Fusion is coming along very well. JR and I both agree that we're further along than we really ever thought we would be. I don't want to come across as having come into this thing with a negative outlook or a pessimistic view of the situation...we just really had no idea what we were up against or what the situation was. We just knew that this was a Class A, second year drum corps. That's it.
So, we threw a tough show at them that keeps getting tougher, and we're just pushing along as if it's a corps that's been around 25 years and has won a few championships. The way I look at it is, you're a new drum corps until you stop thinking like one. You have to be forward thinking in order to move forwards at any rate of speed.
So, here we are...3 rehearsals left before we're outside learning drill to this beast and watching it all start to come together. A lot of careful planning and "architecture" has gone into this show and so far all of the designers and staff members have really held true to the vision and have worked hard to make everything happen that needs to happen. Again, I really didn't know what to expect with the staff coming in here as the new guy. No one held my position last year. This is a completely new deal for everyone, but we make a great team. I can't explain why, but there's a lot of chemistry and respect on this staff, and I'm excited to be a part of it.
We got the approval to make the new uniform jackets! We got a cool design by Sean McReady and now we're hosting a dinner on Saturday, February 23rd to help raise funds to make this happen. Again, forward thinking and forward progress...it's time to put away the first year vests and tux shirts and put on some badass uniforms that make us feel 8 feet tall.
If you're reading this before the 23rd, everyone on earth is invited to this dinner. We'd really appreciate the support! Just go to for more information. We're also accepting tax deductible donations.
Anywho, that's drum corps. As for band, things have taken a very unexpected turn. The band director where I've been teaching, Archbishop Ryan, suddenly resigned a couple of weeks ago which pretty much means the staff is dissolved and it's up to the new director to hire their own staff. With the massive recent budget cuts the school has imposed on all activities, including band, it's unlikely that the new director could afford half of the talent we had at Ryan last year.
It's amazing what we (the staff, supporters, and especially the kids) were able to accomplish over the course of the last 3 years. Competitively, every year has been better than the last. Sure, this year we came in 6th as opposed to last year's 2nd place finish...but the placement doesn't always tell the whole story. There were more high caliber bands in our division this year. We performed a much harder show that the kids bought into and performed like champions...but not every judge "got it"...especially the GE music judges. We took a dying program and turned it back into a championship caliber band. It's something to feel good about, but I can't help feeling like a little part of me died when the director told me that the "Ryan Project", as we referred to it, was over.
I love the kids, and I'll miss them dearly. If only they knew (and if only I could write) the reasons...the real reasons why all of this has come to pass. Archbishop Ryan is my alma matter. That's why I'm so emotionally invested. It's the only place I ever wanted to teach...and now I have...and now it's time to move on, I suppose. I'll just get more involved in the Band Alumni Assoc and try to make things better that way.
Fortunately for me, my fiancé is the band director of a high school that's close to my house and similar in a lot of ways to Ryan. I'll be taking over there as program coordinator, music arranger, and drill designer. We have a very cool show planned. I'm looking forward to getting started.
My fiancé is also still involved with the Bushwackers on the administrative side, although I would bet money that she'll end up marching before the year is through. She swears she's not, because of tan lines and the fact that we're getting married in September...but then again drum corps is a great way to lose weight so that you can really fit into that ridiculously expensive dress you only wear once (I'm so glad I'm a guy...seriously). We'll see what happens. It'll be nice to finally teach the same band together...but the summer will be hard when I'm off doing my thing with Fusion and she's off with the Bushwackers. Who knows...maybe it'll be a good thing! We shall see.
I hope all is well with the readers out there (if there are any left!). Comment, email me, or IM me at DrumCorpsChris sometime if you want to chat. Or, you could always come out to a DCA show this summer and say hi to me in person! Talk to you soon.
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