lrienaeds

I speak to the corps with my dollars. I usually get to one show plus the cinema broadcasts every year. I visit the souvie booth/online store of the corps that entertained me and spend some money and let them know that I appreciated the entertainment. I have been hitting Madison’s souvie booth/online store pretty regularly over the past several years because they have been the most entertaining to me (obviously my personal opinion). If they continue to entertain me they will continue to get my money and I will be happy regardless of where they end up in the placements. Last year was also SCV, and I am currently wearing my “Tilt” shirt from this year (and believe me I never thought I would ever wear a Bluecoats shirt).

To use the baseball analogy further, you have to also look at the farm system. Blue Devils B placed 15th. There is a C corps as well. That was the biggest surprise to me when I went out to march BD. I marched with members who had come up through the B and C corps and had been in the organization for YEARS. So they have that solid foundation to which they add on the "free agents" that come from all over. You can't compare a national activity to local leagues like little league. The closest example would be collegiate sports where amateur athletes do pick their teams.

I believe the 1991 Blue Devils are the lowest overall placing corps (5th) to win brass.

My favorite picture from my drum corps days was taken on the field after retreat in 1991. A bunch of former Suncoast (and a few Magic) members got together for a pic with Frank and Dennis. There were members from Blue Devils, Santa Clara Vanguard, Crossmen, Bluecoats, Magic, and Cadets in the picture (with our medals on). I am glad we had the opportunity to take that picture.

Northeast High School Marching Band St. Pete, Fl. Tampa Bay Buccaneer Band (we didn't march, but I thought it was appropriate) Suncoast Sound Blue Devils so marching band first for me.

You have my deepest sympathies.

Thanks, I understood the message. I didn't "understand the metaphor" because the metaphor is asinine. To use someone whose office is a cubicle as a metaphor for a wimp or a quitter is moronic. I refrained from blasting this idiotic post earlier because I can see by this poster's sig that he is still in college. I understand what he is trying to say and agree with most of his thoughts (expect this cubicle BS and setting perfection as a goal).

1990 Spirit, after the big loud intro you can hear "Good God look at that matching band" followed by "Petrouchka was better!".

No I don't.

'91 finals. Getting together with a bunch of friends for this picture (most of us had marched Suncoast). Includes members of Magic, Blue Devils, Cadets, Crossmen, Bluecoats, and Santa Clara. And of course Frank Williams and Dennis Lorenza.

The overall caliber of the people I met in drum corps exceeds that of any other facet of my life before and since. That includes members, staff, and volunteers. Sure there was some cussing, some drinking, probably some drug use, and some hooking up. I would argue that it was a smaller percentage than in any other activity that your child might be involved. The friends I had in corps are as much my family as my actual family. Keeping your child out of the activity because of the fears that you listed makes me believe that you do not trust your child. It would be a mistake to deny them this opportunity.

We made a company front at the end of the show and one sop was consistently out of the form. Staff member yells from press box, "<insert name> would you please stand next to the person next to you!" During a horn rehersal when a couple of sops were having trouble with a lick the horn instructor asked, "Do you know which valves to push down? <They nod yes> Do you understand the rythm? <They nod yes> Then do that." During a walk from sectionals to full horn arc very early in the season it was me (I was 20 at the time), some 16 year old rookie-to-be, and the brass caption head. The 16 year old was good but chowed when going down the line because he was nervous, so as we walk the caption head is asking him questions. "How old are you? <16> Do you have a girlfriend? <Yes> Do you f&%^? <no reply> Because if not you really need to." After "the hack" in '89. "He who lives by the soloist dies by the soloist."

BD took horns in '91 by virtue of the GE Brass tie-break in place at that time. Now back to the topic: I'm sure there would have been some great shows and it would be foolish to not think they would have won at least one more title, but BD, Cadets, Cavies, Phantom, and SCV would still have been just as good. Would Star's presence made them better? I do not think so. Even though Star is gone there is still plenty of competition (not just from these five). Star. like lots of corps that have come and gone, are missed.

hostrauser is right. It is 1975 and 1984.

The one thing I remember that I do not recall seeing discussed is the other soloist. I thought that he did a good job of keeping it together. He took the end of his next part down an octave and I always thought that he did that in case the first soloist needed to as well. Quick thinking, musically speaking.