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GO PIONEER! Lets get the first (moving) show under our baldrics.

One thing is for sure, between FJM and the uniform crew - Glassmen uniforms always look great on every member. I think it is a nice fresh look.

Donny, Cant wait to see you and the students on the road. By the way, "Officer Jenny" says hello.

Why does every conversation about Pioneer end up in a debate over a silly hat. Most of you must have forgot about what drum corps is really all about. I am sure many of you "old timers" wore some silly hats "back in the day".

What ever happened to Dave Bryan? I know he was on the road for a couple of seasons after Pat stepped in - but I haven't seen him for a long time.

I would like to see the pioneer "swagger" come back. When I first saw this corps in 1998, (ironically the show had the same name as the 2008 show "Celtic Reflections" - check the 1998 video) I was impressed with how well they carried themselves and the attitude that they were Div I. I still like the corps but the swagger is gone. I would love to hear stories from the those who marched in the mid to late 90's about what started that swagger? Was it Roman Jr. at the helm? Was it a strong core of members? I would give anything to see this corps succeed competitively.

I will gladly pay for a new printer cartridge for the office if Murray wishes to print these responses. Good stuff.

Donny, It's good to see that OfficerJenny and Drillwatcher havn't made their way onto this topic. I think this is some great feedback so far and quite a reality check for the organization. As someone posted earlier, perception is reality. Lets be honest, with the exeption of a few cases there are few students that corps hop over to pioneer after marching with another World Class corps. This leaves the recruiting efforts to focus on many individuals that have never marched a DCI tour. The (new) students in the stands at shows dont understand that drum corps is a lifechanging experience and that you will meet some of your best friends and maybe your future spouse through this wonderful activity, They can only see what is put on the field and who represents the corps. I would love to see someone with a new drive and passion for the corps step up and assume the position of corps director/recruiting manager. Someone who can devote the time that it takes to get the right people involved and to take the sole responsibility of recruiting off the students shoulders. Finally, I would finally like to see all of the military style hats buried next to the white jackets at pioneerland in hopes of starting a new chapter in Pioneer's history book (according to the website no one has cared to write one since 2005). I say all of this with the preface that I care about the organization's success more than most people, and it pains me to see that sometimes tradition and doing things "the way they always have been done" trumps taking risks and creating a better experience for the kids - which may or may not include beating another corps in competition. I hope that this helps.

You guys are all missing the boat... BD '03 closer from the snare/cymbal section Nothing tests the limits of the system like that especially with the 5.1.

finally a decent topic. bump

Great. This has turned into another Pioneer programming thread. If I had a dime for every time this topic came up - i'd be a rich man. All corps should look to DCP before making thier musical and design decisions... not.

two words-Sound Ordinance

agreed. Let's get this post back on the original topic rather than finding ways to flame. Pioneer is a great place to march with a great family atmosphere. I encourage anyone thinking of marching drum corps to give Pioneer a fair shake.

Agreed. Thanks Shane and company for making this happen. It makes me proud to see this kind of Pioneer Alumni involvement as well as those who marched elsewhere. I cant wait to see how things are coming along in March/April. And as always I encourage anyone to check the corps out for a great World Class experience.

I know of a few Cymbal players that have been contracted. I am not sure if a tech has officially been chosen. All I know is I cant wait to see them on the field. Bring back the toss!

A recent corps that I remember was Eklipse from Murray, KY. I believe they borrowed uniforms from Murray HS, and brass was borrowed from Center Grove and Murray State. They were a good little drum corps, unfortunately they didnt hang around very long.

gottaloveit, I know exactly who you are talking about, and I had wished there had been another season. You are right, those new unis, although I am sure they smelled better than the old ones, wasnt the wisest choice. But there were other things that didnt make sense either, like taking the corps to finals that year. But to your topic, I dont think passionate and large alumni base of a corps like Phantom or Madison would allow them to perform in jeans. And I am sure if money was tight enough and the corps was in that position, a series of emails/phonecalls/newsletters would go out to alumni and money would be rolling in. Of course, even after all of the donations - there are certain corps that still get the uniforms for free (and I'm not talking about Open Class unfortunately).

I couldnt be happier about the investment in the new horns. GO PIONEER!

Great history lesson Pat, Perhaps a moment of brilliance for this media? Some of my early drum corps days were spent following and supporting Southwind. Although I never marched there, I do remember meeting Dave Bryan at the SW Souvie trailer (in his yellow shirt and hand towel on his neck). He was the nicest guy and always recognized me at shows. I think thats him on the 99 & 00 shows yelling "Southwind!" during their semis performance both years. As I understand it SW is taking the right steps to secure their future. I wish them only the best.

Brandon, Div II/IIIs are on different sheets. Littlehendrix, pick a better topic to exhume, perhaps Amplification or Full Retreat.

Actually Pacific Crest was in all black for the 2006 season.

People... It is still early. IMO the hornline has the potential to be one of Pio's best since 00-01. I think Donny has done a great job, and that comment about Senior corps being old school, Puulleese. have you researched corps like the Bucs this year?

Oregon Crusaders .....04?

I could have sworn it was a 22.

If I remember correctly the '99 show was "Ice Storm". Very Abstract. But I would have to say not as clean as '98. The '98 show was one of the first shows I truely remember. That hornline could play!!