PhilSCV

The Oregon Crusaders, located in Portland, Oregon, is seeking clerical assistance for the corps. Job duties would include helping to make sure that all files are up-to-date, along with email outreach to ensure consistent communication to members, parents and volunteers. Please contact Philip Marshall, director@oregoncrusaders.org for more information.

"Oregon's Major League Team" in Marching Music is seeking someone in the Portland area who is looking to assist a great drum corps in the following ways: 1. Make sure all bookkeeping and budget is kept up-to-date 2. Help ensure that camp preparations and scheduling is completed 3. Assist with various other tasks, including auction setup, etc. We do not require that you go on tour in this position. Expect to get a lot of experience in the workings of a drum corps and have a great time doing it! Email us at Director@oregoncrusaders.org to learn more, and include information on why you're interested in doing this. Phil Marshall Director

we just launched the new website for the Oregon Crusaders which is simple and cool. Check it out. It's at www.oregoncrusaders.org

This is an opportunity to bring a batch of heavy-hitters to the Northwest late in the season. It's a rare opportunity to drum up interest in an underserved market (the pacific NW). While crowds are usually relatively light in the NW, the crowds definitely swell when there are two, not just one, power corps. And with the Oregon Crusaders now gearing up, there's even more reason to push open the NW market.

Well, since we've already digressed from the intent of the post, I'll add that the blind can legally hunt in both Texas and Michigan. And while those in Texas are required to have a guide, those in Michigan can go it alone. Which begs many questions, such as how does a blind hunter in Michigan find what it is that they've just shot? (borrowed without permission from David Sedaris) PhilSCV

I would at least agree that among SCV's 6th place finishes, this is by far the best show among them. It's kinda like rating a "6th plus" vs a "6th minus." And this year is definitely a "6th plus". PhilSCV

I'm looking forward to the continued upward trajectory of SCV and the Oregon Crusaders.

Eric, I totally agree, and had I not wanted to limit my list to five things I would've totally included the Cadets and BD in the list of things that I long to see... stopping perhaps just short of the rabbit :)

After three solid days/nights of great drum corps, I'm having drum corps withdrawal. There are five things that I have a need for today: 5. Carolina Crown's brass and visual program. I could really hear/see that again, now. 4. The Oregon Crusaders showing that a corps from the Northwest can blow your socks off (in favor of berkenstocks, I suppose). 3. Phantom Regiment. Just missing it. Period. 2. The level of visual entertainment perfection that the Cavaliers brought to the fans. 1. The excitement of the Vanguard fans, alums, staff and members that SCV is back in the hunt, with a fresh visual program and staff but the same tradition, power and innovation we've grown to love. How sad I would be... if I didn't know that next year is already in the works. PhilSCV

This is what happened: SCV had the best performance of their season tonight. The visual performance, the colorguard, the hornline and drumline were tremendous, getting one of the greatest ovations of the night. That's what happened, pure and simple. Had you heard the utter surprise of the audience and the incredible standing O that SCV got upon announcement of its placement, I think it's fair to say that the audience agreed, and we call just can't wait to see what next year holds. Thank you SCV for an incredible year. PhilSCV

This inspired me to think that we need a 1-page Instruction Sheet that people can take (at least an hour before show time) to the theatre manager. The sheet might have the following sections: 1. What is Drum Corps (saying things like "it's loud") 2. What should the sound level be (Dealing with things like the limiter and volume level) 3. What should the lighting be (off) That should be easy to put together, but it would have to be put together by someone who knows how to describe lighting and sound levels in a theatre... OK, who volunteers?!

Wow!!! What a great late season surge, and what a credit to the new staff, new director, and the performers! (And, of course the staff like Key and Dave and others who aren't new to SCV). They had a down year last year, and despite all things that are so new this year they are really moving up. I just cannot WAIT to see them in Madison! PhilSCV

SCV is playing now. Not on SP mind you, but in San Antonio. "Wishing you were somehow here again..... "

Vanguard is about to go on. Hmmmphh. Well, I have got to get a "shout out" to the guys and gals at DCI. They have to rely on a vendor to host these kinds of things and they now have to dig through the mess of dealing with people like us who are so ###### we could spit nails. I say we give 'em a bit of a break. I'll consider it my DCI donation for the year. Hmmmphh.

