2000

2000 was the first year that the corps placed first in an open class show at Scunthorpe in September. Also in the winter months of 2000 Kidsgrove Scouts brought out their own Winterguard, which competed in the open class of WGUK. The guard placed 4th at Finals with their show, A Perfect Day. During 2000, the Kidsgrove Scouts celebrated their 90th Anniversary, including a parade with past members.

 2001

The 2001 show was entitled Mediterranean Travels and featured music from The Mummy and Mask of Zorro. The show design and the quality of performance by the members really pushed the corps to a new level. Sporting a brand new uniform the corps produced solid performances throughout the year. Steve Cresswell took on the role of treasurer in 2001. The magnificent work that Steve did in providing external funding for the corps and providing a financial stable platform would benefit the corps greatly for many years to come. 2001 also saw the Corps crowned National Scout Champions, a title that is still held to this day

During September 2001 the corps was asked to play at the Celebrity UK premiere of the American Pie II movie at the Covent Garden Odeon in London. The night consisted of a performance outside as all the famous guests arrived. Fanfares were performed for members of the cast at the start of the film and afterwards as guests arrived at the post showing party at the Titanic Club.

 2002

“The Peoples’ Champion” was a title given to the corps in a championship report. Although one person wrote this comment, many believed it to true. It referred to the way that the corps interacted so well with the audience; however seemed not to gain credit for this from judges. The show was entitled Pictures of Creation and featured music from Star Wars, Phantom Menace, Lord of the Rings and Gladiator. The corps performed to excellent standard throughout the year winning 3 shows during the season. On the design front Rick Fry arranged for and taught the frontline for the first time to great effect. Also, 2002 saw the standard of all sections improve drastically to a level that would establish the corps as one of the top units in Europe.

Below is an extract taken from Mike Waddington's show report of the finals event, with his view of Kidsgrove Scouts' performance:

I didn’t really want to refer back to my era of Drum Corps (the late eighties and early nineties) but in this instance please forgive me and bear with me. I make no apologies for the following comparison. You see, I personally thought that Kidsgrove Scouts were excellent tonight and reminded me of the great Imperial Knights who I always remember as the "Peoples’ Champion". The Imperial Knights were always popular with the crowd yet, for reasons only known to the judges, could never topple the Dagenham Crusaders or the Green Lancers. The Imperial Knights were the great entertainers and the ones who always pleased the audience. Often, when they were announced as being in third position, the crowd would boo in disbelief.

I’m not suggesting that Kidsgrove Scouts should be champions but I would suggest that they had earned the right to be considered "People's Champion" tonight. Those who remember this era will know what I mean and hopefully, understand where I’m coming from.

The overall package from Kidsgrove Scouts was professional, fast and furious, creative and electrifying. The whole Corps treated us to a pulsating show that was slick, spectacular, exciting and full of energy. This show, like those of the Imperial Knights, left the crowd wanting more. People sat nearby were convinced that they had just seen a championship winning performance from this highly talented Corps. Do I need to say anymore?

 2003

Due to a membership issues with DCUK, the Kidsgrove Scouts decided not to compete in the DCUK circuit for the 2003 season The organisations long and proud history would be tested to the full, but the ethos and values that every one of the members, staff, friends and supporters have would make the corps stronger than ever.

The corps competed on the BYBA circuit throughout the year but the highlight came when the corps competed at the First ever European Drum Corps Championships in The Hague, Holland. It was a wonderful event and the corps were welcomed with open arms by the European DC community. The show was entitled Retribution and featured original music by Tez Smith and the drum corps classic, Malaguena. The corps placed 1st in the European semi finals show in the and were 2nd in Finals by only one tenth of a point. The crowd reaction to both shows performed by the Scouts that day was amazing.

DrumCorpsOnline.tk describes the stunning prelims performance by Kidsgrove Scouts.

The English guests Kidsgrove Scouts received a warm welcome. Supported by the crowd, this corps did a performance many Dutch corps would be jealous about. Jazzy and very clean. Although they have a relatively small hornline, they played with almost unbelievable power and sound balance. Especially the visual book and their visual performance which resulted in a first place. Malaguena, amazing.

