Tacco

Congrats, Jeff!! (...or is it Mr. Spanos now?) Jeff's rookie year was my age-out year at Madison! Should be an interesting time in Madison's history. Looking forward to seeing what happens.... Tacco

Sometimes, if you're having issues with the link, it helps to "right-click" your mouse and "save as target" to your desktop. See if that helps you out! Tacco

Check out the Blue Stars' February Camp Video-- HERE, it includes some bits and pieces of this year's show music! Enjoy, Tacco

January Camp Video

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My apologies! Respectfully, TACCO

Opinion about the context of the rule change aside, I understood the proposal on first viewing to be-- * if the corps chooses to keep the soundboard on the field of competition (boundaries set for marching members), then a member of the corps must operate it. * if the corps choses to place the soundboard outside of the field of competition (between the front barrier and the stands, but not in the stands), then it can be run by a non-member of the corps.

I think it would be cool if all the corps got out to the West Coast a week before final's week and did a bunch of shows up and down the coast!!!!! Tacco

Thanks for the kind words Brent.

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Camp went well! For more details please visit our WEBSITE! January Camp Video

Happy New Year to everyone and I certainly hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season! The Blue Stars will be holding our 3rd and final audition camp on the weekend of January 20-22, 2006! This camp will, once again, be hosted at Irondale High School in New Brighton, MN and will begin with registration on Friday evening at 6:30pm. Rehearsal starts at 7:30pm on Friday and concludes with a performance at 2:00pm on Sunday that is open to the public! There are still a few spots that we have not offered contracts for, so there is still time if you are interested in being a part of this historic season for the Blue Stars! We will be marching 72 brass and the percussion and guard numbers are still being evaluated to fit under the 135 cut-off! The January Camp promises to be exciting as we set our 2006 membership, meet a few of the design team, dive into more music, and keep enjoying the journey! If you are interested in attending this camp or finding out more about what 2006 holds for the Blue Stars, please visit OUR WEBSITE or contact our corps'director Chad at chad.armbruster@bluestars.org. Some helpful links-- Blue Stars on DCI.org January Camp Information Membership Interest Form RSVP to Attend the January Camp Audition Materials Hope to see you there! Tacco

In response to the battery-less ballad not being invented prior to 1989. Scout's ballad in 1988 had no battery percussion. Not saying we were first, but it was prior to 1989......just for clarification's sake! :) Tacco

2nd Audition Camp for the 2006 Blue Stars is happening this weekend!! (December 16-18, 2005) It's not too late to be a part of it right now, but one week from today may be a different story! Tacco

Look for similar types of videos after each camp! Tacco

One week until our 2nd Audition Camp! Feel free to contact me with questions!! It should be fun! Expecting the show announcement at this camp! (12/16-12/18) Tacco

Recently, the Blue Stars posted a media section on our website!! There are links to news reports, promotional videos, a 2005 Retrospective, and a November 26/27 Camp Video!! You can find all of these and more by clicking HERE!! Enjoy! Tacco

Thanks for the kind wishes David, and good luck on your senior recital and student teaching. It appears that Blue Stars will be touring all over the country this summer, hope you have an opportunity to check out the 2006 Blue Stars if we are in your neck of the woods!! Tacco

Hello Bobby, Looks like you'll get some insight into the corps and the heart of the corps I marched with from 1985-90! You and I marched in Pioneer together, prior to 1985, and hopefully you'll understand what drew me to the corps back then...and what kept me there until my age-out year! Please pass on my best wishes to Scott and his wife! Enjoy your weekend!! Your friend, Tacco

Auditionees and friends-- http://www.bluestars.org/forum/index.php?a...e=post&id=38774 Brass Line during Show & Tell-- http://www.bluestars.org/forum/index.php?a...e=post&id=38777 Sorry we couldn't fit the entire horn arc in the picture!! :)

Membership / Camp Info

Thanks Brent, for your kind words. You and Minnesota Brass certainly played your part in helping us to arrive at the point we're at! Thank You!! Here are a couple of links to reviews of the camp, enjoy-- Successful November Camp! A member's perspective! Thanks, Tacco PS We'll start setting the membership at the December 16-18 Camp....it's not too late to be a part of something special-- the 2006 Bue Stars!!

Sorry about the duplicate posts....the other one got moved to this forum (Announcements) from the General Discussion forum. I went ahead and deleted the info in the other post so this will be the only one people respond / post to! Thanks for understanding! Tacco **the duplicate post has been deleted**

Blue Stars recently concluded an exciting and successful Audition Camp on Thanksgiving Weekend! It was a tremendous way to start what promises to be a most memorable season for the Blue Stars organization. Over 200 auditionees were in attendance and every section was well represesnted. The talent level and attitude of all involved bodes well for the corps, especially since the expectations for the corps, both internally and externally, are extremely high. The many new faces on staff made immediate and positive impact in their repsective sections and the tone for the season was set early on! One of the larger audiences in recent memory turned out to witness the Show & Tell at the end of camp! All sections were represented well and the vibe in the audience was that there is something special in store for the drum corps community this season! There are still opportunities for prospective members to audition for the 2006 Blue Stars!! We will begin setting the sections for the 2006 Season at our December 16-18 Camp. The camp will again be held at Irondale High School in New Brighton, MN. Registration starts on Friday at 6:30pm and camp concludes at 3:00pm on Sunday. (Everyone is invited to the Show & Tell performaces at 2:00pm on Sunday of camp!) If you are interested, here are some helpful links--- Blue Stars Home Page Membership Interest Form December Audition Camp Info Audition Materials RSVP to Attend December Audition Camp Blue Stars Discussion Forums 2006 Blue Stars Staff Info If you have any questions feel free to contact the corps' director, Chad Armbruster, at (chad.armbruster@bluestars.org) or look HERE for contact information! Hope to see you in a few weeks!! Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Holiday Season!! Tacco

ANother good way to look at costs is-- Instead of looking at the "sticker shock" approach of one big dollar amount, look at what you are getting for your dollar! Also, compare the cost of a SEASON of drum corps to what music and sports camps charge for a week or two! Yes it costs money to do drum corps. It takes planning and effort to overcome this obstacle. I would be unimpressed to find someone go and march a different corps solely on the reasoning of money. But then again, I am a bit of an old fart who marched in an era where it wasn't uncommon to see people marching in the same group for 5, 6, 7, or more years. Just my thoughts! Take 'em or leave 'em. Tacco