**** 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

We talked with Mr. Martin after his corps' home show last night in Jacksonville. Here's a highlight of our discussion:

"So, Mr. Martin, how do you guys feel after that performance?"

"Well, it certainly wasn't our best performance (not our worst either), but I wish we'd done better at our own home show. Perhaps next year we can schedule it later in the season. These last few shows the kids and staff have been slipping in concentration though. We're working on getting our focus back, but it could be a long road ahead of us."

Did Mr. Martin actually say "open parenthesis" and "close parenthesis?"

Yes. I was there.

What? You mean you don't?

Straight from Troy, NY, here is the Jackson Flares' closer from our July 8 show.

Battle Of The Heroes
Arranged by John Martin (Director, The Jackson Flares)
Percussion arranged by Kevin O'Neill (Director, Washington DC Scandals; Percussion Arranger/Caption Head, Crazy 88 Alumni corps)

Make sure to come out to Horneytown, NC tomorrow night to support the Flares at the Southeast Regionals.

----------------------------------

Seriously, thanks to Kevin for the percussion arranging on that. He did it in a tenth of the time it would have taken me, and it sounds ten times better than anything I could have done.

Man, those are some sweet beats. I'm starting to wonder if I should have written the Scandals' battery book instead of Tim Jackson. Nah...Tim Jackson's better than me, and, he's so dreamy.

While The Scandals ride in the latter half of the top 20 in Div I, we wish your corps a good season. Especially with that nice book there . We're still revamping our show to cater to the judge's critiques. Now that we've actually had some time to think about it and create the show, we think we've got the right program variation this time around. Soon enough we'll be formidable competition in Div I. Have fun until then!

Have you considered spelling "We'll pay you for first!" on the field in script as your final drill formation?

Shh, don't ruin my master plan.

DC Scandals may have a shady record, but we don't mess around with payolas. However, we do have something cookin'. Just waitin' for it to kick in and start showing results . DC Scandals would like to thank Jose for helping us out.

Even though we (The Wardrivers) didn't ask for his help, Mr. Murphy is always there for us.

Thank you Mr. Murphy

Following an incident involving the drumline, some liquor, a couple of borrowed monkey costumes from a local thrift store, a little instigation from a certain un-named corps' drum major, and a night in a county jail, the Jackson Flares have overcome their 34 point drop in score from the Toledo show. There is a petition in for the corps' score to be changed in order to reflect only those members who actually performed instead of who was "supposed" to be there, but this remains in limbo.

For the time being, we're practicing our patooties off and getting ready for the Southwestern Classic on the 23. More info and updates later . . . unless I get lazy.

John Martin
Corps Director

The Washington DC Scandals and Tim Jackson are currently under investigation for events leading to such a large margin of victory over the Jackson Flares. Stay tuned for more info.


Ha ha ha ha ha

For Immediate Release:

Staff member Tim Jackson's has responded to the recent publicity. At the stadium in Alton, IL, holding tonight's "Alton's Drum and Brass Review" DCI competition, he gave a few quick words at an organized press release. He spoke "I just can't stop, [I am] addicted to the shin dig. Cop top he says I'm gonna win big."

The media crowd was speechless. None of them knew what he was talking about. The press is still trying to decide what, if anything, this had to do with the recent allegations brough forth on the DC Scandals' Payola at Toledo, OH. After his brief statement, Jackson immediately left the stage on center field and proceeded to crab-step all the way to the end zone and proceeded to march through the stadium's ground-level entrance tunnel.

Okay, Flares fans, on the 23rd we've got the annual GM workshop/clinic/whatever you want to call it. The Fivesters are already offering quite a bit, but the Flares decided to go more specific. We're not giving out much in the quantity area, but I will personally guarantee the quality to be top-notch.

Snare Line - "You Call THAT Traditional Grip!?" More of an interactive stop for the drummers. We'll have our snares, and the techs personally check out your traditional grip and give you some pointers on fixing it, or give you a pat on the back if it's fine. Depending on the number of people, we may even be able to give a few minutes of one-on-one work with you.

Tenor Line - "Smooth Like Buttah" They'll show you ropes as far as sweeps go. If you're a beginner, this probably would be more of a place to oggle as the more advanced folks work on and learn about the art of drum-to-drum diddles.

Bass Line - "Just A Groove Thing" These guys couldn't come up with any ideas, so they're basically going to sit around with whoever shows up and come up with some sweet beats. Who knows, maybe they can throw together a cadence of two while they're there.