I just made a $39.95 donation to Drum Corps International. I feel so warm and fuzzy.

Congratulations to Mike Leone, Bill Perkins, the staff and performers of the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. Their level of execution, both musically and visually, is leaps and bounds above anything we've seen from Oregon in recent memory. Last night's show in Salem was fantastic and Friday night in Portland should be even better. The drumline (and the bass line in particular) is smokin' and the colorguard and brass lines are all well ahead of last year. Given the jump in caliber, I'm excited to see this program continue to grow and mature. It's great to see this program continue to grow, and I can't wait to catch it again tomorrow.

Tickets to the July 5th show in Salem, Oregon and July 7th show in Portland Oregon are now available at www.oregoncrusaders.org. Featured Corps include: 1. Santa Clara Vanguard 2. Blue Knights 3. Seattle Cascades 4. Oregon Crusaders 5. Spokane Thunder

I am sitting at a Starbucks in Indianapolis as I write this. It's partly sunny. There's nice kids behind the counter, and there's a palpable feeling in the air that something, anything other than the Colts on that field would be a good thing. So I'm for it. PhilSCV ... Family in Indianapolis ... House in Portland ... Heart in Santa Clara

Gosh I wish more DCP posts were as concise and helpful as this one. Way to answer the question and helping others to just fill in the holes.

As far as convincing others goes, I invited 12 people to my house who I thought might be interested in watching the show with me. I had one show up - my roommate. Apparently everyone else was rearranging their sock drawers. On a positive note, however, I had a much higher number of people come up to me at work the next day and said "I saw that drum corps thing on TV last night" and consistently they... 1. Only watched part of the program 2. Thought it was interesting 3. Saw that my Vanguard didn't do so well and shared their condolences 4. Said "Drum Corps" and not "Marching Band" I was very pleased that so many people were exposed to it... if only DCI had decided to broadcast the top 8 finalist corps (to include SCV) instead of the top 8 semi-finalists. PhilSCV

As a friend and supporter of the Vanguard, it saddens me to see Rick go. He embodies the Vanguard style and class, and he will be remembered as helping to bring some of its best programs to the field. I know that he is devoted to the Vanguard and will be there with us as we all, in the words of Gail Royer, look onward and upward. PhilSCV

When you see the opening saber toss on the DVD, play it in slow-mo. I'm guessing that no matter how slow you play it, those dang things will be in perfect synchrony. I was watching the rifles (the male guard members) rehearse next to the stadium before they went on, and I told my friend "God, I don't know who that is, but whoever it is they are TIGHT. Who is that? There's Blue Knights over there, there's Boston over there... WAIT A MINUTE! That's my SCV! Jeez oh Peet, I don't think I've ever witnessed a rifle warmup that tight." OK, then I started to get teary-eyed, but ignore that. And lo and behold, oilla, they had the most spectacular show of their season, and BY FAR. I saw Rick V afterwards and he looked at me and said "Did you see that opening saber toss? I knew it was going to be a good night when I saw that." And indeed it was. I sobbed with how GREAT that finals performance was. Just sobbed. I don't know how it is, SCV, that you do that to me year after year. Thank you , and with love. PhilSCV

Let me add a few: 1987 Garfield - It had it all 1993 Star - Excruciating 1988 Vanguard - OK, this one had it all (if you include magic)

The bells, the bells! I am SO glad I have lost high frequency hearing in my left ear. I didn't hear it at all and would've gone MAD if it had disrupted my enjoyment of the Vanguard, Phantom or Cadets. PhilSCV

Dan, Your response is a testament to the dedication of you and your team to this activity. With all of the interest in the field pass, it might also be interesting for us DCP'ers to hear if there are any plans by DCI to increase the focus, personnel, funding, technical support or other ways in which you plan to fully exploit the (apparently very popular) Field Pass idea for next year. PhilSCV