DCI Today Fall, 2000

Official Publication of Drum Corps International

Fall 2000 Volume 26 Number 2

Winner of 2000 IFEA Pinnacle Award!

The Quest for Gold has taken a new direction.

T

hree Championships in Three Cities

Drum Corps International is excited to announce that there will be not one, not two, but THREE CHAMPIONSHIP events in 2001. The Quest for Gold begins on Saturday, July 21, 2001, as DCI stages the first Championship event west of the Mississippi since the 1991 World Championships.

The DCI Southwestern Championships in San Antonio, Texas at the Alamodome will feature ALL of the Division I corps from 2000.

The Quest for Gold continues on Saturday, July 28, 2001. The second Championship event is the DCI Midwestern Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the RCA Dome, and also features ALL of the Division I corps from 2000.

The third and final determining Championship event in the Quest for Gold is the DCI World Championships to be held August 6th through 11th in Buffalo, New York, at the newly renovated Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills.

continued on page 3

In this issue 32000 DVD Release 6International Drum Corps 9Winging it in Buffalo 13Do You Want To March?

24Last off the Field 29Event Ticket Order Form

Drum Corps International 470 South Irmen Drive Addison, IL 60101

www.dci.org

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PA I D

Madison, Wisconsin Permit No. 2223

continued from front cover

DCI Southwestern Championships Saturday, July 21, 2001 San Antonio, Texas

DCI Midwestern Championships Saturday, July 28, 2001 Indianapolis, Indiana

DCI World Championships August 6 – 11, 2001 Buffalo, New York

Each of the two new Championships will be presented in an exciting one day format. Starting at noon in San Antonio, just when it is heating up outside, corps placing 9th through 21st at the 2000 World Championships will heat up the cool confines of the Alamodome as they vie for the DCI Southwestern Division I Championship Gold Medal.

In Indianapolis, the afternoon event format will be the same as the DCI Southwestern Championships. The corps performing in the afternoon event in Indianapolis will be competing for the DCI Midwestern Division I Championship Gold Medal.

Both afternoon events will conclude with a full finale where a gold, silver and bronze medal will be awarded. The Festival Workshop Series: Marching Leadership for Students clinic will follow.

After the student clinic, the stadiums will be cleared to reset for an evening event.

At both new Championships, the evening event will feature the top four scoring corps advancing from the afternoon event or Division I Championships. Next to perform will be the corps placing 1st through 8th at the 2000 World Championships.

Indianapolis will feature the corps placing 1st through 8th at San Antonio.

The evening events will award a gold,

silver and bronze medal and crown the 2001 DCI Southwestern World Class Champion and the 2001 DCI Midwestern World Class Champion.

The DCI World Championships maintains the traditional format with all events staged at the Buffalo Bills’ Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Division II & III Prelims are on Monday and Tuesday and the Opening Ceremony and Division II & III Finals are on Wednesday evening. The Quest for Gold concludes in a spectacular series of Championship events in Thursday’s Quarterfinals, Friday’s Semifinals and Saturday’s Finals.

Two Major Events Receive New Names and New Distinction On the road from San Antonio to Indianapolis, the Quest for Gold takes the corps placing 1st through 8th at the 2000 DCI World Championships through Murfreesboro, TN on Friday, July 27th. These eight corps will be featured in the first event named DCI’s Masters of the Summer Music Games. Certainly, the depth of mastery in DCI goes well beyond just these eight corps but these corps will compete while the others rest up for an afternoon event the next day in Indianapolis. The DCI’s Masters of the Summer Music Games Cup will be

2000 DVD Release This fall, drum corps fans can experience the DCI Championships from a whole new perspective. DCI’s newest video product, a two DVD set of the top six corps from this summer’s World Championships at College Park, provides a unique opportunity for viewers to choose which aspect of each corps performance they would like to watch.

Drum corps fans can now create the program just like the director in the television production truck. By using the DVD player remote control, drum corps fans can now select from four different “views” including High camera overview of the entire show Single camera focused on the auxiliary Single camera focused on the drum line Full mixed camera program as seen on the live television broadcast and videotapes But, video is only one part of the experience. “The listener of these DVD’s will feel like they’re inside the action like never before” said DCI broadcast and video producer, Tom Blair. “For fans looking for a real world drum corps audio experience the bar has just been raised.” continued on page 17

There will be not one, not two, but THREE CHAMPIONSHIP events in 2001. awarded along with gold, silver and bronze medals. Middle Tennessee State University has proven to be a highly accepted site by fans and corps alike and is a worthy location for a newly established prestigious event.

For 24 years, DCI has staged the DCI Eastern event in Allentown, PA. The event has been forced to move in 2001 due to stadium renovations. The status of future events in Allentown remains undetermined but for now we are focusing on 2001. As for the name, in the hearts of many, this event will always be DCI East. To add a distinction to an continued on page 17

D C I T O D AY Fall, 2000

Volume 26

Number 2

Publisher: Drum Corps International Editor: Lea Ann Stockton Design & Production for Drum Corps International: Laura Johnston, San Francisco, CA Art Direction: Laura Johnston Assistant Art Direction: Michael Gaines Contributing Writers: Dan Acheson, Ed Dempsey, Sue Kuehnhold.

