The Day of Semifinals - Staff

The Day of Semifinals
Esteban Carrasco
F
riday started like
any other day.
Those on field line
duty were thankful that
we didn’t have to get out
of bed early to go paint
fields. The early risers got
up right at 7, and by about
7:20 most people had
gotten up out of bed. By
7:50 am, the corps had
loaded up on the busses
and we were ready to head
over to the elementary
school practice field.
We got off the busses in halves, complete with personal choice
of sunglasses, and headed over to our warm up site.
We showed up, field liners retouched the field, and the corps
stretched in sections. We started with some basics in the parking
lot, with the horn line and drum line together. Most of it was
dance and movement to loosen up the bodies and focus on
fluidity. Like most of the week, the group tried to stay really
calm and chill.
The ride to the stadium was extra hyped. By the time we unloaded we were burning to hit the turf. We deuced it into the
tunnel (walking in twos), relaxed and ready to go. We were
waiting in the gate, ready to roll out. Taking the field felt great—a
good crowd response for sure. The performance felt so easy. I
wasn’t myself during the performance; I was some other person,
some Trooper with a different history. I felt every emotion that
our program encountered. I was truly performing, the whole
corps was. We had been in this stadium once before so we felt
much more comfortable. This was a real performance, a true
act of communication to the audience. We trooped off the field,
myself and many others in tears—a great experience.
Visual started and we cleaned drill like any other day. The
Visual Staff painted a couple dots here and there and we repeated certain parts of the show several times to get it under
our feet. The last portion of the visual rehearsal was the ballad
and the very top of the show. As a soloist, I didn’t have anything
to do for those parts, so Alex Bernstein and Nick Benson let
me on the podium with Corey Moore (Drum Major) to check
out the corps. It’s a way different angle from up there and I
thought we looked pretty good.
Brass started with circle warm-up in the parking lot. We did
breathing exercises and stretched as normal. The brass sound
had been on an upward swing and Scott (Atchison) was really
happy with how we sounded. Everything went smoothly and
we headed off to ensemble.
The heavy hitters of the design staff were talking to us during
rehearsal, and I guess we were looking good enough to finish
rehearsal early. We set up for a full run 30 minutes early. Energy
was high and we were ready to go. After the run, we jumped
on the busses and headed back to our housing site. This day
was extra good, because once we arrived to the intermediate
school we still had a full hour and a half to get ready for the
show. Everybody took the opportunity to clean and polish their
horns.
The ride to the show had a quiet intensity to it. The front of
the bus had chosen some rockin’ tunes and we were all groovin’
and taking care of our personal rituals just like any other show.
After our last performance, a member of the staff mentioned
how eerily calm we were for how big the next couple performances would be. From a member viewpoint, we tried to act
like we had been here before and tried not to psych ourselves
out.
I mentioned to the brass staff that it felt really good to be
warming up. All of these corps who used to beat us were about
to play their last show of the season, and we were (literally)
just getting started. Brass was focused and we sounded great.
We were still relaxed and goofy (sound effects made by members
were everywhere), but we were dialed in on Scott and ready to
throw down.
We took the field for the age-out ceremony with the rest of the
corps and had a blast. We made the crossed sabers with our
age out items, which included a Frisbee, a stuffed dinosaur
named Sinclair, our brass breath conditioning tubes, gloves,
pictures of Fred, dot books, a water jug, and plenty more.
Two highlights from the age-out ceremony come to mind:
1) The person who gave us our age out pins was Dave Richards,
the man behind the famous ‘79 tape. The corps had just listened
to it a couple days prior, so it was very fresh in our minds. He
said “You guys are doing great, I wanted to come talk to you
guys sometime earlier, but I was scared that if I said something
it’d all get (messed) up.”
2) The announcement that Troopers had made finals. You can
find that video on YouTube. We were cheering like crazy, and
then we had the support of so many corps on the field. We had
arrived.
Afterward, we packed up, headed for “home”—the gym floor
—and went to bed, sort of. We were a bit excited so I don’t
think we fell asleep until 45 minutes after lights out. Regardless,
we woke up the next morning ready to make history.
Silver Spur Campaign
W
Just one of thousands
of meals served
hen I hear
about the
old days, I
am amazed to learn that
food was served to the
Corps in a few crazy
ways. For breakfast, a
donut and cup of
orange juice—taking
your share and passing
the rest back through
the bus. Or, when they
took the bathrooms
out of the three
busses, they cooked
back there making
soup, or sandwiches,
and then passing
them up.
