masterfitter

To get the full effect of the Spirit's new uniform, you need to see it on the field with the new white and silver shako and tall white plume. The Delta on the jacket was drawn/designed by an alumni of the corps. It is gorgeous up close!

School commitments and those that had to leave early. As the person responsible for putting these kids into uniform, I could give you the exact breakdown by section...but lets just say, no need for any speculation...

Regal - Appleton, WI

All I can say is, I have insight into things that you don't, including who should and should not be kicked to the curb. Meanwhile, here's hoping the 09 Colts cause you to eat your words...as I do believe you will be doing just that...

Personally I think they should kick Michael Cesario to the curb. I think he's irrelevent in today's drum corps and seems stuck in late 80's show design. Well, I have to take exception to the stuck in the 80's comment. For one thing, the past two world class champions dusted off and re-worked shows they did in the 80's. Both BD and PR. Major similarities to the original shows for both corps.

93 PR!!!!

As an Obama supporter of major magnitude myself, and a head seamstress for the Colts (uniforms), I'm certainly ready and willing to get the corps into uniform and proudly representing Iowa and the Drum Corps Community in DC at this all important event! The Colts had a fantastic free day in DC last summer and I cannot imagine any greater honor than to perform for the country and Barack!

From the responsible party, thanks for noticing! I spent the last 4.5 weeks on the road with the corps, plus other previous weeks. LONG summer, and those of us that take pride in having uniforms fit to each individual member really do wonder if anyone out there really notices. It's all all about having a uniform that does not hinder, but enhances, performance. Colts 08 touring seamstress crew of Mary Keller and Julie Chase.

Colts drill writer is Jeremy Hunt. Visual coordinator is Bob Smith.

I've never seen a thread up for the Colts so I'm starting one. Yes, I work with the corps as a head seamstress so I know first hand what's going on there. I'd like to hear the productive opinions/perspectives of others. Proudly, Iowa does host an honest to God, serious, world class drum and bugle corps. Many accomplished individuals on staff - you can check that out on the Colts website. (Besides Michael Cesario (who is anything but part-time), there is Jude Boughton, Jeff Queen, Chris Thomsa, Carla Burgess-Thomsa, Bob Smith, Jeremy Hunt, Peter LePage, Andrew Schneiders, Max Mullinex...) The corps had a really rough 'spring training' session (or Cornfield tour as it is called). We dodged tornadoes, fields that could not be marched on for days, floods, closed roads, RAIN and more RAIN. Not to mention that Cornfield tour means the corps actually moves around from facility to facility a lot and does lots of dog and pony shows (which, along with BAD weather eats up rehearsal time and makes seamstresses who are working on various projects nuts because of the obvious set up and tear down aspects of moving from site to site). Thank GOD we did not have bad weather or heat during the 'change camp' that was held in Varna, Illinois (dare you to find it on a map) from June 29th through July 2nd. Great super small town USA that allowed the corps to rehearse under the lights as long as the corps wanted to which meant late nights and getting up late in the morning to start again. I believe the 2008 Colts show is much more challenging for the members, much more fun to perform for the members, and a big step forward as far as quality of program. Me, I just wanna get up and dance during the 'dance in the gym' segment of the Bernstein piece! So, please, share your perspectives and comments (and try to stay productive and positive even if/when expressing constructive criticism). Go Red Team! (and every other team for that matter) Mary Keller

My personal pet peeve about early season drum corps is those corps that, for whatever reason, don't have their show flags ready. I mean, honestly, do they also show up with practice horns and practice percussion? I know it takes time and $$ (and lots of decisions by design staff) to get flags into production, either by volunteers or a paid company, but still...are we really supposed to go nuts when 'show flags' show up and actually give these groups more points for FINALLY not performing with their practice flags? Seems it should be the opposite, lower scores for not being 'ready'. Just my 2 cents.

Yep - you are most assuredly entitled to your opinion. :) Have to say, there is much more going on with the baton than high tosses - of which there are more than 2. Anyhow, the performer is a great kid and this is his first drum corps experience. Watch for the dance duet that includes the baton and dancing between this gentleman and a lady in the guard. More to come as this develops.

A comment about the Colts colorguard member that does the baton work. He is the US National Champion (more than once), PLUS marches winter guard. This guy also works rifles and flags during the show - he isn't 'just' a baton twirler so to speak. The baton work is being done as a part of a dance duet with a female in the guard, during the ballad "Unexpected Song". Check it out, this is not what anyone would consider typical as far as a baton goes. Personally, with all the things color guards do nowadays, as long as whatever is done with taste, done professionally, and the kids enjoy performing - bring it on.

