van
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Posts posted by van
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I'm glad I double-checked this. I was about to book a flight to Annapolis for that weekend, and just wanted to make sure the show was still there. When I checked the schedule, it wasn't, so I checked here on dcp for that info. Ugh!
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Just to clarify -- the Dr. Robert Smith that wrote this article for Drum Corps World in 1991 is NOT the composer/arranger. The person that wrote the article was a family physician that lived in Decatur, loved drum corps, and wrote for Drum Corps World. I marched mellophone with him in the 2002 Royal Airs reunion corps. Dr. Smith passed away in May of 2009 after battling brain cancer.
Van Williams
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This was my first visit to Allentown, after watching drum corps for 25+ years. I decided that after last year's finals, I had to try something different. I am not going to LOS this year.
Overall, a very, very good experience. I was sitting in section J on about the 35 yd line, about 22 rows up (and I believe 1-2 rows in front of the French Canadians someone spoke about earlier -- it was not pretty, but I wouldn't lump all persons of a particular ethnicity for the poor actions of a few). Sound was fair on Friday night, but was much better Saturday night. I think I may (as someone suggested earlier) make Allentown my 'finals' while DCI still uses LOS. And hey -- it's cheaper too ($25/night to see corps 1 week before finals is much better than the price for the shows during finals week).
Parking was an issue. I'm glad I was told I needed to arrive early (about 1.5 hrs before showtime), as parking is at a premium.
Concessions and restrooms were also an issue (not enough of either), but I dealt with it.
Again, this was my first time to Allentown, and if the experience was as positive as the one I had, I'll be back!
Van
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Maestro has a good approach. His scheme is doable, albeit a little steep!
It probably is too late to get a prime (inside the 30s) Allentown seat through regular channels. Buying outside the gate IS rather easy every year. The reality is this, Allentown is something not to be missed. It's a "throw-back" for sure, but if you haven't done it, you haven't experienced the "whole" of drum corps.
Yes, you can purchase a General Admission ticket, stand at the goal line (between the upper and lower level) and ENJOY the event. Also check out the atmosphere on the street and park area outside the stadium. Special.
Everyone -- thanks so much for the advice. I called DCI today and purchased tickets in section J. Was told that should be around the 40.
I've followed drum corps for 25+ years, but I have never been to Allentown. As long as I can get a cheap enough flight there (Philly? from St. Louis), I'm good to go.
Again, much thanks on all the advice on getting tickets to this show.
Van
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If you wanted the good seats to Allentown from DCI you should have ordered the day they went on sale at the latest.
That's generally what I do for DCI events. However, I didn't really seriously consider Allentown until the holidays.
If I can't get good tickets thru DCI, I may just 'wing it' and take my chances on getting a good seat the day of the show...
Van
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There really isn't a "Bad" seat in Allentown. You can see the field from everywhere...you just don't get direct sound if you aren't near the center. Any seat in the upper section is good. Just a note for sitting mid-level...if you or someone coming with you has trouble with steps...there are NO railings along the steps in Allentown...It is bench seating...but can get tight...I usually order an extra ticket just for the extra room. I had a friend show up last year the night of the show and bought two tickets at the gate...she ended up sitting 2 rows from the top...upper section...so sometimes the best seats are gotten at the gate. Enjoy....this will be my 33rd year....and it's always a good time..
Thanks for the replies. I have bought tickets from folks selling at the gate the day of the show, but, best case, would rather have tickets 'in hand' day before I make the trek (I'm in the midwest, and may fly in to Philadelphia).
Not sure if DCI, Ticketmaster, or other entity is handling the tickets (via phone). DCI seems to still be on vacation (though their phone message says they're having normal business hours as of today), and Ticketmaster can't find the event in their system. Not real thrilled with paying Ticketmaster's fees, so if it's thru someone else, that would be better.