The Corps has definitely changed from the days of past—no
longer does the Corps spend the entire year rehearsing for two
summer tours. No longer is a donut and cup of orange juice
acceptable for the kids who spend as much as 12 hours a day
rehearsing and doing physical fitness.
The Corps travels with a food truck—a semi-trailer made into
a commercial kitchen on wheels. In the fall of 2009, the Troopers kicked off the “Silver Spur Campaign” for a badly needed
new food truck. The increased market for mobile kitchens has
produced semi-trailer food trucks for touring that are efficient,
practical, and well-equipped.
•
•
•
The current food truck serves four meals a day to 200
members, staff, and volunteers. Multiply that times 8
years of tour, and that’s more than 500,000 meals
served!
It holds countless gallons of milk, cereal, eggs, and
much more.
Cooking begins before the corps wakes up, and shuts
down hours after the evening snack.
Water lines have failed, gas lines have failed, and water heaters
have come and gone. After repairs and more repairs, the corps
is left merely with repairing the repairs.
In order to stay compliant with the current FDA and Serv-Pro
guidelines, it’s time to upgrade the kitchen. These are just a
few of the things we need to do in order to have a healthy food
truck, and stay in the guidelines of safe food service:
•
•
•
•
•
New stainless 3 bowl sinks for washing, rinsing, and
sanitizing
New refrigeration unit, per California regulations
Stainless counter tops
Larger holding tanks
Larger propane tanks
Between the grease, the traffic, and the mileage, the food truck
isn’t acceptable. If you were to walk past the hard working
volunteers, you would be embarrassed. It is not something to
be proud of for sure.
We are asking you to act. The Silver Spur Campaign is driven
by former Drum Major John Masterson and former Color
Guard Commanders Susan (Barella) Masterson and Lisa
(Kessler) Constantinides. Together, with all the other Drum
Majors and Color Guard Commanders, they are enlisting the
help of all alumni to lead the charge to raise the funds needed
for the new food truck.
You can be a part of the Silver Spur Campaign, too! Simply
visit our website www.troopersdrumcorps.org, or send your
donation to:
Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps
Silver Spur Campaign
1801 East E. Street • Casper, WY 82601
Food trucks are indispensable for corps tours and provide
healthy food to help members and staff keep up with the
demands of the activity. With the size of the corps meeting
the highest level of numbers allowed, the food truck needs to
be replaced with a bigger, better equipped, and better designed
kitchen. The truck has simply worn out, both inside and out.
The power goes out intermittently, and the ovens and grills
have deteriorated over time. The roof is patched every summer
and leaks as though there are holes drilled in it.
A look inside the old food
truck
I
A Single Journey
t was the fall of 1979, my sophomore year of high school.
I played a stand-still with Northglenn High School
Marching Band and the Blue Knights, the band and
corps I was currently marching with. I performed with both
groups and was standing on the gym floor feeling pretty
good. The Troopers were there, too. As they entered the
room I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I watched with tears
welling up. The uniforms, the talent, the discipline, but especially the aura of confidence, were none like I had ever
witnessed. After the show my brain was on fire trying to
figure out how I could become a part of this organization.
Would my parents let me drive back and forth to Casper?
Was I good enough? Did I have what it takes? It was then
that Mr. Jones came up to me and invited me to audition.
Simply put, my life would be changed forever. It sounds
dramatic, and it was.
It was the beginning of a relationship that has spanned 29
years. It was an incredible summer—everything I hoped it
would be. During the 1980 season, I marched in the soprano
section with the likes of Tom Walsh, (future Drum Major)
Kurt Gilbert, Michael Barela, and the Horn Sergeant, Larry
Davis. Others still there from the famous 1979 season were
Snare Captain Dick O’Hearn, John Van Zandt, Eric Fernelious, Sue Barela, and her future husband, our Drum Major,
John Masterson. I didn’t know it then but my future husband
had already marched here and it would be another 8 years
before I would meet him.
