Kevin Russell

Oops. My apologies for posting certain photos and content from BAC spring training on my blog. It has been taken down temporarily.

Hey everyone, I just posted this blog: Goliath Awakens! I look forward to joining everyone at Spring Fling and then catching the Community Night performance back in Castleton, VT on Monday the 17th.

Just notice this ranking on FloMarching that predicts the final placement of the corps based on their mathematical formula that has BAC in 4th place. 2018 DCI World Class Corps Rankings Jul 26, 2018Michael Gilley

I will be delivering some Seriously Sharp Cheddar to Anthony on Sunday morning thanks to a generous donation from Cabot Creamery. Probably catch the ensemble rehearsal in the afternoon. Sunday night, I will be in Section 14, Row EE Seat 3. See you there. Safe travels, everyone.

Building on this theme, here is a recent tribute performance of Amazing Grace by another fine corps. Would be cool to hear BAC brass do a rendition arranged by Ryan George and led by Gino Cipriani for encore performance.

I think the kids have never been so prepared. They received such a great send off from their family in Boston. Love in Beantown, A Spring Fling

Some day I will meet you Brasso, and all. I too had the pleasure of joining many of my fellow Vermonters in Castleton with you the last night. My pen (fingers) went right to work: A Clarion Call from Castleton

More food for thought: Excerpt from I Ran Away with the Drum Corps August 1, 2017 "Some of the comments and messages that I received related to some of the topics that I raised in my story. One topic in particular dealt with food. Since this is an area of interest for me, I have dwelt on it greatly. Firstly, BAC has a very fine food service program that is highly supported by donations. Each day, the corps sends their thanks to individual donors by way of a Facebook posts of photos and messages from BAC members. You can tell by their smiles and their physiques that they are happy and fit. The corps has been receiving much love and support from countless volunteers that have hitched on during the long July slog through the hot south. BBQs, ice machines and creamies have been standard fare. Steve, a dedicated alumnus has been in touch and I learned that his family supplies Vermont maple syrup during spring training. He will be bringing some to Lawrence next month. Under the principle of ‘we can always do better’ for kids in all of the corps, I have been thinking about food, not only for it’s nutritional importance but also it’s effect on the competitive edge. Certainly a well-fed corps is important for being able to compete at the top level. But, shouldn’t all corps’ members have the best food and service available, not withstanding their success on the field? No kid should get less. So, I have decided to talk to Garry, the BAC board member and others about this to explore what DCI and all corps do to collaborate on best practices. Sharing good ideas and pooling resources among the corps for food sources, waste management practices, and reduction in transportation impacts can have an overall positive effect on the activity. I assume that the kids would respond to initiatives to make drum corps activities healthier and cleaner and they may be the best resource for ideas."

That fog horn sound at the beginning is actually a conch shell that is blown by a pit member. Wind or percussion?

Hey folks, Me again. There have been some interesting responses from my post of the other day giving away the info about the spears. Some went pretty far off the deep end (p). I was afraid that I might have said too much. You know what they say about loose lips (p). The inspiration for my post the other day carried through to writing this new blog: Horns Blare and Drums Beat in Castleton. It will serve as my first official blog posting of the 2018 season. Kevin (p) = pun

Thank you, Brasso. You are one of the DCP members that I hope to meet this season. I have enjoyed your knowledge, insight and wit in these posts. As you know from reading my blog that I am sort of a newcomer to modern drum corps, having been away from it for 40 years when I marched in a small corps and went to competitions with my brother back in the 70s. My rediscovery in 2012 was a life changing experience. Thankfully, I devoured the online content before DCI pulled it to also get caught up on the great programs and music over the decades. Touring a portion of last year with BAC was making up for the loss of my brother and missing out on some great stuff over the years. I felt it was important to share my experience and I think I set a good tone. However, I look forward to comments, suggestions and corrections from you all. I now have something as exciting to do in the summer as I do skiing (teaching) in the winter. Though I will not be touring with a Corps this season, I look forward to writing about my perspective from the 50 yd line and hope to meet a lot of interesting people along the way. BTW - I love all of the corps. It's going to be a great season in the east cost with the Cadets staying in their home turf. Let's hope they get a lot of love, too!

