May 2002

Volunteer Profile - Ben Brinson

Ben Brinson was born a twin in Hawaii, although he lived in Germany, Washington and several other places, before finally settling in Augusta, Georgia where his mother and all of his siblings still live.  He obtained his bachelors degree in marketing and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia.  After graduating from law school he moved to Claxton, Georgia where he has practiced law for 25 years with the same firm, Callahan, Neville and Brinson.  In 1997, he married Teri, the corps' Support Services Coordinator, and took on his ready-made family, Larry, Jeremiah and Loraine, all of whom have marched in Carolina Crown.

Ben's first volunteer experience with Carolina Crown was in August, 1997 when he and Teri ran a ticket booth at NightBEAT.  That same year they went to Finals and Teri pulled him in the food truck to slice 5 very large picnic hams.  In 1998, he pitched in when the corps was nearby, and in 1999 with two children marching and his wife working with the corps, he decided if he was going to see his family, he was going to have to tag along.

Teri notes, "Ben has always loved cooking.  At home he prepares all the meals and the children used to tell him he needed to open a restaurant, so he was a natural in the food truck."  Ben now attends all winter camps and is there every weekend during Spring Training.  He enjoys taking his recipes from home and trying to convert them from serving 4 to serving 150+.  Teri continues, "not many people would have dared to take on grilling cases and cases of chicken, frying fish in small fryers and preparing squash casserole, homemade vegetable soup and his famous spaghetti sauce, for the masses, but he not only does it well, he loves doing it."  Ben always goes the extra mile to make the meals special for the members.  When we couldn't locate a grill in Ft. Mill, he borrowed one from a local bank and pulled it behind a truck from Claxton, GA to Ft. Mill.  He puts a lot of thought into the meals and loves planning them. When he is at a camp or on tour, it's like giving the cooks a vacation. He takes care of it all!

When Ben isn't in the food truck cooking, he is always looking for a way to improve it.  Numerous times he has come home to Teri from shopping with "goodies" for the food truck - new oven mitts, measuring spoons, spices, etc.  He was instrumental in making the contact and getting the materials for the walk in refrigerator that was donated for the food truck in 2000. In addition to his famous cooking skills, he has worked at our CityFest fundraiser selling beverages, shuttled people to airports, made doctor runs, written collection letters for the corps, and taken thousands of pictures for the corps.  In addition, the corps' administration team will for the 3rd year in a row have Ben's motor home on the road all summer for their tour headquarters (a major expense savings!).

But, all of this is only part of the story of Ben Brinson.  In Teri's own words, "To me though, the most valuable asset to the corps has been his support for his family.  He has taken many late night phone calls during the summer from the children and me when we were tired, crying and just wanting to come home.  He has paid astronomical phone bills, and put thousands of miles on cars traveling back and forth to Ft. Mill (not to mention the 12,000+ miles per year the corps puts on his motor home).  He always was there to encourage us and push us forward.  Ben has spent several summers now alone as the children and I have traveled with the corps and yet, never has his support wavered.  Ben has worked for years representing the Department of Family and Children Services and most recently as a Juvenile Court Judge.  He has seen first hand the difference being a part of Crown has made in our children's lives and he willingly gives up his family and his time in support of the mission of Carolina Crown. Now, instead of being there for his family, like many, he is there for the members and to do his part to make the experience an enjoyable one for all."

Thank you, Ben, from BOTH of your families!

CenterCity Fest Fundraiser a Hugh Success

A total of 30 volunteers recently worked 236 hours over the 2 1/2 days of Charlotte's annual spring music festival, CenterCity Fest, to raise nearly $6,000 for the organization.  This event always generates some of the highest income per volunteer hour worked of any "minor" fund-raising event we do.  This year we were fortunate to be assigned a beverage booth right in the middle of the viewing area for event's largest of five stages (probably also the loudest!).  Although working the event can be exhausting, especially on the evening shifts when the "name" bands play, most of the workers are repeat volunteers who enjoy the "energy" of the event and the opportunity to enjoy the music both during their assigned shifts as well as before and after.

Thanks to all those that volunteered for this very successful fund-raising event!

 Carolina Crown Hosts First Annual Summer Music Camp

Carolina Crown hosted a Summer Music Camp for high school drum majors, colorguard members, and percussionists.  The one-day camp involved a lot of basic skills training as well as some advanced techniques for each section.

