Marc66

The following was released this morning. MADISON, WI - It is with great excitement that Capital Sound announces the selection of Ryan Turner as visual designer for the 2007 season. Turner brings with him nearly 20 years of design experience, along with a solid history in the marching activity. Best known as “the voice of Southern California,” for his announcing at numerous band and drum corps shows, Turner, a native of Orange County, currently designs for some of the top band programs in California, Arizona, Florida, Nevada and Texas. “Ryan is, in my opinion, one of the best designers in the marching world,” said corps director, Marc Gofstein. “He knows what works, and he’s extremely creative. Those are two strengths I look for in a designer, and he’s definitely strong at both.” Along with drill design, Turner also serves as a visual adjudicator for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, one of the nation’s largest high school band organizations, and has also adjudicated shows across the country. He marched in the 1980s with the Velvet Knights, and served as drum major during the ’86 & ’87 seasons.

Release this morning, October 16, 2007 MADISON, WI It is with great excitement that Capital Sound announces the selection of Ryan Turner as visual designer for the 2007 season. Turner brings with him nearly 20 years of design experience, along with a solid history in the marching activity. Best known as “the voice of Southern California,” for his announcing at numerous band and drum corps shows, Turner, a native of Orange County, currently designs for some of the top band programs in California, Arizona, Florida, Nevada and Texas. “Ryan is, in my opinion, one of the best designers in the marching world,” said corps director, Marc Gofstein. “He knows what works, and he’s extremely creative. Those are two strengths I look for in a designer, and he’s definitely strong at both.” Along with drill design, Turner also serves as a visual adjudicator for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, one of the nation’s largest high school band organizations, and has also adjudicated shows across the country. He marched in the 1980s with the Velvet Knights, and served as drum major during the ’86 & ’87 seasons.

I know math has never been my strongest subject, but that would appear to be only 11...

I think this says it best: Welcome back, Troopers!!!

Capital Sound Recruiting New Staff for 2007 Madison, WI - With the 2007 drum corps just around the corner, Capital Sound announces an open call for staff in all captions to be a part of the Division 3 corps from Wisconsin. Under the leadership of new corps director, Marc Gofstein, the corps is looking for the best and brightest to work with a talented group of kids. “I want to give our kids some of the best instruction in the activity,” says Gofstein. “We might be a Division 3 corps, but there is no reason why our kids can’t have D-I instruction.” With the corps recruiting members throughout the Madison area, along with the rest of Wisconsin, and the Midwest, Capital Sound is looking to take its new mission and vision onto the drum corps field this upcoming season. Key to this will be a staff that has the drive, enthusiasm and talent to create a wonderful drum corps experience for our members. For more information, or to submit your resume, send an email to: corpdirector@capsound.org , or: Marc Gofstein – Corps Director, Capital Sound – po box 7773, Madison, WI, 53707. Be a part of a great 2007…be a part of Capital Sound.

"We cannot claim the reward unless we have over 50% of the carcass."

I actually think Academy's powers-that-be should put together a manual on this issue...not just for future drum corps, but for marching bands, and even non-marching related organizations. They have methodically and steadily progressed their way up the ladder, and have refused to divert from their plans to move slowly through their development. Mark Richardson and his corps should be proud of how they've progressed, and the strength of their infrastructure should be commended, bottle-up, and sold to every new/developing groups as a "how to" on how to...

Gee, Steph... No need to get defensive. I agree, but you're also talking about a totally separate issue. And, while I think having a full stand of patrons for every corps would be the best thing (especially for the kids who are forced to go on while the sun is still shining)...and, I for one, make it to shows for the National Anthem, there are folks who choose not to see D-III... I don't happen to agree with those who choose not to see the "smallest, crappiest Div III corp" but it's their individual choice...and that has nothing to do with this issue about retreats.

You shouldn't discount it just because you haven't experienced it. As someone who had the opportunity to experience it, it was a tremendously emotional time, and we still had the chance to see our friends in other corps, albeit in the parking lot...and, as for what is played, there are many corps who played their corps song - most of the time facing the champion in tribute - and this just added to the emotion and excitement. And, on finals night, the age-outs would leave their shoes (as a symbol of leaving a piece of them forever on the drum corps field) with notes summing up their careers in drum corps...I remember seeing some of those and, I still get chills (and with the new format, the leaving of shoes is no longer allowed)... I have no doubt you're happy with finals retreat as they currently are, but you should talk to some of us who experienced it the other way...believe me...it's something that truly embodies the drum corps experience.

From the shows I've been too, "retreats" actually start earlier now...and, it takes about the same amount of time to get the drum majors on the field, along with the corps (singular or plural) playing AOC or CF, then which ever corps is doing the victory concert, as it would to get the entire lineup onto the field and have a victory concert (at least within a few minutes).... Like I said in the original post, I think it's time to bring back full retreats...

