plug my team!).

Thankfully, "continuity of heritage" is priority number one with the Crossmen Alumni Association, and has been for many years now. Even more thankful, the new administration is eager and more than willing to embrace that heritage. They've been incredible from the get-go in trying to learn all they can about the corps and its past, and to work with the alumni and the CAA on helping us to help them. There is a lot of hard work ahead for everyone involved, but there is so much about which to be encouraged. The pre-show was no accident. It's a huge "THANK YOU" to everyone who helped keep this drum corps alive when it probably could have faded away long ago. :)

This was just posted by Rick Reedy, Crossmen volunteer coordinator and alumni president..... "The Crossmen stayed in Madera, CA at Madera South High School last night after the Clovis show. A decision will be made this morning as to the location for the rest of the week. The corps will either go to Bloomington, CA or Norco, CA. The housing situation is being worked out between Fred and Hop, all appears to be headed to a happy conclusion."

Among many other things. Are we still talking about this??? No beer for you! :)

Nope. But nice try. He has every right to not be engaged by the show or that section of the visual presentation. In fact, I stated several times that he can like or dislike the show as he pleases. But questioning something like a staff's level of inspiration or motivation or work ethic without having direct knowledge of what their specific process was when putting their show together is more or less impossible. Unless he was on the staff or around the corps a lot. Which apparently he was not. How would you like it if I listened to the Blue Stars miss a horn release and then go online to say something like, "Wow, it would be nice if their brass staff would actually work on attacks and releases once in a while. Looks like they just don't care about the fundamentals." See what I mean? I'll say it again...I don't care if he likes the show or not. And if that part of the show came off as less than what he hoped for, FINE. I'm OK with that. Just leave the other stuff out of it because it's impossible for anyone who is not involved to actually know. Are we done with this silliness yet?? Next round of drinks are on me... :)

I snuck my handheld tape recorder onto the field for retreat that night and made a recording of Brandt Crocker announcing the scores. That moment is kind of hilarious...(not to make fun of what must have been a difficult night for many Phantom folks). I'm sure most people expected the 8th place corps to be SCV. Or maybe Crossmen. But not Phantom. After all, the spread between Crossmen and Phantom got BIGGER from quarters to semis. We had never beaten them before that season...or EVER for that matter. So when he announced Phantom in 8th, there was this very slight pause of absolute stunned silence. A split second. Then this enormous cry of outrage and disbelief. And believe me, nobody was more shocked than we were standing there on the field. Then when he announced SCV in 7th, the screams got louder. It was a very surreal night. Still have that recording. Along with SCV playing Tradition and the Bottle Dance to us on retreat. Great stuff! Heckuva night to age out! :)

He's been with the Jersey Surf in one capacity or another for many years. I think he's still there, but not in change of the brass anymore. More a program consultant or educational director or something. Not sure. Never worked with another junior corps (div 1) after Crossmen, to the best of my knowledge. As for "running" the hornline, that was Scott Slutter. :)

Shorty was with the Crossmen during the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Great guy, and a man who definitely made an impact on the corps in more ways than just running the hornline. It was an honor to march in one of his lines.

I remember playing for Star at a couple of retreats that year. I think we only did that on a few occasions, and for only a couple select corps. But I always enjoyed the opportunity to perform that song for another brass section who we obviously had a great deal of respect for. I recall playing that song for Star of Indiana one night, and after we were done, a member of their hornline laughed and said, "You guys are GOOD." Nice memory. Great summer! :)

My day is going perfectly well, not ruined in the least. Thanks so much for your concern. "Clearly says" TO YOU, perhaps. Whether or not that is the reality of the situation is another thing altogether. Again, if it didn't come off well to you, that is fine. Questioning their motivation or the work or thought or inspiration they had when they put it together, that is something to which you honestly have no idea. Unless you've discussed this at length with the design team. Which I assume you haven't. Like the show or don't. Hate that one part of the show or don't. But the things you're talking about you have no way of knowing. And as another person said, if it came across that way to you, there had to be a better way to express it other than the way you did. That's all. Thanks for the review...

Check out George Hopkins' blog from recent shows in Oregon... If anyone thinks these people don't care at all what people think of their efforts and the efforts of their kids, they are out of their minds. It's about perspective. People want to paint everything with the same brush...they care about competition, or they care about winning, or they care about art, or they care about getting applause. Well, they care about ALL of that stuff to a degree. George knows the show isn't for everyone. But you can be sure that when the crowd reacts, he loves it and wants to hear more.

