**** Press Release ****

Corps director John Martin announced earlier today that the Flares' show for this season will be "The Music Of Star Wars: Episodes I - III." The show will feature selections from each of the prequel movies. The show (so far) will be:

Duel Of The Fates - John Williams, Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Across The Stars (Love Theme) - John Williams, Episode II: Attack Of The Clones

Battle Of The Heroes - John Williams, Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith

Stay tuned for a recording of one of the pieces from the latest camp.

There was rumor that the Star Wars Main Theme would show up in the show, but Martin refused to say anything outside of his announcement.

The Flares' composition for the following season is as follows:

Sopranos/Trumpets: 24
Mellophones: 17
Baritones: 23
Contras: 15
Snares: 11
Tenors: 7
Basses: 5
Front Ensemble: 8
Colorguard: 25

A sacrifice was made in guard size to have an even more powerful blast musically, but the guard has already become determined to outshine even the monstrous mellophone and snare lines.

More information to come as time progresses, in the mean time, check out our website (it's still being updated from last season, but the link is in the signature).

Should we be expecting an up-to-date Web site soon?

PS - You peoples really ought to start using a list close tag.

Here we have an mp3 of the Flares playing their corps song, Scarborough Fair (James D. Ployhar). Enjoy.

If for some reason you would like the sheet music, a Finale file of any mp3 posted can be obtained through a polite PM.

Uniforms for the 2005 season. I guess it's a popular style. Notice our lovely heads for the snares, these are prototypes of a line of new colored heads that could be hitting stores next fall (if they do well on field).

hmmm... I think the Crossmen are calling you to get their Uniform back.

Too bad, they can't have it.

A Quick Update From The Road

We caught up with the Flares on their way to Powder Springs, GA for the Marching Southerners Classic. So far they aren't too concerned with their scores for the season. Corps director John Martin said, "Last year we started out pretty close to last place in Division III. We're not too concerned with scores at the moment. We're having a great time though, and so far the crowds have loved the show. The show itself is top five material; it's on the kids and the rest of us (the staff) to make sure the playing, marching, and dance are at the same level."

Rumors were heard among corps members that should they make it to Finals, there would be an alteration made to the show; no other information was able to be gathered.

We'd like to make sure that everyone who is able comes out to Powder Springs tomorrow evening for Velocity's Home Show to support their favorite corps, hear some great music, and just generally have a good time.

Well, we've got a little over a day until our home show. We're proud of our kids so far. A little bit of a rocky start, but we're up near the top again. Of course, nothing can really be told this early in the season, but it's fun to know that we're in 2nd in Div I for the moment. Hopefully we'll be able to have another close game like last year at Finals (maybe even the same three corps) in the top three slots. Of course, last year we were just playing our hearts out for the heck of it, we didn't think we'd stand a chance, but this year we've got to prove that last year's miraculous standings weren't just a fluke.

Anyways, our home show ("Your Mom's A Drum Corps") is on the 26th in Jacksonville, FL. Unfortunately, no spots were open in Marianna (our home town) because the local stadium is being renovated for the new schools that were recently finished. Regardless, Jacksonville will undoubtedly offer much more for the corps competing, and will even allow us to have some extra activities.

For the Fivesters, our sister corps, we're going to provide you guys with a great spread (home cookin' from all the corps-moms); anything you can imagine, from greens to sushi will be available. We even held an extra fund-raiser so we could splurge and get you guys hotel rooms (it's only Holiday Inn, but it's better than a gym floor).

We've got our center snare's father (who owns a professional studio) coming out to record video and audio to put on DVDs for the corps (not only the shows in their entirety, but also footage from the lot and the meal afterwards).

Well, my free time is up, and I need to get some sleep so I won't be dead on my feet when I have to wake these guys up bright and early tomorrow for practice. More to come when I get more free time.

John Martin
Director, The Jackson Flares