Looking over the last month and reflecting on a fantastic end of the season, it is hard to come back to terms with normality. From the last report in August following the Bank Holiday camp, the Corps set it’s sights on Grantham, a new look, a full brass line and a percussion line who were striving to make the difference and achieve excellence in the percussion caption. Apart from a windy blustering day we were content with the result and our place with the next objective being Newport. Another rehearsal to clean and adjust saw the Corps ready to go head to head with Kidsgrove. What a shock with the score, only 1.9 between the Corps and the drum line stating their position heading towards finals, we were now in the box with our rivals.
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The Corps headed for finals camp in Tewkesbury. The objective was to enhance the programme from the analysis made by our colleagues from the videos and judging tapes. Jared Brockmeyer had arrived in the UK and was subjected to a long day to fight the jet lag, a cadet rehearsal in Bristol and his first taste of traditional fish and chips. He was now set for sampling Drum Corps in the UK and of course the 37th hospitality. All sections took the programme to the highest level in preparation for finals and the final run through of camp left the Corps confident with three more rehearsals to go.
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Again during the week we were subjected to our traditional downpour and Jared was able to make good use of his poncho. By coincidence we had the same downpour as per the following year when Kent was over, only this time the members did not have to swim to their dots. The week also allowed members and our friends from the States to sample the traditional Corps curry night. Harrison will never forget this moment!
On Friday the advanced party left for Burton on Trent to prepare the rehearsal site in Lichfield, check out McDonalds and all the other facilities for the Corps when they arrived on the Saturday. Many a story was told on the night time and Jared, Wayne, Ian and myself had to go for a Pizza following a couple of light refreshment drinks in the hotel lobby. Using mobile technology Wayne duly placed the order and as the call was Terminated the hotel doors flew open and to Jared’s amazement thought that the Pizza’s had arrived within the speed of light……. Plenty of disappointment with a lot of laughter followed, “these Americans love their pizza”. During the day when we set the field up, we had to take cover due to a heavy downpour, in which Wayne had to challenge some Eastern Europeans about playing football on the pitch that we were marking out. Out of about 8 of them he managed to pick the only guy who could not speak English…………….
An early start to the day on saturday morning, we managed to unload the truck between us, set the field up ready for the corps to be in place for 09:15 as per the schedule! 10:15 “where are you Nick” That’s another story with lots of banter over the T-mobile network. The corps managed to get to the site and set up for a stretch and shorter schedule to fit in one run through each piece of the programme. I remember standing on the tower with goose bumps as these kids were on fire and well up for the event with every section pushing their own performance limits. I knew from this point we were going to have a great day at Finals, however even though after a full scheduled brief we still managed to leave the main man (Wayne) behind who should have been on the coach! Nick was having a great day, the excitement must have got the better of him.
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After arriving at the stadium with only minutes to spare due to some navigational errors and a plea of you must buy a tom tom for the truck, the Corps entered prelims. The determination was evident from each of the members to move ahead from our last encounters at Newport and after the performance that showed energy and enthusiasm, the members and staff felt they had made the difference with the front runners in open class. We saw a mixture of tears and joy, which has never been seen before after a performance at Prelims and it was now a time to bring the adrenalin down and chill out for the night time performance. |
Stafford Lancers were 5th in prelims with a score of 72.0, Poynton Commodores were 4th (78.6), 37th Kingswood in 3rd place (80.2), Kidgsrove Scout in 2nd place (85.6) Black Knights in 1st place after prelims by a margin of only 0.9 with a score of (86.5).
2006 Champions - Cadet Class Finals |
Our future was about to move on to the field of competition, I was fortunate to be around for the Cadets finals preparation which is a mirror image of the senior corps warm up, you can see why our transition from Cadets to Senior Corps is working in partnership with the two programmes. It is important to also recognise the leadership qualities of the senior corps members who teach the Cadets under the direction of Jason. The quality of Cadets graduating to Senior Corps just enhances our programme and security of the Corps. |
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‘My Favourite Things’ moved smoothly into ‘The Simpsons’, with the Corps displaying a level of Professionalism beyond their years, and the guard projecting their enjoyment of performing in front of an appreciative crowd. The ballad slowed things down for a while but the excellent percussion line was soon driving the corps through ‘Mission Impossible’. ‘Favourite Things’ returned and then back into ‘Mission Impossible’ for a rousing conclusion to a show that was extremely well performed by all sections. Very impressive! The 37th Kingswood organisation looks like they have a strong future ahead of them. (Taken from the DCUK Report) |
As soon as the Cadets left the field of competition the whole of the organisation joined together to allow the Cadets to send their age out members to the senior Corps for the 2007 season. Daisy (Pit), Dan (Drums) and Daisy (Mello) all took the big step to move from Cadets to the senior Corps and this proved to be a moment that they will treasure for years to come. We then presented Jared, Erin and Harrison with signed St George flags to complete a successful exchange programme with ex members from the Colts who marched this season with the Corps. |
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With every happy ending we have also had to say farewell to our senior Corps age outs, John, Darren, Dan and Norm who we wish all the very best for the future.
As we moved towards our report time each section broke to carry out the individual caption talks prior to moving in towards the Corps circle for the final build up talk. As Kev delivered his address to the Corps with the backing track of “morning” a sombre moment passed as Kent’s message was read to the Corps, it was clear to see what this activity meant to the members and staff of the 37th. |
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The Corps then made a grand entrance to the field of competition. This was the moment we were waiting for and this performance was the final show of the season, everyone backfield was fired up in anticipation of the Corps entry.
The 2006 production entitled ‘A Distorted Mind’ saw the Corps experimenting with music that tells of a journey focusing on the slippage from normality to totally insane. A lullaby from the pit marks the introduction of the programme setting the scene for the evening performance.
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‘Act 1 – The Beginning of a New Day’ which sees the corps going to sleep and demanding silence. The music throughout the piece slips between dark and light, setting the mood for the show.
‘Act II – Happiness’ provided an effective contrast to Act 1 with a lighter tone but with a few darker chords thrown in as reminders.
The subsequent percussion feature was extraordinarily well executed and was evidence of why they took the percussion caption. |
‘Act III – Close Every Door to Me’ continued the sombre tone with the corps providing a visual and musical backdrop for the guard, the fragile nature of the music reflecting the frailty of human nature.
‘Act IV – Red Dragon/Psycho’ took the show to an even darker and more intense level allowing us to witness the brass and drums working very well together, with the cleanliness of the drums cutting through like a knife. The company front provided some temporary relief from the proceedings with normal business resuming through to the conclusion. Once again today, another well communicated narrative integrated into an exciting drum corps performance. (Taken from the DCUK Report) |
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In third place with a score of 84.3 and deservedly taking the percussion caption, the Corps had reached yet another level of achievement in their history.
With yet another successful year over and many more stories to be told about the journey home, we now look forward to the future and 2007. How do you round up this year in one word……..Simple
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Look forward to more news about the Corps with features that include:
- Presentation Evening
- 2007 Members launch
- Dave and Diece's Wedding
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