OMH

Looking forward to Spirit.

What is the average age of all of the "bottom 12" corps? I'll bet it is the same as Surfs. Very common for kids to "jump up" as they gain experience. Most of the really "hard corps" kids are in the game to push themselves to their personal best. This usually means "refining" their environment to surround themselves with others of similar intent. I remember hearing an instructor at a Cadet's camp comment "they couldn't possibly push the kids harder than the kids want to be pushed". This type of individual generally wants the "full tour" experience at the highest level they can achieve. My personal opinion is the focus DCI puts on the "TOP" corps helps to undermine the concept of "corps loyalty" and instills a feeder system type of mentality with regards to the "BOTTOM" corps. SO MUCH emphasis and attention is put on winning that the concept of "family" seems to have had a big muzzle strapped on it. Surf will continue to operate as it has always done, attracting younger performers with the offering of a friendly environment and just enough competitive edge to make it interesting for those that wish to stay. Two of my favorite Bob J quotes: "The journey is more important than the destination" "Winning isn't everything, but it sure is more fun"

Man, you must be listening to my phone calls!!!!!! This is going to be a rough summer his parents.......

Jumping in here a little late, but.... The last band I was in had a lead singer with what SHE called a "very good" sense of rhythm, and everything I clicked off was "wrong". Didn't matter that recordings of the performances demonstrated compliance with the desired tempos. What solved this particular problem was a variation of the old "producer switch" phenomenon. I bought a Tama Rhythm Watch (a metronome with big LEDs) and pumped that through my in-ear monitors. All of a sudden, I was the "Rhythm King" in her mind. I continue to use this device to this day, however, because in live performances it really helps to keep the starting tempos consistent. I think it is quite natural to start to play a little faster once the crowd gets the adrenalin pumped up; this technique keeps that in check. I just dial in the next tune with my left hand while playing and get a quick count. Once the tune has started the met is off, and we can push and pull as the music requires. I learned about this technique from a clinic held by the guy (Joe Bergamini?) that was in the broadway show "Movin Out" (music of Billy Joel). He was, by contract, not allowed to deviate from tempo more than 2BPM (I think that's what he said). Quite a useful tool (for me anyway).

It's all about my family's marching member this season. He marched Surf the year they took high drums (07). He marched WGI Open the year they took gold (07). He marched Blue Stars with their incredible results 13th to 8th finish (08). He marched WGI World with a 13th to 6th finish (08). This year..............he's with Spirit. I'm just sayin'

If you want to make the Cadets battery, find a FMM (hopefully from Cadets) and take private lessons. Each corps battery has their own specific techniques, and it can be helpful if you know the techniques of the corps you want to audition for. Study McNutt's writing style and approach to the instrument. If you're planning on college, consider UMASS Amherst. That's where a lot of the line comes from, and there IS a political aspect to this. Attending the college where the Cadets instruction staff also teaches will be a benefit. If you are still in high school and haven't yet performed in a corps of any kind, you need to step it up in a hurry. You are competing for the most coveted spot in all of drum corps. You are competing against some kids who had top corps instructors teaching them since they were freshmen in high school. But all is not lost. My son didn't even have a marching band in high school, and is now in his fifth year of corps. He got the private instruction. He worked his ### off, and then worked some more. He started out in Div.II (Open Class). Last year he performed in both DCI and WGI World Class finals. This year he will be splitting center in DCI World Class. It takes A LOT of HARD WORK to achieve what every drummer in the country wants. There are no shortcuts. Unplug the TV and practice until your arms drop off, then tape your arms together and practice some more :-)

From Baltimore (approx driving): Surf = 2.5hrs Cadets = 2.0 hrs Coats = 6.5hrs Bucs = 2.5 hrs Crown = 8.0 hrs

Oh yes, I forgot about them! GOOD place to get started (and maybe more). MY youngster started out in 03 on cymbals, and is now in his 2nd year in World Class on snare. The important thing is to START and KEEP WORKING. Battery spots are the most competitively sought spots in Drum Corps. It helps to start young and get good instruction if you want to play at the highest levels.

One of the principals is the battery instructor for the Marching Ravens. http://www.chesapeakeindoor.org

We were in a similar situation back in 2003 when my son got into Drum Corps. The best solutions for someone from Maryland are probably in Jersey. Surf is about a 2-1/2 hour drive from Baltimore, but probably over a 12-year old's head. Raiders are farther north but Open Class. There was an group starting up in York PA (Renaissance?) that might fit. There is a new indoor group called Chesapeake Indoor starting up. Hanover PA has The Lancers, which is DCA (I think). You might try the Marching Ravens Band. They allow all ages, and all you need (to start) is willingness and dependability. They practice every Wednesday at the Ravens Owings Mills facility. If the youngster is serious about marching Corps, you want to get him some private instruction. The techniques used in Corps aren't usually taught by most local instructors. You need to find an instructor who MARCHED. PM me if you want a contact for a good instructor (Towson Area).