Performance Photography: Ed Dempsey, Greg Lozaga, Sid and Linda Unser.

Drum Corps International is a non-profit organization formed to service the North American drum and bugle corps activity. Editorial and business offices are located at 470 South Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101, phone 630/628-7888, fax 630/628-7971.

DCI TODAY is published in October, February and May each year. Non-profit organization U.S. postage paid at Madison, WI permit #2223.

3

And they began the quest...

Drum Corps International

Southwestern Championships July 21, 2001 Alamodome • San Antonio, Texas

For more information please contact

Drum Corps International • 470 South Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101 800/495-SHOW • International Calls 630/628-7888 • Fax 630/628-7971 • www.dci.org

Over the past 30 years, North American style drum corps has caught the attention of the marching music activity worldwide.

From as early as 1975 when Japan’s Rising Sun Drum and Bugle Band visited the DCI World Championships to today’s competitive visits

by Dutch, British, Japanese, and Taiwanese corps and reciprocal visits to Europe and Japan by the Blue Devils and Madison Scouts, there are few places one can go and not find at least one drum corps nut.

6

N

ow there is a fast-growing connection of American drum corps happening in Brazil. Brazil has long been known as a country that loves music. From huge samba bands to salsa, one can’t think of Brazil without thinking of music. This past year an exchange of people and interest has developed between the Madison Drum Corps Association and a marching band in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and this summer two Brazilian students participated as members of North American drum and bugle corps.

Marcello Bonvenuto is a young band director in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He divides his day between three schools and is intensely dedicated. Like any good teacher, Marcello is always looking for new ideas to share with his students and somehow a video of the 1992 DCI Finals fell into his hands. He was fascinated with what he saw and wanted to know more. Not being fluent in English, he hesitated finding out more about these great “bands” he saw on tape. Eventually his curiosity got the best of him. He logged onto the Internet, found DCI’s website and downloaded a list of corps.

He then took the list to a school he taught at and gave the list to the headmaster’s daughter, as she could speak enough English to dare a phone call. He asked her to randomly pick a corps and

call them. Her finger went down the list and stopped at the Madison Scouts. She dialed, and half a world away, Keith Gee picked up the phone.

At first the conversations were rough, if not comical; Keith had no idea who was calling or exactly why. After subsequent calls, it was finally clear what was going on. Marcello wanted to know more about American band and drum corps, and could he come to visit. A few more calls were made and it was arranged that Marcello and three others would visit the USA on a combined personal vacation and information gathering trip.

Marching band in Brazil is very popular and taken quite seriously. It is, however, more like 1950’s American style parade bands than modern drum corps.

In fact, everything is performed on a parade route. There are two major classifications of bands in Brazil, and those two are further divided into two divisions.

There is Banda Marcial (marching band) and Fan Farras (fan fares). Banda Marcials use typical band brass instruments and various percussion instruments, but no woodwinds. They do have a “color guard” section that consists of banner carriers, mace twirlers and baton twirlers. This class is divided into two levels — one for predominately high school aged members, and one for

“seniors”, which can march any age. The “senior” members typically range in age from 16 to 30, but the average is only 19

or 20. Bandas typically march about 100 or so members.

Fan Farras are usually for younger kids and perform on single-valve bugles as well as an assortment of percussion. Most have color guard sections, but are usually smaller than the Bandas and hold less importance. The Fan Farras class is also divided into two divisions based on age groupings. One level is predominately junior high and high school aged, the other elementary and middle school aged. Fan Farras usually march about 80 members.

Uniforms are very elaborate and very important to these groups. As everything is done on a parade route, the spectators have much time to look at the uniform up-close and these groups really give them something to look at! Each uniform is elaborately braided, trimmed and decorated in very much a military fashion. West Point has nothing on these guys! The color guards have a variety of uniforms, and each mace, banner or twirler section has it’s own unique version of it’s uniform. Just as the samba bands in carnival dress to impress, so do Brazilian marching bands!

Competitions are held on weekends and are usually sponsored by a local tourism department. Classes and age groups do not inter-compete and the senior class is considered the “best” class.

The show is simple, and in many ways much like a North American drum corps show, but at the same time, very different. A reviewing stand is set up along a street and a crowd gathers (admission is free). The bands line up,

and one by one take turns strutting their stuff. A band kicks off with a drum cadence and marches a block or two to the reviewing stand. Once at the stand they form up a concert arc and play three selections in an actual concert band fashion.

Concert percussion is rolled out (yes, they have pit crews too!), music stands are set up and a conductors podium is placed on the street and for the next 25 minutes one witnesses an actual band concert! Each band is required to play a traditional Brazilian piece and then at least two legitimate concert band pieces.

These are mostly standard U.S. high school concert selections and in fact, the top groups all played Grade 5 concert pieces and sounded as good as any American high school. They finish with a pop tune, usually a U.S. pep-band tune.

but some night shows are scheduled and are quite exciting. The shows usually have about six groups in each division, and at 25 minutes a piece, it makes for a full day!