OK... I've seen the arguments for America/O Canada... I've seen the arguments for Champions Fanfare... Frankly, I think they should do away with both and bring back REAL RETREATS...let the corps play themselves off the field with their corps song, or part of their show. REAL RETREATS..."There not just for us old-schoolers anymore!!!" OK gang...give the universe your thoughts...

Don't know Jeff, personally...but, have heard nothing but great things about him... I'll echo previous sentiments: CURRENT BROTHERS: HOLD ON TIGHT AND ENJOY THE RIDE...the tradition and history will carry on, and I'm sure it will be fun and exciting!

"On the field, from Concord, California...performing their 2007 show, 'Shake, Rattle and Roll,' Drum Corps International is proud to present, THE BLUE DEVILS!"

Wasn't 77 the first year of the 2-valve bugles?

AH...and, thanks KungFu... Then I say...1977 BRIDGEMEN...

AIN'T IN TIME WE CLOSE THIS ONE? The original post was obviously an attempt to get people's dander up...and, it obviously succeeded... However, as most people here know, Madison's Alumni are tremendously supportive of the organization, and show it with their dollars...plus, the Alumni Corps did more to stir the emotions and show the history of good ol' fashioned drum corps...plus, give the fans what they wanted...

Ah, yes...the Countdown speculation is in full swing...and, so... MY VOTES: 70's BRIDGEMEN - 1977 (or was it 78?) the year of the insanely good show that got disqualified. TROOPERS - 1974 80's GARFIELD - 1983 SUNCOAST - 1985 (while 86's hornline was better, the 85 show was awesome) SCV - 1987 VK - 1988 90's PHANTOM - 1993 BD - 1994 BLUECOATS - 1995 (the military show was incredible) MADISON - 1995 00's CAVALIERS - 2000 (2004 is just not far enough in the past for me to vote for) CROSSMEN - 2003

FAVORITE: Cavaliers - very appropriate to their theme, and not outlandish... LEAST FAVORITE: Madison - while it was also appropriate, the first thing I thought when I saw it was, "Oh great, Madison is doing the Lion King this year." Not the reaction one should have - unless you're actually doing the Lion King.

An excellent piece, David...never quite realized a lot of this. However, after reading through it, I'm now more impressed with what the Cadets have attempted during their history...and, I would have to agree with almost everything you said... Nice work!

Yeah, I was positive that Monster.com would have had the job posting by now... Gee, I guess I must have missed it. Dang it...and, here I want the job of being scrutinized by an entire on-line community, only to be eventually terminated... Pity... <sarcasm off>

<**> With all due respect, you should actually read an entire post before commenting...our friend from ECJ was saying that what he was saying was his own opinions and observations, and not representing the ECJ organization... Sounds like he actually DID think before he spoke.

This was actually announced at the meetings that took place earlier this year in Pasadena (which all corps directors/staffs, plus show sponsors/tour event partners were supposed to attend). In fact, the directors and staffs were taken to both the Rose Bowl and Pasadena City College to inspect the sites and give feed back. Someone from Capital Sound should have been there (I would assume they were) and would have had this information. Focus shows might be clarified next month when DCI has it's winter meetings in Chicago, and housing is going to be in the Southern California area (there are a plethora of high schools and middle schools to satisfy housing within a tight radius to Pasadena). Hope this helps a bit...

Not necessarily...in most businesses, you don't have a successor lined up before removing/terminating/not renewing a contract of someone. The move is made, then interviews take place to replace that person. Now, seeing that the BoD has narrowed down their choices (their words, not mine), I would say that had ideas for successors (narrowing down a list in one week is a major accomplishment)... Of course, now the speculation gets more intense: Who exactly is in the running? I will say that, at least on paper, the BoD seems to have the right idea in their search...not that I necessarily agree with this needing to happen. I do like Sal, and liked what he was doing with the corps...especially behind the scenes (The Nail Project, etc)...show choices are a different story (and something to be discussed in another forum)... Long story short, it is going to be an interesting...regardless.

Well, after reading all the above (including Mr. Pearson's eloquent quotes...and, btw: BART - "Don't you see, that's the last act of a dying man?" HOWARD JOHNSON - "Well, I don't care if it's the first act of Henry V, we're leaving.") Anyway, I digress... I, like so many others here - both alumni, and not - are concerned about the current state of affairs in Madison. There is nothing more I can add to this topic, other than simply this (and I can't think of anything more appropriate at this time): When you walk through a storm Hold your head up high And don't be affraid of the dark At the end of the storm There's a golden sky And the sweet, silver song of a lark Walk on through the wind Walk on through the rain Though your dreams be tossed and blown Walk on, Walk on with hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone... You'll never walk alone.

I don't know what Academy you ran into, but it's definitely NOT the Academy from Arizona. I've never seen anything close to rudeness, and know for a fact (after dealing with them as a staff member from another corps, and as a fan talking with the kids, staff and supporter crew) that their kids would never be rude, disrespectful, or bad in anyway...they've been taught from day one to respect the activity and those involved with it. In fact, that is one of the first things the kids learn when they join.