CrunchyTenor

My ex-wifr slept through BD 83 once. Once. Garry in Vegas

On DCP? Say it ain't so! Garry in Vegas

Too late. Scouts and Cavaliers already killed drum corps in 1971. Is BD on yet? Garry in Vegas

Raise your hand if you've heard Einstein on the Beach before. You know, with the counting and love poem and everything? Garry in Vegas

SCV hasn't lost to Regiment all year, so that's a pretty safe prediction. That and my $1 bet with my lovely bride, the Regiment alumnus, seems pretty safe, too. Garry in Vegas PS I win another $1 if the Angels finish with a better winning percentage than the Cubs.

Well, you can't have everything! Garry in Vegas

Andrew, you know they'll speak for themselves at Open Class championships, and at World Class Prelims. While it's not likely thay could challenge for Best Percussion at the World Class level, as our friend Flammaster contends, they will represent themselves and their organization very well. No surprises there. Look at me, defending a Blue Devils corps. Just proves anything can happen! Garry in Vegas

Heh! Garry in Vegas

I was wondering what their show ws this year. but did they do a different show for their first performance? Garry in Vegas

OK, thanks. Garry in Vegas Living vicariously through those with FN

Is that what the "ISE" quotes were about earlier? Too narrow on the camera? Cut out the "R"? Garry in Vegas

Sorry, I'm a California native. Would you call Arizona Ari? Or Montana Monty? And pride is cool. That's why I call it California, and not "Cali". Anyway, we digress. Too much excitement in San Antonio! And more California corps to come!

This is off topic, but... I hate the term "Cali". Cali is a drug cartel in Colombia. California is a state. Please? And, yes, California is proud of all of our World and Open Class corps. OK, back on topic! Garry in Vegas (but from Huntington Beach, California)

George is Japanese, not Chinese. Though he did march in the Koyasan Boy Scout drum corps in LA when he was a kid. Garry in Vegas

Or maybe set up a "Whack-A-Hop" game in Souvie Alley? Garry in Vegas

Why, Charlie Groh! You corps hopper, you! Anaheim Scouts --> Lakewood Ambassadors --> VK? Garry in Vegas

Happy to join the discussion, and happier to have a Saturday off to participate. Went to DeKalb last Sunday since I had taken my little one to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Chicago. FN not in the budget this summer, so comments for those in SA are greatly appreciated. Garry in Vegas

Maybe we can get a real Open Class show discussion going here today. Anyone going to the show? Can you update us as the show progresses? Are Spartans the favorite? Can 7th Regiment challenge for the win today? Chat it up! Garry in Vegas