Each band is sponsored independently, and kids from anywhere can join any group. Membership does seem loyal, yet a few kids do move from group to group, just as in the USA. The sponsors vary widely. Many bands are affiliated with a high school or junior high — they use the school’s name, equipment and facilities, yet do allow kids from outside that school to participate. Some groups are sponsored by an entire community.

The members pay a membership fee, though it is nominal, as most Brazilians are poor. Marcello’s band is sponsored by a private school that holds classes from pre-school through grade 12. The school is privately owned and the wealthy owner also personally provides for the band when needed.

“From huge samba bands to salsa, one can’t think of Brazil without thinking of music.”

All the while the guard is off to the side doing routines to the music. The guard routines are more like old-style drill team work. Very few groups use actual flags like drum corps; most use banners, maces and pennants on tall poles. After the tunes are played, they march off to a loud pep-band tune and the next band enters.

The competitions are judged and much like in North America, judges are from the ranks of alumni and directors and results are often disputed! Most competitions take place in the daytime,

The parade/competitions are held weekly, basically whenever a town wants to host an event. The bands all travel on chartered buses and just like American corps, the kids have their bus songs and hi-jinks, and just like in North America, we got lost on the way to the show site!

In essence, Brazilian marching band seems much like drum corps of the 1960’s and early 70’s in that they do weekends only, no touring exists and no single organization leads the activity.

Members join a band based on which is closet to their homes, and the band serves as a social connection year-round, not just in the summer. After-rehearsal parties are common, and usually all the kids end up at a member’s home after a practice dancing and partying all night.

The main organization that coordinates Brazilian bands is the State Department of Tourism, as the parades are connected to tourism and community events. After spending an afternoon with the Minister of Tourism for the State of Sao Paulo and discussing how North American corps were funded he was surprised that admission was charged and the revenue continued on page 17

7

For the third time since 1990 this drum corps friendly city in Western New York State will host the Drum Corps International World Championships and those that have been there in the past will tell you it’s worth the trip.

T

he last visit to Buffalo’s Rich Stadium in 1995 saw one of the more exciting championships in the 90’s as The Cavaliers took home their second DCI Championship trophy. The Cadets of Bergen County rolled to their fifth title in 1990 overtaking the Cavaliers and Star of Indiana in the last few weeks of the season.

preliminary competitions on Monday and Tuesday August 6th and 7th. The week continues with Wednesday evening’s Opening Ceremonies and the DCI Division II and Division III Championship Finals.

The action heats up on Thursday afternoon with the start of the Division I Quarterfinals competition as the top Division II/III corps from Wednesday night advance to face the current Division I and World Class corps. Friday afternoon and evening bring together the top 17 Quarterfinalists as they vie for one

Military Park (716/847-1773) features the decks and hulls of a guided missile cruiser, destroyer and WWII submarine along with displays of uniforms, planes, a tank and more. Cycling fans should check out the Pedaling History Bicycle Museum (716/662-3853) in Orchard Park. With more than 300 rare and unique bicycles, it is the largest all-bicycle museum in the world.

Hotels in Buffalo are plentiful and range from inexpensive motor lodges along interstates 90 and 190 to luxury properties in downtown Buffalo. To

What would a trip to Buffalo be without a visit to the home of the original Buffalo Wing?

The current home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, the former Rich Stadium (now known as Ralph Wilson Stadium) is located in Orchard Park just a short drive south of downtown Buffalo. A recently completed $63 million renovation that include new seats in the lower stands, new club level seating as well as additional restrooms, will provide drum corps fans with a level of comfort not often available in DCI Championship venues.

According to DCI Executive Director, Dan Acheson, “Ralph Wilson Stadium is a World Class venue and will provide a great stage to showcase the best drum corps in the world.” The backdrop for that stage will be a new artificial turf surface installed for the1999 NFL season.

DCI Championship Week in Buffalo will open with the Division II/III

of the top 12 spots and a place in the World Championship Finals on Saturday night.

Okay, so now you have your tickets for Buffalo. You do have your tickets for Buffalo, right?

There are still a few hours left in the day to play tourist and check out the sites. And there are some cool sites!

If you’ve never been there before check out Niagara Falls. Even if you have been there before check it out again. Located less than a half-hour north of Buffalo, it’s a great place to find other drum corps folks during Championship Week.

They’re easy to spot. To truly experience Niagara Falls up close and personal check out the Cave of the Winds (716/2781730) and the Maid of the Mist (716/284-8897).

Care to stay closer to Buffalo, check out the Buffalo Zoological Gardens (716/8373900). The third oldest zoo in the United States, it plays host to more than 1,000 wild and exotic animals. Buffalo is also the home of the world’s largest inland park dedicated to naval and military exhibits.

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval and

assist drum corps fans with their hotel and lodging needs for the 2001 Championships, Drum Corps International has partnered with the Buffalo Convention and Visitors Bureau to offer a free reservation service for selected hotels. For additional information visit them online at www.buffalocvb.org. The Adams Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo will serve as the headquarters hotel for the 2001 Championships.