One of the things I remember was marching up at the “Tar
Pits” overlooking Casper, sometimes until 2:00 in the
morning by the glow of one streetlight. I didn’t know any
other way to do things. Then on tour that summer, we were
going to perform at a show in the East, and there had been
a terrible thunderstorm that caused a brown-out in most of
the city. The other corps that were scheduled to perform
backed out. Mr. Jones wasn’t going to let that happen so we
performed an exhibition there in a darkened stadium lit
only by a single light at the front of the field. It felt like the
“Tar Pits.” The crowd went crazy and the other corps were
amazed. This is just one of many wonderful memories.
I had some serious knee problems after that season and was
not able to come back until 1984—my age out year. I did,
however, convince many Northglenn HS Band members to
join, and they proudly marched in 1981 and beyond.
When I did return, I was welcomed back with open arms.
I switched to mellophone, since the French horn was my
primary instrument, and made some of my dearest lifelong
friends: Joel Williams, current Trooper Alumni Association
President; Mary Purser, baritone; Jeff Cates, mellophone;
and the list goes on.
I stayed in Casper after the season and was made a marching tech by Mr. Jones, as well as an assistant instructor for
the “B Corps” color guard. As part of my responsibilities, I
also took my turns driving the RV that housed Mr. and Mrs.
Jones on tour (Ask me about it sometime!). We placed 9th
that year and I was so unbelievably proud to have been a
part of that season, but alas, I had to move on—at least for
awhile.
I continued to follow the corps and their progress, and was
reunited in 1989 when my future brother-in-law, Pete
Simpson was marching his last two years. My soon to be
husband, Milward Simpson, the current President of the
Troopers Board of Directors, instructed the pit during Pete’s
age-out season.
Another few years would go by where life kept me an observer. We went to any show we could during this time to
satisfy our need for drum corps, but especially our corps,
the Troopers.
I became re-involved in 2005 when Milward was approached
to serve on the Board of Directors. The corps was in a dire
financial situation and the board, and many others, worked
tirelessly on the problems at hand. It was a very difficult
decision to not field a show in 2006. It was devastating to
everyone who ever loved the Troopers. It was a scary, but
hopeful time as many folks worked to keep the legend rolling.
I remember how excited everyone was when “The Awakening” was fielded in 2007. The Troopers were back!
Although we had regaled countless tales to our 3 children
over the years, it was during this time that our son Alex
really became aware of drum corps. During the 2007 comeback season, Alex watched with a look of intense interest
and desire. I remember when he announced that he wanted
to be part of the Long Blue Line. We were nervous because
we knew what it would take for him to do it, and we were
excited to share the magic that is The Troopers. We knew
that when he did make it, the experience would leave him
changed the way it left us changed.
He did make it for the 2008 season as the timpanist at the
age of 15. I was thrilled for him and I couldn’t wait to share
his experience. He marveled at every camp, each being better
than the one before. He deified drum corps legends as we
did and spoke in philosophical terms about the shows that
were out there. He now has his own tales of bus rides and
shows to share. He gave and still continues to give everything
he has to the corps. He lives the tradition of Honor, Loyalty,
& Dedication. I couldn’t be more proud of him or the organization.
I was able to spend 2 weeks volunteering on the food truck
last summer and 3 weeks this summer with truly amazing
volunteers. Everyone on the instructional staff and support
staff play such an important part in giving the kids what
they need so they can perform their best every day. There
is so much dedication and love in what they do, and the
appreciation I have for what it takes to run the corps is
immense. I feel privileged to be a small part of that.
As long as I am able, I will continue to help in whatever way
I can. I respect every person who has ever been a part of
this organization because without them, we wouldn’t be here
today. It has been, and continues to be, an amazing journey.
Thank you for letting me share mine.
I truly love the Troopers and am forever yours in Honor,
Loyalty and Dedication,
Amy Simpson
Letter to the Editor
Do you want to wish the Troopers good luck this
summer? Do you want to tell them how proud
you are that they made finals last year? Or do
you simply want to comment on how much the
corps means to you? If so, then send your letter
to the editor!
In the next issue of the Long Blue Line your
encouragement or praise could be featured in
the new “Letter to the Editor” section. We want
to hear what you have to say. Please send all
responses to [email protected], subject line,
“Long Blue Line: Letter to the Editor.”
Troopers Challenge Coin
T
he history of the “Challenge Coin” dates back to
World War I. A flying
squadron during the war ordered
bronze coins embossed with the
squadron’s logo. Every member
of the squadron was given a coin
and they carried it while in
uniform. One member of the
squadron was shot down and captured. The Germans who captured him took all of his identification but left his coin, seeing no
need to take it from him. After
escaping, it was only by his coin that
he was properly identified when he
made his way back to allied territory.
