JohnHoekstra

Also, MBI performed after the Blue Devils at 1999 DCI semifinals and got a great reaction. I was in the crowd for that one. Crowd was great that night. MBI performers were SOOOO hyped during that show. CorpsVets played the Georgia Dome last year at the end of prelims, and the crowd went nuts for our Vegas show. Can't wait to see how they react to our Celebrations show this year!!! 3 days to find out. :)

OK...its been 12 hrs. Somebody write an indepth review that was there. PLEASE..... :)

Thanks John. Couldn't make it up there this weekend. Had to work. Can't wait to see the recaps and talk to the corps to see how the performance was. I know we had a lot of holes.

Hey Donny. Back again eh? Lots of old school love to go around. Always loved Larrys' arrangements. Hope to see you sometime this summer. Maybe Atlanta? I'll be there with CorpsVets. Knock em dead this summer!!!! :) John Hoekstra

Keep up the local showings. Nothing like local support. We need our Corps families from the Far North to still be around in another 40 years. Best of luck this summer Dutch Boy, looking forward to seeing you! :)

Scott dosn't write drill. This is all about the use of his technique book, and the supposed unauthorized use of the technique HE taught the band, after the other director resigned. His technique isn't really HIS technique. Some exercises maybe, but thats all.This whole thing is a joke, and Bush needs to find another line of work.

I know the techniques in Bushs' manual, and can tell you they are a compilation of what he has learned from other sources,as we all have. Having hired Mr Bush, and consequently firing him for insubordination and unprofessional conduct, he tried the same thing with us about his "manual" that was just put together. There is nothing in there that hasn't been out there for years. I teach a lot of the same technique now...but I didn't learn it from his manual. I learned it from 40 years in drum corps. In fact...Blue Devels might want to talk to him about the techniques in his manual. I think its time Scott finds a new profession. Something that dosn't involve working within an organization of people. Perhaps studying the eating habits of Arctic Spiders.

Chad is a great guy!!! When you see him, tell him hi from John Hoekstra. We were in Heat Wave together. Knock em dead this summer!!! John

:) Hi JC. Just had another baby boy 6 weeks ago. Working hard and teaching CorpsVets. Can't wait to see Mighty Kilts this year. Sounds like a Hot show. Speaking of Hot....it was 90 down here in Florida!!! Greg J. back again this year with you? Say Hi to everyone for me. :) 2 votes so far for Corpus Christy Commodores!!! John

South Force....Southernaires.......South Wave....Corpus Cristy Commadores

:P Hey Kemo buddy. Good to see your still playing! Looking forward to seeing all my old buddies this summer. Good luck, and tell Preacher hi for me. John

:) Had a very special girl from CD of A in 78/79. US Open finals exhibition on the starting line is something I'll remember all my life. Shelly.......wonder where and how you are?????

^0^ The top of the list will be decided in August thank you very much...... :P

I find it interesting that people try to compare Blue Devels, Cavies, Phantom, on the same plane as Raiders, Revolution, Spartans, Teal..... If I go to a high school football game, I go because I love football, and I don't expect it to be on the same level as if I go to a Bears game. Same with Florida or Michigan. There are levels to be appreciated against the talent in the same class...but its the love of the game. Same thing for Corps....Its the love of the activity, no matter what division. And where is it written that in order to be Div. 1, you have to be in competition for 1st place. There are levels to Div. 1 also. To aspire to one day be fighting for 1st place is a goal and dream. But to finish in 25th, and be told that you shouldn't be Div. 1 is disrespectful to every soul that sacrificed to be there. From the mgt. staff, volunteers.....your saying "you suck, because you aren't as good as Cavies. Why bother." I wonder where some peoples heads are at. Have we gotton so shallow in our activity, that if its not 1st place, that its not worth the effort? Appreciate the effort from everyone out there, and expect that some will be more entertaining then others. Be glad that we have an activity that touches young and old, and shapes young lives to be outstanding people. Helps older folks contribute and pass on knowledge, and even perform for the crowds, and feel the warmth of performance and family. Sorry...its been a long day, and I guess i'm tired. Carry on...

Low Hundreds...... $75000.00 per summer tour vs $2500.00 per summer tour. Plus pay for housing. For a corps to come out of Florida, let alone South Florida for that kind of money, means they better have one heck-uv-a bank account. In Florida, you don't get paid to do parades. So you have to go up North to get paid for parades.Also, there is no Bingo to speak of. If you had it, you can only run 2 nights, with a relatively small pot compared to other bingos in the country. For a Corps to operate in Div 2 or 1 with 3 busses, 2 semis, staff, food, fuel, etc., count on a 300-500 thousand dollar budget per year. THATS why KK wants to be out as a Div 1 corps! Any Corps out of Florida has to be Div. 1 to survive financially. Especially since there are no shows within 8 hrs at least. Once you go out on the road, you have to stay there. That was one of the good things about DCM. Lots of shows within a couple hours, and the 2/3 and Sr. corps were paid better per show for the most part.

:) Great qualified staff, talented kids, almost a full corps, and touring to California with free days to actually see the country, this years Teal Sound is going to be an incredible experience for everyone involved. Division 2 is going to be strong again top to bottom! Everyone keep it up, and lets get all the corps back that have taken time off to regroup!!!

I am not expecting them to tour this year, especially as a Div.1 corps. I sincerely wish them luck in getting going again, but it would be prudent to build in stages.DCI isn't going to let them jump the gun either. Maybe a limited tour here in the South and East for this year. LOTS of local performances, and come out running in 08. Hope to be wrong in my thoughts with this. Good Luck KK

Marched Jr. corps 1966-1981..... Taught Jr. Corps 82-96.... Teaching and Marching still.......... All Age Arts Organization(DCA) 41 years to date...... No plans to stop any time soon!

In 1966, I lived by a kid who was my age, but had 3 older brothers...16, 17, 18. He asked me if I wanted to watch them play drums one day. So we waited at a corner, and about 5pm, an old school bus picked us up and took us to a school. I watched as all the old kids started the rehearsal by doing marching basics. The last thing was a company front across the field,elbow to elbow, for 100 yds. Only lines were the end zones and a 50. I was hooked after that. Then they started playing horns and drums, and I had to be a part of it. They strapped on a sidearm, and had me march with the "A Squad" in parades. 41 years later, still involved Its been awesome!!! Can't explain it to those who don't have that special something in their heart. It defies logic and sensebility to most. Hope to be able to keep it going till I depart this Earth. :angel: Johnny

:( Wow...thats a bit of sad news. I'm glad I was able to see and talk with him out in Rochester. He was looking good then, at least considering all he's been through. So long my brother....we'll meet again..............

This was my era of drum corps....started in '66, and still going. All of those memories put a lump in my throat. Magical moments in time. I hope the young people of today still get the same life changing effect as we did back then. Rondinaro summed it up nicely....the lessons learned from corps will stay with you your whole life, and most likely you will be successful, no matter what you do. 41 years this year, and I'll most likely do this till I am dead. :angel: See ya on the field!

Congrats Tyler....Good Luck and knock em dead. :)

Great seeing y'all up there too. Hope to see you in Finals next year, as long as its not at our expense...(CorpsVets) :sshh: We are getting a lot of interest for next year, with a large returning group. The ones that are not returning are trying out for various Jr. corps. With your video, I would guess you will be in the same boat... GOOD LUCK, and see ya next year... Johnny

WOW......I still have a lump in my throat !! VERY COOL!!! (Proud 65th DM) ^OO^

Bumping the thread. It would be great to have another Florida Corps for DCA South. Keep the thread alive and get the word out. ^OO^