If you grow tired of stadium food or want to explore the local cuisine consider the Brownstone Bistro at 297 Franklin Street in Buffalo. Smoked salmon cheesecake? According to one reviewer, this bistro makes the old new again with unusual combinations.

And what would a trip to Buffalo be without a visit to the home of the original Buffalo Wing, the Anchor Bar at 1047 Main Street. Credited with creating this culinary treat more than 30 years ago, this is as good as it gets.

Great food, good friends, cool places to visit and a six days of awesome drum corps what better reason to wing your way to Buffalo next August.

9

That would lead them through...

Drum Corps International’s

Masters of the SUMMER MUSIC GAMES July 27, 2001 MTSU Stadium • Murfreesboro, Tennessee

For more information please contact

Drum Corps International • 470 South Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101 800/495-SHOW • International Calls 630/628-7888 • Fax 630/628-7971 • www.dci.org

Do You Want to Division I Blue Devils David Gibbs 4065 Nelson Avenue Concord, CA 94520 925/689-2918 www.bluedevils.org

Blue Knights Mark Arnold PO Box 100789 Denver, CO 80250 303/777-1937 www.bknights.org

Bluecoats Bill Hamilton PO Box 2733 North Canton, OH 44720 330/699-1572 www.bluecoats.com

Phantom Regiment

East Coast Jazz

John Baumgartner 202 W. State Street, Ste. 810 Rockford, IL 61101 815/965-6777 www.regiment.org

Thomas Chopelas PO Box 53 Malden, MA 02148 781/942-0428 www.eastcoastjazz.org

Pioneer

Jersey Surf

Bill Strube 4601 W. Holt Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53219 414/327-2847 www.pioneer-corps.org

Robert Jacobs 162 S. White Horse Pike Berlin, NJ 08009 609/767-0223 www.jerseysurf.org

Santa Clara Vanguard

Les Stentors

Rick Valenzuela 1765 Space Park Drive Santa Clara, CA 95054 408/727-5591 www.scvanguard.org

Gabe Francoeur CP 24001 Belvedere Sherbrooke, QC Canada J1H 6J4 819/563-3013 www.interlinx.qc.ca/~stentors/

Southwind

Mandarins

Madison Drum and Bugle Corps Association PO Box 948 Madison, WI 53701-0948 608/241-3171 www.southwind.org

Ray Mar PO Box 22297 Sacramento, CA 95822 916/395-8310 www.calweb.com/~scottjow/ mandrn.html

Spirit of Atlanta

Pacific Crest

George Hopkins PO Box 506 Bergenfield, NJ 07621-0506 201/384-8822 www.yea.org

Ken Bodiford c/o Jacksonville State University 700 Pelham Road NE Mason Hall Room 304 Jacksonville, AL 36265 www.spiritofatlanta.org

Stuart Pompel 21231 Fountain Spring Diamond Bar, CA 91765 888/727-4697 www.pacific-crest.org

Carolina Crown

Tarheel Sun

Kevin Smith 227-A Main Sreet Fort Mill, SC 29715 803/547-2270 www.carolinacrown.org

Ira Freedman PO Box 5302 Cary, NC 27502 919/319-6522 www.tarheelsun.org

Patti Nolan 2145 Buffalo Road Rochester, NY 14624-1507 716/247-9670 www.patriotsdrumcorps.com

The Cavaliers

Troopers

Jeff Fiedler PO Box 501 Rosemont, IL 60018-0501 773/281-8737 www.cavaliers.org

Mathew Krum PO Box 375 Casper, WY 82602-0375 307/472-2141 www.troopersdrumcorps.org

Boston Crusaders Jim Cronin Notre Dame Education Center 50 W. Broadway 4th Floor South Boston, MA 02127 617/268-4600 www.crusaders.com

The Cadets

Colts Greg Orwoll PO Box 515 Dubuque, IA 52001-0515 319/582-4872 www.colts.org

Crossmen Jeff Bridges PO Box 506 Bergenfield, NJ 07621-0506 201/384-8822 www.yea.org

Glassmen Brian Hickman PO Box 352080 Toledo, OH 43635-2080 419/452-6553 www.glassmen.org

Kiwanis Kavaliers

Division II Allegiance Elite Grady McMahon 3650 19th Street NE #15 Calgary, AB Canada T2E 6V2 403/250-2263 allegnce@cal.cybersurf.net

Beatrix Jaap van Waveren PO Box 1412, 1200 BM Hilversu, Netherlands www.beatrix.org

Blue Devils B Chris Christames 4065 Nelson Avenue Concord, CA 94520 925/689-2918 www.bluedevils.org

Doug Darwin 25010 Highway Market RPO Kitchener, ONT Canada N2A 3A2 519/894-0222 www.kavaliers.com

Blue Stars

Madison Scouts

Capital Sound

Scott Stewart PO Box 948 Madison, WI 53701-0948 608/241-3171 www.madison-corps.org

Magic of Orlando Jim Coates PO Box 690426 Orlando, FL 32869 407/679-1575 www.magicorlando.org

