Star of Indiana--how did they do?

[A Huge Nerd]

Well done Amber ... I am as proud of you today as I was when you EARNED that spot in '91.

Donnie,

Amen, and Amen!

Amber,

Your range of emotions are shared by many of us. Thank you so much for caring for all of the Star Alumni Corps members through this arduous process. It was an honor to stand with all of you, and an honor to be taught and encouraged by some of the best minds in the history of the activity.

[KeithHall]

BEAUTIFUL!

I never understood the booing and don't care to as I appreciated what SOI did. Thank you!

It’s an interesting thing, perception.

I don’t surf around DCP that much. Maybe it is because I don’t have time. Maybe it is because I don’t want my perceptions changed by the observations of others. Maybe it is because it brings out emotions buried long ago. Maybe it is because it makes me wistful for the corps and family I miss so much. I’m not sure, really.

The fact of the matter is that perception is truly your own. No one but you has ever walked in your shoes. No one but you knows how events in your life nurture you, shape you, change you.

Here is my perception…here is what it was to be in my shoes from 1991-1993.

I was 15 years old when I auditioned for the Star of Indiana in the fall of 1990. Hearing Praise Ye that summer forever changed the way I would feel about music. I HAD to be a part of the organization that shook me so violently. I showed up to winter camps bright-eyed and eager to learn. While I was mature beyond 15 years, I was not a mature brass player. I refused to give in to that and eventually ended up on tour as an alternate at the age of 16. By mid-season, I was wholly and securely in the brass line. This was no small feat. I marched 7 drill spots between dress rehearsal and DCM Championships. I switched instruments and parts and learned an entire new book while on tour. I changed from a mousy high schooler into a hard core diesel fumed ##### in a few short weeks.

And then the booing started.

No matter how hard core you are, no matter how thick your skin, no matter how mature you are, no matter how many discussions are had about what the booing does and does not mean – it hurts you. It scars you. Nothing anyone says will help you to understand why anyone would be so hurtful to something you’ve poured your soul into.

After a while, I came to need the booing. I felt I had done my job when we got booed. I felt that people wanted to be me when we got booed. I felt like a goddess of brass when we got booed. Make no mistake – we were booed at EVERY show in 1992 and 1993. Even at our own home show. It wasn’t always during the show. Sometimes it was after. Sometimes it was when scores were announced. Sometimes it was while we marched in twos back to our busses. But it was there, like a roach, or a bad penny. It was there. It was ALWAYS there. It changed me.

I embraced the Medea show. I loved it. I loved performing it every night. I even loved it in a baseball diamond in Massachusetts and at two in the morning in the deep south. I loved it while we ran. Medea was the ##### I needed. She was the ##### I loved for drum corps fans to hate. She helped me bury the hurt I felt and become the strong and independent person I am today. She changed me. Now maybe you’ll all understand what “the emotion on that girl’s face” was that night in August 1993. It wasn’t about aging out. It was about letting go.

Having the opportunity to be in front of drum corps fans one last time Friday night was just what I needed to release those demons forever. I hope that all of you were able to enjoy our performance even a fraction of the amount we enjoyed performing it for you.

We made sacrifices along the way. We sacrificed time with our families to be with our Star Family of old. We sacrificed marching to attain the sound only the Star of Indiana could be content with. We sacrificed part of our camp schedule to get more people to participate. We sacrificed parts of our beloved book to stay within a reasonable performance time. We sacrificed our vacation to rehearse in 95 degree heat. We loved every minute of time we got with each other, with drum corps fans, and with our staff. We are forever changed yet again.

I do not share this to change your perception or your opinion. Those are your own. I share this so you all can understand and maybe learn from my experience with the Star of Indiana.

No matter your opinion, no matter your likes, no matter your dislikes, no matter your appreciation – it is NEVER ok to crush a young person’s efforts, work, soul, and life changing experiences by booing. Find a better way.

Forever changed by amazing people – My STAR Family,

Amber Waves

[byline]

No matter your opinion, no matter your likes, no matter your dislikes, no matter your appreciation – it is NEVER ok to crush a young person’s efforts, work, soul, and life changing experiences by booing. Find a better way.

Thank you, Amber, for explaining so eloquently why booing is wrong. And congratulations to you on a wonderful Star experience . . . then and now.

[Plan9]

It's an interesting thing, perception.

I don't surf around DCP that much. Maybe it is because I don't have time. Maybe it is because I don't want my perceptions changed by the observations of others. Maybe it is because it brings out emotions buried long ago. Maybe it is because it makes me wistful for the corps and family I miss so much. I'm not sure, really.

The fact of the matter is that perception is truly your own. No one but you has ever walked in your shoes. No one but you knows how events in your life nurture you, shape you, change you.

Here is my perception…here is what it was to be in my shoes from 1991-1993.

