BDCP and Drum Corps

[drumnum52]

How's it going ladies and gents? My name is TJ and my application for BDCP has been sent in and I'll hear something by the end of the month. My topic however is Drum and Bugle Corps; a summer long tour hosted by Drum Corps International for musicians aged 14-21. Have any of you heard of if it? And of those that have heard of it, have any of you ever participated, particularly while in the BDCP program. For those who have not heard of it, DCI hosts a summer long musical tour that culminates the first week of August with a huge international competition. Drum and Bugle Corps basically put on a half time show on steroids. Does anyone know if participating in this type of activity would be allowed. While it may be a musical competition, this activity is very physical, and the participant is basically under supervision the entire summer. I suppose as long as contact can be made with a recruiter it is possible, but I do not know how summer leave works. If any of you have an answer or any input whatsoever that would a be a big help for me.
Thanks,
TJ

ps sorry for the bad grammar and word usage, I'm from Texas where ya'll and ain't are the correct way to doing things

 

[bbell]

drumnum52,

While in BDCP you are not required to go to summer school. However, if you scheduled summer school on your degree completion plan, you may have to resubmit it to show that you will still be able to graduate on time.


Cheers

 

[navsup]

which drum corp are you joining?

 

[Godspeed]

Cool stuff man. As long as your drum corps will not interfere with your completion plan (or more specifically change your graduation date), you should be good to go.

Bare in mine however, that by swearing in under the BDCP program, you are commiting to making school your full time job, and number one priority. The Navy doesn't mind if you have extracurricular activities, but if they noticibly interfere with your ability to perform, or adversely affect you academics, they will expect you to drop these commitments and focus all of your attention to school.

The only reason I mention this is that judging by your post, the drum corps is very important to you. While this is great, just understand that by swearing in to this program, you are committing to making school your number one priority.

Hope this helps!! Good luck.

 

[drumnum52]

Hey thanks for the clarification everybody. I definitely will not let this interfere with my courses at Texas State. To be honest, drum corps will probably help me out, I'm a music/physics major and the amount of both involved in the drum corps activity is amazing. You all should go watch a show sometime, DCI hosts events all over the Continental US, Canada, and there is even some stuff happening in Europe. Go to www.dci.org and find a show in your area, it's definitely worth going to. NAVSUP I'll be trying out for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps once again in November; last year I was the last guy cut from the Bass Drum Line so hopefully this year I'll have a pretty good shot.

 

[navsup]

thats cool, the cavs are awesome. they come to a small town show put on by my high school. they arent coming this year though.

my drumline teacher played for them. the other played for bluecoats, or maybe it was blue knights.

I played tenors my sophmore year and snare my junior and senior year.

What MOS do you want in the Navy?

 

[Fezz CB]

Drum Corps was the best experience of my life. I marched snare for blue devils "B" '97. I tried out for the BD snare line but got cut. But still, best years of my life.

 

[drumnum52]

I'm applying for Naval Aviator, but to be honest I just want to serve. My father was an Army Crew Chief for 20 years and then got commissioned. He is in the Corps of Engineers now and tells me all sorts of crazy stories about his service time so just being able to experience some of that stuff for my self means alot to me.

I know a few guys that are marching this summer with the Cavies, and I go to school their Bass Tech, Jaime Calderon. Everyone that I talk to sais same thing about drum corps being the experience of their life. I'm 19 so I still have two more years to try out and hopefully march somewhere, like I said earlier I got pretty close this past year. Any of you going to the San Antonio show on the 23rd?

 

[Super18Ordie]

I played trombone in high school marching band I saw the Madison Scouts perform when I was a junior in high school they were pretty good. I still play with some local jazz bands and stuff now. If you can swing it(no pun intended) keep playing while your still in its a lot of fun gives you something to do and in my case some extra cash in your pocket

 

[Vic]

I was with the Freelancers 12 years ago and only marched for two years.
The USMC Drum and Bugle Corps is always at finals, so I don't see why they wouldn't let you go. Specially if you did'nt sign-up for summer school.
Good luck with the Cavies. But I will tell you this, having females on the drum bus was not only interesting, It was extremely rewarding (if you know what I mean)!

 

[shortncurly]

Speaking of Drum Corps, the DCI World Championships will be on ESPN2 on Sept 6, 2005 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Eastern time). I was never good enough for Drum Corps, but I did marching band all through high school and college, and they were the best times of my life. I saw the Cavs do an exhibition when I was in college, and they rocked. Good luck with that and BDCP!

 

[drumnum52]

It's so awesome to hear about DCI moving up in the world, isn't it? This activity is starting to creep out into the masses and I think it will be something that will continue to grow in popularity. I just finished up a drumline retreat with one of the Cavie Techs that I go to school with so hopefully him running our drumline with the style and mentality of the Cavaliers will help me out when I go to auditions in November. Last year I was the last guy cut from the line so we'll see. What instruments do you guys/gals play?

 

[shortncurly]

I did Color Guard most of the time and was a Twirler for one semester.

Yes, that's right, I twirled a baton... anyone who laughs will get their a$$ kicked!

 

[Godspeed]

I did Color Guard most of the time and was a Twirler for one semester.

Yes, that's right, I twirled a baton... anyone who laughs will get their a$$ kicked!

You are a female, so this is acceptable. If you were a male, we would probably have some serious issues

 

[Vic]

Bass Line, baby!