Today, the coin represents the identity of the unit. It’s a morale
item, and binds the unit together. When military members
are gathered together off-duty, the challenge coin is used as a
means to boost morale and have fun. While gathered together, if a member produces their coin and drops it on the
table or floor and a sound is made, whether accidentally or on
purpose, the other members of the squadron must be able to
produce their coins. Those who don’t have their coin on them
are now indebted to the other members of the unit. Maybe
they owe them a favor, a sandwich, or a drink at the local pub.
The Troopers’ coin is meant to remind us about our connection
to each other through a very unique organization. By carrying
this coin with you all the time, you are carrying a daily reminder of who you are. On one side of the coin is the cross
sabers. Written above the sabers are the words “Honor, Loyalty,
and Dedication”. Those three words have shaped and defined
how many of us live our lives. On the other side of the coin are
four stars. Each star represents a valuable part of the organization: percussion, hornline, and colorguard. The fourth star
represents the alumni, volunteers, and staff members that make
each season possible. There is also a gold banner on the back
that is blank. Each of us has been a part of the organization in
different ways and in different years. The banner is blank to
allow us to put our own story on there. Above the banner and
stars are the words, “We’re How the West Was Won.”
The Troopers’ coin will not be available to just anyone. It will
never find its way to the sheep wagon to be sold to the public.
In order to purchase this coin you must be involved with this
organization. Every member of the corps is eligible to receive
a coin. Also eligible are the alumni, the staff members, and
the volunteers. Every coin that is purchased by the alumni
provides 3 coins for members. So get your coin now, or next
time you attend a Troop Whoop, corps function, or random
gathering of your Troop friends, you may be challenged. Don’t
be the one caught without your coin!
S
www.troopersdrumcorps.org
ince 1996, the Troopers have been giving fans, members,
and alums a way to follow the corps online. In 1996, the
website began with four HTML pages with limited text
and a handful of pictures of the corps. The official domain
name, troopersdrumcorps.org came to life in late 1997. Since
these humble beginnings, the corps web site has become a
vital part of the Troopers organization.
The function of the web site was originally conceived to bolster
membership recruiting at a time when most DCI corps did
not have a web presence. It was not until 2001 that recruiting
efforts expanded to include online applications and downloadable audition materials. Since the inception, increased traffic
to the site has resulted in higher audition camp turn-outs and
increased interest in Troopers membership.
The Troopers web site captures an average 100,000 hits per
month. With the corps’ competitive resurgence over the past
three seasons, web hits have increased at a steady pace. For
the month of June, 2009, the Troopers site logged 1,649,241
hits and capped its best month ever in August, 2009 topping
the charts at 2,273,837 hits.
The website would not exist at all if it were not for the hard
work of volunteer webmistress and alum, Pat Chagnon. Her
tireless work on her own time (since 1996), to keep the Troopers connected via the web, has helped us lead fundraising
campaigns, communicate to fans and donors, and continue
to lead the charge of the Long Blue Line.
Thanks, Pat!
A community message forum was introduced to the Troopers
website in 2002 and has served as a communications portal
for members, alumni, parents and fans. It is active year-round
and boasts over 3,000 subscribers. The site is also a news portal
that now includes RSS feeds to multiple media outlets.
The Troopers began secure, online souvenir sales in 2004.
Until the Sheep Wagon went high-tech, sales were limited to
the summer months. In 2007, the sheep wagon sales portal
was expanded to accept membership payments and online
contributions. Sheep wagon sales are now year-round and
bring approximately $75,000 in revenue to the corps.
Can You Support the Troopers?
D
id you know that in the summer of 2009, the grocery
bill on tour was over $6,000 every week? And that
did not include the 18 gallons of milk and 50 loaves
of bread consumed every day! We fed 200 people 4 times a
day, every day, and at least ¾ of them were hungry teenagers.
the year. But when we are given a chance to increase the quality
of uniforms, or purchase new horns, or new percussion equipment, because we have been so lucky to receive a gift from
someone like you, it brings the caliber of the Corps to an even
greater level—and enhances the Long Blue Line.
Groceries are an easy thing to think about, because we all need
them and have to purchase them for our own households. So
it’s an easy thing for me to share with you regarding the corps.