 2004

The excitement during the winter months when the corps was learning the show was wonderful. The 2004 show Pirates of the Caribbean captivated audiences wherever it was performed; the Leicester show at the end of July deserves a special mention. The corps competed both in DCE and DCUK throughout the year, placing 3rd at Championships in both events. The corps also competed and performed in Bournemouth at the World Show Band Championships.

2004 was once again a fantastic year for the corps and reiterated the fact that people have come to expect entertaining and exciting shows every year from The Kidsgrove Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps. The corps director John Swindells was awarded the DCUK fellowship at Championships for his contribution to the activity.

 2005

With a new winter schedule the 2005 corps were stronger than ever, in all sections. The show, The Conquest would be performed throughout Europe and the UK with audiences absolutely loving the performances. The visit of the 10 time DCI world championships, The Blue Devils was a special event and we had a great time performing alongside them in our first visit to Mainland Europe in June. We also made many wonderful new friends when we stayed with Jubal D &BC for the DCE championships, this will be a friendship that grows and grows as both corps have the up most respect for each other. In the DCE championships we were placed a surprising 4th in finals after being placed 2nd in the prelims event. At the DCUK finals the corps produced two fantastic performances and finished 2nd with our highest score to date 93.8 (just 0.6 behind the first place corps). We also won our first caption awards in DCUK placing first in both the Colour Guard and Percussion captions.

DCUK 2005 Finals Report - by Ian Scaife (Text taken from DCUK official report)

Since Kidsgrove Scouts first gatecrashed the upper echelons of the Open Class in 1999 Finals Prelims, whilst being a huge fan, I have found them to be something of an enigma. I have always known what I am going to get from them, yet I also felt that they had not got the credit that they fully deserve for what they do.

They have a trademark sound, possibly more so than any other corps over the past 5-years, and a distinctive look. Maybe this had held them back a little? My personal agenda for Kidsgrove 2005 was to show a little bit more maturity in terms of design and musical balance as well as the magic yet often elusive ingredient…. emotion!!!!

Maybe 2005 finals would provide the moment in time for them to reach for the sky and go beyond all that they have done before?

Right from the first step of ‘The Journey’, something felt a little bit different about the Kidsgrove 2005 edition. We were being teased and tantalised for what felt like an eternity, then BANG, the first impact point! KIDSGROVE ARE ON FIRE!!!!

As the Latin flavours rush past, the realisation that Kidsgrove have come of age is apparent. Brass achieving new levels…. musicality and maturity of the drums…. stunning guard…. fascinating visual program.

I don’t think any British corps has utilised colour quite as well as Kidsgrove over the past few years. This year, the all white corps uniforms against the black and fluorescent orange guard uniforms were a design masterstroke. This made a uniquely bold statement before a note was even played. The guard uniforms, combined with perfect staging and impressive equipment work ensured that our attention was drawn to the guard at the right times.

To ensure the full variety of moods, we needed a deeply moving and emotional moment. Music from ‘The Mission’ provided that moment to perfection. This went beyond anything Kidsgrove have achieved before in terms of pure emotion and created one of those classic goose-bump drum corps moments. Thank you Kidsgrove!!!

The show through to its conclusion continued with that distinct Kidsgrove Latin sound and feel, allowing us to join them on their adrenalin pumping roller coaster ride, and what a ride it was!

Yes, Kidsgrove have come of age and truly thrown the gauntlet down to the Senators!!!

The results….
37th Kinsgwood 8th (70.4), Phoenix Coventry 7th (75.2), Poynton Commodores 6th (80.0), Forgemen 5th (83.1)……A-Class Champions Southern Aurora 4th (83.5)!!!!!! Black Knights 3rd (89.2).

Captions: Brass: Senators, Percussion: Kidsgrove, Visual: Senators, Colour Guard: Kidsgrove, Effect: Senators.

It is then announced that the top two scores were 93.8 and 94.4. Only six tenths between 1st and 2nd! Only SIX TENTHS!!! Have Senators been pipped at the post? The tension is unbelievable.

