Euphscott

The problem with this is that not everyone has the opportunity to view a show multiple times. If you live in the drum corps hinterlands, the circus comes to down only one day a year. If you have a highbrow show requiring multiple looks, you may lose a potential fan if they don't get your show in the one and only viewing. Play a show that requires only enjoyment and you may have a fan for life.

It was SCV's company front in early July - I can't imagine what it sounds and feels like in August. That is drum corps personified for me this summer.

The Vigilantes are happy to announce we have settled on a corps logo. The art is done by local graphic artist and design professional Paul Black. We believe he captured our heritage and activity in a striking image. The logo is capable of separation for uses in multiple applications (full logo, a brand of V, or the corps name). The logo will debut on the website shortly and on wearables hopefully during our DCA-Central trip to Minnesota. Logo on Flickr

Come on down south Tom - we've got some heat for you! :) Although, the last week has been lots of rain and very cool (for us) temps in the low to mid 90's. Sounds like good drum corps weather - we'll be watching the scores...

Enjoy your time with Gulf Coast - they are good people - we always enjoy hanging with our southern brothers (and sisters).

Not the best of all time - that's Star '91 - but this was probably the most fun minute (or so) in history to me.

I am enjoying the clips I have seen - the corps looks like it is on a mission...

Denton went very well. We got a lot cleaned up between Dallas and Denton. Unfortunately no scores were given, but we feel very good about what we accomplished and where we are in our show's development. The crowd reaction was solid and we were allowed to educate the masses in our announcement about DCA and all-age corps. Texas knows next to nothing about the activity, so that was a key benefit to being an exhibition corps.

I've thought the last two years have lacked Euph presence. The corps has a nice sound, but it's way brighter to my ear than the PR of previous years.

Economy or no economy issues, $30 a ticket in Dallas is a tough pill to swallow. I am sure that insetad of having everyone turn out for both nights, people had to choose which show to attend. I love drum corps, but $120 for two to see two nights of drum corps is a lot to ask (especially in a venue that is everything but fan friendly). For years the Dallas DCI shows have been supported and attended by high school band groups - Often kids that have never seen drum corps previously. I know times change, but you used to get seats at this show for $10-$15. The increase can be expected, but it's no longer an inexpensive night out of entertainment. Throw three shows in a small area over a 4 day span and it will make it tough to fill seats. Now if we had multiple shows spanning a couple of weeks or a month apart (like the good old days of DCM!) we might have a better shot.

I agree with you 100% Brad! The staff running the Lake Highlands show always work hard and do a great job with what they have. But what they have is a pig and all the lipstick in the world is not going to help their situation. And to address the OP - I march drum corps myself now, so the trip down to San Antonio is no longer an option. So having all the corps in Dallas is nice. And it seems to fairly address the seeding issues. Thumbs up!

Our show Friday night was rough, but we had fun and got it on the field! Lots of practice cleaning up yesterday and we are prepared to perform tonight in Denton! The crowd was very receptive and responded where we hoped they would. DCI was very kind to us and published an interview with our drum major. You can find it (with a picture even, in the bottom portion of the article found here: http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=3...13-65fed46e2923

Keep plugging guys. It's not easy - but the rewards are worth the work. Good luck this fall with your ensembles.

Keep upi the good work Sun Devils - things look and sound good!

It was also a decent recruiting event. As further fate was on our side, an SCV alum was there eating lunch with all the commotion. He's a contra that is itching to get back in the game after enough time off. So wheels are in motion to get a contra on his shoulder.

And as Texans are learning - convincing adults to work in extreme heat is a very hard sell! :) Only the heartu need apply. Good luck!

The Vigilantes will hit the field for the first time this week. After a handful of standstills, the field show will debut this Friday at day 2 of the DCI Dallas show. The corps will have a long Saturday rehearsal and a second opportunity to perform Sunday evening at the DCI show in Denton. The corps is excited to get it all on the field and in front of some rather large crowds (Dallas is usually 15,000, Denton 20,000). Due to circumstances beyond the corps control, no scores will be announced. Last weekend was what Vigilantes affectionately call a power weekend. The corps rehearsed from 9-9 on both Saturday and Sunday with high temperatures of 103 and 104 per the weather reports. There was good news and a fun break during the Saturday lunch break. The corps has been talking with a new fast food chain that is moving it's headquarters to the area. The grant process has been encouraging. A few members of the management team decided to eat at one of the restaurants for lunch, talk with the store manager, and develop some local lines of communication. As fate would have it, the corporate marketing director was to visit that store during the visit. So, the fund raising guru asked to talk with her when she arrived. The marketing exec was there to film footage for internal corporate videos as well as commercials. During their discussion it came up that the drum corps was a few miles down the road and available to do some performing. So calls were made to get the corps to the store quickly. Once at the store, Brass Caption head Mike Rossi taught the brass a quick arrangement of Michael Sembello's "Maniac." Paul Rennick and his crew drew up drum parts and Jenn Vaught taught some guard work. 15 minutes later cameras rolled! After playing that tune (it coincided with their email "club" that sends out coupons and promotions to loyal customers), the corps played the field show opener ("It Don't Mean a Thing (If Ain't Got That Swing). The impromptu show was played in front of the restaurant. A good bit of a traffic jam was created as drivers passing by would stop to watch and listen. The marketing team loved that as they took the opportunity to hand out coupons for free meals. It was not planned at all, but it gave the corps some much needed exposure and a short break from the oppressive afternoon heat. The restaurant brought trays of food and drinks as well as providing T-shirts for every member of the corps. Once filming was complete, the marketing team was ecstatic. They were hoping to get some happy customers on film when they arrived, but got a live drum corps instead! Many had never seen one live and commented that they got goose bumps during loud volumes. The corps has been promised film once clean up is complete. The corps will share with the public when it becomes available!

Those of us fortunate to see them practice that week did! What a treat it was to see that cleaned...

Bring on the Texas tour - we can remove rain worries for you quickly!

In years past (I am sure it is the same this), the same judging panel that adjudicates the juniors is evaluating the DCA corps. They do however use DCA sheets, so scores are not comparable to the DCI corps. Some very good feedback is given by the DCI judges and is a nice perspective for the corps that must perform at DCI shows to get reviews.

I have always thought the same thing. I wish we all had the opportunity to be spectators as well!

It was a fun night. A little hard to hear across the ensemble on that side of the capital, but the view straight downtown as a performer is quite nice.

I saw Revolution at the Texas Drum Corps preview. I hate to use the word surprise as that might indicate I had bad expectations. But Revo was the most pleasant surprise of the evening! They looked fuller and sounded better than I can recall in a long time. It was unfortunate the new unis were not ready, but the corps looks great in how they handle themselves and they sound terrific. I look forward to hearing good things about this corps throughout the summer. Good luck Revolution! I enjoyed talking with a couple of members and a staff member after their performance and before the massed brass. They could not be more gracious and friendly. My experience with them could not be more positive. You guys have moved up my list of the corps for which I will be pulling strongly.

Keep your eyes open Kansan - Vigilantes are working on a Dallas area show for next year with a sponsor and some nifty ideas to pump up the attendance figures.

Vigilantes sent in paperwork today.