Imperial

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Actually, I would like to. Not sure if he would want this at this stage in his life. But you are right, he'd be perfect. Thanks.

Percussion Caption Head Wanted, For the Pembroke Imperials Drum & Bugle Corps, South Shore of Massachusetts. This is a paid position. The Imperials are moving forward in their quest to become a DCA field performing corps and are seeking a self starting highly qualified and dedicated Percussion Caption Head for the upcoming season. We are looking for a program builder and not someone expecting to walk into a ready made situation. For this type of person it may present a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something exciting. Duties will include, being present at all rehearsals (2 times a week maximum in Summer, once a week in Winter/Spring), Teaching percussion technique using current Drum Corps Methods, Keeping equipment tuned, Administering all instruction and decisions regarding players and their abilities, Developing inexperienced players to integrate them into the line with experienced players, Developing a front pitted percussion ensemble. Candidate must have a background in Music, a Music Degree or commensurate Drum Corps training with a concentration on percussion and must understand the Drum Corps idiom. Candidate must have a passion for drum corps and a caring demeanor. Candidate must live in the Metro Boston Area Interested Candidates may contact John Stark, Corps Director, or email Resume to pathway500@yahoo.com

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Ah yes, thanks for the invite, Dave and best of luck to you, sincerely, but in case you haven't heard, the Imperials have been back in business for 3 years now. They will need a release to change corps! Sincerely, John Stark, Director Pembroke Imperials http://www.pembrokeimperials.org

PI.

Nudity Banned at Crusaders Sr. Open House Oct. 28 Thank God! Sounds like we should adopt the same policy!! Thanks!

Percussion Caption Head Wanted, For the Pembroke Imperials Drum & Bugle Corps, South Shore of Massachusetts. This is a paid position. The Imperials are moving forward in their quest to become a DCA field performing corps and are seeking a self starting highly qualified and dedicated Percussion Caption Head for the upcoming season. We are looking for a program builder and not someone expecting to walk into a ready made situation. For this type of person it may present a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something exciting. Duties will include, being present at all rehearsals (2 times a week maximum in Summer, once a week in Winter/Spring), Teaching percussion technique using current Drum Corps Methods, Keeping equipment tuned, Administering all instruction and decisions regarding players and their abilities, Developing inexperienced players to integrate them into the line with experienced players, Developing a front pitted percussion ensemble. Candidate must have a background in Music, a Music Degree or commensurate Drum Corps training with a concentration on percussion and must understand the Drum Corps idiom. Candidate must have a passion for drum corps and a caring demeanor. Candidate must live in the Metro Boston Area Interested Candidates may contact John Stark, Corps Director, or email Resume to pathway500@yahoo.com

When we started out again, we endeavored to play G, but we quickly learned that they were hard to get, expensive, not ever to get more plentiful and our new young students found them alien to play. So, those factors dictated we go with Bb. We haven't looked back since. I was relieved that our Alumni from the old 60's and 70's Imperials saw the sense in that and supported our decision. We rarely think of it now, as it's a non issue. JS

Thank you for the very nice words Excelsior PR Manager! You are too kind! Sincerely, John Stark Director - Pembroke Imperials.

Joe, You are hereby granted the esteemed distinction of Honorary Imperial! I think, maybe, you are the first one! If only the T extended down as far as Pembroke you might then be sited on its bucolic roads, carrying your bags in a bag and wearing your winter jacket in July. We shall also dedicate our performance at the 2007 minicorps show in Rochester to you. It's nice to have others speak on here about the Imperials. It's nice that someone mentioned Sully. Sully had the kind of passion that was rare and it is my belief that he had the vision, the capability and the talent to make the right staffing decisions and teach in a way which brought the Imperials out of obscurity and into national prominence. Just before he died, we were in the process of re-organization and he was so supporive. He gave money but more importantly, he never spoke to us as if what we were doing was a pipe dream. His moral support allowed us to take the first step. That is, to believe it's possible. John S. http://www.pembrokeimperials.org

The Pembroke Imperials will be there!!! John Stark - Director. http://www.pembrokeimperials.org

Thanks, Chris! You have always shown your support to us. Best of luck to you as well!

