Updated April 12, 2006
On October 10, 2005 DCI extended a formal invitation to Carol (Brokke) Jordan and the Kingsmen Alumni Corps to perform at the DCI Semifinals. The date is August 10, 2007 and will be at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This has gone from being a great idea and would be nice to a reality.
As for the questions regarding commitment and attending practices, this is what we have at this point.
We intend to sign up between 300 and 350 Kingsmen Alumni and drum corps veterans who are comitted in their hearts to doing this. We expect to have some fallout for various reasons as time rolls by. If you are interested in signing up there are two steps required.
As of this date we are still accepting prospective members to fill a few crtitical positions. If you are interested in being a part of this endeavor, step one is to register for the alumni corps. You can do that by accessing the same drop down panel you just selected and clicking on "Registration Signup." Fill out the form as completely as possible. If you can play more than one instrument list the instruments you are fluent on. As an example if you can play soprano and mellophone list them both because some sections are full or almost full and we may not be able to accomodate your first request. We are using bugles (Key of "G") and B-flat instruments for those that are more comfortable playing traditional trumpets etc. Once you have registered you will be contacted by someone from the committee (Brass, Percussion, or Guard) and given additional information and allow you to ask them any questions you may have.
There are still openings in the following sections:
Nationals Squad
Baritone
Soprano
Contrabass
Percussion (Need to inquire)
Step two is to sign up for the xKingsmen Alumni Forum. You can do that by accessing the drop down panel called "Forum" and then once you arrive at the forum click on "Register" at the top of the page. Once again fill out the form with the appropriate information. Use you first and last name as your User ID (John Doe). Do not use nicknames! When complete click on the submit button at the bottom of the form. Providing you have given a valid email address you will then be granted access to the xKingsmen.com forum and also the secure forum area. This is a manual process due to BOTS and it may take a few hours so do not panic.
Brass scores and color guard parts are distributed via the forum area. There is a secure forum that contains all of the brass warmup exercises, music for the show released thus far, and all of the color guard and rifle parts released so far. Brass scores are available in the key of "G" and/or B-Flat. If you are in the drum line dissemination of information is handled differently. Someone from the percussion section will contact you regarding their procedures.
If you are currently on dial up you need to start thinking about upgrading to DSL or a cable modem because you are going to need it.
The entire drill is complete and has been designed by computer. As of this writing dot sheets have been passed out to everyone who has signed up and your dot will be your permanent spot on the field. The individual parts will be distributed the same way as the music. Any custom or difficult manuevers will be available for viewing using streaming media on the secure website.
There is a practice schedule in the alumni corps section at xKingsmen.com as you enter the site. Please click on "Event calendar" on the left navigation bar and then select the appropriate month. Prospective members will be encouraged to attend the monthly practices on a regular basis. If you are a brass member, and you live within 60 miles of Anaheim, you are strongly encouraged to attend the weekly sectionals that are held on Tuesday nights. The guard and percussion section is currently doing weekly rehearsals on Tuesday nights also.
Monthly practices are being held and at this point we expect for you to make these rehearsals if at all possible. Once again, check the event calendar for the dates.
We have scheduled three multi-day camps between today and the August performance. The next multi-day camp will be Memorial Day weekend 2007. Multi-day minicamp dates through August are as follows:
May 26-28 (Western High School Anaheim)
June 20-24 (Cal Baptist University Riverside)
August 3-11
(Cal State Long Beach)
Mandatory practice for everyone will more than likely be the entire week before DCI 2007 every day just like in the touring days. It will probably break down several days of intense practice in order to provide a product we can all be proud of. I think everyone is in agreement that it has to be done right and have a level of class that only the Kingsmen bring to the activity from the moment we enter the stadium in our slow and methodical way, until we leave.
The membership fee for this endeavor has been established at $250.00. The goal is to end up on August 11, 2007 cash neutral and a great deal of analysis has gone into calculating this number in order to be as accurate as possible. No one is being paid or compensated with the exception of possibly the bus and truck drivers.
The uniform will be a carbon copy of the uniform that was worn in 1972 down to the chest buckle. For those of you that are contemplating joining us for this moentous occasion you will be fitted for a uniform at practice. The cost of the complete uniform is $400.00 and is due now. You are purchasing the uniform and it will be yours to keep or can be donated to the Kingsmen Starcorps Junior Corps effort for a tax deduction. In addition to the uniform you will be responsible for obtaining a pair of Dinkles marching shoes. We have a sponsorship/endorsement arrangement with Dinkles. Please contact us for more info.
Debbie (Pouliot) Clark is coordinating the procurement of boots for members of the guard. If you need boots please contact her. Debbie is scouring Ebay and various other sources acquiring boots in the $50 to $60 dollar range. Given that English riding boots purchased new are running between $150 and $600 dollars it is critical that the procurement of boots be done now! Do not procrastinate until the last minute because the cost of doing so will be severe.
Joe Rybus is the Director of Operations for the Kingsmen Alumni Corps. As such, Joe is responsible for procuring a horn for you if you need one. The idea here is to make this as economical as possible. The smaller horns (soprano) you are encouraged to buy on your own or work through Joe. Larger horns are available on a rental program for a modest amount. Please contact Joe for a horn.
The instructional staff at this point is a who's who of the Kingsmen over the years. It includes the following....
Former Kingsmen arrangers Mike Duffy and Ken Norman have agreed to work with the alumni corps and provide their talents to this effort. They will be assisting Gary Kean and Dr. Greg Woll with the brass charts and providing instructional talent. Also signing on are Michael Ellerby, Jim Whobrey, Jerry Garcia, and a true legend Donnie Porter Jr. to support the percussion section. Brenda (Markham) Murray, Linda Markham, Carol (Brokke) Jordan, and a myriad of others will be assisting with M&M. Visual Consultants so far are Charlie Groh and Dave Weinberg. We are actively pursuing other alumni and staff from over the years and there will undoubtably be additional names added to this list. Nearly all of those listed above will also be marching members.
In addition to date there are five former Kingsmen Drum Majors signed on. They include Earl Douglas, Don Hertel, Gary Kean, Andre Mason, and Jim Good.
Class is back in session.
Spread the word...
_________________
Keith Wilbur
Webmaster, xKingsmen.com
Kingsmen Soprano 1971 and 1972
Alumni Corps 2007