Van
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I'm considering going to Allentown for the shows in August. If tickets are available, where is the best seating? From the seating chart, looks like sections G, H, I, and J are the best. How many rows are in those sections? I'm looking for 'mid level' seating.
Thanks!
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Very sorry to hear about this. Cozy was a great guy and always a delight to talk to. I will truly miss him.
Van Williams
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Dear Drum corps friends!
On January 13 2008 the drum corps world lost a great friend.
Harvey Wingo passed away suddenly yesterday.
For those of you that knew him please keep him in your hearts and prayers as well as his family.
Funeral arrangements will be posted soon.
Mike Davis
My sympathies to his family. Harvey was a great guy. He always had a kind word to say.
Van Williams
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I know it's only January, but I'm trying to make plans for the summer season.
Does anyone know if DCI is providing discounted rates at hotels for some of the major events in 2008? I'm particularly interested in Normal, Madison, Palo Alto, and Murfreesboro. I've generally made my own reservations outside of DCI, but in some cases (e.g. Palo Alto), the cost for a night's stay in the hotel I stayed in last year (Sheraton) right now is wayyyy too high. Last summer, the Blue Devils had a set of rooms blocked at a substantially reduced rate.
I would expect that DCI would do this, but perhaps I am just too early (it's not on their web site yet).
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Just off the top of my head, and in no particular order:
-- Wayne Downey (okay.. he's *the* best)
-- Jim Prime
-- Larry Kerchner
-- Truman Crawford (got a chance to be instructed by him in 2002 with the Royal Airs. The man was awesome!)
-- Jay Bocook
I'm leaving out many others, but it's late, and these were the first ones that came to mind.
Van
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Didn't have the privilege to see 76 or 77 live, but did see 86 and 02. 86 far and away the best version of Channel One.
Van
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I heard lots and lots of good things about Stanford, at least from those affiliated with corps. Don't know how the fans felt.
Stanford was incredible. Great stadium (it's less than 2 years old). Sound was great. I hope DCI finds a way to get a show back in there next year (though it would probably have to be early-mid season for the foreseeable future).
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DCI introduced 2 new major venues this year: Annapolis and Stanford. Both were excellent venues. Anyone know with any certainty whether DCI plans to return to these venues in 2008?
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In no particular order....
1) Star of Indiana
2) Suncoast Sound
3) Florida Wave
4) 27th Lancers
5) Bridgemen
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Did DCI announce somewhere that the format of corps introductions was changing? At the Annapolis show, the introductions (done by Dan Potter) went something like this:
"Please welcome to the field... <corps name>!"
Pause for a bit as the corps comes on to the field. May warm up, may not.
"Drum Major, <name>, is your corps ready?"
Drum major salutes
"Drum Corps International is proud to present, from <city>, <corps>!"
And then the show starts.
I probably missed the announcement that the format was going to change. I actually like the new way -- just takes a little getting used to.
Van
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At the Annapolis show, there were customers who had tickets for seats that did not exist. While this did not affect me at this particular show, I am concerned that this may happen at other shows.
For the Annapolis show, I think my tickets were issued by DCI prior to TicketMaster taking the reins. I'm not sure who issued the tickets that were in error for Annapolis. However, I do recall that when I ordered tickets for a show in Columbia MO, I requested a specific row and seats. I was told by the rep at TicketMaster that the row was "not available." Not quite sure what that meant, since I had sat in that same row for the past 2 years. Perhaps those rows are being blocked off. I don't know. But with this past weekend's events, I am a little concerned.
Anyone else have any issues this past weekend?
Van
p.s. Annapolis was a pretty decent venue. Hope the show returns there next year.
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I'm thinking about attending the Masters of the Summer Music Games contest at Middle Tennessee State University, but I'm unsure how many rows are in each section (which obviously determines how high or low I would be), and I haven't been able to find a seating chart on the Internet that shows row numbers.
Can anyone help with some information on how many rows are in each section?