Manchester, NH Saturday, July 20, 2013 - 5:30 PM EDT Fiesta De Musica Venue Address Clem Lemire Sports Complex - Memorial H.S. 1 Crusader Way Manchester, NH 03103 Performing Corps Listed in reverse order of performance. Spartans - Nashua, NH Legends - Kalamazoo, MI 7th Regiment - New London, CT Raiders - Burlington, NJ Les Stentors - Sherbrooke, QU The Muchachos - Manchester, NH Current conditions at: Manchester Airport (KMHT) Lat: 42.94 Lon: -71.43 Elev: 225ft. A Few Clouds 90°F (32°C) Humidity 47% Wind Speed W 10 mph Barometer 29.67 in (1005.4 mb) Dewpoint 67°F (19°C) Visibility 10.00 mi Heat Index 93°F (34°C) Last Update on 20 Jul 12:53 pm EDT This Afternoon: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly clear, with a low around 66. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Genesis is the only Open Class corps at the Southwestern Regional today. Since the actual competition is indoors today, this weather report is more focused on the corps' rehearsals and fans travel to the show.And for the first time in years I have a day off on San Antonio show day, so I'll be glued to my laptop for the discussion thread! San Antonio, TX DCI Southwestern Championship Alamodome 100 Montana St. San Antonio, TX 78203 Saturday, July 20 All times CDT 11:00 AM – Gates Open 11:30 AM – Kick Start Leadership Workshop 1:30 PM – SoundSport Exhibition: Guardians 1:47 PM – Genesis 2:04 PM – Cascades 2:21 PM – Jersey Surf 2:38 PM – Oregon Crusaders 2:55 PM – Pioneer 3:12 PM – Mandarins 3:29 PM – Colts 3:46 PM – Intermission 4:20 PM – The Academy 4:37 PM – Pacific Crest 4:54 PM – Crossmen 5:11 PM – Troopers 5:28 PM – Boston Crusaders 5:45 PM – Spirit of Atlanta 6:02 PM – Blue Stars 6:19 PM – Blue Knights 6:36 PM – Intermission 7:10 PM – Madison Scouts 7:27 PM – The Cavaliers 7:44 PM – Phantom Regiment 8:01 PM – Bluecoats 8:18 PM – Santa Clara Vanguard 8:35 PM – The Cadets 8:52 PM – Carolina Crown 9:09 PM – Blue Devils 9:26 PM – DrumLine Battle: Crossmen vs. Jersey Surf 9:38 PM – Awards Ceremony Current conditions at: San Antonio, Stinson Municipal Airport (KSSF) Lat: 29.33 Lon: -98.47 Elev: 577ft. Fair 87°F (31°C) Humidity 55% Wind Speed Vrbl 5 mph Barometer 29.96 in (1013.1 mb) Dewpoint 69°F (21°C) Visibility 10.00 mi Heat Index 91°F (33°C) Last Update on 20 Jul 11:53 am CDT This Afternoon: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Since the actual competition is indoors today, this weather report is more focused on the corps' rehearsals and fans travel to the show.And for the first time in years I have a day off on San Antonio show day, so I'll be glued to my laptop for the discussion thread! DCI Southwestern Championship Alamodome 100 Montana St. San Antonio, TX 78203 Saturday, July 20 All times CDT 11:00 AM – Gates Open 11:30 AM – Kick Start Leadership Workshop 1:30 PM – SoundSport Exhibition: Guardians 1:47 PM – Genesis 2:04 PM – Cascades 2:21 PM – Jersey Surf 2:38 PM – Oregon Crusaders 2:55 PM – Pioneer 3:12 PM – Mandarins 3:29 PM – Colts 3:46 PM – Intermission 4:20 PM – The Academy 4:37 PM – Pacific Crest 4:54 PM – Crossmen 5:11 PM – Troopers 5:28 PM – Boston Crusaders 5:45 PM – Spirit of Atlanta 6:02 PM – Blue Stars 6:19 PM – Blue Knights 6:36 PM – Intermission 7:10 PM – Madison Scouts 7:27 PM – The Cavaliers 7:44 PM – Phantom Regiment 8:01 PM – Bluecoats 8:18 PM – Santa Clara Vanguard 8:35 PM – The Cadets 8:52 PM – Carolina Crown 9:09 PM – Blue Devils 9:26 PM – DrumLine Battle: Crossmen vs. Jersey Surf 9:38 PM – Awards Ceremony Current conditions at: San Antonio, Stinson Municipal Airport (KSSF) Lat: 29.33 Lon: -98.47 Elev: 577ft. Fair 87°F (31°C) Humidity 55% Wind Speed Vrbl 5 mph Barometer 29.96 in (1013.1 mb) Dewpoint 69°F (21°C) Visibility 10.00 mi Heat Index 91°F (33°C) Last Update on 20 Jul 11:53 am CDT This Afternoon: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

As a former board member for Impulse, of course we talked about "one day" becoming a World Class corps. But from what I've seen in the 10 years since moving away from SoCal, it seems the corps has settled into their role as an Open Class competitor offering new drum corps members the opportunity to march. There is a purpose for Open Class. In many ways I wish we still had two lower divisions. It's very difficult for the smaller corps, those that used to compose Division III to compete successfuly with the larger corps that were Division II. Maybe it's time for another re-structure. Restore the Division II and III (maybe with some other designation name), and add SoundSport as a third lower division. Garry in Vegas PS BTW, I don't think Mike sounds angry at all. I think he asks some legitimate questions.