You know, I realize there is a lot of misinformation about where the $$ was 'going' at Madison - suffice it to say it seems the 'Scott Stewart' alumni believe Sal was spending like a drunken sailor. Facts I know say the $$ was going to pay off debts before Sal even came on board. This can be argued until he** freezes over, I am sure, but what good will it do? I hear the phrase that the alumni are drinking the koolaid - all I know is Sal and company would never have turned away alumni help or contributions. Now, whether alumni would be satisfied with the kind of help was welcome is unknown to me. I know the corps held the same kinds of fundraisers as during Scott's tenure that required the guys to attempt to secure donations from alumni. I also know there were a lot of angry alumni out there. In Boston, in 05 (where the corps placed 6th after being 5th or higher all year long except for Finals night), I was accosted by an alumni that was being quite rude about his comments and felt the corps did not need such things as a food truck and wanted to know why 'we were ruining his corps'. Hmmm...2002 placed 14, 2005 6th or better all year??? Sal voted Director of the Year. Apparently there are many alumni that viewed things differently than the drum corps community as a whole. All winter long when the alumni corps would have rehearsals nearby during the same weekends as the Scouts, I kept thinking we would see a large group of alumni during the late ensemble rehearsals on Sunday, cheering the guys on. Nope, never happened. Now, please back to Lisle reviews. I personally think PR has a fantastic show this year. Someone please continue to talk it up!

Well say Hi back to Linnie! Yes, I am currently working with the Colts, via Michael Cesario's request, and am enjoying getting to know a whole new organization. First trip to IA was in late April. I do some work for Cesario Designs (example, last years Cavalier guard uniform) in conjunction with FJM. No longer the head seamstress anywhere (which is OK for now after surviving the after finals 06 changes at Madison). The #2 seamstress with me at Madison is also working with Colts. We come in and out for weekends right now, but are going to be on the road with them later.

Well, I guess you did not stick around long enough or close enough, but Sal was totally in charge and Michael worked for Sal. I am very good friends with both and know this to be a fact from being there. You need to know that there was much going on behind the scenes (as in the Board) that caused all kinds of chaos. Bad decisions made by the Board - things that were forced upon Sal. The Board forced the first part of everydays 06 to be at the Alliant Center, where there were no practice fields and only asphalt lots. Result, loss of 10 very good brass players due to injuries. FYI to all, the corps did have screamers last year, it is just that 3 were injured as described above and 2 had to leave due to personal issues. Other examples of rediculous things we had to deal with - those on the support vehicle had to pay $3 an hour to have the air conditioning running while the vehicle traveled down the road in the motor home that arrived in San Antonio. Needless to say, A/C in a motor home while in TX, LA, etc. was rather necessary. Or, when we did uniform laundry, having to contribute out of our own pockets because the Board did not raise the funds they committed to raise (that is the job of a Board of Directors after all). ln case anyone wonders, yes, some of us on support staff did ride the staff bus for a week when we were without a motor home while the Board decided if we needed one (Sal and Cody paid out of their pockets for the first motor home) - due to space issues, others were on other vehicles - all in cramped quarters - and we made do without causing a fuss because what else could we do. The corps is leasing the same busses with drivers for the 07 corps as we had in 05 and o6 (with 2 of the same drivers - great guys by the way). Another tidbit that many may not know is that Myron Rosander is (and was) very ill which as you can imagine impacted his ability, even though he gave 150% of himself. Sal chose the uniform the corps wore in 06 because he felt the alumni would identify with it since it was designed to reflect the 90's uniform. There was another uniform that the rest of us preferred that we felt would have better represented the show (funny thing, it involved a lot of the dark green that was only on the 06 jumpsuits - go figure). Sometimes a show simply does not gel, sometimes it is at least partly due to decisions arrived at due to pressures from outside forces that 'appear' to have the best interests of the organization at heart. Frankly, I don't understand all this negativeness from supposed 'brothers' towards other 'brothers'. I'd quite frankly like to also know where all these alumni were from 03-06 - I was present most of the time and certainly did not get to see or meet many - and I sure saw a lot of new faces (old past members) wearing their green Madison jackets in Rockford. Believe me, we would have loved to have more alumni participation in all areas - I personally enjoyed learning all I could about Madison before I got to be on the inside.