Dave Svaleson P.O.Box 2523 La Crosse, WI 54602 608/782-3219 www.bluestars.org Madison Drum and Bugle Corps Association PO Box 948 Madison, WI 53701 608/241-3171 www.capital-sound.org

Dutch Boy John Robins 34 St Leger Street Kitchener, ONT Canada N2M 4L9 519/744-3291 www.dutchboy.itgo.com/ index.htm

Patriots

Pride of Soka Katsumi Okawa, director 1-236 Tangi-cho Hachioji, Tokyo 192 Japan (0427)50-6234

Spartans Peter LaFlamme 73 East Hollis Street Nashua, NH 03060-6303 603/889-2760 www.spartansdbc.org

Taipei Yuehfu Chen Hsiao-Yu 4F, #6, Bao-Ching St Lane 58, Hsintien Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Vanguard Cadets George Brown 1795 Space Park Drive Santa Clara, CA 95054 408/727-5534 www.scvanguard.org

Division III Alliance Patrick C. Marks PO Box 20227 El Cajon, CA 92021 619/442-9668

Americanos Joseph Kuerzi 1615 Drum Corps Drive Menasha, WI 54952 920/722-5543 www.angelfire.com/wi2/ americanos

Bandettes Mary Wilson 103 River Road Sault St. Marie, ONT Canada P6A 6C3 705/759-3192

March?

Blue Devils C

H.Y.P.E

Racine Scouts

Mundy Viar 4065 Nelson Avenue Concord, CA 94520 925/689-2918 www.bluedevils.org

Chris Collins 344 Magnolia Drive Hamilton, ONT Canada L9C 6N7 905/318-7376

Paul Chaffee 2030 Taylor Ave Racine, WI 53403 414/554-4949

Cadets of New York City

Impulse

Phil Melius PO Box 76 Lodi, NJ 07644-0076 201/573-8302 raider.homepage.com

Raiders

31 Leonard Street #202 Brooklyn, NY 11026 718/3841082 www.cadetsofnyc.homestead.com

Ron Zallinger PO Box 5368 Buena Park, CA 92626 714/239-4408 www.impulseyoutharts.org

Capital Regiment

Kingsmen

Richard Bays 1444 Demorest Road Columbus, OH 43228 614/539-0366 www.capitalregiment.org

Robert Abbott 307 Hobbs Road Joliet, IL 60435 815/834-1500

Elmo James PO Box 11072 Chattanooga, TN 37401 423/877-3164 www.buglecorps.com

Kips Bay Crusaders

Seattle Cascades

Cincinnati Glory

Edwin Santiago 1930 Randall Avenue, Bronx, NY 10473 718/893-8600x234 www.kipsbay.org

Sal Leone 16325 5th Avenue NE Shoreline, WA 98155 206/367-6695 www.seattlecascades.com

Knight Storm

Silver Knights

Valerie Duprey 586 Montgomery Street Chicopee, MA 01020 413/534-4970 www.knightstorm.org

Bruce R. Durand 94 Erin Lane Ludlow, MA 413/547-8998

Lake Erie Regiment Ray Luniewski 113 W. 10th Street Erie, PA 16501-1409 814/456-5300 www.leregiment.org

Benjy VanKurin 4796 Church Street Campbell, NY 14821 507/527-8138 www.exotrope.net/spectrum/ index.html

Legend of Texas

Spirit of Newark

Scott Puryear 3107 Interstate 27 Lubbock, TX 79404 888/484-5463 come.to/legendoftexas

Glen Eng 120 Roseville Avenue Newark, NJ 07107 908/925-1172 www.spiritofnewark.org

Les Senateurs

Tampa Bay Thunder

Ghislaine Dumulong 1446 Rue Lepine Street Joliette, QC Canada J6E 4B5 514/753-5686 w3.laval.com/~ath/index12.html

James Newman P.O. Box 271621 Tampa, FL 33688 813/969-0904 www.tampabaythunder.org

McCollough Royal Knights

Targets

Tim Cardinal PO Box 428813 Cincinnati, OH 45242 513/665-6945 www.cincinnatiglory.org

Citations Donna Monte, PO Box 379 Burlington, MA 01803 617/272-7111 www.citations.org

Colt Cadets Steffany Kreimeyer 550 W. 8th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 319/582 4872 www.colts.org

Crusaders of Southern Oregon Rick Wise 1717 Whitman Ave Medford, OR 97501 541/858-1632

Decorah Kilties Michael Rood 509 Goose Island Drive Decorah, IA 52101 319/382-4363 damian@oneota.net

Delta Brigade Ron Patterson 1400 Silver Creek Sherwood, AR 72120 501/407-8024

Edmonton Strutters

Norvus Mill & Henry Cleveland 3450 Delfry Lane Woodbridge, VA 22192 703/515-1475

Pauline Humer Box 20055, Beverly Postal 57 Edmonton, ALB Canada T5J 3K6 403/473-3548

Memphis Blues

Emerald Knights

Patriots Praise

David Lowther 24 Ravinder Court Brampton, ONT Canada L6Z 3M6 905/846-9691 www.idirect.com/~emerald