Please visit www.troopersdrumcorps.org today to make a
contribution to help us continue expanding our fantastic
programs.
But did you know that the corps rehearses every day, from
All-Days to DCI Finals, for at least 8 hours—and if there is no
performance or traveling, that number is 12 hours. If there is
a performance or traveling, that number is still close to 12
hours, plus time to travel 2 to 8 hours on the bus, just to wake
up and do it all over again.
We have high hopes for 2010, and goals to be reached. They
include new uniforms and flags for the color guard, replacing
some of the horns that have been well-used, new pit percussion
equipment, and re-engaging the local youth musicians in
Wyoming with some music workshops and a summer marching program. We have also kicked off an alumni-led fundraising endeavor for a new food truck. You can read more about
it in the accompanying article about the Silver Spur Campaign.
The costs to keep the corps on the road are always budgeted,
with projected income helping to cover the bills throughout
Being in the Right Place
at the Right Time
Making a bigger film than America’s Core
By Michael D. Gough
B
eing in the right place at the right time is always a good
thing. But, how are you supposed to know where and
when that is? This was a question that came to mind
as we prepared to hit the road one more time for the production of our new documentary, Hell Bent for Victory.
During the development phase, Dieter and I put together a
list of ideas and themes for the story line of the film. We both
agreed and understood that if the corps did not make finals,
the story line would fall flat and we wouldn’t really have a
movie. After all, we already did America’s Core, our 2007
documentary that chronicled the return of the Troopers from
their one year reorganizational period. Without a Cinderella
end for 2009, it would have been a title without any zing.
America’s Core 2? America’s Core Again?
In February, 2009, I listened to a recording of the corps playing
through the ballad at a winter camp. At the end of the song,
the trumpets are featured in their screaming glory! Even though
it wasn’t clean, the chills that came told me one thing; if it
doesn’t happen this year, it won’t ever happen. I knew at that
moment that I wanted to do this project.
America’s Core had cost $30,000 to produce and distribute. I
knew, because of the state of the economy and because we had
just done a film, that it would be hard to fund another Trooper
movie. We got creative and figured out a way to do it on only
$5,000. Still, I didn’t know how I would raise that amount of
money.
I had just about given up when we posted a fundraising video
onto YouTube and sent it to everybody we knew, and just one
week before filming, two alumni provided the money that was
needed!
There was no real way of knowing that the corps would make
finals, but I had a feeling deep down that they would, and as
well all know, they did! It was so exciting and extremely emotional, and it’s all in this movie! The staff, the members, every
single moment!
Years ago, I knew I wanted to be there when the corps was
successful in returning to finals and I am grateful I was there
to capture it on film. Many alumni were there, but many more
were not. Hell Bent for Victory is for you!
Regardless of when you marched, we all had a stake in 2009—
the year the Troopers returned to Finals after 23 years!
I would like each of you to tell people about this documentary. It can be used as a tool to recruit as well as retain memberes in the corps. It’s also a great way to introduce people to
the best activity on earth.
On behalf of the entire Hell Bent for Victory team, thank you
so much for your support!
For more information on Hell Bent for Victory, visit our website
at www.hellbentforvictory.com and be sure to find us on facebook!
Hell Bent for Victory will go on sale May 15th. To order go to
www.troopersdrumcorps.org/store.
Meet the Troopers
Name: Patrick Callahan
Name: Jeremy Phillips
School: University of Northern Colorado
School: Eastern Washington University
Major: Music Education, Instrumental
Education Concentration
Major: Chemistry/Biochemistry Forensic Science
What do I want to be when I grow up?:
Music teacher, either middle/high school
or collegiate level.
What do I want to be when I grow up?:
Forensic Scientist
What it means to be a Trooper: Being a Trooper, to me, is
about “honesty.” So many people, it seems, go through life
always settling for less; they never really seize what’s valuable
to them. At the Troopers, doing what we do, being part of the
“family,” being part of the legacy that we are—there’s no need
to “settle for less.” We believe in who we are, we believe in what
we do—at the Troopers, we learn to live our lives earnestly,
we learn to be honest to ourselves, which is incredibly valuable
and, unfortunately, something you don’t see a lot of in this day
in age. Being dubbed a leader in this corps is, I think, a superfluous gesture. We’re ALL part of the Long Blue Line; the
successes I’ve enjoyed and the lessons I’ve learned in my time
here are all thanks to the people around me. I suppose in that
sense, being a leader this year is going to be about giving back
to everyone around me and continuing to make this organization turn some heads! Now, I’m not one to speculate on what
2010 will hold for the Troop, except that we ARE going to turn
some heads. The “esprit de corps” at the camps this winter has
been great, which means (from my experience) that once we
get on the road, we’re going to be firing on all cylinders! Look
out DCI, the Troopers are coming!
