KoyaanisCABsi

They're not up yet, Donna.

I'll send you the link. Couldn't get it to write Caballeros, though!

You got it, Jeff. Obviously we're all in for the night, so the roads are safe.

Not my homemade Sangria? Waiting...waiting...

Looks like the gang's all here. Should I take drink orders & serve snacks?

Long rain delay, but Bucs are on now, so it's almost over.

Oh my. So White Sabers and Cru have been on, and Brigs, Cabs and Bucs have not? Jeff, do keep us posted...and thanks!

Had I thought it through, I wouldn't have gone. 5 hour round trip, $65 in gas and tolls, $40 for two of us to get in - for what turned out to be 4 corps, albeit GREAT ones, and a show that lasted approximately one hour. For me, two more competing corps would have sweetened it. Exhibitions...not so much - but that's just me. Don't get me wrong - the exhibitions are fun, but my decision to attend or not attend is not based on them except maybe the first time I see them each season. In August, I want to see who's in the hunt!!!

Dale, I saw the twins Saturday. They're adorable! I'm 1/2 of a boy-girl two-fer and our middle names are Elizabeth and Thomas. I thought that was pretty cool. :)

Good Job, Cru. Congrats! Way to go Fusion Core! Awesome job...and only your second time out!

Darn. Anyone know who they are using for the Philadelphia show? There are about 10 people from my department going to that show. As for me...I'm thinking I'll have a touch of the old Meadowlands Flu on August 15th! Liz? Kay? Holly? Meet you there?

Kay! I'll be there! Just got done painting the toe-sies red for the occasion. Probably leaving South Jersey around 3:00. Woo-hoo! Cinco de Mayo & Cabs! Oh, and George? ...

I think the answer to what Lee says is the real reason for this thread lies in the quotes above. In the big world of competitive sports and/or entertainment - call us what you will - there is a limited, and dare I even say VERY limited market for what we do. Lee isn't unique. Every generation of drum corps has had its Lees, and its Hopkins. We've all thought more people would enjoy & support what we do, if there was just a way to get our message out there. Just remember, those people outside our little "box" don't give a rat's behind if we play in G or Bb; spin or twirl, or call ourselves a band or a drum corps. If they are remotely interested, they've already seen Blast, Brassed Off and Drum Line. None of those were about drum corps. What do we have to offer them that is different? To them, the answer right now is nothing tangible. Let's face it, if you expand the market, you have a responsibility to that market. Check any of the old school - new school threads to see how easily we adapt to change. And yet, without change, trying to find a new market for us is like trying to find a broader market for civil war re-enactments. We are what we are. But to be honest...to everyone else we are just marching bands. You can say that there aren't enough DCA shows nationwide to reach out to everyone who is a potential consumer of what we do. But there are band competitions everywhere. Are they going? Why not? Because they play Bb or have woodwinds? Prove that. I tend to agree with Liz in that one of the dumbest things we could do right now is alienate the markets and fans we already have sewn up. Instead of being critical of the corps who have built the existing markets over time, I say give them credit. From what I can see, their fans have truly embraced the "expansion" corps, as have the older corps themselves. I think the approach DCA is currently taking - one of building, rather than reinventing - is the right approach. Change is good, but given the fact that we are ready to kill each other over trumpets or sopranos / tubas or contras, it's probably safe to say we couldn't handle any sweeping changes in DCA for now. If someone could present an irrefutable case for it, then maybe. But THAT hasn't happened.

Woo-hoo! I get to party with Peggy & Mr. Pronti! We got our tickets! If you've been promising yourself a visit to the famous American Legion Post 199, this sounds like a great opportunity to do it!

Sigh. Sean. Always the one to remind you that no matter what had you down - work, family, friends, corps - that you were better than the world was treating you that day. Irreplaceable friend and trusted confidant, I will miss you, Sean. My heartfelt condolences go out to the Holton and Skyliner families.

Don't know if I can answer that question, but I do know that I have seen Sky make a couple small, but dignified comebacks, and like everyone, I cheered them on because DCA loves Sky, and needs them. But it wasn't until 2005 that I personally experienced a rebuilding year and learned, first hand, what amazing things "10-20 rocks" can accomplish. You're going to love what happens next if you build your foundation on ROCKS! All the best to Sky. We love you and we need you.

So for argument's sake, which is more traditional...Stars and Stripes on Bb (the way Sousa wrote it), or Stairway to Heaven in G?

Very Cool! Congrats. Here's hoping you have a great Open House!

No apologies for what I'm about to say... I always loved them doing show tunes. Nothing say NY like Broadway.

I've got at least one Cabs coffee mug somewhere. In the camper maybe? Let me find it & we'll work something out.

Maybe in some local ya-hoo parade, but I know of none in DCA.

Call each of their recruitment managers and ask lots of questions. A good list of things to consider has been started. Also find out if there are other members traveling from your area, and what kind of accomodations are available on weekends. I would tend to identify the corps that is the best match for my interests, then figure out how to make it work from there, but anyone will tell you...some of the logistics start to get darn tedious around August. It's all good. Look at us now...we can't wait to get back.

So what are we calling that? Semester abroad? Foreign studies? B)

Well said, Evan. By the time we got on the bus to go to rehearsal Sunday, it was more like months had passed rather than a mear 12 hours. Everyone was laughing and joking and very focused on moving forward. You know the saying...that which doesn't kill you...

Did the Vagabonds Alumni get off the ground? They started up in South Jersey last year.