Crown faculty members and administrators taught the area students, including percussion caption head Paul Rennick, snare technician Jeff Queen, guard caption head and designer Michael Shapiro, Crown alumni and colorguard technician Andria Foerch, brass caption head Larry Markiewicz, and director or operations Brian Bambauer.

Over 70 students from fifteen different music programs from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia attended the event.  Participants enjoyed lunch with Carolina Crown’s Student Leadership Camp members and received a souvenir T-shirt.

A Message From Our President

Death and the Power of Drum Corps

Strange title?  Not really.  You see, a recent death helped me gain a better understanding of the true power of drum corps.  No, I’m not talking about loud brass, or ferocious percussion, or stunning visual design.  Instead, I am speaking about the lifelong impact that this great activity can have on its members.

Last month, the director of a drum corps that I marched with in the 1970’s passed away.  Joe Beckmeyer was his name, and our corps was the Meadowlarks.  I attended the funeral services in NJ, and Mr. Beckmeyer’s wake was a fitting testimonial to the lasting influence of his drum corps leadership on many young people—like me.  It had been more than 25 years since the Meadowlarks ceased to exist, but there were enough former members at the funeral parlor to start a new corps.  Although many miles, career paths, and countless calendar pages had separated us, we were together again—as a family.  Most of us hadn’t seen each other in decades, yet within 5 minutes our memories flooded the conversation, and it seemed as though only weeks had passed since our last season.  It was uncanny; and Mr. B would have been proud. 

As I stood among my comrades and celebrated the wonderful times we had shared in Mr. B’s beloved Meadowlarks, it occurred to me that drum corps relationships are timeless—a lifelong bond like no other.  More importantly, I realized that we are building the same enduring relationships at Carolina Crown with every passing season.  

Lifelong excellence, lifelong relationships, lifelong memories—a truly powerful drum corps legacy.

Goodbye, Mr. Beckmeyer.  We will miss you, but your legacy lives on.

Bill Loelius, President

Carolina Crown

 NightBEAT 2002 – Celebrating 15 Years!

As Carolina Crown heads into its 13th season of Drum Corps International competition, just like the previous 12 years, the NightBEAT committee is hard at work organizing the corps’ annual homecoming and one of the organization’s main fundraisers.

Many of you may not realize that NightBEAT is two years older than Carolina Crown itself.  It was started by the Charlotte Drum Corps Association in 1988 and raised enough funds to assist in fielding the first edition of Carolina Crown in 1990.  So in many ways NightBEAT gave birth to Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps!

This year, Drum Corps International has scheduled what could be one of the more crowd-pleasing line-ups the show has ever had with the high-powered jazz corps Spirit of JSU, Madison Scouts and Bluecoats.  Add to that the 8-time world champion Cadets, who have not been to NightBEAT since 1997, with the homecoming performance of Carolina Crown, and July 30th could be one of the more exciting nights for NightBEAT to date!

To top this off, NightBEAT is pleased to announce the addition of a solo performer to the show:  Jesse McGuire, a world renown trumpet player will perform our opening ceremonies and give a 20 minute concert to open the show.  You might have seen or heard Jesse as a lead trumpet for the band “Tower of Power” and “The Winton Marsalis Band,” or most recently playing “God Bless America": for the 7th inning stretch of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.  Jesse will also be available in the MarketPLACE to sell and autograph his CD’s.  This is definitely a first for NightBEAT that should prove to be quite exciting!

We invite all of you to clear your calendar on the evening of July 30th and plan on joining us for what is sure to be a unique and exciting night of drum corps at NightBEAT 2002!  For ticket information feel free to visit the NightBEAT link on this website or call our office at 803-547-2665.

Keith Miller, NightBEAT Chairman

A Message From Our Drum Major

A Question . . .

Why do we do what we do?

Why do we get involved in an activity that requires us to give up our time, our money, and our energy?  Why do we participate in something that forces us to push ourselves to our physical limits, demands that we maintain an almost insane level of intensity, and tests our abilities to cope with stress, exhaustion, and—sometimes even harder—each other?