Solari and Roy Join Imperials Staff The Imperials are pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Bill Solari and Mr. David Roy, to consult on Brass and Percussion. Some Imps. alumni may remember Bill Solari, as he was a very talented one time member with the Imperials Jrs. and Srs. back in the 70's. Bill is now the Marching Band Director of East Bridgewater (MA) High School. East Bridgewater High School is currently undefeated in New England for 4 years running. Those who know Bill and what he stands for also know why E.B. has had such success. David Roy is the Percussion Caption Head for East Bridgewater as well, and current Imperials know him for having helped teach us last season. Both men have a more than proven track record for developing excellence in the Marching Arts. They are eager to help in the ongoing development of the Imperials. The Imperials should really thrive under their tutelage. Please join me in welcoming them! They will be at the next weekend rehearsal we have scheduled, which is Sunday, January 21st at 11:00 am. Lets have great attendance and lets get off to a great start! Sincerely, John Stark http://www.pembrokeimperials.org

Imperials: $250.00 LOL

We should rage against the Bush/Oil Lobby Machine! Vote!

I heartily agree with this method. It's important early season for performers to understand where they belong on the field per the chart so they are not rehearsing something wrong all season, only to find as the show gets cleaner that that there is a larger adjustment needed. I would rather live with a tear in the form, early on, so that it points out a problem to be fixed. If the performers just "fill the form" whomever is setting that form better be right or they all are wrong. With this thought process the show will only get so clean. There is no simple method. When you think of it... what's happening on the drill field is incredibly intricate, so a simple philosphy and a dogged belief in one may lead to trouble when trying to apply it in all cases. There are many types of movements and contours. Straight line paths, curved paths, combinations of the two, individual step sizes required, changing step sizes midstream, etc. In many cases in mordern Drum Corps, all these concepts need to be understood and applied. I taught the Boston Crusaders for many years in the 80's and 90's as a visual instructor, so I've always been fascinated by this subject. I started my own company http://www.pathwayproductions.org , because I could never find drill products to help in teaching and practicing drills. John Stark

Fastest generator of large chunks of cash: Parades, hands down.

What do G horns have to do with woodwinds?

There is much wisdom in many of these responses! :) I know this because we are living it. It is easy to start with an idea, but it better be a pretty good idea. Your idea shouldn't be too idealistic so you don't pigeonhole yourselves by having some fundimental, self limiting flaw in there. Hold discussions, bounce ideas off one another to try to prevent flaws. And like people said here... the initial euphoria always seems to give way to a nerve-wracking grind, fraught with obstacles and setbacks. It seems, only corps like the Bridgemen and 27th Lancers are able to get instant momentum, because of their legendary stature. More middle tier corps like us or entirely new concepts have more of a challenge. If you see roadblocks go around them with creative thought. We are learning if you plan for long steady, incremental growth and have reailistic goals, it can be done if you have the will. And oh yes, try to get along. Try to listen to other's opinions, consider them and if you are going to shoot them down, do it with kindness. 4 years ago we said that failure was not an option and so far we haven't eaten our words. But it can be challenging at times. It can also be very rewarding. We are keeping out eyes on the prize. The prize of re-establishing a proud solid organization.

Jeff, I'm sorry but I don't have any G horns, but I am intersted in the F horns and Blessing Baritone. Are the French horns really mellophone type horns or true marching French Horns with the conical mouth piece? I would be intersted in the Mellophone style horns. Might you consider selling those? Thanks, John Stark.

Check out this stuff: http://www.pathwayproductions.org/ezdd.htm

As we continue in our efforts to resurrect the Imperials, we find that "All Age" is the best term for a corps aspiring to be a DCA competitor. Our percussion section is populated by mostly teenagers, while the average age of our hornline is 28 years and the colorgaurd is a mix of teens and people in their 20's 30's 40's. "Senior" is a term used out of habit and it definately does not describe the realities of today. I personally wish this forum would change its categories too to "All age" Also, let me say that I firmly believe that the future of community based drum corps and its resurgence lies with all age, family style, community drum corps that are more plugged into their particular locale and the general public within it. In addition, we are having lots of fun just practicing, performing and improving without the weight of a big tour, camp housing and big bills to worry about. Outside of the euphoria and elation operators of big touring corps feel during their corps performances, I'm not sure how much fun these people are having on the many offseason days and during the countless hours of fundraising they must endure. John Stark Director _ Imperials

Well, Ryan, if you eliminate members in Pyware, you can set it so that in one fell swoop, the drill shapes (on all sets) don't change but the members appear as holes. Then adjusting each set is pretty easy from there but you still have to do it. I know there is a blunt feature in the program to auto adjust but it really messes things up. I think it's there just as a sales feature. It's not a panacea. I never use that "nuclear option". I use Pyware basically to save time. That I know it definately does. The other reason (as I stated) is that I feel you can find the "sweet spot" easier in terms of velocity vs step size by using the animation feature. In many cases you don't have to wait to see it on the drill field to realize if a move has the proper effectivness. One other huge time saver in Pyware now is that I can print to PDF file and email the charts to the user instantly. I've written things and done rewrites, then emailed them hundreds of miles and they were being photo copied and taught literally minutes after I finished! JS