Blue, Silver, & Gold By Scott JamesonApril 18, 2010
The Corps had an eventful weekend as we headed for the Great White North to participate in the two opening shows of the 2010 SDCA Arena Drum Corps Season in Ishpeming, and Menominee, MI. The corps rendezvoused at the Villa Park VFW at 5:00 am for a 5:30 am departure Saturday morning. Thanks to a stop in Gurnee to meet the corps members from Northern Illinois, we were still able to hook-up with a few who overslept and missed the Villa Park departure. Despite road construction between the Wisconsin -Illinois border and Milwaukee, we made excellent time stopping one more time to pick-up Ken Norman, then on to our hotel in Menominee.
After a quick check-in and lunch stop, it was back on the bus for another 2.5 hours to Ishpeming. We stayed occupied talking, (yours truly practiced), and watching videos…amazingly no drum corps video’s. Can you believe it? We arrived at Ishpeming @ 3:30 pm Eastern time did a quick run-through of the show, dressed and went on for our first performance of the year to a very appreciative Ishpeming crowd of about 350 – 400. Considering the area and that this was a first time SDCA show for them, that was an excellent crowd.
Drum Corps fans to the core, the people in Ishpeming showed their appreciation for ALL of the participants enthusiastically. The line-up for the evening was; Americanos Alumni, Royal Airs, Imperial Knights, Minne Brass (Minnesota Brass Mini Corps), Nothernaires, and Blue Notes. Minne Brass garnered the Gold “Peoples’ Choice Award”, while the Royal Airs took home Silver, and the Northernaires took Bronze.
The show was followed by a Blue Notes hosted all corps social event which is becoming an SDCA tradition. We arrived at the Country Lanes Entertainment Center and quickly dubbed it “Bob’s Country Bunker” (a little Blues Brothers humor – hey we’re from Chicago). We ran into a number of RA alums this weekend as well. Northernaires have 4, one for the Blue Notes, and then we ran into Paul Smith and Ken Hierikko who marched with the Alumni Corps. So it was like old home week. After some food, some drinks, and socializing at the bowling alley, it was back on the bus, for a 2.5 hour ride back to Menominee and a nice warm bed. It was a very quiet and uneventful ride back….thanks to Ken Norman for keeping the bus driver awake.
The following day (Sunday) we awoke to a bright sunny day and a beautiful view of the Lake looking across Green Bay. While it’s spring in Chicago, these folks have a few weeks to go before they see anything bloom. Morning came early and we loaded the bus dressed, and ready to hit the line for another very appreciative Menominee audience of about 350 – 400. With a few minor changes the line-up was about the same as the day before, and the crowd was again ready and willing for some “basic” drum corps. To our surprise the tables turned on Sunday, and the Royal Airs won the Gold over Minne Brass who took Silver. The Royal Airs new Drum Major, Rhonda Schock (former Fox valley raider DM), was a hit with the crowd as well as the corps on her first outing. Welcome aboard Rhonda. A big RA thanks again to our Minne Brass friends, Bea and Roger, who helped fill-in for a couple missing voices this weekend. We kidded them about being the only persons to take 2 Gold’s and 2 Silvers. The Americanos were 3rd and took Bronze. Taking home Gold was a huge boost for the corps on our first outing, especially the new folks in the group.
We loaded the bus and bid adieu to our friends to the North until the next shows in June as the May SDCA shows unfortunately lost their support. (Any towns out there want to sponsor a drum corps show?). The trip home was long but went quickly as I penned these lines for those of you who couldn’t make it. I hope they gave you a taste of our first outing of the year, The Royal Airs first Silver and Gold Award Weekend with SDCA, and a look at the SDCA Arena Drum Corps circuit. I’ll write to you again soon.
Blue for you,
Scott
What If?
Written by Scott Jameson
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
What If?
Have you ever wanted to participate in a Drum Corps program but found you couldn’t meet the criteria?
1)Ability - talent level, auditions, technique.
2)Time commitments, practice and performance schedules, travel schedules
3)Financial commitments, dues, uniforms, equipment, cost of travel.
4)Schedule, daily rehearsals, weeks away from home and a job?
What if there was a low cost LOCAL alternative that allowed you to participate and learn from instructors with many years of drum corps experience (including a Drum Corps Hall of Fame member), and allowed you to hone your skills in music and marching while meeting, competing, and socializing with others who share your interests in Drum Corps? And, what if you could do all this right here in the Midwest with an organization of legendary stature and reputation?
Organized section rehearsals twice a month ( Villa Park, IL). Full Music / Drill Camp one weekend a month (Des Plaines, IL). Local parades and Small Drum Corps Assoc. “Peoples Choice” competitions held March through August.