Why do we insist on spending our summer travelling the country, performing the same show every night in a new city, and then why do we hop on the bus, drive to some new location, get up the next day and rehearse the same show again?  Why do we choose to wake up early, stay up late, sleep on hardwood floors, eat out of a food truck, shower in gym locker rooms, live out of a suitcase, and why do we play, spin, cook, sew, drive, clean, teach, and organize each and every day when the weather is sunny and 95 degrees outside?  Why aren’t we out at the pool??!!

Why do those who participate in the drum corps activity come back year after year, whether as a member or as a staff member or as a volunteer?  Why do 22 year-olds cry when they age out?  Why do first-year members continue to come back as long as they are eligible?

And why do those of us who have participated in this activity have such a hard time explaining it to people who don’t know?  

Why do we do what we do?

It is a question that each of us involved has ask ourselves, and it is a question that each of us involved struggles with at times.  For those who will be a part of Carolina Crown 2002, I encourage you to find out that answer for yourself this summer.

When we come back in August, we will have traveled over 10,000 miles, rehearsed a show to near perfection, and we will have gained a wealth of knowledge about music, marching, performing, and—most importantly—about ourselves.  We will have made countless memories, and we will have formed friendships that will last a lifetime.  We will come back better in all aspects our lives; we will be more responsible, more mature, and more self-confident.  We will come back in August, and we will be counting down the days until the first camp in December.

And that, I think, is why we do what we do. 

Carolina Summer Clinic

Carolina Crown will host the fourth annual Carolina Summer Clinic on Friday, June 21, 2002.  The clinic, designed to provide useful information and professional tips to area band directors and band staffs, will be held at Ft. Mill High School in Ft. Mill, SC.  The event is being held in conjunction with Carolina Crown’s Preview Show later that evening.

The Carolina Summer Clinic is free, but RSVP is required.  For more information or to reserve a spot please call 803-547-2270 or email crown@carolinacrown.org.   

Carolina Crown's Preview Show, held Friday evening June 21, will begin at 7:00 PM at the Ft. Mill High School stadium.  The event is free and donations of paper products and drink mix will be accepted.

Carolina Summer Clinic Schedule of Events  

2:45 PM - Registration

3:00 PM -  “How to Get Your Line to Play In Time!’” – Proven techniques and exercises to get your high school percussion section to play together, in time and musically. Jeff Queen, Carolina Crown, Blast! leading role London and Broadway cast, 2 time DCI / PAS Snare drum champion.

3:40 PM - “Drill Design In The New Millennium” – How to design drill for your high school band that is contemporary, effective, and well coordinated.  Ryan George, drill designer for the 2002 Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, and high schools bands in 5 states, including Irmo HS,  SC and Ft. Mill HS, SC.

4:15 PM -  Break

4:30 PM - “Spinning Together” – A “How To” workshop for cleaning your high school colorguard section including weapons, movement and silks, and incorporating an effective technique program.  Rosie Miller, Carolina Crown, Blast!- Cast Manager and Visual Instructor,
Pride of Cincinnati, Aimachi Color Guard-Nagoya, Japan, Escapade, Center Grove H.S., Carroll H.S., Cavalier Drum and Bugle Corp, Cadets of Bergen County  

5:10 PM - “Tips, Tricks, and Technique for the Brass Section ” – Effective exercises and techniques for warming-up, building endurance, improving tone quality and projection for the outdoor brass section.  Jason Buckingham, Carolina Crown Brass Faculty, former Blue Knights Brass Caption Head, Blast! faculty.

5:45 PM - Closing Remarks / Dinner – 

7:00 PM - “Preview” - Featuring the 2002 Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps premiering their “Stories of Gods and Heroes” and special guests Carolina Gold Senior Drum and Bugle Corps.

Medusa was one of the Gorgons. Her sisters, Sthenno and Euryale, were immortal but Medusa was mortal. All three were so hideous, the shock of seeing them would turn anyone to stone. Medusa is called The Gorgon or simply, Gorgon. They were daughters of the ancient pre-Titan gods Phorcys and Ceto.

Medusa wasn't always hideous. There is a particular myth in which Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden with long silky hair that she was very proud of. One day she unwisely desecrated Athena's temple by lying there with Poseidon. Outraged, Athena turned Medusa's hair into living, hissing snakes, making it nearly impossible for Medusa to get a date. All who saw her turned to stone!