Ignorant statement #2 from you. Nobody is saying that everything Marc writes is automatically the best thing ever written. What you're referring to, however, is whether or not what he or the other designers did was inspired, or had considerable thought put into it, or was given incredible amounts of time and work to create. You're making it sound as if these people are just phoning it in and could care less about what they've done. Ridiculous. I've seen Marc work with this corps as well as many of the other designers this season. To even remotely imply that they had no inspiration or didn't care about what they were doing in creating this show is 100% absolutely false, and quite frankly, it's a pretty dumb comment to make. If the show didn't work for you, that's fine. Nobody says you have to love it. There are indeed flaws in performance and in design. As there are in every show. But leave the questioning of their motivation and inspiration out of it. It's the kind of judgment that, unless you're in the room with these people as they create the show, or in their heads, you have no way of making with any sort of credibility.

I'm sorry you didn't care too much for the show, but the bolded comment is pretty unnecessary and, well, ignorant. If the show or that part of the show didn't reach you, fine. Such is life. But to question the motivation or work ethic of the design team because of it is just over the line to me. Hope you enjoy the rest of the season, and thanks for the review.

I don't know when South Brunswick did a Billy Joel show, but when they did, it had to be many years ago. In this decade, they have been predominantly doing wind ensemble Robert Smith type stuff. There is no conceivable way I could imagine the Cavaliers even knowing about an obscure (for the time non-BOA) NJ band doing a Billy Joel show and then waiting several years to copy it.

Here's one... In Meta 2, in the original arrangement you wrote, there is a moment where First Circle gets overlayed on top of what the pit is doing for their feature. Then in the background, the trumpet "siren" segment takes place, intended I guess to be played backfield or at different directions around the stadium to create a neat little musical effect. That trumpet part has since been removed from the show, although the part is still being played in the pit. Obviously, there are some rhythmic demands to that part that are quite challenging in relation to tempo and everything else going on during the show there, and I can see how it would be a pain to clean. Yet without that trumpet part, it seems as if that whole section of the show really suffers from a "what's going on?" moment. Musically it sort of lays there until they start building up to the neat little unison jazz lick. I can still hear the siren part in the pit, though it doesn't come off as prominent, but I'm not sure anyone else would even know it's there unless they heard the original parts you wrote. I guess I look at it as a missed opportunity at creating a very nice musical effect...which is one area the corps seems to be struggling. Any insights into why that part was removed? Or if there is any chance on adding it back in or substituting something else during that part of the show to create more musical interest at what seems to me to be a lull in the musical presentation? Thanks for your work and creativity. Love the show! :)

If that caption is their downfall, then it's just something that didn't work out. Because I know they've already made changes and will likely make more to help bring that number up. In the end, if it doesn't work out, that's just life in a competitive activity. I agree the members are working hard to take care of that over which they have direct control, and I have to think the design team is doing their part as well. I'm encouraged by some of the changes I've already heard in the APD. :)

Only by people like you who have no clue. Get back to us when you learn what the definition of a feeder corps is. Since joining YEA back in 1996, around 1% of Crossmen members have gone on to march in the Cadets. And that ain't what a feeder corps is. FACT. Hey, what a novelty...a fact in a thread like this!

I certainly hope you're not saying what I think you're saying, i.e. that the only thing that matters for the 2007 Crossmen is scores and numbers and placements. Considering all they've been through and are working for off the field right now, that would probably be the saddest thing I could read from any alumni...acknowledging that we would all, of course, love to see our corps in finals. Perspective, folks. Patience. We want them to do well on the field and score as high as possible, but this is an organization that requires a look at the bigger picture right now and in the coming months. They can make changes. And it's clear they have. I noticed several in the APD I heard from San Antonio. There are only so many hours in the day, however. My guess is that there are some more tweaks in the works and schedules need to be plotted out in order to make the kinds of changes they feel they need to make. These things take time, can't put em in all in one day. And by the end of the season, if it's not meant to be and they don't recover, then hopefully it will be a lesson learned. What I can say is that excellence does count for more than people think. If they tighten up the things they need to tighten up from a performance standpoint, their effect scores should rise as well, and then it's a matter of just seeing where everyone ends up.

:) Glad they included the Crossmen pre-show.

Good point. I bet there were FAR more people who predicted that Phantom Regiment would win DCI this year than who picked the Crossmen to finish in single digits. And who knows? Maybe Phantom still has an outside shot, but right now they're in sixth place. Hype is just that...not meant to be taken so seriously. Keep fightin, Bones! :)