bluestarsmello

Blue Stars. A neat thread with lots of stories and pictures.

There were so many rookies the first year I marched Blue Stars (2002), and with that much tradition and history in a corps and not very many vets, it could have been a bad year for the corps as far as retaining the idenitity and image of the Blue Stars. But there was a lot of alumni on staff, and one in particular that I think was the most instrumental into turning that into a break out year for the corps--Ben Chamberlain. He was the percussion caption head as well as program coordinator (if I remember correctly) and one of the most intense people I have ever met in my life. He just bled Blue, and his passion seeped into all of us. I think every day he said something that I could think about for the rest of the day. And after our Finals Performance (which to this date is the most amazing performance I've ever had on a personal level) he said the quote that defined that season, and we all remember: "The only thing that kept your heart from bursting through your chest was the buckle you wear on your uniform." He's still on staff with the Blue Stars, and that makes me happy. A few other alumni that I know really amplified the intensity of my experience with the corps are: Rich Connif Eric Miller Nick Young Brad Furlano All of those guys just had/HAVE! so much passion for the corps and for giving that passion to others.

I thought they looked dirty before we got the new unis in 03 because the straps were centered on a different place on every person. Now with the way they are designed, it's completely uniform and crisp looking, IMO. Me likey.

heh.

I definitely go with Phantom. They are so dramatic and classy looking at the same time. But I gotta give some love to my Blue Stars. The only corps wearing a real buckle anymore. The crosstraps are iconic, and look pretty snappy on the field.

aw, this is making me miss madison soooo much. i love that city. i'm gonna move back someday.

I just got it. B) It's not actually in reference to the show, but if it wasn't for BD 95 it never would have become one of my favorite phrases.

That's how much I liked it.

We did it in 2002 and 2003. Actually some of my best memories. After about 20 minutes of that (without messing up) you can't help but to feel like a total ######.

Blue Stars-Jerusalem of Gold (Corps Song) Wouldn't have it any other way.

Funeral March by Edvard Grieg

Hey, I know I thought BD 2000 uniforms were ingenius!! The way they were all black on the back, and then the flags were as well. So many great visual opportunities there that they totally capitalized on.

hahah yeah, i still have the badger cab number programmed into my phone for that exact reason even though i'm not living in mad-town anymore. madison isn't that big of a city, so the fares aren't going to be a lot. plus with all the drinking we know is going to be going on, it's your best bet anyway!!!

Someone might have answered this already, but it's basically the entire opening through the big hit. Listen to the contras, and pay attention to the gong right on the fff (er . . . right around where it's supposed? to be).

That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the title of this thread. I don't think anything beats those spooky sounds!

yeah well the future opinion of those 2 shows has yet to be determined. not everything hated in the present is loved in the future. i think star is a bit of an exception to the rule.

I don't think there's any question about how they would be received. Star is basically revered in the drum corps community for what they accomplished in the late 80's early 90's. Being a drum corps youngster (comparatively) it baffles my mind that people would boo any of those shows. I mean okay if you don't LIKE the show, but how could you not have respect for the obvious talent and intensity of the performance? Star took what drum corps was and innovated without changing any rules. And I'm not even so much talking about show concepts, as to what a corps could accomplish on the field, similarly, I think, to Cavies 2002 in the visual arena. Ok sorry, I'm OT, carry on.

That's kind of funny because the guy that doesn't like that particular Cadets show started this thread.

Yeah, that hornline (BD 98) had AMAZING tone quality and intonation, but their book was so exposed, and they just couldn't hack it on attacks and releases. Some of them straight up make me cringe. Star 92 . . . yes.

I thought this was a pretty well thought out post, and I agree with most of it. Touring as a Div.1 corps is probably the biggest change. Last year Blue Stars did more performances than most Div. 1 corps, but I'm not sure about mileage? That's a huge factor. As far as free days go--when I marched with Blue Stars we definitely had less than any of the Div. 1 members I talked to. BUT I think the biggest thing this corps has going for them (or we have going for us, it's hard for me to distance myself from it) is the legacy. I was having a conversation with a friend of mine that marched both Blue Stars and SCV, and he was saying that there is no difference in talent when it comes to the top Div.2 corps and the premiere Div.1 corps as far as he could tell. It was just all about a mindset. So if this group of people goes into this thinking "We're a rookie Div.1 corps, let's just hope we make it to semis." Then yeah. It's not going to happen. But if they go into this thinking "We are the Blue Stars, and we are going to excel at whatever we do no matter what, everything else be ######," then THAT'S what is going to happen. It's all about what the staff and vets . . . and new members . . . do to create that environment. They have their work cut out for them, and everyone pulling for them. It's the Blue Stars. As far as I'm concerned, not only could they make Top 17, they could make Top 12, easy. Will they? That's entirely up to them.

now THAT is tracking.

Yeah seriously that's awesome! I saw Phantom of the Opera there last January when the Overture Center first opened, it was so sweet. I hope the brass ensembles get to perform on the main stage!!! I'll be so jealous though.

Blue Stars have a group. http://groups.myspace.com/bluestars But we should have someone make a profile. That would be fun.

Sorry, but you've been proven wrong many many times. DCM used to have all the corps on the same sheets. Check the stats.

Yeah that's exactly what I noticed about it first thing, very cohesive sound. And when you're not using professional equipment, that type of thing tends to stick out even more. So yeah, awesome.