boneman2000

I came out of a high school with a really good band program. Through that I learned a lot about DCI, but little about DCA. For years I wanted to march DCI, but I never seemed to convince myself to miss a whole summer of being home and being a normal college kid on summer break. I got as far as sending in my registration fee to the Cadets for the 2001 season, but didn't even make it to one camp. And then a fellow trombone player in college who marched Crossmen asked me to join in 2002, and I turned that down. Anyway, while I was in college, I knew a few people who marched Buccaneers. For a few years I had one of those people bugging the crap out of me to join, but I didn't really know what DCA was about and I was just being too stubborn to want ot join. Finally in 2004, I gave into pressure from a few of my friends and decided to check out a Bucs camp. The rest speaks for itself. I marched 2004 and 2005, and I became a better musician and teacher because of it. Even though I'm not actively marching this year, I still follow the corps and I've helped out at a few camps and such. Just enough to hold me over until I hope to return next year.

I heard as much as I could from outside at the Reading Buccaneers table. What I could hear from the Marines sounded really good. And Fran, it was great meeting you. See you at the Bucs indoor show.

If you can march drum corps in either cornfield, swamps, or sand, it can be done. Otherwise, it's kinda dull there. Bucs has a group that goes up from Maryland, but most come from the Baltimore and Frederick areas.

You had me at "cookies".

Hmm...but think about the kind of recruiting tool we could have in that... "Come to Membership Day for a chance to win a walk across the plank!" That would be hot.

Dave Linton looks a little bit like Johnny Depp. Maybe we're onto something.

I loved Adagio when I heard SCV play it in 2000 (I saw it live at semifinals), and I was so excited when it was announced that we'd be playing it this year. But wow...I never realized how hard it would be to move the drill (some in double time) and keep a warm and controlled tone while playing continuously (much of it being long tones) for 31 measures before the big hit...all after running around the field for the opener. But even as exhausted going into the hit, the sheer energy of everything going on around me always gave me that extra boost to give more. After the hit and hearing echo and the crowd reaction...that's when the emotion would kick in. I can honestly say that I have never missed playing a piece of music the way I miss performing Adagio. Definately a sweat and tears moment.

I feel so fortunate to be a Buccaneer under Jimmy's direction. Thank you for all that you do for us. We owe so much to you for your leadership and love for our corps.

Looking at the scoreboard clock and seeing 12:02 as we were about to take the field was something a little different for me.

Being a music major doesn't really matter when it comes to corps. It certainly helps, but there a number of good horn players who have never taken a music class in their life. At Bucs, particularly in the baritone line, we have three music majors I can think of out of twenty people. Throughout the hornline we have people from all fields of study and careers...including one who's persuing her doctorate in bio-chemistry. A number of college ensembles (particularly marching bands) are the same way a lot of times and are open to anyone who can play. And if you want to flip things around a bit...I am a recently graduated music major, and I'm surprised sometimes how few music majors are aware of what drum corps really is. I always joked during my undergrad that they tried to brainwash us with hours of Mozart, Schubert, and Bach. Unfortunately, it works on some people

We at Bucs were fortunate to set up a bus pickup/drop off the Park and Ride at the intersection of I-195 and Rolling Road in Catonsville. I have to give you credit for making that drive from Baltimore. (And for sitting right in front of the stage at LMS)

It absolutely poured down rain for about an hour or so last night before the show. So the field was soaked, but wasn't really "muddy." It was more or less like marching on a sponge. There wasn't much traction when you needed it (like halting), but it felt like marching on suction cups at a fast tempo. You could see the water splash up on the heels of the person in front of you on each step. The field was grass. But with the lack of mud, it seemed like some sort of perscription athletic turf.

Oh good, I get help in that venture this weekend :P

I believe the show was delayed because Crossmen and I think Magic were stuck in traffic. Crossmen in particular had to fight Baltimore rush hour. I don't think the kid being hit by the car was the main reason for the delay. (Gotta admit...lived in Westminster 22 years and I've never seen that there before) Just a few comments from the show from what I can remember. I missed Surf and Magic as I was wandering the parking lot. Spirit really didn't have much impact yet. Their show is at the "I see what the intent is" stage. It's a show with a lot of variety musically and visually. BAC came out really strong, buy I don't think the momentum was there at the end It's a show that I think will do well though as time goes on. Crown has a hornline that can flat out play this year, but I think they were severely hurt by their visual package. The drill just didn't have much impact, and some big feet problems distracted me throughout the whole performance. Again, it's a shame because they had some really good musical moments. Crossmen had a few moments where it seemed like the ensemble was about to tear. Put that aside, and I think that they were much better than many of the rumors I had been hearing. I thought that their hornline was comperable to BAC's, but they moved really well...better than Crown or BAC in my opinion (though BAC was cleaner). I thought they should've been above Spirit. The Cadets are in a category of their own right now. What a unique show concept they have. They outright performed out there tonight. It's the first Cadets show I've really enjoyed since 2000. Give it time to clean up, and I think it'll be a show that sells itself the audience and will grab your attention the whole way through.

Wow...what a shame. I enjoyed Hershey a lot last year and I was looking forward to going back again this year. I'd like to see if HERCO has a response to all of this.

You're a Buccaneer. You could've sailed up the Chesapeake and come into Hershey through the Susquahanna River. (Yes, I know it's an unnavigable river, but why should that stop us? B) ) Thanks for the words of encouragement, DocZ. And thanks to Jeff Ream for the review. Very cool stuff!

If step size is what you're worried about, take note of the field your local high school marching band practices on. This time of year, it might be a little early and they might not have a lined field. But as August comes around, they should have a field or parking lot that's already lined. After a while, a standard 8 to 5 will come natural. But don't forget to work on back up technique too. Sure, you can practice forward marching wherever you go, but rarely do you go backwards when you go to your kitchen for a drink.

Personally, I think a 6 1/2 AL is a little small. I think on a Bach 36, that works fine...especially for jazz. (I've never seen someone use a Bach 36 for lead jazz trombone. If done right, I imagine it's gotta be freakin loud! Ok, back on topic.) For a baritone, you need something a little bigger. I use a Bach 5G, mainly because that's what I use on my Bach 42 trombone, and I try not to switch equipment too much. But even though that works great for me on trombone, I have trouble getting a nice round sound on my lower notes on baritone. Schilke 51D might be the way to go for a round sound...especially if you're not accusomed to one particular mouthpiece and you're willing to try new things.