I was 15 years old when I auditioned for the Star of Indiana in the fall of 1990. Hearing Praise Ye that summer forever changed the way I would feel about music. I HAD to be a part of the organization that shook me so violently. I showed up to winter camps bright-eyed and eager to learn. While I was mature beyond 15 years, I was not a mature brass player. I refused to give in to that and eventually ended up on tour as an alternate at the age of 16. By mid-season, I was wholly and securely in the brass line. This was no small feat. I marched 7 drill spots between dress rehearsal and DCM Championships. I switched instruments and parts and learned an entire new book while on tour. I changed from a mousy high schooler into a hard core diesel fumed ##### in a few short weeks.

And then the booing started.

No matter how hard core you are, no matter how thick your skin, no matter how mature you are, no matter how many discussions are had about what the booing does and does not mean – it hurts you. It scars you. Nothing anyone says will help you to understand why anyone would be so hurtful to something you've poured your soul into.

After a while, I came to need the booing. I felt I had done my job when we got booed. I felt that people wanted to be me when we got booed. I felt like a goddess of brass when we got booed. Make no mistake – we were booed at EVERY show in 1992 and 1993. Even at our own home show. It wasn't always during the show. Sometimes it was after. Sometimes it was when scores were announced. Sometimes it was while we marched in twos back to our busses. But it was there, like a roach, or a bad penny. It was there. It was ALWAYS there. It changed me.

I embraced the Medea show. I loved it. I loved performing it every night. I even loved it in a baseball diamond in Massachusetts and at two in the morning in the deep south. I loved it while we ran. Medea was the ##### I needed. She was the ##### I loved for drum corps fans to hate. She helped me bury the hurt I felt and become the strong and independent person I am today. She changed me. Now maybe you'll all understand what "the emotion on that girl's face" was that night in August 1993. It wasn't about aging out. It was about letting go.

Having the opportunity to be in front of drum corps fans one last time Friday night was just what I needed to release those demons forever. I hope that all of you were able to enjoy our performance even a fraction of the amount we enjoyed performing it for you.

We made sacrifices along the way. We sacrificed time with our families to be with our Star Family of old. We sacrificed marching to attain the sound only the Star of Indiana could be content with. We sacrificed part of our camp schedule to get more people to participate. We sacrificed parts of our beloved book to stay within a reasonable performance time. We sacrificed our vacation to rehearse in 95 degree heat. We loved every minute of time we got with each other, with drum corps fans, and with our staff. We are forever changed yet again.

I do not share this to change your perception or your opinion. Those are your own. I share this so you all can understand and maybe learn from my experience with the Star of Indiana.

No matter your opinion, no matter your likes, no matter your dislikes, no matter your appreciation – it is NEVER ok to crush a young person's efforts, work, soul, and life changing experiences by booing. Find a better way.

Forever changed by amazing people – My STAR Family,

Amber Waves

A personal thank you on behalf of my family and the other parents, fans and supporters of the Blue Devils. My son was on the field for the age out ceremony at Semi's on Friday night and was face to face with you and the rest of that amazing brassline of the legendary Star of Indiana serenading the age outs with "When you wish upon a star". A moment that will live with us all for as long as we have memory. You should know that many Dev's share your experience and the similarity between Star 91-93 and BD 07-10 are striking in terms of being on the cutting edge and response by some drum corps fans.

Your post also adds substance to what many on DCP are in denial of...booing hurts the marching members and should NEVER happen...ever! But you should also know that how you "handled" the booing in terms of using it to your benefit is precicely what's going on with many BD members. It becomes a sort of "badge of honor" and in a way "drives you on"...in short, no one in drum corps who isn't shaking things up or who isn't threatening for the title gets booed.

Thank you again for an amazing performance and for being part of a great drum corps moment.

[WoobieATL]

It’s an interesting thing, perception.

I don’t surf around DCP that much. Maybe it is because I don’t have time. Maybe it is because I don’t want my perceptions changed by the observations of others. Maybe it is because it brings out emotions buried long ago. Maybe it is because it makes me wistful for the corps and family I miss so much. I’m not sure, really.

The fact of the matter is that perception is truly your own. No one but you has ever walked in your shoes. No one but you knows how events in your life nurture you, shape you, change you.

Here is my perception…here is what it was to be in my shoes from 1991-1993.

I was 15 years old when I auditioned for the Star of Indiana in the fall of 1990. Hearing Praise Ye that summer forever changed the way I would feel about music. I HAD to be a part of the organization that shook me so violently. I showed up to winter camps bright-eyed and eager to learn. While I was mature beyond 15 years, I was not a mature brass player. I refused to give in to that and eventually ended up on tour as an alternate at the age of 16. By mid-season, I was wholly and securely in the brass line. This was no small feat. I marched 7 drill spots between dress rehearsal and DCM Championships. I switched instruments and parts and learned an entire new book while on tour. I changed from a mousy high schooler into a hard core diesel fumed ##### in a few short weeks.

And then the booing started.

