Bob's Review - Welcome to 2008

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve had anything to write about but after our first three practices for the 2008 season there’s a lot to discuss. As a whole the corps is working very hard in preparation for the upcoming season. Donny Allen and his new assistants Kacy Dolan and Bob LaDuca are working very hard getting the hornline ready. They have worked their way through all of the new music and from my ear are really starting to sound good. Larry Darch has done a great job getting the drum scores written and is motivating the drumline to work hard and be ready for practice every week. Yesterday was the first time this year that we’ve played together as the entire corps met in the gym to do ensemble. We were able to get through both Irish in Your Face and My Shawl before calling it a day to go watch our favorite football teams. Go Buffalo!

As I said there is a lot to discuss: we’ve seen several former members return to practice, a few new faces, some movement within the corps as people change sections, some bad weather that may have kept some people away and some of our active members not yet attending their first practice this year. It looks like some of our recruiting efforts are starting to work although it’s tough when new people come to see the goings-on and our numbers are down. We need to be sure that these people get a true picture of what MSJ is all about and encourage them to make a commitment as a regular with the corps. This can only be done if our current family makes an all-out attempt to make these winter practices valuable. There is one more session, this Sunday 12/16, before the holiday break and it would be great to see everyone there. Sully has planned a Holiday get-together after practice and I’m sure there will be some Holiday Tunes from Bobby LaDuca and Christmas Brass, a great time for Holiday Camaraderie.

Certainly the weather can play a big part in having successful Sunday practices but several members came a long ways a couple of weeks ago to practice while some of our members closer to LeRoy were unable to make it. I realize I may be overstepping my bounds about this situation and I am certainly not suggesting traveling in inclement weather but we can’t expect to put a quality corps on the stage at Harrisburg and the Classic this spring without everyone making a total commitment to the corps and the rest of our members. Yes, I said Harrisburg. We will be on stage at the Forum again in 2008 with several of our peers from other alumni corps. We are also anticipating an invitation to an alumni field show this summer in central NY that will feature many of our friends from other alumni corps from all around the eastern circuit. There are a lot of great reasons to put a quality corps on the field for 2008 and these are just a couple of them.

A couple of other points of interest that may affect the corps are the noticeable small numbers on Sunday at guard practice and the fact that we are still looking for a full-time drum major. I’m certainly not privy to all that goes on within the guard but I’m sure that those that are there expect to have a full practice and are not just coming because they have nothing better to do. As said before by several, the guard makes the corps. When the horns and drums are just standing around playing music (yes even drum music) the guard adds all the flash and flare to an otherwise boring drill. If anyone has friends or family interested in being a part of the corps, encourage them to come out. I’m certain the girls in the guard would welcome anyone at any capacity to be part of this special section of our corps. And there are also opportunities in all of the other sections in the corps. Also, there have been some considerations for possible drum majors for the 2008 season but if anyone out there knows of a capable person that may be interested be sure to let them know that the position may still be available. We are a much better corps when we have consistency in every section of the corps including drum major.

Just like to say thanks to everyone for putting forth such a great effort for the upcoming 2008 season. A special thanks to all of the staff for getting things rolling and off to such a smooth start. Hope to see everyone soon and one last important reminder; keep all of our MSJ family and friends in your heart, thoughts and prayers this Holiday Season especially those less fortunate than us and those who may be battling an illness during this season.

Bob Wielgosz