What it means to be a Trooper: To me, being a Trooper is all
about performing on and off the field. It is about approaching
every aspect of my life like it’s a performance in which others
are depending on me to be at my best. Whether the occasion
is DCI finals, an exam at school or a task at work I try to give
my best for the benefit of myself and those around me.
Name: Aidan Ritchie
School: University of Wyoming
Major: Euphonium Performance
What do I want to be when I grow up?:
Professional euphonium/trombone
player, probably in a military ensemble.
What it means to be a Trooper: I got started in the Troopers
on my parent’s whim- I had not liked marching band at all,
and since it was my senior year, I was looking forward to never
marching again. I went to a couple camps, and what do you
know? Drum corps is fun. I had a blast in 2008, getting into
DCI Semifinals for the first time in recent memory, and then
of course last year, making finals for the first time in 23 years.
2010 promises to be even better- we have the vets, the knowledge base, the staff, to take us farther than the Troopers have
been in a very long time. I’m very glad to be a part of that, and
will continue to be so until I age out in 2011.
This is my fourth year in a World Class Drum Corps. I have
and will continue to learn a great deal from the activity. Being
a leader in the Troopers is an extra opportunity for me to help
teach those around me what I have learned. It also is an opportunity to hold myself to a higher standard so that I can
continue to grow in the activity.
I have seen this corps grow so much in the time that I have
known it, and I look forward to another summer of great
change as well as great tradition. I look forward most to the
effect that we can have as a corps on the Drum Corps community. Regardless of competitive success this corps has so
much to offer the community in the form of hope and inspiration. I am excited for the opportunity to inspire this summer,
if only one person, through Honor Loyalty and Dedication.
Name: Kirby Powell
School: Austin Community College
(Transferring to the University of Texas
at Austin in the Spring)
Major: Computer Science
What do I want to be when I grow up?:
Video game designer / developer
What it means to be a Trooper: For me, being a Trooper has
for some reason always just felt really natural. From the very
first camp I attended back in April of 2007, the Troopers has
always just seemed like a good fit for me, somewhere that I will
always be welcome and accepted. I guess that’s what it means
to be a Trooper, is to exude that kind of atmosphere, so that the
ideal Trooper would be the kind of person no one has trouble
being around, talking with, or going to when times are good or
bad. To be that kind of Trooper, you really have to take the ideals
of Honor, Loyalty and Dedication to heart, and really figure out
what those words mean to you on a personal level, and do your
best to live up to them, no matter what.
For me to be in a leadership position for the corps this year,
is really one of the greatest honors the corps could ever bestow
upon me. What that means to mean is that I really have to up
my game, and make sure that I realize at all times that not only
am I going to be striving to do my best at all times, but to set
that example while doing my best to help the rest of the
members strive for, and achieve their own best performances
each and every day, especially when there isn’t a show. To sum
it up, I’d have to say that being a leader in this Corps, is at the
same time the one of the greatest honors, and greatest responsibilities I’ve ever been granted.
Name: Dylan “Rabbit” Schau
leader at the Troopers means that the leadership here takes
the attitude that we have a very high standard here to hold
ourselves to. We have to uphold so many years of great history
with this drum corps. When people think of the Troopers they
automatically get this certain image in their heads of what the
Troopers should be like, we want to meet every standard of
that image in their head. I am thankful to Fred and Mike for
giving me the opportunity to be the leader of such a great
Drum Corps and I couldn’t achieve such a task without the
help of a GREAT leadership team!!!
