Another Look Back At The Season

Rob Stewart, of KVIE Public Television, produces "Rob on the Road", which discovers stories that capture the unique spirit of Northern California.

Rob visited the Mandarins at one of the last rehearsals before our DCI tour, and interviewed brass instructor and Mandarins Brass Academy coordinator Jim Tabuchi. Watch it here: http://tinyurl.com/mqcwb4

Final Days

On Friday, the corps members spent the morning checking in equipment and uniforms in preparation for sending the trucks and equipment back to California. Corps members also completed the annual member survey. This survey is based on the book "First Break All The Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently" by Marcus Buckingham. The results of this survey are used by the corps staff and administration as a tool to evaluate and improve our operations.

Corps members also cast their ballots for the Joe Fong Award, which is bestowed on the corps member who best exemplifies the values of the Mandarins. The winner of this award is announced at the annual corps dinner to be held later this year.

In the afternoon, the corps attended the opening day of the Indiana State Fair with Pacific Crest. Yes, competitors can be friends and supporters of each other.

That evening, the corps attended the Age Out Ceremony. The Mandarins would like to thank all of this year's ageouts for their tireless efforts and dedication. This year's Mandarins ageouts include:

• Mai Adachi, Brass
• Jon Boo, Percussion
• Juan Crespo, Percussion
• Michael Flores, Percussion
• Carson Gantt, Percussion
• Caleb Kondor, Brass
• Rick Mano, Brass
• Krobkal (Tami) Petborisooth, Color Guard
• Stuart Rosen, Brass
• Santiago Sabado, Drum Major
• Luis Sosa, Brass
• William Winston II, Percussion
• Akari Yanada, Percussion

Saturday was spent cleaning up and loading the trucks. The corps would like to thank the administration and staff of Avon Intermediate School East for their support and assistance in making our stay in Indiana a pleasant one.

After attending finals, the corps buses proceeded to the airport. The Mandarins tour fees include airfare to both the beginning point of tour (Denver) and the flight home from the DCI Championships. By Sunday morning, everyone had arrived home.

This has been a terrific season for the corps, and the staff is very proud of the performing members for their resilience and commitment.

While the corps is looking back on this past season with many fond memories, planning has already started for the 2010 season. Keep checking this space, and the corps website at mandarins.org for updates.

Finally, thank you also to all the families, friends, parents, supporters and alumni who have helped out in countless ways. The corps could not have done it without you. We hope you are as proud of the 2009 Mandarins as we are.

Quarterfinals

DCI Quarterfinals day. Had a great rehearsal block in the morning. As is tradition, the brass line arched up around the ageouts to play the adagio section of "Year of the Dragon" to acknowledge their contributions and our respect for the 13 members of the Mandarins who will be aging out this season.

After rehearsal, some down time to prepare for our appearance at DCI World Class Quarterfinals. The staff felt that the corps members were ready to go, and well prepared for Championships Week.

Guard and pit warmed up at the stadium, while brass and battery bused to a nearby park for warm ups. Lucas Oil Field is a magnificent stadium; everything is state of the art and seemed to be by far our largest venue, even compared to stadiums such as Invesco Field in Denver and the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Today's performance was by far the best of the season. A large standing ovation at the end of the show indicated the quality of the performance. The corps has overcome a few obstacles over the course of the season (as have all drum corps to be fair); however, this edition of the Mandarins can be very proud of their efforts and accomplishments.

After the performance today, the corps was treated to a bbq at the Star of America facility in Bloomington. Everyone had a great time, and it was a chance for the members, staff, parents and drivers to unwind.

DCI Championships Week

Arrived at our housing at Avon Intermediate School East early Tuesday morning. The corps slept in until noon, which was fine since a driving thunderstorm rendered any idea of an outdoor rehearsal impractical until the late afternoon.

Wednesday morning, started with the annual "Breakfast by the Pit". Every year, during DCI week, the front ensemble will wake up early and make breakfast for the corps members, instructional and support staff. It was delicious!

Most of the day was spent on the opener and closer, to provide a great first impression and a lasting statement at the end of the show. This was the emphasis on both sectional and ensemble work. It paid off in this evening's runthrough as both of these sections are much more consistent from a performance and projection standpoint.

One rehearsal block tomorrow and then off to Lucas Oil Field for quarterfinals.

Canton OH

The corps had a couple of rehearsal days in Canton OH. A lot of attention work was done refining both the beginning of the opener and end of the closer. A number of the design team is now traveling with the corps, so there are a number of program refinements being made.

Monday evening's performance in Canton went very well. The work on the closer paid off, as it was much more under control than had previously been the case. The Football Hall of Fame Festival show is always, well run, with plenty of support staff on hand to make sure everything is taken care of. They are very supportive and courteous as well.

Today we arrived at Avon Intermediate School, east campus, where we will be housed during DCI Championships week. This is the same housing location as last year, and the staff and facility are terrific.

It may be a day for music sectionals and ensemble however, as thunderstorms are predicted throughout the day, although tomorrow should be fine. We are looking forward to a couple of productive rehearsal days before Quarterfinals on Thursday.

August 1 - Free Day in New York City

Free day in New York City. The corps took a well deserved day off and spent 8 hours in "The Big Apple". Shopping and sightseeing - Central Park, SoHo, Times Square, Rockerfeller Center, Yankee Stadium, Staten Island Ferry and the like. Several corps members and staff took in Broadway shows including "In The Heights" and "Next to Normal". Getting in and out of Times Square was a bit of a challenge for our bus drivers, but our drop off and pick up occurred without incident.

While many members and staff spent time shopping, fortunately no one bought a watch from a street corner vendor, as has been the case in the past; these watches usually stop running before the end of DCI week!

The corps is now in Canton OH, with a rehearsal day today on Sunday the 2nd, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival show inn Massillon OH. After that, off to Avon IN where we will be housed during DCI week.

Allentown PA - July 31

One rehearsal block today. We beat the thunderstorms that came in the afternoon. These thunderstorms wound up delaying the start of show by an hour.

Everyone performed this evening, with the exception one guard performer who suffered an ankle injury in Centerville. Full brass line for the first time since Atlanta.

The performance tonight was terrific. A very genuine, enthusiastic standing ovation from a very knowledgeable drum corps audience.

Back to housing for some sleep and free day tomorrow in New York City.