Front Ensemble - "We Don't Need No Stinkin' Amps" The small pit that we have this year will be answering any questions you have, and putting up a fairly impressive argument against amplification. We want them to show you guys how to be as loud as they need to be while keeping balance with the rest of the corps and making it look easy, but you may have to nag them to stop playing with their "toys" as the affectionately call their instruments.

Sopranos - "So You Wanna Be A Screamer?" This will mostly be a lecture by the firsts in the beginning, but anyone who brings along their own trumpet will get to work on the art of hitting the supersonic notes (also included is a guide on how to make it look like you're about to blow a vein in your forehead without actually doing so).

Mellophones - "Running With Runs" These guys wanted to show off as much as the sops, so we're letting them teach not only the art of speedy marching, but how to play lightning fast runs while doing it. Thanks to a few connections, we'll be teaching all those interested a section of drill and music from Star Of Indiana's 1991 championship performance in which their mellos ran in a circle while playing some of the cleanest, fast runs in the history of drum corps.

Baritones - "Annoying The Director" Honestly these guys were as lazy as the basses as far as ideas, but they're gonna hold down the brass basics for the corps. One of the firsts may even get up enough energy to teach the visitors how to project well for playing solos (since baritone solos are historically a little hard to hear).

Contras - "Blow 'Em Away" This will be useful for any brass player, but it's specifically centered on teaching Contra and/or Sousaphone players how to blast while staying in tune and keeping a good sound and tone (a lost quality in many good tuba players around the country).

Guard - "Lords Of The Dance" These folks are basically gonna have a small party-like atmosphere as they teach visitors basic dance techniques, flag-twirling, and how to relax. We're not sure exactly how much they're going to get done, but you're welcome to see for yourself.

Staff - "We're Not Doing Anything" No really, we're not doing anything, so don't come looking for us. We don't get much time (other than the middle of the night) when the kids aren't all running around and distracting us, so we're sitting on our butts while all this goes on. If there's an emergency, or you want autographs, feel free to knock on the closest door or window of the staff bus though.

Well, that's all for the announcements right now. We're hoping Golden Corral will be nice like they were last year and provide food, but we'll have to see how good GM is at begging folks. Until then, thanks and goodnight.

John Martin
Corps Director

PS: Almost forgot . . . "And may God have mercy on our souls as we await the announcement of the Emerald Regiment's activities. You know that's gonna be a doosie."

In the midst of all the activity taking place at this time (investigations, preparations for clinics, practice, and performances), we almost had a tragedy within the corps. Though our GE scores (as well as other music related scores) have fluxuated around the same area - sometimes going up, sometimes down - for the past few days, the guard has been noticeably lower. After the drastic drop in the guard caption tonight, we decided to get an explanation.

Our search into the matter discovered that half of the guard had moderate cases of food poisoning. Though we did get a good laugh out of hearing one of the field judges' tapes (the excerpt sounds a little like, "Nice footwork, mellophones, but watch the spacing next to those bari . . . HOLY S**T! Look at that! That guard chick just blew chunks all over the bell of that contra! I can't believe that she just . . . oh wait, trumpets, watch that form . . . . "), this wasn't worth our girls getting sick. Everyone ate from the same food tonight, so we can only conclude that the food poisoning came after the plates were made up. That means there is a saboteur somewhere out there that dislikes the guard.

We have our suspicions . . . that's right, the only man in DCI who could possibly have done it. If he can single-handedly run a drum corps, and march in another corps, it's obviously not a problem to be in two (or even more) places at once. Tim Jackson, we've got our eyes on you . . . .

Yeah, we're still here, and doing stuff. We're all kinda lacking in the sleep department. More updates to comasdf;aoighaeiorhgtsrtkbnsfbgbnaktebnaeog;rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

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Well, the end is in sight. Tomorrow is Finals night. We're all getting ready to go out and leave our proverbial all on the field. We've made steady increases in scores while in Foxboro, and we're satisfied with how we've done this season. After losing a lot of last year's members to other summer activities in the Jackson County area, the younger corps we fielded this year has done well. Through thick and thin, drumline's getting imprisoned for alcohol (and then their going through their subsequent rehabilitation), suspicion of scandals, great shows, bad days, and everything that summer tour always has to offer, the corps has stuck together. They have truly become stars, even if they don't make win the championship. We made Finals our first two years of existance, top three our first year, and after tomorrow night, we'll see what else we can add to the list of accomplishments this corps has . . . umm, accomplished.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow at Finals, and to quote one of our first sopranos, "Don't quit! Something wonderful may happen!" We'll see you on the field tomorrow night, and be prepared for a night of great music, and passion like there has not been all season (even though Kama Sutra's guard won't be involved).

