Bridgeport: Veni, vidi, vici! July 1, 2006 After three weeks off since the Tournament of Stars, more than a few members of the corps and staff were concerned that all the hard work in May and June putting the show on the field would be diminished by rusty memories and rusty chops. To his credit, director George Lavelle never had a doubt that the corps would pick up where we had left off. He was right. Members arrived early at Bayonne High School on Saturday, July 1st, to board the buses that would take the corps up I-95 to Bridgeport. The sense of déjà vu was hard to ignore as many were taking their first drum corps bus trip in years (or decades). It was another checked item on the list of activities that completely bring back the emotional memory of what it felt like to march in drum corps. That list started with the first sectionals back in the fall, and more recently included the first run-through on a hot, dusty field in the middle of nowhere (well, Manville, NJ). As soon as the day's rehearsal started, it was apparent that everyone was chomping at the bit to perform. The Tournament of Stars (TOS) had given the corps a taste of performing for a welcoming audience, and we wanted more. After learning some new drill sets that improved the sound of In the Stone, the corps worked through the rest of show. Inexplicably, after three weeks of inactivity the corps was performing better than they had at the last show! Gone were the pre-show jitters from the TOS; instead, all sections performed with the laid-back confidence that is a Bridgemen hallmark. Mellophone section leader Marie Downes gave a memorable demonstration of how to loosen up and jam with the music. The historic Barnum Festival attracts a “corps-knowledgeable” fan base. This year's show consisted of senior and alumni corps, with one junior corps (the Spartans of Nashua, NH) in attendance as well. Warming up next to us, the Spartans made two immediate impressions: (1) They looked great just marching in their basics block. (2) Young people are thin. There were countless reunions of Bridgemen with friends and colleagues from the audience and other performing corps. Even though the stands were half full, it didn't matter. The Bridgemen had come to perform, whether for 20 or 20,000. The opening fanfare from Pagliacci was deafening and resulted in the first of several standing ovations. Everything from then on just seemed to click. The guard was at the top of their game, and the horns and percussion were the tightest to date. The new drill sets really helped overall cohesion during In the Stone, and drum major Jim Jordan remarked “It was the first time I was able to lay back and just enjoy the groove!” My Favorite Things continues to evolve as a corps and crowd favorite. With multiple meter and key changes, it's probably the most difficult piece the corps is playing, but it was also the first one the corps mastered. It has something for everyone: a brief, but intense, percussion feature, charging the stands, and an in-your-face “park and blow” section. After the show, the feeling was unanimous that the performance had been everything we wanted it to be. Now, the addiction to performing has fully returned, and there is already a little sadness that only three shows remain this season. When asked by the director if we wanted to schedule an extra rehearsal before Allentown, the response was a loud, immediate “Yes!” Regarding the trip home... what happens on the bus stays on the bus! Suffice to say, the ride was boisterous, at times bawdy, and a big celebration. The bus trip also offered a chance for the sections to mingle in a way they haven't in rehearsals. Although the majority of the members are Bridgemen alumni, many marched in other corps Ð probably every junior and senior corps you can name from the last forty years is represented. It was great comparing traditions, songs, etc., and realizing how much in common there is from one corps' culture to another. Whether Cadet or Caballero, Crossmen or Cavalier, we're all Bridgemen now, and we can't wait until the next show! - Rick Hagey, Mellophone Back to Information Articles