Chief Guns

Sorry for your son brother. That really sucks.

I know a couple that attended DCI Finals for the first time ever in 2022, and went back to Indy for finals last month. They also attended several shows in their home state of Texas in 2022 and 2023. How did they learn about DCI.......... watching Courtney's drum corps reaction videos while cooped up in their house during the pandemic. Before that, they never even knew drum corps existed. But they were a huge follower of Courtney. So when she started reacting to drum corps, it peaked their interest. They started binge watching drum corps shows during the pandemic, and they were hooked. When the tour started competing again in 22, they was in attendance. Courtney has brought new fans to the activity thru her channel. I personally thank her for that.

PC is rising. Where would they be right now if Covid hadn't stripped all their momentum away from 2019. It would be awesome if your boy returned to PC to help them become the next DCI Finalist, but if not, I wish him the best of luck where ever he goes.

He came and sat with us semi-finals night and watched BDs run with us. He told us then that he coming back to the Mandarins in 24 and will age out there in 25. He didnt even have to think about it. He said there is no other place he would rather be. He loves the staff, his fellow corps-mates, the culture, the way they treat people etc. He has definitely found a home there, and my wife and I couldnt be happier. He wants to be part of the first corps to bring a medal to the Mandarins at the WC level. And I can assure you they are talking about it. There are a few other things that I know, but I will wait till it becomes public knowledge. But know this......... Sinnerman was just the beginning.

Knowing my son, if it meant earning a medal at finals, he absolutely would. Lol.

My boy told me this was happening weeks ago, just didn't want to say anything as it wasn't my place. Whole lot more coming from the Mandarins that I have to keep a lid on. Anyone thinking their fairy tale run comes crashing to an end in 2024, you are about to be really disappointed this upcoming summer.

My high school years, 1992-96, me and my buddies practically lived at Six Flags Magic Mountain. We would get the Twickets and go back the very next Saturday, get another Twicket, rinse and repeat. I am surprised the park didn't start charging us rent lol. Good times.

I kinda love the fact that people are sleeping on the Mandarins...........I am not going to say anything, but if these doubters only knew............alot of people going to be wiping egg off their faces in 2024.

I think that's what he meant. First WC corps to perform after Open Class, which I agree with.

That didn't take long for the Mandarins to drop behind SCV. But then again it makes sense, because some of the doubters were firmly convinced that SCV packed up their trucks and moved 90 miles east to Sacramento, and that's the only reason they were good.

Heck yea! I called it when I first heard Take me to Church at Family Day. I knew it had a chance to be ballad of the year. And there were some phenomenal ballads in 2023!

True. But talking with my son, he said the Arizona show was worse than any show they did in Texas and Louisiana regarding weather. He said they rehearsed in Texas everytime, none canceled. The AZ show, the staff basically said no way they were rehearsing in that heat, and the kids got that morning and afternoon off, then did the show that night. Only bringing up AZ cause the temperatures mirror Vegas.

The only issue with Vegas that I see is what about the corps rehearsals finals week? With temperatures possibly hitting 110-115 in August, I don't see how the corps could rehearse at their respective housing sites. Or maybe once they get into Vegas Tuesday/Wednesday, they don't rehearse at all.

I would like this 100 times if I could. Sadly your post will fall on deaf ears as soon as 2024 season starts and corps A is beating corps B, or corps C is beating corps D in GE and we (In general) don't like it.

My first finals was 2023, and my favorite was..........2023. Lol. So difficult for me to decide lol.

BD for the second time in DCI history has back to back unbeaten seasons going a combined 41-0 in 2022-2023. Only BDs back to back unbeaten seasons in 2009-2010 when they went a combined 51-0 is better.

For me.........the series of Anthrax shots I used to get when I was Active Duty. Every time I got that shot, I was on my death bed for the following 48-72 hours. 2005 we was gearing up for a deployment to Iraq, and we got the Smallpox shot. Medical tells you to not touch it and to wash your hands THOROUGHLY if you do. This guy in my unit touched his and then he rubbed his face.............His face ended up looking like the Creeper from Jeepers Creepers. Medical had to isolate and quarantine him. One of the most disgusting things I have ever seen.

All three days, it took me less than 90 seconds to get thru metal detector, and scan tickets. Didn't wait once in line to get in the stadium.

Drove past Vista Murrieta high school yesterday on my way to the crib. Band was on the field rehearsing, he was out there.

#6 bass drum for Crown was a high school kid from Vista Murrieta high school. He just started his senior year last week.

Even Brandon Olander had to go through the vetting process. He went to Academy in 2013 before BD took him in 2014.

He has two more years. His age out year is 2025.

1. Mandarins 2. Blue Devils 3. BAC 4. Pacific Crest 5A. Cadets 5B. Colts

Yea that's the next step for the Mandarins. Going from the word "Feeder" to the words "Destination and Retention." A show like Sinnerman can help make that happen.