DrumCorpsRelic

desertrat68: I was there with THE ACADEMY in May and painfully aware, of everyone's concern and frustration by the months of delay in the arrival of the new Food Trailer, and learning of the Refrigeration/Freezer problems.Reeking havoc from the beginning of the tour Eventually necessitating the use of it's former food trailer. However, I was under the impression (wrongly!) that the Repaired trailer rejoined the Corps sometime prior to up to "Drums Across the Rockies. and had no knowledge that "there just wasn't time to do anything (MORE) about it other then to get through tour, (with it's former Food Trailer), and figure out what's going on this off season. If that indeed this has been the case, OMG, what a Logistical Nightmare for any Corps to experience and endure on it's 8-week, 11,000 mile, 24-Coast to Coast performance schedule Tour. So Heartbreaking for the MM, and all the challenges, in addition to the incredible impact of the Covid+ virus on it's ability to field a much less then full corps and clean their awesome "My World of My Creation." BRAVO to all parties involved for their enduring character building and continuing to sustain its season of " Building Great People,weathering the storm through it's unwavering ability to deliver "Great Performances despite all the unknown trials and tribulations, to it's very appreciative, supportive and enthusiastic and extended love and ovations throughout the Summer. BRAVO ACADEMY! and BRAVO FANS. Godspeed.

desetrat68. THANK YOU! I so appreciated your "voice of reason." A sometimes rare find on DCP. The refrigeration/freezer outfitted in THE ACADEMY's New 40 foot!? 2022, $250,000. fund raised State of the Art, "Hell's Kitchen" (How Ironic it's Name!) was at the start of tour hard pressed to meet the demands caused by, IMHO what could be referred to as the 2022 "DCI Summer Tour through Hell." It is my understanding, that the trailer was taken out of commission early on the tour for many days and sent out for refrigeration/freezer mechanical service, ( Due to it's inability to handle the immense increase of humidity Freezing up and shutting down" its systems." (Thank goodness the Corps had at the ready it's former Food Trailer to fill in). Hopefully, as of this writing, those issues are behind them moving forward to Indy. GODSPEED ACADEMY!

C. Holland, I was speaking of "The Academy" Silly. How Cool for you in NYC! I LUV THE TROMBONE and ALL brass for that matter! I'm a long time Corps Percussionist. I marched Bass Drum/24" Concert Cymbals for a BAC (not THAT One) from 1965-72. I assume you saw The Academy's 24-Trombone features in their 2018 production of "The Bridge Between...." if not!? It's easy to find/view on the internet. Personally, I am a self-taught Pianist/Composer/Recording artist with my own label. Best known in Sydney, Australia my "Home away from Home" since 1997. Cheers Mate!

C.Holland, I cannot speak for the "Immediate Situation". However, In all my years of Volunteering and touring with THE ACADEMY, since at least beginning of their entry into World Class in 2007, they were provided 3 full meals, and a very substantial Late Night Snack in all cases PB&J being an available able option, following rehearsal at 10:00 PM, or immediately following the conclusion of any scheduled show performance. At the present time, I am not aware, nor heard from afar, from any "reliable sources" that the their typical 4-meals per day, for whatever reason, has changed. Sorry and sad, your final scoring opportunity this evening in Erie, PA was washed out. However DO Enjoy the extra rest and down time as you head to Indy. As always, Godspeed ACADEMY. I'll be with you this weekend, just let the Audience Eat Up the Confectious Creation Creation of My/Your Imagination.

That's a Nice way to put it. LOL

Just wanted to add the *"Fact", that as long I experienced, volunteered/toured with the Academy in the Modern era since being elevated to World Class, and up to my last tour in 2016, the MM were fed three full meals and a plentiful post corps performance snack per day. * There are ALWAYS exceptions: late food delivery services. Equipment and Refrigeration challenges, the rare food crew shortages. However, as I can recall, the Corps Excellent Volunteer kitchen/food prep teams have always devoted their attention and services for the Well Being and sustenance needs of its MM. Also know its Food crew always ate last, and on rare occassion even did without. I do hope and pray that a good deal bantered about in this DCP thread is out of line with the truth of the Corps Reality. If not 😥 I wish them all Godspeed.

