[wimpycat]

I used to be on the flag team in highschool, but I don't particularly like the Drum Corps competition at the level you're talking about. It's too intricate and artsy fartsy for my taste.

Marching band was sure fun in highschool, though, and I didn't have to pay to see any of the football games!

[Fred Mertz]

My brother was in that silent march group at The Citadel...he'll smack me for forgetting the name.

[Benrand]

Marched snare throughout HS. We incorporated a lot of the licks and movements and themes from DCI...we were quite competitive in the Pittsburgh area. I didn't know anyone in MB who actually made it to the DCI level. I still enjoy watching it. It's amazing, but the strict technique seems that it would burn guy's wrists out pretty quick.

My arms felt so much better when I "let go" and played relaxed, of course not when I was marching but on drumset. DCI is impressive.

[mombonn]

My son and I road-tripped to DC to attend the DCI finals 2 years ago. We had a glorious time.

I even got to FReep the creep one last time before it left office!

[jaz.357]

I started out with the WOODSIDERS in HARRISON NJ 1969-1975. Went on to the HAWTHORNE CABALLEROS 1976-1978. DCA champs 1976.NY SKYLINERS for the off season 1983. The wife said NO MORE!We go to the Garfield Cadets show in GIANTS satdium every other year.

[luckystarmom]

Definitely a fan, but I haven't kept up with it in years. I was in my high school color guard, and our band hosted a Drum Corps competition every year. We also trained with the Santa Clara Vanguard color guard director. Of course, this was over 20 years ago.

[SelmaLee]

I played percussion from Jr. High through my first 2 years of college. I agree - that is the only thing I miss from high school - 30 years later!

Our 8th grade daughter started summer marching practice last week. They will practice 3 days a week, (2 hours/day) until school starts at the end of the month. We didn't have that much summer band practice when I was in college! It is definitely more competitive, even at this level, than when I was her age. She does get to play quads this year though - so she is happy.

[Consort]

Do they still show it on PBS? If so, do you know when it will air this year?

[OldBlondBabe]

Husband and I marched with Marauders and Iron Brigade, (Detroit area) from 1971-74. We were not DCI caliber, but loved what we had anyway. No beating the friendships and comraderie of corps members. Went to DCI in Ithaca, 1974; loved Madison Scouts that year. Things have really changed in drum corps, but we still love it. We'd like to see more competitions, but show admissions have become really pricey. Not too much corps left in Michigan.

We still talk about and miss Blue Rock, Anaheim Kingsmen, Argonne Rebels, 27th Lancers, Polish Falcons, Troopers, Santa Clara's "bottle dance"....always enjoyed the trip to Marion, Ohio for USA Open.

Didn't Cavies do The Wizard of Oz in say...1971?

Best part of my teenage years, plus met my husband. Lots of hard work in corps, but wouldn't have traded it for anything.

[The Great RJ]

I saw the Cavaliers perform in Sioux Falls, SD on July 30th. I have never experienced anything like it! The crowd was swept with what seemed by wave electricity after seeing their performance. I can't wait to see them again.

I'm an old marching band member in both high school and college and have a daughter in a high school marching band.

[Lilly]

Wow! A Blast From The Past!!!

I was in the Chesterton Trojan Guard of Chesterton IN.
Our band marched in President Reagan's Inaugural Parade, the Orange Bowl Parade ('81) Won IN State 4 yrs in a row. Grand National Champs '82 etc. etc. etc. Most went on to Rockford IL, the home of the Phantom Regiment! Some went to Concord CA, the home of the Blue Devils, and some went to Santa Clara, home of the Santa Clara Vanguard! (My longtime favorite Corp.) But I have seen the Cavies, and have loved them as well as the Madison Scouts.
Really appreciate this trip down memory lane.

BTW, I played clarinet/baritone.

-Lilly

[theDentist]

Sure was. It was in the CYO. We were the Royal Jades. I was on base drum, 'cause I had no other musical talent. Won several regional championships during those years.

Marched in the Mardi Gras in New Orleans in '74, winning the Kings Trophy (first band outside La. to ever take it out of the state.
Opened for Game 6 at Fenway Park in '75.
Marched in DisneyWorld on July 4th '76.

Plus we went to every DCI champoinship on the East Coast just to watch through those years. I've still got a Garfield Cadets belt buckle. My favorite, though, was the Muchachos out of Hawthorne, NJ.

I never regretted a single day of it except one.... the day I had to leave.
I'd have been mustered out the next day anyway, but I hated the idea of someone telling me I could no longer participate.
(I still get the same way when I get laid off from work).

[lewislynn]

Hello all, With the Drum Corp International World Championships going on this week, ....Are they televised? If so, where?

When I was young my hometown had a drum and bugle corp., all the high schools had marching bands and so did the local college...

When I was in the Army, I used to watch the close order drill teams practice.

I love to watch and listen to marching bands,

[Jemian]

I was in my HS marching band, brothers and sister were too.

Went on to be in the college marching band, so did brother. Liked it so well, I majored in music, fell in love with and married a music major.

Our children all have joined the school band with the eldest having just graduated from HS and entering college.

She is a member of the (same) college marching band.

Suspect that this is an oft-repeated tale.

BTW, whenever we're in the US, we return for our alma mater's alumni band.

[TheBattman]

Big drum corps fans here! Both my wife and myself manage to see at least one show every year. We made it down to the San Antonio Show last month - WOW We got to see every corps that will represent the "Finals" top 12 this year.

I also happen to be a band director, so obviously drum corps also serves as a battery charger for me.

BTW - the Cavies are awesome this year! Cadets show is probably the crowd pleaser, but the Cavies are just on top of it this year.

[Okies love Dubya 2]

Color guard at Roncalli High School in Indianpolis from 1987-88 (we were the Rebels, and carried a Confederate flag with us--bad Catholic high school, bad!). Same at Eminence High School, Eminence, Indiana 1989-90 and 1990-91 (we were the Eels, how much more hideous does a school mascot get?).

[MasonGal]

I was a majorette all through high school --albeit a LONG time ago (graduated in '75!!) - I was head majorette in my senior year.

Do they even HAVE baton twirlers anymore?