amberwaves

I am wholly amused that not only did someone pick up on this, but also that another person alerted me to it so that I would come look. Haha. Carry on kids. That roof will stay closed during DCI always. They do open and close it occasionally during games. I bet they won't anymore though.

Good guess Boo. Right now it is uncertain when or if our performance will be available on Fan Network or via DVD to non-members. Thanks to everyone for your interest and support.

It’s an interesting thing, perception. I don’t surf around DCP that much. Maybe it is because I don’t have time. Maybe it is because I don’t want my perceptions changed by the observations of others. Maybe it is because it brings out emotions buried long ago. Maybe it is because it makes me wistful for the corps and family I miss so much. I’m not sure, really. The fact of the matter is that perception is truly your own. No one but you has ever walked in your shoes. No one but you knows how events in your life nurture you, shape you, change you. Here is my perception…here is what it was to be in my shoes from 1991-1993. I was 15 years old when I auditioned for the Star of Indiana in the fall of 1990. Hearing Praise Ye that summer forever changed the way I would feel about music. I HAD to be a part of the organization that shook me so violently. I showed up to winter camps bright-eyed and eager to learn. While I was mature beyond 15 years, I was not a mature brass player. I refused to give in to that and eventually ended up on tour as an alternate at the age of 16. By mid-season, I was wholly and securely in the brass line. This was no small feat. I marched 7 drill spots between dress rehearsal and DCM Championships. I switched instruments and parts and learned an entire new book while on tour. I changed from a mousy high schooler into a hard core diesel fumed ##### in a few short weeks. And then the booing started. No matter how hard core you are, no matter how thick your skin, no matter how mature you are, no matter how many discussions are had about what the booing does and does not mean – it hurts you. It scars you. Nothing anyone says will help you to understand why anyone would be so hurtful to something you’ve poured your soul into. After a while, I came to need the booing. I felt I had done my job when we got booed. I felt that people wanted to be me when we got booed. I felt like a goddess of brass when we got booed. Make no mistake – we were booed at EVERY show in 1992 and 1993. Even at our own home show. It wasn’t always during the show. Sometimes it was after. Sometimes it was when scores were announced. Sometimes it was while we marched in twos back to our busses. But it was there, like a roach, or a bad penny. It was there. It was ALWAYS there. It changed me. I embraced the Medea show. I loved it. I loved performing it every night. I even loved it in a baseball diamond in Massachusetts and at two in the morning in the deep south. I loved it while we ran. Medea was the ##### I needed. She was the ##### I loved for drum corps fans to hate. She helped me bury the hurt I felt and become the strong and independent person I am today. She changed me. Now maybe you’ll all understand what “the emotion on that girl’s face” was that night in August 1993. It wasn’t about aging out. It was about letting go. Having the opportunity to be in front of drum corps fans one last time Friday night was just what I needed to release those demons forever. I hope that all of you were able to enjoy our performance even a fraction of the amount we enjoyed performing it for you. We made sacrifices along the way. We sacrificed time with our families to be with our Star Family of old. We sacrificed marching to attain the sound only the Star of Indiana could be content with. We sacrificed part of our camp schedule to get more people to participate. We sacrificed parts of our beloved book to stay within a reasonable performance time. We sacrificed our vacation to rehearse in 95 degree heat. We loved every minute of time we got with each other, with drum corps fans, and with our staff. We are forever changed yet again. I do not share this to change your perception or your opinion. Those are your own. I share this so you all can understand and maybe learn from my experience with the Star of Indiana. No matter your opinion, no matter your likes, no matter your dislikes, no matter your appreciation – it is NEVER ok to crush a young person’s efforts, work, soul, and life changing experiences by booing. Find a better way. Forever changed by amazing people – My STAR Family, Amber Waves

At one point or another Star Alums also taught at Pioneer, Troopers, and SCV. I don't think so anymore now.

Fair observation. No comment.

Glad to help. So do we! Don't forget about the hole...it is still there.

Here's the thing...I'm not sure too many really know for sure what the reason is. I know what I've been told. I know the discussions I've had with my Star family. I know what has been speculated about. I personally have never had this conversation with Bill - not many have. Karen - you may be one of the ones that has had this conversation, but I suspect you now fall into #3 below. What you will find about most of us Star Alums is that 1) this is a touchy subject (that may be the understatement of the day), 2) aside from the obvious reasons, the complete lack of credible information on this subject - even to its members, is one of the reasons it is so touchy, and 3) most folks from within the organization are likely to be tight-lipped whether we have good information or not. This is just how we are. We don't mean to intentionally be obtuse...we really just don't wish to speak for a man that we all respect so highly (point of clarification - I'm talking about Bill). I hate making broad generalizations and speaking for other people. This is my perception of how the Star crew works. We generally will just say, "Thank you very much. You have a very nice drum corps." And leave it at that. There are some of us who will talk about our own experiences. I'm still more than happy to do so, and I will tell you if I don't know something. Hope that helps.

Hee hee!! Lots of goodies in that paragraph!

The story has been told well and accurately by my fab ex-seat partner. I will answer the $100M question though. We were NOT paid in 1994. We actually paid dues. I am not 100% sure when the members started getting paid. Also, if I remember correctly I think we had less than 10 shows that summer. While experiencing Brass Theater was an important part of my musical path, it was not for me. Being in Madison that year was like torture. I couldn't even bring myself to go to finals. I left early to go home. I had three years left in my drum corps career. I never marched anywhere else. While sad, I'm glad that I had the time I did with a group that was at the top of the game. I, too, have the hole. It is partially filled by getting to be a part of the greatness that is Star United. Even if it is on the sideline. Who knew typing about this would still be so sad after 15 years. That's it from me although I'm happy to answer questions people have.

Joey - I am checking into it for you. I know we have some to sell. I imagine they'll be available in the online "Star Store." Let me verify and I'll send you the link. Thanks for the support! Sorry we missed you at the busses! Amber

LOL....Scooter, you are a funny funny man.

You're welcome - you Cougar, you. ;)

I usually don't post much on DCP...but I am compelled here. I have to agree with Clark that there is no "vindication." Personally, I am just glad that people/fans are able to enjoy the 93 show as much as I did all those years ago. I would love to have won, don't get me wrong...however, that show was so close to perfect (in my mind folks...not meant as a statement of fact), and I poured so much of my soul into it...I just felt like a more enriched person for having been able to perform it. If THAT is what fans are now getting out of the 93 show, then I am as vindicated as I ever need to be. I miss my home crew...no doubt. But I love watching the kids continue, year after year, to become better musicians and better people for being involved in the activity. It may invoke laughter from many of you, knowing the debauchery that does on. BUT, I know I am forever changed for being involved in drum corps. No amount of booing, bad feelings, wins, losses, etc will ever change the way my life was shaped. All of that said...I was very bothered by the booing in 91. In 92, I didn't understand how you could boo an American show. (Can you even fathom that now?!?!?!). By the time 93 rolled around, I was offended if we didn't get booed. I thrived off of it...we used to yell and laugh in the retreat block when the booing started. So Mr X...if we were getting booed so much that I was offended to NOT get booed...then you weren't listening...turn up the batteries on your hearing aid. Thanks for reading folks.

Yeah Star United!!! I heard the mini-corps competition was great! Congratulations everyone!!

That's right! I forgot about that. I met him in Allentown. I was hanging with a group of people after the show Saturday and he was there. What a cool guy! That was awesome. Thanks Chris - you rock.