I'll be driving out on Saturday to hopefully make it in time to see finals. I, too, am excited to see how United Percussion's show does. I've seen it a few times, and it's very good. They may surprise a few folks this year.

I was on tour last season for a week with Bob Stoeker. He was tireless and always ready to help both staff and marching members. It was clear he cared above and beyond. I can't think of a better guy to add to the Memphis admin team. Congrats, Bob. The crabcake guy.

Surf is a very good corps, and the OP would probably know better than most because it shows he marched three years there. They have their act together. But they ARE doing a partial tour, like they always have. "1st tour" is 1-1/2 weeks from June 30 to July 7. Then they have weekend performances/rehearsals until July 23. "2nd tour" is 2-1/2 weeks from the end of July though finals. The OP obviously desires a full-tour (12 full, uninterrupted weeks) experience. There is something magical about complete immersion into the activity for an entire summer that really has to be experienced to understand. Not that the OP has a great deal of choice at this point, if he wants to march at all. Being the last person cut after four camps from a top 6 corps means the OP has something to offer a serious finals contender. Also, I don't understand the "corps jumping" remark. First of all, we're talking about a kid who worked THREE years with a DivII corps and then had one year with a mid-western DivI. In today's economy, trying to get with a local corps makes a lot of sense, especially if the local corps is at a level you have worked hard to achieve. Airfare from Maryland to Indiana is not cheap, and I think the staff from BlueStars probably understood the decision to save money. He went for it and barely fell short, but that's drum corps. I say give the kid a break.

bump

I think its going to be COOL.

I am going on my fifth year as the "funding arm" of my child's drum corps experience. I have always paid full fare, and even kick in for gas funds occasionally. I volunteer my time at camps and on tour. I do what I think every parent should be doing. I have seem many a member get a free ride, and it makes me very very angry. Several of the corps that have since gone under are known to have had a high rate of "scholarship". No names from me, but if you know them, you know them. In almost all cases I know of, the members were extremely obnoxious and full-of-themselves. But they had more talent than the rest of the group, so this was overlooked. And most of them (and the corps) kept their little "agreement" on the down-low. If it was a true scholarship, why be so quiet about it? Celebrate with the rest! So we are not talking about the kid with the unfortunate upbringing, rising above his situation. Most people I know would gladly support that. We're talking about the smart### punk who uses his talent as a bargaining chip. And what is this kid learning? Have we degenerated into caring more about the result than about the experience? Isn't the journey more important than the destination?

I guess it wouldn't make a difference to point out that the piano is a percussion instrument?

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One of the guys at the bottom of the list is the 5th bass player, I think.

I think it's mostly because most drum corps are populated by the same folks already marching in the parade. The high school and college bands have been planning this for years, and probably have very strict clauses about absence for this event. Also, most corps are just "reviving" at this point of the year. Now, if they could only have the Macy's parade in the middle of August, that would be different! Andy Williams would be sweatin' his ### off in that scarf in August. :-)

I know of someone who auditioned for four corps last season until the right fit was found. Each corps has a different "inside vibe" and sometimes you don't know it until you show up. Just don't advertise your plans, and be respectful.

I am so sad for you. I mean that sincerely. I thought you were a dead lock for the Sanford at the beginning of the season, and I rooted for you. I wonder what could have been had you partied a little less and took your skill to the very hard to reach next level. You were technically at the highest level, with the best direction, but you choose to goof around too much. You HAD it, and I think your collective egos lost it. Your entire summer should be documented as how to take a great pool of talent and under achieve. People could learn from it. d##n it.

One Jersey Surf bus still has a Riptide logo on it.

What's important to note is that Tom Aungst will be a consultant. I think this means he will be writing some parts (probably the solo) and MAYBE attending a camp or two to consult. I see this as the same role Colin McNutt had last year. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if McNutt asked Aungst to do this, since McNutt is essentially doing Aungst's job at the Cadets and would not be able to consult with Blue Stars this year. This all fits the original Aungst statement about his wanting the spend more time with the family, etc... Conspiracy theorists will be disappointed, I fear. However, cattle mutilations ARE up.

I hope the Blue Stars can make an arrangement with Eric to have a few guest appearance by Bailey next season. That pooch had a very therapeutic effect on the corps. And he ate peanut butter sandwiches!