kstein

Trooping the stands! And now that these corps have learned so much additional material for encores/parades/whatever, let the horns play too, if they'd like. I'm perfectly okay if this cuts into the pre-show silliness of the next group. Maybe they can just set up and actually start when announced. (Gasp!)

Star 1990 Garfield 1984 SCV 1980 BD 1976 Bridgemen 1980 27th 1980

Had to vote for Garfield, but it would have been really, really interesting if Star stuck around...

Brent, I think it's best if I stay away, but I'll be rooting for you to have the performance and experience of a lifetime with all of my heart. I know you'll absolutely throw down your very, very best, as will the rest of the gang. Enjoy every minute! Love ya! Karen

I get it. I feel it. And I thank you so very much for sharing this. Still, it makes me so very, very sad. Best to you, Karen

Not a fair question. I may now be a soccer mom in her mid-40's, but I'm originally a Bridgemen from NJ, so I probably would have hurt them very, very badly. But I would have done it quietly. And politely.

Talking during the ballads would never occur to the people that built this activity up from nothing. Silly us: we respect the uniforms, stand when the colors are presented, and actually listen and applaud all of the shows, whether we like them or not. It's the bandos you have an issue with, but I thought that would be easily understood? And you tell people to shut up in public? Sheesh. That explains a lot here.

My husband might have an issue with this...but, sadly, I think he'll understand. We probably have many family and friends in common, garfield. We should take this discussion to a more (ahem) private, adult forum. Night, kiddies! Cheers! Karen

Me too. And frankly, you said it more nicely than I would have.

CM, You couldn't ask for a better person "whose brain you'd like to pick" regarding the history of Star. "Little One", as we called him in 85, was one of (if not the) youngest people in the corps. Short, skinny, big feet - with a heart, attitude and work ethic that wouldn't quit. A great member, and one who has contributed so very much to the Star history. "Little One" is now a very tall, very grown up gentleman with a tremendous list of personal and professional accomplishments under his belt, and somebody who still represents the Star organization in the very best possible way. I hope you two get to "cyber connect" and chat. He's one of the really great people in an activity that is mostly full of great people. Cheers! Karen

I think you should at least be consistent about who you are. When I was DM of the Bridgemen, I don't think I ever made it to the end of a parade (and certainly not the Bristol parade) without somebody giving me a beer. We were laid back, a bit crazy, totally accessible, and people responded accordingly. When I was DM of Star of Indiana, that would never, ever happen. That was not our image, that was not our style, and it was not true to the reputation we were trying to build. Carolina Crown being silly or goofing off in a parade isn't the end of the world. But it doesn't seem consistent to the image they're trying to build. Heck, if they want to be a "Bridgemen-type" corps, then go all out and be that. But if you're going to wear a certain type of uniform and model a certain type of behavior most of the time, why not be consistently true to that image? Frankly, I have always hated corps that do the half uniform/half ###ed performance in a parade because it's hot. If you're going to show up and be paid, put on your uniform and deliver the performance the people that hired you expect you to deliver. You want to get to the end of the parade and strip down and lay back in a standstill? Fine - and probably a great time! But deliver on your promises and always, always carry yourself as a champion. You can absolutely have some fun, play some goofy pop tunes, swagger a little...and still manage to stay in step, for goodness sake! Cheers! Karen

Absolutely! Still an outstanding corps in 1981 and well feared by their rivals and adored by their fans. Alas, they never were able to recapture quite the magic of 1980...and I miss them to this day! Cheers! Karen

Respectfully, I think that winning Allentown the week before Finals and placing 2nd at Nationals make 1980 the year where they were really considered to be a real contender to win DCI. They were fabulous that year and really did just peak a week too early. Allentown Finals was absolutely one of the best single performances I've ever seen from any drum corps ever. Cheers! Karen

Many thanks, kind friend! Cheers! Karen

Need a little local knowledge, please. While I loved marching in this show and parade, I'm thinking of attending the parade only this year. Simple story: I've got two little boys in tow, plus a husband who less than a year ago ripped the patellar tendons off both his kneecaps (OUCH!), so walking long distances is NOT an option. Does anyone have a good suggestion as to where I could park and get my merry men easily to a good viewing location? Many thanks, Karen

Seriously? It's the money, honey. My personal record was 13 parades during one long, unholy Memorial Day weekend. If you time them right (and sometimes ask the cops for a little help) you can line up a ton of parades and make a boatload of cash. Key to the operations of most corps, especially back in the dino days!

'Twas indeed a DeLucia line. Many of those cats are still very influencial teachers, judges, and even a few administrators.

Starting to feel more and more like 1980 or the year we dinos like to refer to as "The Year Nobody Sucked". Crude, perhaps, but it was an absolutely wonderful year from 1 - 12 and you didn't want to miss a thing at all of the major shows. The other identifying feature of 1980 was the inclusion of corps having a great year in the top 5. That year saw the 27th Lancers in 2nd, the Bridgemen in 3rd and (I'm doing this off the top of my old head, so forgive me if I'm wrong) Spirit of Atlanta in 4th. Let's hope the judging community is as open minded this year in truly rewarding what they see and hear in front of them and not relying on reputation, slotting, or anything else for determing the corps' placements this year. Cheers! Karen

In the spirit of drum corps cooperation, perhaps the Blue Devils can lend the Cadets one of their chairs from last year for Hoppy to sit on during the Cadet's performance? See kids, there's a solution to everything if we all work together. Peace, Karen

Sadly, yes.

Wonderful, balanced review...which is tough to do when "your team" is in the show! Thank you for the thorough and thoughtful effort! Cheers! Karen

It's funny - "scary good" are exactly the words I used to describe them to my husband the other night. Very strong writing and execution across all sections, which is impressive as heck to see so early in the year. (It looks like a mighty strong year for all corps with Blue in their name!) Congrats to the 'Coats crew for putting together such a fine show, and best of luck to the kids throughout the season. Cheers! Karen

I continue to read variations to this response about how this could have/should have been handled within the Scouts. But it wasn't - at least not to his satisfaction - nor can it be, since he is no longer a member. I get that the Scouts don't like the criticism and they don't want to air their laundry in public, but really "public" is where this guy is now affiliated, as he's not a member of a corps. I don't know what other options this young man might have had. Great cymbal players have very limited options: most take their "craft" seriously and that does not always translate into having the chops/desire to play another percussion instrument. There are, as has been discussed here, very few corps maching cymbals, further limiting their options. It really is a very different predicament than a sop player or guard member being cut or having their "section" eliminated. As a drum corps fan, I think the Scouts missed a great opportunity to utilize the skill of the very best cymbal arranger I've ever heard, Thom Hannum. From a visual perspective, I think the line could have also brought some needed GE to this year's show. I just feel bad for any kid who wants to march, has shown he/she has the dedication and chops to march, but can't march...for whatever the reason. I'm sure this Summer is going to be both frustrating and sad for this guy, and I hope at some point he has the chance either in this activity or another to once again participate in something he loves.

So loyalty is a one way street? Seriously? He's not "family" anymore. His family told him his services weren't wanted or needed any longer. He's still a welcome member of this highly dysfunctional DCP family, so why not post here?

Lots of people post her because they're ticked off. Lots of people post here because they're happy. This guy has every right to post here, and no reason at all to expect that anything he addresses directly to his former corps would be acknowledged or taken seriously, given the way he and the other members of the cymbal line were dismissed. I was hoping to hear that these young men and found a new place to march - one that respects their talent, commitment, and passion for the activity. I hope the other gentlemen surface and give us an update on their 2010 marching seasons. Wishing these dedicated plate guys all the best, Karen