paradiddle Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Well here we go - first time in Rochester - 2nd year drum corps. The Sun Devils had a successful home show for family and friends this past Saturday. More fund raising was done as well as some 1/2 uniform run throughs to show everyone what a rehersal was like. Then a full uniform run brought many rounds of applause. Now we head north at 6pm today - 24 hours (30 on the bus I hear). We are bringing our mittens. The refreshing cooler NY air will be a welcome relief from our heat & humidity. We're hoping that may also translate to even better sound. The members are excited to be a part of Championships and hope to show they have the stuff to hang with the rest. Just a little history. A group of us met in late 2007 at Sarasota Military Academy and decided to start a drum corps. We were given bugles, drums, truck and some $$$ from another drum corps called Heatwave that had decided to fold. John Hoekstra was asked to lead the way as director. He was able to secure some volunteer staff with his connections in the drum corps community as well as add his own skills as a successful drill designer. Some of the rest of us joined the Board of Directors. Of course we had also had Alan and JJ. Sun Devils was born. We hit the phones and internet to have an open house. Program Director Mark Cole had a show already to go called "The Last Samurai". People started to show up. We moved to Poinciana High School in Kissimmee for our drill work. Many people came and went. Some stuck. We did the tour from hell on July 4th with 4 (or was it 5) parades in Baltimore and the first show in Manassas, Va. We had the worst bus drivers. I blew up 5 tires on the Yellow truck/trailer. ................Before the show we also housed with the Reading Buccaneers. While practicing, Bucs made very positive comments about our program. We did 1/2 show and got a 62.? right out of the gate. ( goes to show you how screwed up scoring can be as this years show and corps are way better...) Good start.... or so we thought. We rehearsed the rest of the year but lost members. We did 2 Atlanta shows and barely had 35 members ( the minimum ). We were hanging by a thread. For the good of the corps financially we decided not to go to DCA finals. We thought it best to wait until the day we had a winner. Now with over 50 members that day has come. This is the corps that we had envisioned 2 years ago. Good Luck Sun Devils in Rochester and Leave No Doubt............ photos provided by Kharli Rose/Herald Tribune. Article to appear in Thursday's Sarasota Herald Tribune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshKegley Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Awesome post Eddie!! Now will this be our travel update thread as well?? I'm getting antsy waiting for the trip to hurrrrrrry up. THE TIME IS NOW!! Finally what we've been working for is here, after what feels like an eternity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCASouth Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Safe trip. See you all in Rochester as you represent your selves and DCA-South Proudly !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John M. Johnson Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Here we go! Posts from the road to Rochester! South Florida corps members will be meeting at NPHS to start loading at 4:30pm. Then it is on to Orlando to pick up Central Floridians up. And finally to Jacksonville to get the rest. The corps has worked hard this summer. The final push is on! Safe travels to all other corps. See you at the next travel update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshKegley Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Laundry done... Check. Suitcase ready for packing... Check Everything I need ready... Check. Bus in Jacksonville... Not.. Yet. LETSSSS GOOOOOO!!! LND Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithHall Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Safe journey to all of you. BTW Eddie, things have changed at The Sarasota Military Academy.....big gym now, the cafeteria is brand new after the renovation this summer. New classrooms in the new building AND three more buildings going up....Two for classrooms and hopefully a new band/choir room as I have no more room for students and a new theater will be going up. It was nice to a least help a little to lay down the ground work...you all deserve the best this weekend and in the future. Thank you for representing Florida and putting out a classy organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyM Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Safe Travels. See you Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Go Sun Devils!!! You all should be very proud of your accomplishment this season. Way to go!!! Give 'em hell in Rochester!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tymps4life Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Laundry done... Check.Suitcase ready for packing... Check Everything I need ready... Check. Bus in Jacksonville... Not.. Yet. LETSSSS GOOOOOO!!! LND I'm certain they're enroute from North Port! And pretty certain they've already passed the Tampa area. It won't be long Josh....really! Hey, I'll see you guys all on Friday am, most likely at the practice field. You all have a great trip. I'm still doing some last minute packing, but my flight doesn't leave till 6:59 tomorrow evening. Getting pretty anxious myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshKegley Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Alright guys last post for me til AFTER DCA Finals!!! I'm so excited thanks to everyone for all of your good luck wishes. It's now Sun Devil's time!!! :tongue: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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