Day 24

Date: June 8, 2011

Time: 1:10am

Playing on iTunes: “Make Me Feel”  by Ambisonicz

UNIFORMS!! The most important part about being a Cadet, in my opinion. The uniform is to be worn with respect and honor.

Tonight we were taught how to properly fold a uniform. Being a newcomer to this organization, I had no clue there was such detail in folding and storing your uniform. I knew that it was a very important part of the Cadets but I did not know there was all this responsibility needed when having a uniform. I was soon to learn a lot more about being a Cadet. It’s not only a drum corps and a performance opportunity, it’s a lifestyle. The way you carry yourself, the way you act, everything. When people see you in uniform, they say “That’s the Cadets. That’s respect and tradition.”                   

Right: Patrick Crowley (trumpet) folds uniform

In the meeting while Rudy was giving us a briefing on the day and such, I noticed that this member of the corps was standing to the side with his uniform perfectly hung on his hanger being held up by on hand, and his other hand holding his shako with three fingers showing on the brim. He stood there for 20 minutes straight and did not move. His name is Patrick Crowley and he is a member of the trumpet section and the brass line section leader. Seeing him taught me that when dealing with the uniform and presenting yourself, you need to be perfect and respectful at all times. He then moved from the side and showed us how to fold the uniform.

This is a bulleted version of how to fold a uniform (by Ben Pouncey; Corps drum major):

• Tuck the arms in and lay flat/straight
• Fold once over keeping everything inside
• The goal is to keep the fold as secure as possible
• Carry the uniform with respect at all times whether it is folded or on a hanger

As you can see there is a very detailed process when folding the uniform. This was all news to me and I was glad I got to learn because it showed me even more how much the Cadets are dedicated to hard work, perseverance, and presentation.

Since the uniform is very important and must be treated with respect, there are some rules when in uniform:

• NO eating/drinking (unless supplied by admin)
• NO running
• NO cellphones
• NO sitting/leaning
• NO horseplay
• NO ... if you have to ask then DON’T do it...

I take the last bullet to heart, because as a rookie I don’t want to be going around asking everyone, “Is this okay to do in uniform?” So if that ever pops into my head this summer, I’ll just say no. I’m here to do one thing and one thing only, to perform and show everyone what a Cadet is.

A few other bullets to note about being in uniform are:

• ALWAYS walk in twos (two members at once; never walk alone)
• ALWAYS walk in step
• ALWAYS looking straight ahead

Those are the most important rules, in my opinion, about being a Cadet, especially in uniform.

This year, many of you may have heard that the uniforms are being altered for the concept of the show. Since the show is “Between Angels and Demons”, and the majority of the show is a split corps they need to get the point across that there is a good and evil. This is easily portrayed by having two opposite colors on the field. One burgundy and one cream. The traditional uniform is burgundy top and cream bottom with a gold cumber bun and white cross belt (across the chest). This year they will have three versions of the uniform depending if you are an angel, a demon, or a drum major/pit member. The angels wear all cream with a maroon (burgundy) cross belt and gold cumber bun. As for the demons, they wear all burgundy with a white cross belt and gold cumber bun. For the drum majors and members of the front ensemble, they wear the traditional burgundy top with cream pants, white cross belt, and gold cumber bun. As you can see below, the shakos are also different colors. The demons have the same color as the traditional shako, but their plume color is burgundy. With the angels, their shako is the exact opposite as the demons.

The only other thing I think I can explain about the appearance of the uniform is the shoes. The shoes we wear are called “dinkles”. They are special marching shoes. All white in color except for the demons. Demon dinkles are just modified white dinkles. The admin team received all of the dinkles and had them spray painted maroon to match the demon uniform.

Let me tell you, from standing on the front sideline looking back occasionally seeing these kids march around in their uniforms is absolutely amazing. If you are able to ever come and see a show this summer, get ready for a show to remember. The fact that there are two different colored uniforms and a split corps the majority of the time is amazing. It is a great production and will be a great performance ESPECIALLY with the different uniforms. Nobody is doing anything like this and I can assure you it will be a show to never be forgotten.

Thought of the Day: “Everyday you should strive to be getting better. Ask yourself, what have I learned today?”