Another is getting to play with some great people, some of whom I’ve known for a long time, but never had the chance to march with and some with whom I have shared a drill field with before, but that was waaaay back in another century!

So, you may be wondering what is a 40-something doing, charging round a field with a big bit of brass stuck to his face? Well, to be honest it’s unfinished business. I’ve been lucky enough to have been involved bands as either a member or instructor, for most of my life. During this time I’ve played in some great bands (some not so great too),  visited some amazing places and had few regrets, but then again, too few to mention – thanks Frank! However, the one thing I always wanted to do was perform in the States. I had the chance to march Contra with Phantom Regiment back in the 80s, but couldn’t afford to go. Then, by the time I could get the money together, I was too old (all together now – aaaawww!). So when I heard about Kidsgrove’s big adventure for 2010, I knew I had to dig out my marching boots & give it another go!

I’m lucky that my girlfriend (who’s never seen Drum Corps before she met me) is fully behind the idea and is looking forward to it nearly as much as I am – whether she’ll feel the same way after a long season remains to be seen!

So far, so good – I’ve got my lips back (not that long since I played with High Brass), I’ve been measured for my uniform, I’ve got a great excuse to get off my backside and get to the gym and I’m loving the show! I can’t believe I’m enjoying it as much as I am – it’s great to be back in a big, powerful brass line & I’m loving the vibe from the Baritones.
It’s not all sweetness and light though, I have had a few challenges so far.

Remembering the music – after ten year’s sat on my backside with a whole folder of notes in front of me, this ain’t that easy – I’ve already had to forget how to use my SKY+ to fit in the Heist!

Learning the drill – the last time my feet graced the field of competition was Sept 1990 and some things are very different – having my own drill book for one.

Making sure Mr Simon “Whoppa” Marsden is on time & at rehearsal – so far so good and I have to take sole responsibility for his astonishing timekeeping & attendance record so far this year – I thank you!

Balancing band & rugby – two of my great passions in life, a clash is bound to occur at some point. So far, band is winning & I’m even missing a Cup game for camp!

However, I am proud to say that so far I haven’t missed a rehearsal (nor do I intend to).

Anyway, that’s probably enough for now. I’m off now to blow some notes – camp’s only a week away!

Thanks for reading!

JT (John Thornbury)

My return to Drum Corps by Chris Billington - 9 January 2010

It was during June 2009 that I first found out about the Corps plans for 2010, before the start of the 2009 drum corps season proper, and I remember talking to Matt Williams, he said, “What do you think…?”  I said, “Are you serious?”, and then we made ‘the deal’ ………. “Well, if you do it, then I will…..” After a short family meeting, it was agreed that all four of us would sign up for the US trip, much to the delight of Pinky and Perky (Paul & Joe) and my very understanding wife, Sharon (she told me to say that of course…..) and that was that!
My biggest fear was whether people who knew me would think I was jumping on the band-wagon, glory hunting etc. After all, I hadn’t marched in a DC since 1991 with the Commodores. (If you exclude my brief, but distinguished career with the Pontins Crusaders!)  I always thought that if I were ever to make a ‘comeback’ it would probably be with my former corps, however the timing never seemed right.
So, Kidsgrove Scouts it was to be.
It was easy to see the factors that conspired to ‘seal the deal’.  The draw of spending the year with a number of old friends both from Poynton years ago, and more recently from ‘High Brass’ was compelling, not least, my special friend, Mr. Williams and the thought of continuing our ridiculous competitive sparring that seems to have lasted from when he left the Beechmen to join me at Valley Sound back in the late 80’s to date.  I say ridiculous, because of course it’s never really been a competition……. (Sorry Matt couldn’t resist…)
Also during my many years in drum corps, it’s always been an unfulfilled ambition to travel outside the country in competition, always jealous of those good friends that have been able to take the time out, and save the money up, to allow them to tour with a DCI or DCA corps. It looked, until recently that I would hang up my marching trousers without achieving this goal.
Other things that made the decision easier were the corps apparently ‘family friendly’ approach to rehearsals and of course knowing that the corps has a fabulous team of Instructors/support staff, not least my former High Brass colleagues and good friends Rob and Tez. I knew that they would want to put together a fantastic performance package for this centenary year, and so it has proven.  In my opinion, Tez has penned a music book that is exciting, contemporary and entertaining.  It’s just a shame I couldn’t persuade him to write 6 baritone parts…… never mind, can’t have everything!
So after spending the summer watching the corps have one of its best competitive seasons ever culminating in great performances/results at DCUK and DCE finals, and spending hours on ‘Facebook’ winding-up some old and some new friends about the forthcoming season, we eventually arrived at the first rehearsal…………..
Obviously, after talking on the phone and chatting on Facebook/MSN we knew the sort of numbers that were going to be in attendance on the brass line. However the sound of 40-odd brass was still quite breathtaking when we all played together.  It certainly evoked memories of 80’s & 90’s hornlines that I’d played in like the Green Lancers, Valley sound and Poynton, except ………………...… and apologies to the other fabulous sections for a moment …………….…. What a baritone line! 
It became apparent very quickly that although it was rough & out of tune in places (I’m saying nothing!) the line has the makings of a great baritone section. To be honest, I felt very ordinary indeed in the company of these fifteen-or-so baritone giants! I could previously only have dreamed of playing with such great players under the guidance of the awesome Mr. Cresswell.  To be honest, I was always extremely proud of the 6 High Brass baritones, but you can’t beat the sound you get from a big line (when it’s in tune of course……….……)
Anyway, all that said, we now have to deal with the practicalities of learning the music, trying to figure out a way to get fit (ish) for the following season so that I don’t need my own oxygen tent at rehearsals and trying to learn how to march with a straight leg whilst holding my instrument in my left hand!? (What’s that all about? I ask you…...) As well as saving up to take us all to the US in August on our ultimate busman’s holiday. All quite daunting when you think about it, but so far, so good.
Thanks to everyone who’s made us so welcome, it’s been a blast so far…….... now we start on the visual show, Lord help us!!