Houston, TX Friday, July 19, 2013 - 7:30 PM CDT DCI Houston presented by THE exSIGHTment OF SOUND Event Details Venue Address The Berry Center 8877 Barker Cypress Rd (and West Rd) Cypress, TX 77433 Performing Corps Listed in reverse order of performance. Phantom Regiment - Rockford, IL Bluecoats - Canton, OH The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL Boston Crusaders - Boston, MA Madison Scouts - Madison, WI The Academy - Tempe, AZ Pacific Crest - Diamond Bar, CA Jersey Surf - Camden County, NJ Genesis - Edinburg, TX Current conditions at: Houston, Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH) Lat: 30.07 Lon: -95.55 Elev: 151ft. Thunderstorm 82°F (28°C) Humidity 69% Wind Speed SE 13 G 26 mph Barometer 30.01 in (1016.0 mb) Dewpoint 71°F (22°C) Visibility 10.00 mi Heat Index 86°F (30°C) Last Update on 19 Jul 2:53 pm CDT This Afternoon: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. East wind around 5 mph. Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Houston, TX Friday, July 19, 2013 - 7:30 PM CDT DCI Houston presented by THE exSIGHTment OF SOUND Event Details Venue Address The Berry Center 8877 Barker Cypress Rd (and West Rd) Cypress, TX 77433 Performing Corps Listed in reverse order of performance. Phantom Regiment - Rockford, IL Bluecoats - Canton, OH The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL Boston Crusaders - Boston, MA Madison Scouts - Madison, WI The Academy - Tempe, AZ Pacific Crest - Diamond Bar, CA Jersey Surf - Camden County, NJ Genesis - Edinburg, TX Current conditions at: Houston, Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH) Lat: 30.07 Lon: -95.55 Elev: 151ft. Thunderstorm 82°F (28°C) Humidity 69% Wind Speed SE 13 G 26 mph Barometer 30.01 in (1016.0 mb) Dewpoint 71°F (22°C) Visibility 10.00 mi Heat Index 86°F (30°C) Last Update on 19 Jul 2:53 pm CDT This Afternoon: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. East wind around 5 mph. Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

...or caught at all, or caught without moving out of the form. Back about 15 years ago there were no All-Age corps on the west coast. The last one I can recall, the Joaquin Caballeros from Stockton, CA, stopped competing in the late 60's. One started up in NorCal that eventually morphed into the Renegades (1999-present), and another in the Seattle area called Northwest Venture (1999-2003). In 2002, as part of the Impulse organization, we were able to start SoCal Dream (2002-present) just as River City Regiment (2002-2007) was starting up in the Sacramento area. As of now, Renegades and SoCal Dream are the only All-Age corps still competing out west. Several other All-Age corps have started up and folded over the last 15 years or so. It's not an easy road. Many are self-funded by the membership with limited fund-raisers. (If you think trying to fund-raise for a youth group is tough, try it with an All-Age!) It's really not up to DCI to assist with any corps forming, and especially not with All-Age corps since their focus is on the junior corps. With SoCal Dream we were able to show our intent and ability to support our junior corps affiliates (Impulse, City Sound, Mystikal), and support for the DCI-Pacific region. But you can get performance opportunities through DCI as many have. It was a very important relationship out west where the number of All-Age corps and their not-so-close proximity to literally all of the DCA schedule made it impossible to compete without the help of DCI. As a side note, I recall a meeting between staff members of all four west coast All-Age corps regarding how we could support the DCI-Pacific junior corps, as well as DCI's mission. (There were also members of Bayou City Blues, IIRC.) We also met at the DCI-Pacific regional meeting in a small group with Dan Acheson and several junior corps mangement representatives to assure them we weren't the alchohol-fogged stereotype of the "senior corps" member. All of the All-Age corps that work with DCI are non-voting members. They pay their member fees just ike the juniors and are subject to the same evaluation process before they are added to the schedule. DCI works them into the schedule at their convenience. Junior corps are always going to get the priority, and the All-Age corps generally go on in the first block of corps with few exceptions. However, if anyone has the resources to form an All-Age corps, as you know from your experiences with Prairie Sound, they can contact DCI and their local regional representative to start the process. It can be a very rewarding relationship and just the avenue to get a program started. Garry in Vegas

Denton, TX Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 7:00 PM CDT DCI North Dallas presented by CoServ Electric for Red River Thunder Event Details Venue Address CH Collins Athletic Complex 1500 Long Rd. Denton, TX 76207 Performing Corps Listed in reverse order of performance. The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL Blue Devils - Concord, CA Carolina Crown - Ft. Mill, SC The Cadets - Allentown, PA Santa Clara Vanguard - Santa Clara, CA Blue Knights - Denver, CO Spirit of Atlanta - Atlanta, GA Crossmen - San Antonio, TX Blue Stars - La Crosse, WI Colts - Dubuque, IA Mandarins - Sacramento, CA Current conditions at: Denton Municipal Airport (KDTO) Lat: 33.2 Lon: -97.18 Elev: 646ft. A Few Clouds 88°F (31°C) Humidity 55% Wind Speed S 9 mph Barometer 30.17 in (1020.8 mb) Dewpoint 70°F Visibility 10.00 mi Heat Index 93°F (34°C) Last Update on 18 Jul 12:53 pm CDT This Afternoon: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 98. South southeast wind around 5 mph. Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.