Denverjohn, Yes, quite the Logistical Undertaking! One of the Underappreciated, Knowledge and skills of Professional and Volunteer Bus Drivers. Tip of my Hat to Them. Bon Appetit

C.Holland, Certainly, I was not aware of that option, Thank You. It is much like the immense cost savings and convenience of relying on the transportation services of LYFT/UBER/ETC in comparison of the Ownership/Maintenance/Insurance and refueling your own vehicle. I personally sold my car and have not driven in three years. And in the process save literally Thousands of Dollars.

Thank You scheherazadesghost for your much needed "Common Sense" contribution to this thread. All can read my own "PAST ACADEMY Touring and Personal Experience" involving this topic (within this threat) along with expressed concerns of what the "Reality" of the situation is. To Everyone Good Food to your Good Health, Bon Appetit. Godspeed Academy.

Man do I remember those days! My Corps only traveled with 75 MM, our Corps Director and three instructors on only two busses/Motor Coaches. The looks on the Fast Food Servers faces as we piled into the aforementioned establishments was priceless. And also consider, that in the 1960-70's, were the days prior to "special orders." There were "no extras or asking for no this or that!) thus orders were a lot simpler and quicker to hand out. I also worked in a fast food burger joint, and dealt usually with only two, unannounced bus loads of Corps/Bando's arriving. My experience in touring with THE ACADEMY up until I retired in 2016 was that the majority of meals provided for the the touring Corps of 126 + Staff, by the Awesome food Crew(s) out of their 34 Foot!? food trailer acquired from the "Freelancers" between 2005-2006? was for the most part adequately sufficient. Yes, PB&J was and to this day, been made available (and quite frankly kid appreciated!) as a meal option. This year THE ACADEMY (for the most part) has been traveling with it's brand new, but so be it, ailling refrigeration conditions, and absolutely awesome 40 Foot $250,000.00 "Hell's Kitchen". Obviously, appropriately named, LOL. Keep in mind any new "vehicle" purchase usually requires a shake down period to work out any bugs in the system, thus the typical 3-year Warrantee. Even more so is at "steak" for a "souped up", puns intended, "State of the Art" Food Trailer. I cannot speak for it's current state of operation. But I would caution that many opinions expressed by fellow DCP pundits should be treated with a grain of salt. To do anything less could irresponsibly lead to even more confusion, fear concerns and damaging speculation beyond the truth of the situation in "Reality". Just my 2-cents worth, now someone please pass me the PB&J. My Sincere Best Wishes for the Good Health, and Success to all Corps MM that I hope experience a more "wholesome" and "Holeless" participation in this weekends DCI Championships in Marion and Indy. Godspeed!

Quite Simply: What a "CROWNING" ACHIEVEMENT Tonight. RIGHT ON !

HOLY CADETS 😇 What a Heavenly Finish W O W 🤗

Proves the Powers to be answers 🙏

The Last Two Nights !?

HOLY CADETS 😇 What a Heavenly Finish W O W 🤗

I Agree 💯% Personally, I find Jersey City🧡💙 The Academy 💜❤ to be among the Most Nostalgic, Uniformed, Relatable, Entertaining, Endearing, Heartwarming and Musically Sayisfying programs in all of World Class this summer. To see the Joy and satisfaction in these performing kids faces and the generous and extended Ovations showered upon their performances makes the 71 year Old DrumCorpsRelic Heart burst with Gratitude. I can't wait to "Experience" yourWishes Talents and Performances in Indy. ❤ and Best Wishes moving forward. Godspeed.

Karuna. Brilliant! Thanks for Weather/Musikfest Link.

BlueStainGlass, Spot On! Sure has been for me since 1972! My Pipe Dream. Particularly this being DCI's 50th Anniversary, Seeing #11-20 World Class Corps Awarded Repeat Performances on Saturday. This Man Can Dream.