Allow us to introduce you to the SDCA (All Age) Arena Drum Corps Circuit.
We are the Chicago Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corps,
and WEhave an opening forYOU!
Whoa there Mom, and you too Gramps! Where are you going?
So you think because you haven’t picked up a drumstick, or a horn, or twirled a flag in a few years your chops are gone and you can’t hack it anymore? Let us show you how to return the fun and sheer enjoyment of entertaining others that you used to have. What about time commitments? We invented “Time Share” drum corps just for you.
Are you ready to make a call and come out to learn more?
ALL CHICAGO AREA (1940'S THRU 1970'S) DRUM CORPS PICNIC
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2010
11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Place:Fox River Forest Preserve
(1st Pavilion upon entering…on right) – LARGE PAVILION
26034 N. Roberts Road
Port Barrington, IL (1 mile West of Route 59 on Roberts Road - South side of street.
We are receiving very positive responses for this All Chicago Area (1940's thru 1970's) Drum Corps Picnic. The location has been secured. This beautiful and large facility on the Fox River is kept very clean, has modern indoor restroom facilities, many electrical outlets, BBQ grills and a fireplace.
Picnic tables and benches are provided at the grove…however, you are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets (and a pop-up canopy if you wish).
There will be no fee to anyone for the picnic.
This will be a family-style picnic…bring your own food and drinks (liquor…IS allowed on the premises). All liquids must be in plastic or aluminum containers…no glass please. If you would like to barbecue, grills are provided at the pavilion, but you will need to bring your own charcoal.
Children, grandchildren, etc. are welcome. There will be organized games for kids and adults. We will provide any music (boombox)…and entertainment (Scott Jameson of the Royal Airs has listed this event on their schedule…James Shaw has also listed the Classic Cavaliers for a commitment…waiting for others to also make a commitment).
Hotel information for out-of-towners:
(block of rooms reserved for Saturday, August 21, 2010…rooms are also available for Friday, August 20, 2010)
Days Inn
405 W. Northwest Highway
Barrington, IL 60010
Reservations: 847-381-2640(Block of rooms reserved for "Drum Corps Reunion" or (Adrianne Kaplan)
Rate: $59.95
Room includes microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, and complimentary breakfast.
The hotel has an adjacent restaurant…Blue Heron Café and Bar, which can accommodate the "afterglow" session for socializing after the picnic. They are open until 1:00 am.
Additional information will be forthcoming in the next mailing. If you should have any questions, please contact your corps representative listed below.
Rivals on the field…friends for life…through drum corps!
CONTACT THE ROYAL AIRS CORPS DIRECTOR - JIM GROTHMAN OR PERSONAL MANAGER - ED VIOLETT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED
Fox River Forest Preserve (1st pavilion upon entering…on right)
26034 N. Roberts Road – Port Barrington, IL (1 mi. west of Route 59 on Roberts Road…south side of street) MAP WAS DELETED DUE TO SPACING ISSUE. PLEASE REQUEST IT FROM THE ABOVE RA CONTACTS.
All Drum Corps Picnic
Written by Jeff Williams
Saturday, February 06, 2010
HOLD THE DATE…AND PLAN YOUR TRIP TO CHICAGO FOR THE
ALL CHICAGO AREA (1940'S THRU 1970'S) DRUM CORPS PICNIC
ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2010.
You are receiving this e-mail as a result of many discussions with our drum corps friends. This distribution is going out to various drum corps alumni. (Royal Airs, Cavaliers, Norwood ParkImperials, Vanguards, Viscounts, Madison Scouts, Kilties, Chi-Angels/Cougars/Spartans, Giles Yellow Jackets, Nisei, Grenadiers, Lamont Scouts, Queensmen and Mariners. If we inadvertently omitted anyone, please let us know.
For some time now, it has been discussed that we have a picnic for all corps in the area. This is now going to be a reality. We have been in contact with numerous people from several corps and have received positive feedback.
We have just secured a picnic grove which is centrally located in Barrington Lakes. This is a new facility with a shelter large enough to accommodate 100+ people. This beautiful facility on the Fox River is kept very clean, has modern indoor bathroom facilities, many electrical outlets, BBQ grills and a fireplace.
There will be no fee to anyone for the picnic. This will be a family-style picnic…bring your own food and drinks (liquor…in plastic or aluminum containers…IS allowed on the premises). Children, grandchildren, etc. will be welcome. There will be organized games for kids and adults, and possible entertainment.
Reminders forthcoming with further information (exact location, time, etc.).
If you should have any questions, please contact the representative who distributed this e-mail.
CONTRACT THE CORPS DIRECTOR OR PERSONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE CURRENT UPDATES
