Disco Pete

I can't believe you. Diesel is awesome! Or the smell is, at least. The liquid itself is rather filthy. IT DOESN'T WASH OFF! I don't miss it (but I guess that's a support staff gripe rather than a member gripe) I hate those. I also hate sleeping on hockey rinks. I swear, they got more of those things in Canada than gyms. There's no ice, of course, but they're still freezing cold.

by "smuggled," did someone take it across the border or something? No, it was the staff that did that. I just meant that he brought it on the bus. Guilty as charged. I would do it when everyone was sleeping. However, it got worse when I was staffing for Cascades. It's harder to hide in a van than in a bus. Finally the driver got fed up and started charging me a pepsi everytime I did it.So no, don't fart on the bus. EDIT: I guess that's the most important thing, be smart about expensive stuff. I've had to chase too many local kids out of too many gyms over the years to think that they are safe.Don't put cameras, iPods and other small, expensive stuff on your bed, hide them deep in your bag. Or leave them on the bus (not the camera, though. You want that thing available. Trust me). There will be people going though the gym all day. The foosball team, summer school, construction workers, the school starts early or finishes late, etc. The chaparones won't always be sitting and watching your stuff. They might be cooking, or washing unis, or watching you. While on this note, get an ATM card. Back in my day I got travelers checks, but times have changed. Don't carry too much cash.

I see some folks saying to bring a watch, others saying leave them. You should bring a watch on tour; you can lose track of time on free days, and you don't want your group to be the last ones to the busses, trust me. However, don't wear it out on the field. It cheezes off the staff if they catch you checking it every few minutes, especially right before dinner. I put mine on my water bottle handle. Don't bring too many expensive electronics. They are thief-bait. Remember that you will be in a different school every day, and some schools are more secure than others. You never know when some local might come in looking for quick cash. I brought a camera (one that used *gasp* FILM!), and a tape player. Updated for the times, a digital camera and CD player (I wouldn't bring an iPod). Leave the laptop at home. And the cell phone, you'll be spending your set-up-the-bed time looking for an outlet. An electric razor is nice to have, but keep some foam/gel and a razor in case you can't find a plug to recharge. It's been said, but shower with your horn! Every day! All day long you're sweating on the thing, and your body oils will turn it black. Choose your free day chow with care. After spending weeks eating quality cook wagon chow, eating a McGreaseball will make you ill. I speak from personal experience. It goes without saying, but Don't be a moron. I remember a guy smuggled beer on the bus. NOT COOL. Stealing, whether from your Corpsmates or the schools that host you: NOT COOL. As a Kitchen Krew guy, pleasepleasePLEASE let the cooks know if you've got food allergies, religious restrictions, if you're vegetarian or vegan, or if you're lactose intolerant. Not in June, at the next camp. You might've filled out a medical sheet with all your allergies, but these forms often don't make it to the cooks. When I was with the Cascades we'd make a special meal for people who couldn't eat the main meal, but we couldn't make a special meal if we didn't know someone needed it. Pack enough medication for the whole summer; you might not be able to get to a pharmacy for refills. Also, keep some in your under-bus bag, and some in your carry-on. You also might be able to give some to the cook or whoever's in charge of first aid, just in case (some corps have a nurse). A copy of your doctor's prescription is also nice to have. Make sure you know your stuff. If you don't, learn it. If you need help, ask for it. During the summer, you will go in many stadiums; whether they be high school fields, echoing domes, or giant bowls. One bowl you will probably NOT go in is in the back of the bus. Use your rest stops appropriately. Be aware of your surroundings, not just on the field. There's a lot of trucks and busses in Drumcorpsland, and they have HUEG blindspots. Don't walk behind a vehicle while it's backing up! Do laundry in groups. Get some buddies and go for the large washer. This saves time. Also: Make Buddies. Every so often, when there's time, STOP. Then, turn around slowly. You've never been here before. There's a good chance you'll never be here again. Soak that in. Then walk over to the aforementioned Buddies and ask them what they want to do on free day. Scores mean nothing. Placement means nothing. Years down the road, your time with your Buddies will be a larger part of your memories than your scores. GOOD LUCK! (p.s. Gold Bond FTW)

About diesel exhaust... I swear, the exhaust smells different when it's hot and humid than when it's cold and dry. In hot and humid weather I'm taken back to my Drum Corps days, but the cold and dry variety sends me to my days helping out with my sister's winterguard. Valve oil sends me back, because in the non-Drum Corps world I'm a drummer. So I've always associated valve oil with Drum Corps. Same with silver polish. Bus potties, 'nuff said. Summer rain. I always think back to standing out in the field in pouring rain. If there's no lightning, we keep practicing! Dry laundry detergent. I use liquid at home, but I used to use powder on the road (Note to rookies: POWDER IS BEST! If it leaks, you just shake the clothes off)

Timpanists... I remember ending the '97 show a couple feet from the front sideline, on the 50. After run-thru I'd look at the guy on timpani and thinking "you lucky *******". Then I aged out, joined the Cascades support staff, and hauled pit gear up and down the hills at Cal State Hayward. I am SO glad I played Euph! I don't miss "ONE! MO! TIME!", nor do I miss post-dawn bus arrivals. And while I miss hitting the nudie bars in Montreal, I don't miss the basics block the next day. I don't miss cleaning the gym. I don't miss retreat. I don't miss Full Corps retreat. I do miss DM-only retreat, because I'm a jerk. ^0^ I don't miss the showers, with a few exceptions. I don't miss sunburn. I don't miss marching block, but I do miss how fit I was back then. Now, I'm struggling to think of things I don't miss, because there's too many things I do miss. I'd better end this here.