I said to Steve, "Lord of the Flies?" He smiled. But, I'm still not sure either. I did not get a chance to interview anyone further and perhaps I should not have mentioned the spears (12). During the rehearsal of the dark, powerful sequence, there were several raspy horn blares by the line, and deep beast sounds emanating from Anna's synth device that they were tweaking. Perhaps this is an amalgamation of several themes ie. cast away, lost, LOTF, etc., though I did not see any hand-painted volleyballs. There are four mics front right and it appears that brass players also may have a signing part, though they did not do that part of the show. (PS. Aubrie Lee is working with Steve the prop guy.) Regrettably, I did not hear the entire rep. Can't wait to see it all come together. You all have very good reason to be as excited as I am.

Hey folks, Small world: I teach skiing for Sugarbush, located in Vermont's Mad River Valley about 90 minutes north of Castleton. My daughter, Andrea Cheney is the wedding planner for Sugarbush Resort. It is a great place in the summer as well as winter (bring your hiking boots, mt. bike, and golf clubs). Yesterday, I drove down to Castleton to see some friends that I made last year while touring with the corps, and to catch the ensemble rehearsal. Maybe you read my blog: I Ran Away with the Drum Corps, that was re-run as a series in Drum Corps World during the past 10 months (final episode next issue), about my experience touring 23 days as a volunteer with BAC in 2017. It was great to see Steve, the prop guy on the job. He is the most dedicated, hardest working, and kindest adult in drum corps and has been encamped with the corps from the beginning of spring training. It was a privilege to work with him last season. The large props will arrive June 1, but meanwhile he and his crew were working on some hand-held props (spears). The corps is well encamped in dorm rooms and enjoying meals prepared in the college cafeteria. I recognized many members from last year among many new members who all seem to have known each other forever. Ryan, brass instructor, stated that the uptick of the quality of new members has exceeded their expectations. I did not see Anthony, the Corps' chef who tours, or Ron, the touring director so I will be back again before they head out on tour. After dinner, the entire ensemble, with the exception of the guard, rehearsed on the main field. The color guard was rehearsing on an adjoining field as the constant beat of the metronome echoed across the country. I was one of two or three others who came to observe. The rehearsal is open and they encourage it, though keep your cell-phone/camera in your pocket. Page to page, measure by measure, Gino, Colin, Michael and the creative team worked the corps through the book from the scaffolding above, while the visual team worked with the members on the field as they adjusted to their dots. Everyone on the field gave there full attention well into the evening under the lights. They were working through a particularly powerful sequence of the program. What a treat to once again be in the epicenter of sound that resonates through the total body. Being in front of this corps again triggered that hard wire from the brain to the tear ducts. I felt that indelible BAC vibe that I tried to put into words last year, with some challenge to fully explain. Everyone was in great spirits and humor. You really should try to catch some of that esprit and go see them in Vermont or anywhere else they will be encamped this summer. I will be at the Community Night on June 12 and hope to meet some of you folks. You will also find me in a 50 yard line seat in stands at several events in the east this season. Kevin Russell

Hello everyone, I wanted to let you know that I finally have my blog – Along the Mill Brook – ­up and working. This morning I am running away with the drum corps again. I am on my way to Clifton, NJ to meet up with the Boston Crusaders and see the show for the first time as a fan from the 50-yard line. I received a lot of positive comments about my story about volunteering for the corps for their first four shows in June – I Ran Away with the Drum Corps. Many have encouraged me to write more. It is my plan to have a daily post as I attend six shows leading up to the championships, so check back again soon. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the show in Lawrence because I will be in Chester, PA to see what the other boys and girls are up to. It should prove to be an awesome homecoming for the corps that has been away working so hard all summer. Give them a lot of love! http://www.alongthemillbrook.com/2017/07/30/im-running-away-with-the-drum-corps-part-ii/

Thank you, Fred. I was shooting for the general appeal, trying to strike a balance between those in the know and those uninitiated. I love all the corps, but clearly this piece has a BAC bend. Awesome people from top to bottom! And, they are having a remarkable year.

Hi Folks, I wanted to share with you my experience volunteering with the BAC for their first four shows in June out in the Midwest through the Muncie show. I wrote a daily blog that I have compiled into this diary-style essay and posted at the link below. It was a real privilege to get to know the professional staff and many of the members of the corps. As you may surmise after reading my entries, I am rather a newbie and somewhat of an interloper into this highly traditional BAC family that I have come to respect greatly but may not yet be fully indoctrinated in the lore. I hope everyone reads it with that understanding. The kids were very happy and upbeat when I left them in Muncie and their continued improved scores show how much they are enjoying performing Wicked Games. I can’t wait to see them again. I have 50-yd line seats for Clifton, NJ, Allentown, PA, Rome, NY and Massillon, OH. What a run that will be. Go BAC! http://www.starkmountainproductions.com/BAC/Intro.html