And they're off! We're taking off rather quickly this season. For now, the only info for this thread is that:

• Our show is RENT . . . yes, the musical. And no, it won't be cheesy.
• We ditched the mixed-key hornline. We're going with all G Bugles.
• We will beat The Engineers.
• We aren't sure we like our name.

Check back frequently and check the website for more information.

John Martin
Director, The Dreadnoughts

http://f6.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/YHg9RKnCU99...%20Terrible.mp3

Recorded at last weekend's camp, here's the battery playing their signature cadence with a little help from the pit (covering the cymbal parts).

Here's the breakdown of the corps for this season:

Sopranos: 18
Altos: 6
Mellophones: 16
Baritones: 12
Euphoniums: 12
Contras: 16
Snares: 8
Tenors: 5
Basses: 5
Front Ensemble: 12
Colorguard: 25

We'll be mixing Baritones and Euphoniums within each baritone section while our soprano section will be divided with Leads, 1sts, & 2nds on Sopranos and 3rds on Altos. The more traditional size of the battery reflects the members who aged-out. The battery is entirely made up of returning members. The Front Ensemble has also been increased from it's meager 8. We may post a recording of the brass and pit playing through the opener from last week's camp if we get the time.

John Martin
Director, The Dreadnoughts

Last year's uniforms are making a return this year:



Oh, and we've decided to be nice. Here's a recording of the opener (pit and brassline only):

Movement I: Rent

Well, due to some slight ignorance on our part, we're going to have to alter our music hosting somewhat . . . you know what, we're too cheap. If you want to hear all the recordings, go here and sign up:

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/jacksonflares/

**** Press Release ****

There comes a point in the life of every corps where they must look to the future. This manifests itself in different ways for different ensembles. For VK Star, they're debating a change in venue for the future. For the Dreadnoughts, we've decided to change our atmosphere, and possibly our label somewhat. The first of a few changes have been finalized, and we are both proud and sad to announce our split from the GM Organization. Over the past two seasons, we've worked closely with the other GM corps, and we've loved the family that it provided. However, we feel that our success has brought us to a point where we should concentrate more on our own corps, the music programs in the Jackson County area, and a little less on other corps who are doing well enough on their own financially.

Will this split be permanent? Probably. We will continue to offer our support to the GM Organization; however, we will not be contributing nearly as much monitarily as we were in the past. So, to everyone in the GM Organization, farewell; it's been great. To the rest of FDC, have a great season.

We're off on our own now . . . let's see how we do.

John Martin
Director, The Dreadnoughts

Move-ins are coming up on us fairly soon. There's only one more camp in early May; then a couple weeks later the whole corps comes up until the season starts. We can't wait to get on the road.

John Martin
Director, The Dreadnoughts

The Dreadnoughts Fantasy Corps Page

We'd like to thank the Cook Group for sponsoring the corps' transportation needs to all required competitions. The dates to these competitions were set after our initial schedule set-up, so the Cook Group has offered to fly the entire corps: members, equipment, staff, and everything else to the competitions which are out of the way.

John Martin
Director, The Dreadnoughts

Stay tuned to this thread as well as the Change thread in Announcements for a press release.

**** Press Release ****

So yeah, we changed our name. "Jackson Flares" was okay for a beginnings, but we needed something a little less . . . Division XIII sounding. We are proud to take the field at our first competition as The Dreadnoughts Drum & Bugle Corps. A real drum and bugle corps.