I sacrificed virgin girls. I am no longer welcome in Canada. . . . . Seriously, I sacrificed cash, and my summer vacation laying on my backside. That's about it, really. I gained that pride that comes with marching in Drum Corps. Well, really it's all about bragging rights: <I show up to Band Camp> Drummer1: So Pete, what did you do this summer? Didn't see you at the Woodburn show. Drummer2: Yeah, I was in a marching band. You shoulda joined. It was fun. Me: Yeah. I just took a trip. Sister in Pit: Just tell them, or I will. Drum2: What? Me: Got this roll developed. Here, check it out. Drum1: . . . . . Drum2: . . . . . Me: HAH! Beat that! I marched! DRUM CORPS, BABY! Sis: You don't need to rub it in. Drum1: I worked all summer... :( Bragging Rights. It's what Drum Corps is all about! ^0^ EDIT: That line cracks me up! Vacation...hehheheheh....

And Gatorade. Wouldn't that be nice? :) Back when I marched, we used to say that instead of having Yamaha, Dynasty and other instrument logos on the side of the equipment truck, we should see more Chap Stick and Gold Bond.

Yup, I marched. I think most of the people here are of the "Have marched" category.

Now, if you want to instruct in a Drum Corps, well, I can't help you. I remember that many of my instructors in the Kavaliers were alums, but I don't think that's common (but I never marched anywhere else, so I could be wrong). For a few years after I left High School I helped out with the band there. It was fun, and a learning experience. First thing, and it's already been said, don't expect to get paid. I got into that position from hanging around band camp and practices. Plus the director knew I'd marched (and was still marching) in a Drum Corps. Be willing to help out. It was a small program, so it was often more important for me to be helping move the pit than setting drill. You might also be asked to drive the equipment truck to different performances, especially if the school's home stadium is far from the school. (This might not be a problem in a bigger program with more parents to help out) Most Important (and this has also already been said): HS band students are not Drum Corps Members. You can't treat them the same as your Drum Corps instructors treat you. I was told I couldn't make the kids do pushups, or run laps. Yelling at them just makes them not want to cooperate. Use the "soft" approach. And the kids usually aren't as dedicated as Drum Corps Members. Expect that, and try to make the experience enjoyable for them. And, whenever possible, pimp the Drum Corps activity. B) Be subtle. I just wore my Kavalier jacket to rehearsals and a few years later I find out that one of the girls I'd instructed was marching in the Oregon Crusaders.

What would be the straw that breaks the camel's back? I'm not sure there's any one thing that would make me stop. All bad things, but not enough to make me quit. I'm more concerned about the absence of the Kiwanis Kavaliers, for obvious reasons. This might make me quit, but only if I feel that the activity has nothing to offer the members. As an alumnus of the Kavaliers and long-time supporter of the Cascades I know that marching with a Drum Corps can be a positive experience in the life of the members... even after they ditched the bugles and added the mics and amps. I wonder how many corps have considered trying that to boost their scores... :P

I usually don't remember my dreams, and when I do, I usually don't dream of Drum Corps. But when they are Drum Corps dreams, they usually don't have to do with shows; that is, they have to do with bus-time, gym-time, and the guys I marched with and places I've been to. Oh, and the lunch-line, too. The corps I've been involved with all have had good food, and those meals haunt me when I sleep! :D I get the "Left at the Rest Stop" and "Left my horn at last night's show site 200 miles away" dreams, on occasion. And I get the "Hey, I'm back marching again in My Corps" dream, but only when I'm on tour (seeing those kids do their thing every day makes me jealous on a subconcious level, I guess).

I remember fillin' up the horn with shower water. Man, if you was a Euph player like myself, it gets pretty heavy, though. When i was getting used to the weight after super-sizing my Bari for a Euph, I used the water-logged horn. If I could hold that horn properly, then i could hold it properly on the field.

Yep, he was a rook-out in 97, then a drill tech with the Kavaliers in 98. I remember running into him on tour in 99 when he was with the Colts. Since then he teched with Impulse (if you're from out east they're a Div II corps from So Cal that have a VK streak to them), but I didn't see him this last summer.

Really? That's a long time. What's his name, I might have marched with him. For that matter, when did you join? I might have marched with you. I'm Pete Mason, and I was a Bari and Euph player from 1997 to 1999; I came over from out west (along with Terrance, Mike Freed, and Rosemary), but I am from Washington, not California. I hung out with Tony & Helena Almaguer, Derek Shannon, Randy Mills, and Beaver. If none of this makes sense, then I probably didn't march with you, but that's OK! :)

The best I saw (in person) was PR '96. I'm no expert, but that line BLEW ME AWAY! But I'm also partial to the Kiwanis Kavalier line... for no particular reason... <cough><cough>buds in line<cough><cough>