“In 2nd place……. …..Kidsgrove Scouts!!!!”

But what a fantastic achievement by the Scouts. What was a five point spread for much of the season whittled down to a matter of tenths?

After the success of 2005 the corps suffered a huge decrease in membership in 2006 due to a number of issues which included many age-outs. However in planning for the future the corps changed to B flat and F pitched horns. We first played these in our final indoor performance of in the club.

After a very hard first half of the season the corps really pulled together for the second half and produced a fantastic performance at DCUK finals which earned the corps another 2nd Place overall finish along with the High Brass award. In a year when things got really tuff here great building blocks were built for the future.

2007

In 2007 the decision was taken to become an open age performing unit and to start a junior corps with an age restriction of 16. This created huge interest from existing members, the alumni and future members. As we set off down the path there was huge excitement in all areas, the corps seemed to be the strongest it had been for a number of years. With a new rehearsal schedule that struck a balance between Drum Corps and family life all was well with the corps of 2007.

Due to the nature of the project,  the 2007 show,  Once Upon a Time out West, took some time to get going, however when it did we created a program and performance which was the best ever produced by the corps. Effect based in all areas every audience member who witnessed our program during September were in for a treat they would not forget. Many people commented that they had not felt the hairs on the back of their neck stand up like that for years at any Drum Corps show

On the 16th October 2007 the Kidsgrove Scouts were crowned DCUK British Champions, a title that we had chased for many years. In what was an emotional packed night we were also awarded High Guard, High Visual and High General Effect.

We once again returned to Holland for the DCE championships where we continued our longstanding friendship with Jubal D & BC who we stayed with four the three nights. We were placed 5th at the championships where our show went down fantastically well with the audience. It was a nice touch to end what was a fantastic year.

 2008

2009

Slight Pause for Thought – by Rob Swindells.

The 2009 season, the 99th in our long history, saw the completion of one of the most gratifying seasons for the organisation in many years. As the 2008 season drew to a close for many of us 2009 would be the turning point as we re-evaluated the direction we wished to take. As always we wanted to embrace our tradition & values, but also develop our ethos/presence, design and performance skills and take them to new levels.

We started the year with the 2009 Winterguard unit, who performed the show “Inches” throughout the UK from January – April. The show was very much designed behind the principles of what it meant to be part of the “team” and to fight & strive for every inch possible in order to work as team to achieve our potential. The show was a real credit to everyone involved and showed a significant increase in standards from the previous year.

During the Winterguard season both the junior & senior corps were working extremely hard on their targets for the 2009 season. The juniors really did start to get to grips with basic music reading, marching performance as well as learning correct technique for all disciplines while the seniors were having a serious look at how to assess their own individual performances and strive for “perfect performance” with positive intent.

The Kidsgrove Scouts Juniors produced a wonderful show that developed and matured throughout the year entitled “Take a Chance” the music was based on the 80’s pop group ABBA. The unit really achieved way beyond the goals that were set for them this year and really have now matured as a unit with their own identity within the Kidsgrove Scouts organisation.

The Senior Corps had a wonderful year where design and performance were taken too levels that made us all very proud. The corps progressed wonderfully well throughout the year with a presence and attitude that has set new levels for the corps as we go forward from here.

 “The Heart” show will be remembered with huge affection by many people for years to come.

So the 99th season of the Kidsgrove Scouts was a wonderful experience for all, we now look forward to 2010, our 100 year anniversary, which promises to be fantastic.

In 2010 we will bring out 4 units, Senior & Junior Winterguards as well as Senior & Junior Drum Corps, they will perform shows throughout the UK, Europe and the for the first time on the world stage in the USA. Over 150 people will be involved in the Drum Corps projects alone, a further 150 people are directly involved in the Kidsgrove Scout Group activities and take into account the huge amount of past members of the group that are getting in touch to just “remember old times” -  2010 will be a special year for all involved with Kidsgrove Scouts Family. 

As always be will remember fondly but strive to further improve and enjoy ourselves in the Kidsgrove Scout manner. Further details will be announced very soon.