Finals Weekend 18-20 September 2009

 Finals camp started as the sun set over the field at Walesby – this was our first performance of the weekend under floodlights – even if they were makeshift and powered by people’s cars and the odd generator! The following morning, we woke up to a visual rehearsal – running through the show to recap a few bits, and to wake us up. While I usually hate the rehearsal on a show day, even I have to admit it’s important to get me into the focus of what I’m about to do.
 
Off to prelims – to my surprise there was quite a good crowd for the prelims performance and we were on last having achieved the highest score of the season. The prelims performance had some good moments, but I came off feeling a little flat (and that wasn’t just my horn) and most people I spoke to felt the same. But in that case – things could only get better!!

Despite the nerves of prelims, we managed a very respectable score of 84.80 – first place and on last at finals!
 
Off to watch the juniors at 3:30pm – our Juniors have done really well this year and they put Take a Chance back on the field. From the solo at the start, to the fantastic drum break at the end, they put on an incredible show. I spotted the brass players jazz running at the back (I think a lot of people may have missed this, it happened as the drums did their drum solo) which I thought was great after what they had just played and the guard were amazingly clean.
 
Back at the camp, (somehow the snares beat us there?) it was time to relax – an early tea and then we got the schedule for the rest of the evening… but the burning question all afternoon had to be “does anyone know the caption results for prelims?!?!” Strangely, nobody knew...
 
Back to Mansfield and my nerves were starting to kick in slightly - apparently I seemed “spaced out” and very quiet, but that’s my way of keeping calm and thinking about what I’m about to do. I was running parts of the show through my mind - the mello feature and 7/8 will ring around my head forever! As will Toes!!! Style!!! TTTOOOEEESSS!!! And my personal favourite – INTENT!!!
 
We didn’t go straight to the stadium but went down the road for warm-ups, the brass setting up in a car wash… and did the best warmup the brass have done all year – so much of it was in tune even in the cool evening air. Before I knew it, it was time to return to the stadium and put The Heart on the field!
 
The crowd were amazing – from the moment Paul Lowton (bottom bass) stepped onto the field, the whole atmosphere intensified – people were already shouting for us. I love it when you hear the echo from the stand come back at you and you can feel it down your spine, it always reminds me of why I stand in the cold/rain/boiling sun every rehearsal. This is what we do it for, the feedback, the thrill of it, and the excitement of finals under the spotlights knowing this is your one chance at a show you’ve played for the past ten months. On those moments, I have to remember where I am and where I have to go next!! It’s possible to get lost in the moment and forget everything you’ve spent months practicing…which is why I had a mental blank before the first count-in after setting up the Heart on the 45 - I couldn’t remember where I was supposed to go!!
 
The first 8 counts had me furiously thinking about the start of the show, and I took the first step – from then on, I just remember “The Heart” coming to life around me and everyone pushing as hard as they could. I got to the end of the closer with my fist over my heart wanting to carry on and do it all over again! Having squeezed out all my breath on the last notes, I could have set up again at the beginning of the show and redone it. The show was absolutely fantastic and I’ve never heard so much screaming come from my fellow members on the field before - both during the show and especially at the end!!
 
From a personal point of view, my family were in the crowd – none of them have never been to a drum corps before – but as I’ve felt so good about the show this year (and being only half an hour from home helps!) that I invited them for the first time to see the Kidsgrove spectacular. They were amazed by the performance – it wasn’t until tonight that they realised why I spend so much time travelling on my own and paying subs, camp fees and everything else but Kidsgrove Scouts 2009 explained this in 15 minutes… which I have spent 7 years explaining (unsuccessfully.)
 
Onto retreat, the Juniors with the senior corps and we waited on the field for the results. The Juniors came a fantastic 2nd in Junior Class and then they announced the A Class Champions before getting to Open Class. 8th, 7th place… all the way up to 2nd place. And in 2nd place…The Senators. Kidsgrove Scouts had won – DCUK Champions 2009!!!
 