No matter how hard core you are, no matter how thick your skin, no matter how mature you are, no matter how many discussions are had about what the booing does and does not mean – it hurts you. It scars you. Nothing anyone says will help you to understand why anyone would be so hurtful to something you’ve poured your soul into.

After a while, I came to need the booing. I felt I had done my job when we got booed. I felt that people wanted to be me when we got booed. I felt like a goddess of brass when we got booed. Make no mistake – we were booed at EVERY show in 1992 and 1993. Even at our own home show. It wasn’t always during the show. Sometimes it was after. Sometimes it was when scores were announced. Sometimes it was while we marched in twos back to our busses. But it was there, like a roach, or a bad penny. It was there. It was ALWAYS there. It changed me.

I embraced the Medea show. I loved it. I loved performing it every night. I even loved it in a baseball diamond in Massachusetts and at two in the morning in the deep south. I loved it while we ran. Medea was the ##### I needed. She was the ##### I loved for drum corps fans to hate. She helped me bury the hurt I felt and become the strong and independent person I am today. She changed me. Now maybe you’ll all understand what “the emotion on that girl’s face” was that night in August 1993. It wasn’t about aging out. It was about letting go.

Having the opportunity to be in front of drum corps fans one last time Friday night was just what I needed to release those demons forever. I hope that all of you were able to enjoy our performance even a fraction of the amount we enjoyed performing it for you.

We made sacrifices along the way. We sacrificed time with our families to be with our Star Family of old. We sacrificed marching to attain the sound only the Star of Indiana could be content with. We sacrificed part of our camp schedule to get more people to participate. We sacrificed parts of our beloved book to stay within a reasonable performance time. We sacrificed our vacation to rehearse in 95 degree heat. We loved every minute of time we got with each other, with drum corps fans, and with our staff. We are forever changed yet again.

I do not share this to change your perception or your opinion. Those are your own. I share this so you all can understand and maybe learn from my experience with the Star of Indiana.

No matter your opinion, no matter your likes, no matter your dislikes, no matter your appreciation – it is NEVER ok to crush a young person’s efforts, work, soul, and life changing experiences by booing. Find a better way.

Forever changed by amazing people – My STAR Family,

Amber Waves

Thank you Amber for describing in such eloquent words how so many of us felt during our time on the field.

Edited August 17, 2010 by WoobieATL

[royal-air canada]

Great playing. The presentation was a bit cheesy but good overall. A bit of a letdown after Cavies, Anahiem, and Madison though.

Not to forget the Chicago Royal-Air Reunion Corps 2002 full marching field show performance at DCI Championships in Madison and DCA Championships in Scranton in 2002, 2003 2004 and 2005.

Edited August 18, 2010 by royal-air canada

[AnaheimAlumni]

Listening to the you tube recording of Medea. I was there in 1993 and I can say that if they had played the loud version like the Alumni Corps did, the fans would have enjoyed the 1993 show alot more, and the Corps would have been better received.

[kasommer]

Listening to the you tube recording of Medea. I was there in 1993 and I can say that if they had played the loud version like the Alumni Corps did, the fans would have enjoyed the 1993 show alot more, and the Corps would have been better received.

I'm glad you appreciated our performance Friday. Thank you. It meant a lot to all of us.

I'm sure we were louder this time due to playing on Bb/F instruments instead of G. :)

(i edited since the original word order came across as more than gentle teasing)

Edited August 19, 2010 by kasommer

[Rollo Tomasi]

I'm sure we were louder this time due to playing on Bb/F instruments instead of G. I'm glad you appreciated our performance Friday. Thank you.

Edited August 19, 2010 by Rollo Tomasi

[t-mac]

In 1989, during the PBS Finals broadcast, I remember asking a friend of mine who had marched with a corps in the mid 80's who he thought the next "first time" winner would be. He said Star of Indiana (how prophetic that proved to be).

1990, Was hooked from the opening statment of Belshazar's Feast (sp). Was the first show of SOI that I had ever seen. You could tell they were definitely going to be a 'player'.

1991, was just amazed by the Pines of Rome show. Zingali was a GENIUS!

1992, Some friends and I traveled to Winston-Salem for a show. The night before we had seen Blue Devils win Night Beat in Charlotte (LOVED their show, esp. WAMLAW). This was the first time I had ever seen Star live. Contrary to many, I absolutely LOVED the '92 show. It is still one of the first show's that I show DC virgins. When they hit the USA, Star, Star, FLAG! sequence, I thought I was going to just jump out of my skin! (Part of why one of my friends and I drove 12 hours to Bloomington 5 days later to see DCI Mid America. One of the best DC shows I've ever witnessed)

1993 was like nothing I'd ever seen. Saw it early season in Ft. Mill SC (in the old uniforms) and was really wondering how that show was going to be received. By the end of the year, it was remarkable. I never did understand the Boo's.

Congrats to all Star Alumni. There is definitely a void left by your absence.