John & Annette Eastis PO Box 292242 Phelan, CA 92329-2242 760/868-5846

Esperanza Alan R. Cox PO Box 502591 San Diego, CA 92150-2591 858/748-5163 www.esperanzacorps.org

General Butler Vagabonds Dave Campbell 6009 Suires Manor Lane Library, PA 15129 412/282-7695 www.vagabonds.org

Stacy Williams 283-D Tinker Hill Cove Jackson, TN 38305 901/668-1918

Phoenix Roger Esposito 269 Andrews Road Jackson, NJ 08527 772/928-9699 richski@cybercomm.net

Quest Thomas Fisher 95-24 Kings Hwy Brooklyn, NY 11212 718/515-4723 t.a.fisher@worldnet.att.net

Scenic City

Spectrum

Nelson Abodeeb 276 Spiknard Cr Springfield, MA 01129

Teal Sound Michael Butler 830 Cavalla Road Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 904/249-6462 tealsound.8m.com

West Coast Sound Gary Backlund 851 E. J Street Chula Vista, CA 91910 619/482-6943 www.westcoastsound.org

Yamato Edward Martin 8955 Poppy Lane Riverside, CA 92503 909/352-9573 www.yamatodrumcorps.org

Yokohama Scouts Toshimitsu Takahsi 8955 Poppy Lane Riverside, CA 92503 909/352-9573

13

A great race toward...

Drum Corps International

Midwestern Championships July 28, 2001 RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana

For more information please contact

Drum Corps International • 470 South Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101 800/495-SHOW • International Calls 630/628-7888 • Fax 630/628-7971 • www.dci.org

Get on the Bus...Now!

2000 DVD Release

International Drum Corps

continued from page 3

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event that has earned such, thanks to the many great corps who have participated over the years and the thousands of fans who attend each year, the event has been renamed The DCI Eastern Classic.

For 2001, The DCI Eastern Classic will maintain the two-night format established in 1996 where equal acts are featured each night. As of the writing of this article the event is tentatively scheduled to take place in Philadelphia, PA at The University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field, home of the 1975 and 1976 DCI World Championships, an appropriate stage for The DCI Eastern Classic event.

DCI Masters of the SUMMER MUSIC GAMES

To accomplish this, viewers can choose from five different audio tracks.

Dolby Digital 5.1 (Dolby Digital decoder required) Dolby Pro Logic (normal stereo output without a decoder) Commentary from a member of the performing corps design team as they explain the action on the field or observations about the Championship performance.

General Effect Visual Judge Marie Czapinski’s live Championship performance commentary General Effect Music Judge Joe Allison’s live Championship performance commentary

shared among the corps. The Minister felt that Brazilians would not pay to see such events due to the fact that most are poor, and the Tourism Minister’s mission was to help provide low-cost cultural events for all citizens.

Marcello is a Director of Banda Progresso, one of the top senior bands in Brazil. He is young and energetic and wants to transform Brazilian bands to be more like the American activity. Their performance levels are actually very solid and the least of their concerns. In fact, the best in each class are certainly compatible with our better Division II/III drum corps in basic quality and proficiency.

Lack of access to quality music equipment is a problem. Most of the percussion equipment is of very low quality. There are quad-toms, but not a single mallet existed in Brazil! The Weril Company in rural Sao Paulo is the only musical instrument factory in the Southern Hemisphere. Coincidentally, this factory is partially owned by Mark Shafer, owner of DEG/Dynasty in Lake

Friday, July 27, 2001 Murfreesboro, Tennessee

The DCI Eastern Classic August 3 & 4, 2001 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The member corps of Drum Corps International by deciding on this new direction for staging major events have made a significant commitment.

These spectacular events provide more opportunities for fans to have access to ALL of DCI’s incredible Division I corps and makes the Quest for Gold in of itself every bit as exciting as the ultimate season finale at the DCI World Championships.

The best seats available are on a first come first serve basis so we encourage you to order early. In other words...

NOW is the time to Get On The Bus!

Any single audio track can be activated at any point while viewing the performance from any of the optional video perspectives.

In addition to the DVD’s, DCI will continue to offer the full performance of the top 21 corps as a three VHS tape set. Also returning for 2000 will be the DCI Division II/III Championship Finals and World Championship Opening Ceremony two VHS tape set. DCI will also continue to produce a 3 CD set of the top 21 corps.

To order by credit card, call 1(800)495-7469 (630/628-7888 for international callers), or visit us online at www.dci.org for additional information.

DCI TODAY The official news of Drum Corps International Please visit the DCI Catalog at www.dci.org and order your free bulk mail or $12 First Class subscription or send your name and address to:

DCI Today 470 S. Irmen Drive Addison, IL 60101 (800)495-7469 FAX (630)628-7971 Published three times a year.

Geneva, Wisconsin. Through a discussion with one of Brazilian co-owners and a later discussion with Mr. Shafer, it is clear that economics and demand dictate the quality of equipment made available in Brazil.

