Eleran Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 (edited) As far as the amount of competitive shows, not many left on the east coast any more and DCI sets the tour. I don't think that's entirely true either. In 2013 and prior years, Raiders attended the usual Open Class Northeast Tour in early July, followed by the usual Open Class Midwest Tour in late July. They did not perform the first tour last year, nor will they this year. I don't think that was DCI's decision, but Raiders' decision. For example, 7th Regiment and Spartans are each attending Foxborough, MA - Bristol, RI - Clifton, NJ - Manchester, NH - New Haven, CT, before heading west. Raiders are only doing Clifton during that time. And given that there are only 5 corps booked for Manchester, and only 4 booked for New Haven, I don't think DCI or the show organizers are shutting them out. Edited January 21, 2015 by Eleran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleran Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 PS - just for full disclosure, my son marched with Raiders in 2014. There were good and bad points about the overall experience and the corps. I don't intend to air any dirty laundry here regarding the bad points, but the above items regarding their schedule are simply facts (and one reason my son chose to march elsewhere in 2015). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rd&10 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Revamped staff? Hasn't M. Hamilton been with the corps for years? Was the staff the reason the corps had to beg for funds to go on the road? There are numerous shows on the East Coast, looks to me like The Raiders cant afford to leave New Jersey until they leave for tour, if they leave for tour..... and of the only 2 other corps with single digit shows - one is from California and flies to the Midwest and the other is a second year corps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleran Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Revamped staff? Hasn't M. Hamilton been with the corps for years? Mike Hamilton was apparently associated with Raiders in the past, but I don't know all his history. In 2014, he wasn't part of the staff until late Spring, when they brought him in to work with brass. In November, Raiders announced the below as their staff (the news article is still on their website), but apparently Hamilton is now the Program Coordinator, and I believe the Brass Arranger as well, though I'm not certain. I don't have any details about the change in plans, or who else is still currently on staff. Minesh Shah - Program Coordinator Ian Flint - Drill Designer Joseph Bergen - Front Ensemble Arranger Miguel Bolivar - Brass Arranger Leighann Fields - Choreographer We would like to welcome back the following individuals to the design team: John Forte - Battery Arranger Alex Waite - Colorguard Designer Jamie Szeinberg - Program Advisor PJ Tankard - Choreographer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Holland Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 I'm not sure what brings out the aggression about this corps, but they seem to have it together this season. I competed against them years ago with Golden Lancers and East Coast Jazz. I'm surprised, in a good way, that they've survived 25 years which seems to be a rather large feat for corps that started in the 90s. Heck, that's a feat for corps in general. I think they chose to look at the schedule and decide to attend what they were financially able to. If more corps did that, instead of simply saying ok, I've no doubt that Teal Sound, East Coast Jazz, Les Etoiles, Magic of Orlando, Glassmen... etc etc etc. would still be around. Bingo isn't exactly paying bills like it used to, and NEA grants are becoming scarce for large theatres and other artistic non-profits. So I think a little credit is due to keeping them alive. They had about 30 brass this weekend and look to shoot to add another 10. Either way, the members seemed to have a good time, and they played some challenging music pretty well for a first read. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhix01 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 To be honest, at the December open house camp I thought the percussion sounded awesome but the brass was a little worrisome. At the January camp the percussion was still awesome but the brass, man they sounded great by the show and tell. They came a long way in 2 days. Good job staff and kids. I would rather my son got to march more shows but he didn't make his dream corps and wants to march this summer and Raiders were closest. Cadets and Surf are close to where the Raiders are but once he met the Raiders he wanted to march with them. He really likes the kids and staff. We'll see I guess. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleran Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Good luck to your son - looking forward to see what Mike Hamilton has done with the brass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screamer Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Mike Hamilton is the brass arranger at my local high school marching band where we won this past season of 2014 due to his great work. After being taught by him for the 5 years spent with him, I'm sure he'll work his magic with the Raiders also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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