Name: Jacob Motl
School: Cypress Springs High School
School: Memorial High School,
Victoria, Texas
Expected Major: Music Education
Expected Major: Electrical Engineering
What do I want to be when I grow up?:
Music Teacher
What do I want to be when I grow up?:
Engineer/Electrician
What it means to be a Trooper: This is my third year with the
corps and that is by far my highest accomplishment. There is
nothing I value more than being a Trooper and nothing I carry
with more pride than my corps jacket. I have 6 years with this
drum corps and I feel it’s truly amazing how much growth
we’ve had already and how much I know we will have with
my remaining 4 years. It is so great to be a part of bringing
back a legend to where it once was and that is really the most
rewarding experience; seeing the looks on the faces of the
alumni and fans that have waited 23 years to see us perform
3 times on finals week is something I can’t even begin to describe, but easily makes an entire summer of blood, sweat, and
tears more worthwhile than I ever could have imagined. Deciding to become a member of the Troopers family is the
greatest decision I have ever made. Thank you to all the alumni,
fans, and parents that made it possible to be a part of this
corps, family, and tradition.
Name: Corey Moore
What it means to be a Trooper: What being a Trooper means
I haven’t ever really thought about. My rookie year I was thrown
into the drum corps world without a clue of what I was getting
myself into. It was a fun and exciting experience not knowing
what the next day would hold, but something kept me wanting
more. Even after I knew what the whole drum corps experience
would roughly be like, I still wanted to return to the activity.
And then I realized that the Troopers organization was what
had made me want to keep coming back. The family atmosphere
is something to be valued in the competitive world of drum
corps and is what makes the Troopers as special as they are.
Which is what brings me to what being a Trooper means to
me: it means taking care of my family. Through honoring those
who marched in the past, being loyal to those who stand beside
us in the long blue line, and to dedicating my time and effort
to the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corp I know that those who
came before us can look at us with dignity and pride, those
who will follow us will aspire to take the corps to either further
heights, and that those who are here now I will love and care
for, and I will lead and serve them to the best of my ability.
School: Lone Star College
Major: Film
What it means to be a Trooper: This is my fourth and final
year with the organization, to be a Trooper to me is all the
great relationships and accomplishments we as an organization
have made since my time here. From the comeback in 2007
to our finals appearance in 2009 it has all been on heck of a
ride and I’m am thankful for every alum that has come through
this organization to set us up for where we are now. Being a
Get Your SheepWagon Fix at:
www.troopersdrumcorps.org/store
Mark Your Calendars:
May 28: Move-ins for all-days
June 6:
Wyoming
S
hirley Austin is the grandmother of Alums Mark, Kevin,
and Lisa Crimm. She has been a long-time supporter of
the Honorary Trooper program. We interviewed her
regarding her support.
Troopers: How long have you been a Troopers Supporter?
Mrs. Austin: I have always been a Troopers supporter, but, when
Mark was really involved in the Corps, I started giving every
month.
I’ve been following the Troopers since Jim Jones started it. They
were absolutely amazing. And I was so proud to have grandkids
in it.
Jackalope Days Performance, Douglas,
June 18: A Night With the Troopers, Annual Fundraising Event—Casper, Wyoming
See the announcement below. This will be a night to
remember as the Corps premiers their 2010 show,
“WANTED”. Dinner is at 6 p.m.; Show at 7:30 p.m.
June 19:
Family Night with the Blue Knights in
Denver, Colorado
Mark was in the Corps from the age of 14-21. He was so dedicated to it.
June 25: Troopers and Cavalry Golf Tournament,
I think these kids are absolutely amazing with their dedication
and enthusiasm and the things they give up to do this for a whole
year. The dedication they have is absolute amazing.
Teams, hole sponsorships and corporate sponsorships
are still available! Contact [email protected] for more information!
Troopers: What keeps you excited about the Troopers?
Mrs. Austin: I have been to their performances and there is
nothing more thrilling than to go to a competition and watch the
Corps come on the field and see the Troopers and see everyone
in the stands rise up and clap for the Corps. I think it is the most
popular corps in the area. I get a thrill watching them.
Troopers: What does it mean to you to be an Honorary Trooper?
Mrs. Austin: I am very proud of the fact that I can give to them—I
wish I could give them more. I have supported some of the kids
who needed it for the past couple years. I sponsored a Trooper
for the whole summer and last year we donated to two kids. We
don’t know them and we don’t have to know them, to want to
support them.
Troopers: Why do you think the Troopers are important?
Mrs. Austin: I think it builds character in kids. It builds dedication in kids—they give up a lot to do this. These kids go out from
the Troopers and out into the world and they do well because of
what they were taught in the Troopers. I think this is a development of the kids themselves.