Scheherazadesghost you hit a soft spot in my heart! I played 24" Concert Cymbals in a "Boston Area Corps" Nah, not that one. LOL. The Casper Wyoming Troopers of 1969 on the cover of that years classic LP Cover, where the Corps posing among some tall buttes, includes a couple of cymbalist Flairing out their 24" "plates". It inspired me to play 24" Concert Cymbals in my local Corps, and I adopted their Flair out style. I became of "Cymbal Groupee" from that point forward, a Big Fan of SCV's Cymbal lines for many years. Got involved with THE ACADEMY'S CYMBAL Line from their their "Debut Season" in 2004. I passed down to them my own "Classic Move" where I flaired out, and spun my 24" Cymbals completely around my head. At 6-foot-7, with my extremely long arms it became my "Cymbal Move of Pride", I nicknamed THE ACADEMY'S Cymbal line the "Cymbals of Excellence," the year their line took home DCI I & E Gold. THE ACADEMY would discontinue it's cymbal line beginning in 2017. I literally became Heartsick! Joined a petition of 1200+ in hopes of reversing the decision. Sad to this very day.

jasgre2000. come on, what's your gut tell you. Hint: Their men, their vane, they have killer bodies, they know the crowds are adoring them ( as assuredly as they are each other.) Yup they be Proud. I am a former college athlete, ironically played in Boston. I'll tell you in all my college playing days, I never sweated "the pretty." LOL

Oh Ryan, you really did go there. Brilliant! LMAO

Spacewill, Point is well taken. And thank you for the opportunity to embellish on my personal observation. DCPers, I've followed, toured, with this Pride of Arizona Corps since 2004. (Til I retired in 2016). In following them closely since this May and through almost every one of their shows, Thanks to Flo. I have found it personally Frustrating, Maddening, Disappointing and Discouraging to see the devastating impact Covid has dealt THE ACADEMY Corps(along with a good number of others). While Immense challenges have been met and overcome, the loss of so many marching members in rehearsals and performances has been one nut that has yet to be shelled. It comes down to a numbers game, and when you are marching up to 25+ holes in rehearsals and performances that is one WW tough Nougat to overcome. Missing a plethora of marching members, the lagging scores, and boldly facing the challenging task of effectively cleaning up the show prior to Indy, that due to circumstance, for the most part. are out of their control is proving, pardon the pun, beyond one's imagination. I do want to commend THE ACADEMY Corps members and staff for bringing to the field of competition their entertaining, Fan Friendly, Fan Favorite production of "A CREATION OF MY IMAGINATION," along with it's very animated creation and talented Willy Wonka Character. Who, along with his crew "Oompa-Loompas" has delighted audiences and fed their imaginations and memories with something far more indelible then scores on a judges sheet. As The Academy Motto proclaims "The Effort IS the Prize." if measured by the smiles and joy expressed on the Academy kids faces, along with their audiences extended standing ovations and the love they are graciously embracing each and every performance with, The Academy in return, in the belief that it is Better to Give then Recieve, is presenting THEIR AUDIENCES with the most precious award of all, A "GOLDEN TICKET." ENJOY

Not so sure about that. But quite noticeably so, due to the increased size of the marching members they are fielding. They are looking quite impressive they are becoming quite the Gem from Nashville. ENJOY!

An Absolutely Horrible and Sounding Title. But a Terrifically executed show MUSIC CITY! luv the coordinated Unis and Set Pieces, Brilliant visual use for GE Effect in the way the Unis are manipulated front to back and visa versa throughout the show. Extremely Eye Appealing. They are sure giving my ACADEMY a run for 16th place. They have a very impressive and full size and sounding Corps wishing them all the best in their continued journey up the DCI World Class competitive ladder.

With good reason! It's the first time in several weeks The Academy's Battery of 8 out of 9 snares have rehearsed and performed in a show together. In one show they performed with only 4 Snares. Covid has especially wreaked constant havoc on THE ACADEMY's summer tour. The Texas Swamp Tour was Gawd Awful and Brutal, interfering with their ability to field anywhere near their approximately 154 marching members. The Covid Curse has impleaded a good number of Corps ability to field "Full Corps Numbers." So evident as seen in the challenge to, if not nearly impossible, clean and increase scores consistently this summer tour going into Indy next weekend. At 71 years young, this is one "DrumCorpsRelic" is looking forward to a three day DCI "COOL" 50th Anniversary celebration, in the confines of an air continued Lukas Oil Stadium, in Indy. In Nirvana comfort, while experiencing Drum Corps Overload, as a league of marching music's Finest Forty 40 World and Open Class Corps present a Pageantry of the Arts. Talk about Living in Heaven. Godspeed To All.