Regarding Colin McNutt - he is with the Cadets now, NOT Glassmen (along with Ian Moyer the pit arranger). Many other percussion staff from 06 and previous (Lee Beddis, and many techs) went to Crown. While there may be a percussion member(s) from 06 in Glassmen, I know for fact you will find a few in Cavaliers (including the gentleman that was the center snare), Bluecoats, and Crown. Seven out of 9 from the Madison 06 brass staff are with the Glassmen, as is Sal Salas, where they are doing a fabulous job (no surprise to me). There are 3 from the visual staff at Colts (including Jeremy Hunt). There are approximately 20-25 vets from the 06 Madison Scouts marching in the 07 edition. Having been at the show in Rockford, I took the time to connect with as many of the 06 Scouts as I could. The 03-06 staff is history, but those members we worked with will always be a part of us.

Not to mention that later performance times also mean the availability of longer rehearsal time. I heard a rough estimate that later show start times give the top 6 corps from the previous championship year about 70 hours more rehearsal time while on tour the following summer. Rather significant if you think about it.

Personally, I used up all my paid time off plus took all the time off without pay that my boss(es) would allow. Have gone along the entire summer as a seamstress 5 times, 4-6 weeks at least 15 times, and 2-3 weeks another 5 years. One of the above mentioned years I was a cook - before the invention of food trucks. NEVER again. This seamstress should never cross over to the cook truck! I also work at every camp, as much of spring training (weekends and week days) as possible. Crazy, no - this is pretty much my thing. We all need a hobby, and this one started when I was a kid marching in a corps called the Oshkosh Warriors. I have toured with PR and Madison. Would like to add Colts, Cavies and SCV to my list. Don't regret a minute - my best friends are also a part of this activity.

My son's first year in Regiment (1989) - he was 14, playing the 4th bass. He marched PRC the two years previous and 6 consecutive years in PR afterwards (and did not age out - he could have marched 2 more years in PR). We drove him to weekly PRC rehearsals from Appleton, WI every Sunday from October through move-in...this after his Sunday morning paper route. PR camps involved less travel, but he was driven to all of those as well. Mom and dad volunteered a LOT back then...we all gave up much so he could have this experience and don't regret a minute.

Start driving...

The Madison Scouts of 2006 held every camp at Madison East High School (the same school that housed the Santa Clara Vanguard during finals week 2006). The corps also rehearsed all Saturday morning and afternoon at the UW-Madison field house during one camp. The corps slept at Madison Turner's. The first two weeks of everydays were at the Alliant Center in Madison (which was unique considering the guys had to be bussed out for showers and rehearsed on asphalt parking lots). During finals week, the corps was housed at Madison Country Day School (a truly gorgeous facility with magnificent views). This school contacted the corps and offered to house them and is also where camps are being held (and would have been held regardless of the staff changes). Being present and a part of all these events, I know this is true. Seems to me that even through the office was in Sun Prairie, the corps spent all of it's 'local' rehearsal time in Madison with the exception of the last two weeks of everydays which were at UW-Whitewater (and involved no bussing to showers or asphalt parking lots). Just some facts...

If you want to get technical about things, Madison and SCV's pants are a much darker green, although, not the same shade of green. Madison's jacket is also shorter than you depict - if you adjust that, then the fleur de lis will also be less elongated. The citation cords (silver beads - hand made by the sewing crew) on Madison were 3 strands hanging down with one coming across under the mirror. Madison also wore wrap (drummer) gauntlets on the entire corps, meaning they do not flange out on the edge by the button.

You all are cracking me up. I do know from a very good personal friend at PR who helped with member registration at auditions that PR did indeed have at least 500 at their audition camp last weekend. I also know from helping at Madison's audition camp in Madison LAST year that over 300 attended. Since I also lead a crew that was measuring for the new uniforms, I have the guys names if ya don't believe me. LOL I would also think that Madison's current press releases should be professional since the owner/editor of Drum Corps World is on their Board and I'd certainly consult him if I were Jeff Spanos. Of course, Michael Cesario used to help with these things with Sal and others when Sal was on board. Madison, through the Salas years, was trying to establish relationships with the City. It seems those were either non-existent or very selective previously (or burnt due to unmentionable member pranks in the past). There's a lot more to it than plopping your office within the city limits. MYNWA

FYI to all out there - Madison has been looking for a new office location for over a year now. And, yes, I do mean Sal and crew - moving the office back into Madison was desirable for some reason. Having been to the corps office iin Sun Prairie MANY times, it was a nice office - more space for storage was the only thing I could see would be nice. Past that - Sun Prairie is so close to Madison it is comical to make a big deal about 'moving back to Madison."