Though a poor country, Brazilians are very generous. They love music and dancing and uphold that tradition very well. All in all, Brazil is a beautiful place with beautiful people. The climate is a mixture of southern-California blended with a less-humid tropical look. If you’re looking for a unique destination, try just Rio.

17

Their place in history...

Drum Corps International

Eastern Classic August 3 & 4, 2001 Franklin Field • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

For more information please contact

Drum Corps International • 470 South Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101 800/495-SHOW • International Calls 630/628-7888 • Fax 630/628-7971 • www.dci.org

To the Ultimate!

Drum Corps International

World Championships August 6 – 11, 2001 Ralph Wilson Stadium • Buffalo, New York

For more information please contact

Drum Corps International • 470 South Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101 800/495-SHOW • International Calls 630/628-7888 • Fax 630/628-7971 • www.dci.org

You marched. You aged out. Your kids marched.

Your kids aged out. You’ve bought tickets to championships for 20 years and counting. You have been to countless shows over the years. You are convinced you are the ultimate Drum Corps Nut. Where do you go from here?

Friends of DCI Over 500 people know. They have joined the elite and dedicated group of drum corps fans known as Friends of DCI. Now you too can help support an organization that gives today’s youth more than a musical education, it is an education in life.

In addition to the many essential benefits that Friends of DCI receive, you will have the extra benefit of belonging to that special group of people who share the same values.

A passion for drum corps Belief in the competitive team experience, performing great music, being physically fit Enriching the lives of youth through music Exclusive, MEMBERS-ONLY benefits are made available to Friends of DCI including free premium seating at major DCI events, newsletters and magazines, and more.

For more information and to become a member please contact:

Friends of DCI 470 S Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101 630.628.7888 x 25 • FAX 630.628.7971 • www.dci.org

T

What began as a chore to clean off the field of debris so that the encore performers would not be injured, has always ended as an extreme privilege for the field cleaning crews of the DCI age-out gifts to the big-drum-corps-in-the-sky.

24

his last walk across the championship field is more of a walk down memory lane. Here are some of the many things that have been found over the past few years so that you too can remember why it is we all keep on keepin’ on. Names of those who left the items will not be used, as they represent all of us, past, present, and future. May the light of their torches forever shine!

There are always lots of “dot books.”

Those are the coordinates that every member carries that tells him where to be in a drill. One book found stated: “This is my drill book. This is where I go at every point in the show. There have been many changes, but this IS the final product. I knew this show front and back.” He included his name and Phantom Regiment’s written in his native Japanese.

Lots and lots of shoes. None better to describe than a pair found on two fields. The left on Blue Knights’ field with the inscription, “The first step is with the left foot. It must be taken with confidence, and marks the beginning and end of time of greatness.” On the back, it stated, “Look to the Crossmen.” On the Crossmen field was found the right shoe with the inscription, “The right foot comes

second, stronger than the left. Without the strength and decisive anchor, one will not survive a change of direction or hardship.” On the back, it stated, “Look to the Blue Knight.” After further inquiry it was discovered that this member had belonged to each organization in his career.

There are always flowers, balloons and many mementos of the summer tour. A can of spam and an opened can of cat food; an age-out will, judges sheets and tapes from I&E performances, and a playing card. On it, the mantra “I will not let people in green shirts and khaki pants decide how good my show is. That is up to me.”

There was a collage of items with this note attached explaining why each was thoughtfully picked as an important representation of the drum corps experience: • Last of my ibuprofen: I used so much I’m sure it’s a necessity.

• Bug repellent: For the bird-size mosquitoes in WI, MN, VA, FL, KS • Age-Out Ring (the trash tie): Rookie & age-out all in one is a tough job to have. My only regret is not starting as a kid.

• Joy’s shoe: I tripped on this Dinkel in every show since second tour

• •

•

•

began. It seems to want to be on the turf, so I will grant that wish. I hope I never see it again.

BAND-AID: One word. Blisters.

Cut-off White T-shirt: This shirt was the first showshirt I ever wore in DCI competition. As the summer got hotter and I got more daring, the shirt got shorter and shorter.

Unfinished Dot-Book: When I lost the original I started on another, but, ya-know, only a week left.

Letter from Mom: The sole thing that got me through the last part

of tour. When tough times came up and I was ready to quit, mom wrote and got me through it.

• First Journal Entry: Typifies the summer. Last Journal Entry.

There are many, many thank you notes to the activity. All state feelings of thanks for the people that our programs have shaped: “I know that no challenge is impossible. I can survive anything and ‘nothing is at least sacred as the integrity of your own soul.’” Just as many express profound emotions of a journey long traveled and a job well done: “I’m not really sure what it is that I am feeling right now. Part elation that I’ve completed the journey I started in 1994, part sadness that I can no longer walk that road. No matter, the drum corps activity has shaped and molded me into who I am. For that, I thank you. Goodbye.”

Conversely, a letter from a Mom was a wonderful representation of the feelings of parents who don’t travel with the corps. “Well, it’s 15 days until we see you again. That sounds a lot better

than 3 months...we are getting anxious for you to come home. We miss you and love you very much.