Goodnight, and good luck,

John Martin
Director, The Jackson Flares
2004 Div III Champions/Division I Runners Up
2005 TBA

"Guys, we got eighth freakin' place! I can't believe it! All this practice and what can we say?! That's right, there are only 7 drum corps in the world that are better than us! We freakin' rock!"
- Jackson Flares Contra, Adam Spencer "A.S.S." Smith

The Flares came out of Finals with an 8th place finish. We're psyched, we've been in finals every year of our small existance, and we're going to become a top twelve powerhouse if it's the last thing we do. The stress is gone, and we're happy with our placing. Not much to say except . . . the staff is turning a blind eye if any corps members wish to "celebrate" tonight, just as long as you have a staff member actually participating with you. No one tell your parents though.

If you're a parent of a Flare, we are having wholesome fun with Kool-aid and movies . . . nothing more. No really, ask any of the corps members and staff, they'll all say the same thing. And not because we told them to either . . . .

Shutting up now,

John Martin
Director, The Jackson Flares
2004 Div III Champions/Div I Runners up
2005 Div I 8th place

Side note: Josh and the guys, thanks for another great season. I can't wait for next year. Congrats to all the folks who finished in the top twelve, and Go Carolina Crown! 7th place . . . w00t!

Audition information about the 2006 Jackson Flares to come in a few days . . . stay tuned.

John Martin
Director, The Jackson Flares

Okay, it's been more than a few days, but we had some internal problems to take care of. Auditions are going to take place the weekend of November 18 - 20. We will begin sign-in around 6:00 pm Friday night, and auditions will let out around 3:00 pm Sunday afternoon.

Brass players, please bring your mouthpiece (and marching horn if possible) and a pair of white gloves for playing on the corps instruments.

Percussion, bring your own sticks, drums (if possible), and any other equipment (we have a very limited number of drums for you to play on).

Guard, simply bring any particular shoes or clothing you may need, we will provide flags, rifles, and any other equipment needed.

Auditions for Guard will take place at the new Marianna High School facilities at 3546 Caverns Rd (Marianna FL 32446) and you will be housed in the gym.

Brass and percussion will be using the old Marianna High School facilities at 2979 Daniel St (Marianna FL 32446). Percussion will be housed in the music building, and brass will be housed in the gym.

Make sure to bring sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Air mattresses are okay except for percussion (due to limited space in the music building). Food will be provided, and everyone will receive a Jackson Flares t-shirt at the least for their participation.

The registration fee for the corps is $30 with an additional $45 for you first camp fee. Your second camp attended will be an additional $45, but any camps past your second will be free of charge.

Once you have your travel information set contact the Flares at jacksonflares@yahoo.com to let us know whether you will be driving in, taking a bus (Greyhound, etc), or flying in (if you are flying, please tell us which airport, Tallahassee, Dothan, or Panama City). We will arrange for you to be picked up and taken to the audition site.

All other inquiries can be sent to jacksonflares@yahoo.com. Thank you all, and I can't wait to see everyone on the 18th of November.

John Martin
Director, Jackson Flares

After lots of work, camps, and procrastination about this updating thing, I've finally decided to write something.

We're going with:

22 Trumpets (4 leads, 6 firsts, 6 seconds, 6 thirds)
14 Mellophones (7 leads, 7 seconds)
22 Baritones (7 leads, 7 seconds, 8 Euphs)
14 Tubas
19 Battery (9 snares, 5 tenors, 5 basses)
14 Front Ensemble
28 Guard
2 DMs

Yeah . . . our show this year is RENT. Um . . . back to work.

John Martin
Director, Jackson Flares

How do i audition for this?

Im interested in snare FYI

Well, we are in need of one snare after one of our own had troubles with his ACL and cannot march this year. We normally don't accept video-taped auditions, but we'll make a special exception this time.

If you would, please send a fantasy video of you playing a few warm-ups and your most difficult prepared piece on your fantasy drum to our fantasy corps office and we'll look over it and get back to you.

Good luck with your tape!

John Martin
Director, The Jackson Flares . . . Fantasy Drum Corps

Wait, so like have a video of me playing posted on this forum or PMed to u so u can make a decision?

If so what do i send? like me alone playing or would me playing with my high school line ok?