I get a kick out of going to the shows and seeing how many alumni
come forth when they get in the circle at the end of the show. The
circle is getting awfully big. They are going to have to find a larger
area—it is absolutely wonderful. Some of these people have been
out of the Troopers for a lot of years and they still go and support
the Corps.
Three Crowns Golf Course, Casper, Wyoming.
July 11: A special night with the Corps in Cheyenne,
Wyoming
July 13: Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo Parade
Performance, Casper, Wyoming
Remembering Semifinals 2009
by Joel Williams and Shannon Brown
Joel: I was in Lucas Oil Stadium for semifinals with Jon
Beerman, Shannon Brown and Susan Russell (Hohstadt) with
my stomach in knots . . .
I watched the Colts and thought they were very clean . . . In
fact, my insides were churning because I had watched Spirit,
Bones, Madison, and Star Fleet and leaned over to Susan and
said, “We’re beating these guys?!”
These drum corps were good and I’m thinking “WOW, we
must be really something!”
So, after watching the Colts I was understandably nervous.
When Troop came out, we were going nuts! They entered the
field at a slightly slower tempo than the other corps and looked
extremely tough.
The show was very exciting and got a great crowd response.
As the perfomance built to the end, I acknowledged that it
was the first show of the evening that I can say I was “fully
engaged” with.
Shannon: One thing I remember is how I couldn’t wait for
our score to be announced. We had heard the Colts score
(85.6) and knew what we had to beat. They were announcing
scores after each corps. G-Men were on and the anticipation
was so high that the only thing I wanted was for them to finish
their show.
Following their show, we were all chewing our nails during
the silence. Then . . . as the anticipation was mounting . . . they
played a commerical on the scoreboard. ‘ARGH!’ I just couldn’t
stand it.
Finally, Brandt Crocker in a very slow cadance began to announce our score. “Eighty-five . . . point . . .” dramatic pause
“. . . NINE!” When the word ‘nine’ came
across the loud speakers the whole world
became very happy. It was one of those
moments that will go down in Trooper
history and will be passed along from
member to member for years to come.
High fives were flying between everyone in a trooper shirt—and
there were lots of them. I high fived a guy in the restroom—we
never said a word. Made eye contact, hands went up. SLAP!
Not even a word!
By then the corps had started to come in. They didn’t know
what hit them. They were like rock stars. Everybody was
shaking their hands, hugging them and high fiving them. We
went out of our way to find members and congratulate them.
We just wanted to tell them how proud we were.
Shannon: I’m not sure, but I think there were other corps that
performed later that night, but if there were there were no
Trooper fans watching it as we were all out on the concourse
celebrating. That moment alone was worth the cost of the trip.
Everywhere we went that night (and really the rest of the
weekend) we had perfect strangers smiling from ear to ear
saying how thrilled they were that the Troopers were back.
We agreed.
We sat up late into the night with other alumni talking all
things Troopers. As we sat out on the deck of our hotel we had
fans from other corps who came out and joined us to tell some
of their own stories. It really was priceless and a memory that
I won’t soon forget.
Joel: I’m thinking that if I was a current member, that night
in the stadium would have been an incredible experience for
me. The members walked through the door feeling good that
they had made finals and then it had to start hitting them how
much of a larger impact their finals presence had on the entire
drum corps activity as fans and alumni came up to them to
offer congratulations . . .
It was a most memorable night.
Joel: When Crocker did his thing in announcing the scores, I just about fell off
the front of the 600 level as we were in
row one (thank you Shannon).
Tears came to my eyes and then an uncontrollable urge to celebrate with some
Troopers hit me. It was awesome!
At the intermission we went downstairs
and we were going around, amongst
everyone, yelling TRROOOOOOOP!!!!
Joel and Shannon
pose the next morni
ng with some of the
staff
Alumni Jacket
Our thanks to Trooper Super Model, Paul Cox (Snare ’76). Paul is
the proud owner of the latest hot Alumni fashion, an alumni corps
jacket! This design by Big Sky Sportswear in Fruitland, Idaho will
look good on a crisp fall evening, a frosty morning or simply as
the ultimate Alumni accouterment. If your jacket has shrunk, (from
repeated washings, naturally!) or you want to give a gift to your
favorite Trooper Alumni.
Check out
www.bigskysportswear.com/troopers.html
The user name is troopers and
the password is ohio11.
Get yours today!
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www.twitter.com/CasperTroopers
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