Love, Mom & Dad.” In 1997 “Pandora’s Box” was left on the Glassmen’s field. Now Pandora was the recipient of all of the Glassmen Guard’s complaints collected during the summer, so you can imagine what was inside!

On the outside, this warning: “This is Pandora’s Box. Opening this box will unleash emotions from 34 colorguard members. It is not wise to unleash these emotions as it may cause serious trauma to any individual near. Good luck.

And if you read any of these, you’re an idiot.”

Well, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been called idiots!

But don’t worry, there wasn’t anything in that box that we all hadn’t said at least 500 times when we marched! This gets the award for the most realistic trip down memory lane!!!

Finally, a note that summed it all up.

The one that just kind of said it.

“Dear DCI, I’ve been in drum corps for several years and yes this would be my last. I’ve learned to cherish every friendship and love every note I’ve played. It takes a lot of dedication and faith but most of all, an open heart.

Thank you DCI for opening up the GREATEST opportunity for many young adults. On my very last day of drum corps, my friend showed me a poem and I would like to share it with you: Risk To laugh is to risk appearing

This last walk across the championship field is more of a walk down memor y lane...May the light of their torches shine forever!

A special award from the cleaning crew goes to the Cadets for continually leaving absolutely NOTHING on the field. Also, kudos to the member who left the dollar bill. All tips greatly appreciated!

a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out is to risk involvement. To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk ridicule. To love is to risk not being loved in return.

To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love. Chained by fear, he is a slave. He has forfeited his freedom. Only a Person who takes risks is free!” (author unknown) Thank you for opening up many risks in my life. It has challenged me and because of it, I am a stronger person.”

From the entire DCI Event Staff to those age-outs, thank YOU for the privilege of serving. This IS the greatest activity on earth!!!

25

2001

Drum Corps International SUMMER # of tickets

total price

DCI Southwestern Championships Saturday, July 21, 2001 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas On Sale November 14th

Premium Seats ________@

$30.00

_____________

Super Seats ________@

$20.00

_____________

Value Seats ________@

$16.00

_____________

Group Seats* ________@

$12.00

_____________

DCI’s Masters of the SUMMER MUSIC GAMES

Friday, July 27, 2001 Middle Tennessee State University Stadium, Murfreesboro, Tennessee On Sale November 14th Premium Seats ________@ $35.00 _____________ Super Seats ________@

$25.00

_____________

Value Seats ________@

$18.00

_____________

Group Seats* ________@

$12.00

_____________

DCI Midwestern Championships

# of tickets

$55.00

_____________

Super Seats ________@

$15.00

_____________

Value Seats ________@

$12.00

_____________

Group Seats* ________@

$8.00

_____________

Super Seats ________@

$25.00

_____________

Value Seats ________@

$18.00

_____________

Group Seats* ________@

$12.00

_____________

August 3 &4, 2001 Franklin Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania On Sale December 12th 2 Night Combo Tickets Premium Seats** ________@

$40.00

_____________

Super Seats** ________@

$30.00

_____________

Single Night Tickets Premium Seats Friday, August 3rd ________@

$25.00

_____________

Saturday, August 4th ________@

$25.00

_____________

Super Seats Friday, August 3rd ________@

$18.00

_____________

Saturday, August 4th ________@

$18.00

_____________

Group Seats* Friday, August 3rd ________@

$12.00

_____________

Saturday, August 4th ________@

$12.00

_____________

12:00noon Tickets

total price

DCI World Championships August 6 – 11, 2001 Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, New York On Sale Now! Division II/III Finals Wednesday, August 8th General Seats ________@ Division I Quarterfinals Thursday, August 9th Premium Seats ________@

$15.00

_____________

$20.00

_____________

Value Seats ________@

$15.00

_____________

Group Seats* ________@

$12.00

_____________

Division I Semifinals Friday, August 10th Premium Seats ________@

$30.00

_____________

Value Seats ________@

$20.00

_____________

Group Seats* ________@

$12.00

_____________

Saturday, August 11th Premium Seats ________@

$75.00

_____________

Super Seats ________@

$55.00

_____________

Super Value Seats ________@

$35.00

_____________

Value Seats ________@

$25.00

_____________

Saturday, July 28, 2001

RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 2 Show Combo Tickets Premium Seats ________@

MUSIC GAMES

Division I Finals

7:30pm Tickets

Service Charge

Total

$5.50

_____________

DCI Eastern Classic

No refunds or exchanges. All sales final. *Minimum order of 25 tickets required. **Offer ends June 30, 2001.

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Drum Corps International 470 South Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101 800/495-SHOW (7469) For phone orders outside the U.S. please call 630/628-7888 630/628-7971 www.dci.org 27

Give the Gift of Drum Corps this Holiday Season!

Best of the 90’s CD and Video Own this exciting audio and video collection featuring the Champion Drum Corps of the 90’s.

PLUS

Brass Roots Video 2 hours of Drum Corps nostalgia, this is a must see for every fan!

Sale ends December 20, 2000.

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For guaranteed Christmas delivery order by December 15th.

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