Anywhere in section 1RR 15-25 rows up (if that works in 1RR) would be perfect seats. I've sat in this section all but 1 year for this show, and these are definitely the best seats in the house.
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It doesnt matter where anyone thinks the best seats in the house are, since you will have to buy from Ticketmaster you just have to take what you are given...unless there is some secret that I am unaware of.
I did just order tickets from TicketMaster for other shows, and I was able to pick my exact seats. So... if you know the exact section, row, and seat you wish to sit in, they do offer that. But.. you will you pay hefty (imo) 'convenience' fees.
Trying to decide on Atlanta. From what I've gathered, middle section b/t the 40s would be the best spot. A few friends and I are driving from St. Louis to Murfreesboro, and are considering driving to Atlanta the following night (would be a long weekend). I've done the dome thing in Indy, and haven't been back to a dome since. I'm on the fence with this one.
Van
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Ticketmaster is evil. I just paid $25 in extra fees *per ticket* to ticketmaster for tickets to The Police. For the $50 tickets that's a 50% upcharge!!!!
Evil.
Agreed. Just bought tickets for the Murfreesboro ($50/ticket plus $4.75 'convenience charge' per ticket plus a $2.60 order fee) and Columbia ($18/ticket plus a $3.75 'convenience charge'). Ouch!
Van
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Entertainment-wise, only:
Regiment
SCV
Bluecoats
BD
Crown
Glassmen
That order.
But really, there wasn't a show in the Top 12 that didn't entertain me this year.
In no particular order...
SCV -- loved the show from the beginning of the season
BD -- great show. Hard to pull off a known classic, but they did it well.
Blue Stars -- Very accessible
PR -- The only word that needs to describe this show is 'Wow!'
Van
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In no particular order...
-- Madison Scouts Alumni Reunion Project. Probably the best alumni group to date. Awesome performances both Wednesday and Friday.
-- Hanging out with old friends and making new friends. It's what the activity is all about.
-- Weather. Perfect save for the wind Friday evening.
-- SCV. Incredible. One of my favorite shows of the summer.
-- PR. Jaw-dropping performances all 3 nights.
-- Blue Stars. Welcome back. Great show!
-- Blue Devils. Class. Was able to be with them on Sunday morning. Classy people - membership, staff, volunteers, parents.
Van
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I also got a pretty good confirmation that a regional or major show was in effect for Stanford Stadium as well.
I haven't had a chance to shift through all the threads yet so I apoligize if this is repeated.
I had heard the same thing as well. From my understanding, it was to be the weekend before championship week. However, earlier posts seem to dispute this.
Van
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Also, It was a big mistake having such a big drum corps show at TTU. The souvie lot was very small. It was a small entrance to the bathrooms/concessions. Through Jubal, Madison, and Santa Clara, the front isleway was filled with people, having trouble getting to their seats. I wish it would have been in Murfressboro. Better venue, less rain. There were other choices, one in Nashville, Murray, KY. Just a little rant
I just got home to St. Louis from that show in Cookeville.
In DCI's defense, they may have had very little choice in venues once it was determined that MTSU would not be available. That said...
Either the TTU stadium did not have elevators up to the upper portions of the seating area, or DCI did not have access to them. Dan Acheson passed the group of friends I was with and said there were no elevators available. Not good for my friend that has really bad knees.
We also never had our tickets checked. We just walked right in.
Concessions were very limited -- only chicken sandwiches and pizza.
Again, DCI may not have had many choices in the matter. Vanderbilt Stadium (where shows used to be held in the late 80s/early 90s) was a great stadium. Don't know about Murray State's stadium. There may have been financial considerations as well (e.g. Vanderbilt may have cost too much). DCI probably did the best they could with the situation at hand.
I think you're correct -- if the show was in Murf, there may have been a delay, but the show would have continued. Oh well.
Van
Lebanon Lounge
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
So with Teal Sound out, won't they move everyone up a time slot?
The seats will be packed and it will be very warm and humid. Remember to hydrate!