2nd place score – 84.10...
1st place score – 86.05…
 
Finally, then came the caption awards…
 
High Colourguard – Kidsgrove Scouts!
High Brass – Kidsgrove Scouts!
High Percussion – Kidsgrove Scouts!
High Visual – Kidsgrove Scouts!
High Music – Kidsgrove Scouts!
High Effect – Kidsgrove Scouts!
 
As my corps t-shirt this year says, I ♥ KS!!
 
Alexa

Success for the Scouts! Upton BYBA Show, 11th July 2009

Despite most of us all being seasoned professionals (and some are more seasoned than others) the first show of the season always brings with it a certain sense of trepidation and unpredictability for me. Do I know the show as well as I think I do? Will the judges and audience understand the concept of the show? More importantly, will I be able to play properly or will nerves take over? Questions spinning through my mind as I stood on the back line in the arc playing our warm-up (from the 09 Carling advert if you care to check it out.)

But back to the rehearsal in the morning: at 8:30 we were on a damp field in the heart of Worcestershire with Captain Crez taking the brass for warm-up, along with stretch out and a certain amount of groaning from the sops as they creaked into action for the day. Rehearsal went smoothly enough apart from the occasional slip on the wet grass and at 11am, it was a quick dash down to the show venue to watch and support the Juniors with their show “Take a Chance."

Once changed into uniform, the brass headed out of the show venue into the surrounding countryside, and did our pre-show warm-up playing to a bus stop! We had a few inquisitive neighbors come to see what we were doing as well as tons of little black flies that seemed especially attracted to our white uniform; everyone was covered in little black bits. Once we’d finished the walk back to the school, we had a few minutes to relax just before the show and then we set up “The Heart” – Kidsgrove Scouts 2009 were on the field!!!

And you know what? It’s probably the best first show I can remember ever having, playing to a crowd who had brought their deckchairs out for the day. It started with “The Heart” with the guard right in the heart of everything, to the “waterfall” effect running through the brass and onto the pulse beat before launching into Part 2. The show slowed down for the ballad before speeding up for Flatline, which had its own moments from the slow mysterious start, along to the accelerando and then into the closer. Before I realised it, the first show was over and everyone I spoke to afterwards agreed that it was a great first show for us.

There was only Cheshire Cadets on after us in Associate Class so some of us went to watch them. Lining up for retreat, we listened to the division and caption results until we reached Associate Class. Kidsgrove won, taking all captions, and even won the “Most Entertaining Band” award decided by an independent member of the public, although I reckon Adam’s slip on the grass may have helped us achieve this award. The juniors also won their division.

A great start to what is going to be a great season.

Alexa

No more material throwing – I’m going back to my roots

I joined KSDC in 2000 as a horn player, playing mellophone until my (official) age out in 2003 and then spent a year giving soprano a go.  Back in the day before DCUK went open age, there weren’t really many options after marching other than to go onto staff, so I did.  And the natural progression into corps staff for a horn player of 15 years was obviously……..Colourguard?!?!  Crazy eh – that’s what I thought too, but it worked out great, the guard had someone who could teach them REAL drill and I got to hang around with my friends for a few more years, whilst they went out and kicked some DCUK ass – taking high guard in 2005.  But for 2007, the corps went open age so I decided to leave my new found Colourguard staff role and get back on the field, and for a horn player of 15 years, this was obviously……..into the Colourguard!?!?!  I thought I’d give it a go, I’d done WG since 2000, so I might as well have a dabble at summer!!  And I’ve loved my two years on guard – once as a cowboy and once as a circus act – but during last season, something was niggling Miss Wag, and it got worse as the season went on.  It started at the 1st show of the season, setting my flags out to the sound of the hornline backfield warm-up.  Then it got progressively worse, where I’d be spinning at rehearsal and I'd find myself listening to the horns and not concentrating on what I was doing, or turning round when Rob or Tez shouted “hornline”!!

The problem was, as much as I love guard and love performing and love being with the people in the guard…….I really miss playing horn.  So, I decided after August camp (I think the nail in my colourguard coffin was that I couldn’t walk up or down stairs on the Monday after camp) that I would ask to go back on the hornline for 09 and 10.

So – here I am now, a trumpet player in the 09 hornline, 3 rehearsals down and loving every minute of it.  I know this year isn’t going to be easy for me, I haven’t played a horn since 2004 and I’d only just mastered pointing my toe instead of roll stepping and now have to change back – but I’m excited about the season already!!

After the first rehearsal, I couldn’t drink a cup of coffee because my lips were that sore (and believe me, I’m now 31 and I love my “old lady” brews!!!).  By the 2nd rehearsal, I’d memorised most of the 1st piece and my lips are beginning to get a bit stronger, so now I just need to practice, practice, practice!!  The 3rd rehearsal – well, to be honest, I was really hung over and as everyone knows, drum corps with a hang over REALLY hurts, but I have all my music to learn in the week so I won’t be letting the side down!

Anyway – that’s an introduction to me – in the next blog, I’ll introduce you to the rest of Team Trumpet, people like Regknowsforafact.com, and Harry “Mrs Matthews” Boon or, if you’re lucky, Whoppa aka Fantastic Mr “Fox” – Word association anyone?!?

Love Miss Wag xx