Monday, June 07, 2010

Ahhh, Drum Corps





This is me tooting my own horn, so to speak. The picture on the left was taken at a park in/near Rochester, NY at a rehearsal during DCA World Championships over Labor Day weekend in 2009. The picture on the right was taken some time in June, July, or August of 2009 at one of the rehearsals. Rehearsal is tough on the body and rough on the clothes, so I have just a handful of T-shirts and shorts dedicated to this purpose. I have found that Adidas shoes fit my feet better than any other brand, so I'll stick with them forever, I suppose.

We're entering the high season for drum corps, when there is a rehearsal almost every weekend between now and Labor Day. Some are just Saturday rehearsals; some are Saturday and Sunday.

Two Saturdays from now, we have a performance in Austin, where all the active Drum Corps in Texas perform their show (standstill performance as opposed to marching + playing) on the steps of the state capitol. The performance is free to attend and has a family/friend feel. People bring their blankets and coolers and enjoy the evening of great music. There are a handful of Junior Corps in Texas, but we are the only remaining active competing All-Age Drum Corps. Corps fold all the time because it is an expensive prospect to keep one running.

Just to clarify, the singular and the plural are both spelled 'corps'. When you're talking about one, you pronounce it 'core'. When you're talking about more than one, you pronounce it 'cores'. I just thought I'd put that in there in case anyone was wondering.

I'm particularly excited about this Austin performance (which is called Texas Drum Corps Preview) because I now know how it goes. What I mean is that I know what to expect. Last year was my first year, so everything was new to me, and I had to learn where to meet for rehearsal at all these performances, what was allowed and not allowed, the timing and cadence of things, where to book a hotel, etc. It's amazing how much mental energy it takes to absorb entirely new situations.

If any pics are taken that I have access to, I will post them. I have to cut this post short, because I need to do a few things before I leave for Tulsa in the early morning.

1 comment:

Catz said...

"Just to clarify, the singular and the plural are both spelled 'corps'. When you're talking about one, you pronounce it 'core'. When you're talking about more than one, you pronounce it 'cores'. I just thought I'd put that in there in case anyone was wondering."

I was mispronouncing it for years and no one has said anything. Thanks for the info. Really.I needed it. :)