The Gorgon Medusa was killed by the hero Perseus with the help of Athena and Hermes. Using the winged sandals and Hades' helmet of invisibility provided by Hermes, and Athena's silver shield, Perseus approached the sleeping Medusa.

Perseus killed the monster by looking at her reflection on his shield, which prevented him turning into stone. He cut off her head and presented it to Athena, who placed it in the center of her Aegis, the protective shield which she wore over her breastplate.

But first, Perseus had to outrace Medusa's enraged sisters, who flew after him, the snakes on their heads and waists hissing at his heels. Perseus managed to escape thanks to the winged sandals of Hermes, and by wearing Hades' helmet of invisibility.

From Medusa's dead body the giant Chrysaor and the winged horse Pegasus, her son by Poseidon, sprang forth. Her name means "Ruler".

(Note - this concludes the series of CrownBeat articles covering the four myths of Zeus, Eros, Icarus and Medusa that will be depicted in Carolina Crown's 2002 production, "Greek Mythology, Stories of Gods and Heroes".)

 Meet the Colorguard Faculty

Michael Shapiro returns to Carolina Crown as our guard designer and caption head for his sixth year. Born in Miami, FL, he now reside Dayton, OH. Michael, 31, has taught at numerous other drum and bugle corps including the Cavaliers (1996) and the Crossmen (1994-95). He is also in his seventh year as the guard director at Carroll HS, first year with Northview and third year with the Mayflower organization from the UK.  Michael has directed Carolina Crown’s own Crown Guard for the last three seasons. He has worked with many other winter guard programs including Chimeras and the Company. Michael has attended the University of Miami, Middle Tennessee University, and the University of South Florida.  Michael’s hobbies include reading, painting, and independent films. His future plans include interior and fashion design.

Andria Foerch joins Carolina Crown’s color guard faculty this season for her second year.  A resident of Tampa, Florida, she has marched with The Company Color Guard from 95-99 (Ind A Class Champions in 95, Ind. Open Class Champs in 96, and Ind. World class 97-99) as well as Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from 1996-2000. She has taught at Clearwater HS 1998/99 -- to current, Seminole HS 2000—2001, and Tarpon Springs HS 1997/98—1999. Andria, 23, recently graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Humanities. She will be touring Italy with her fiancé’ for part of the summer and plans to move to Pittsburgh, PA in the fall.

Jane Newkirk returns to the Carolina Crown guard faculty for her second year. A resident of Hollywood, California, she currently works as a supervisor at L.A.’s Hard Rock Café. She has also been taking classes at the Las Angeles Community College as well as some dance classes. She has marched and taught with numerous other guard programs including Chimeras winter guard 97-99, Crown Guard in 2000, Spirit of Atlanta 95-96, and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps 97-98. Jane says, " I really enjoy teaching guard, I feel if I can help people see life through a different perspective, then I'm accomplishing my goal."

Rosie Miller joins Carolina Crown’s guard faculty for the first time in 2002 although she is no stranger to the activity!  Rosie has a Bachelors Degree in Special Education (K-12) including Specific Learning Disabilities and Developmental Handicaps.  Her vast teaching experience includes Blast!- Cast Manager and Visual Instructor (1999/present),  Pride of Cincinnati (1997-present),   Aimachi Color Guard-Nagoya, Japan (1996-present),  Escapade (1994 & 1995),  Center Grove H.S. (1996-2001),  Carroll H.S. (1991-1996).  Her drum corps experience includes Cavalier Drum and Bugle Corp (1994-2000) and The Cadets of Bergen County  (1993).  She also serves as a clinician/consultant for many high school programs throughout the country.

 Rosie’s marching experience includes St. Rita H.S. Ritanettes (Chicago, IL.-1983-1988), Third Lancers (Chicago, IL.- 1986), 1989 & 1990 Millers Blackhawks (Dayton, OH.- 89-90), Blessed Sacrament ( Boston, Ma. - 1992), Escapade (Dayton, OH. – 92-93), Cadets of Bergen County (Hackensack, NJ. - 92)

2nd Annual Student Leadership Camp a Big Success

A total of 22 Carolina Crown members nominated by their caption heads attended the 2nd Annual Carolina Crown Student Leadership Camp May 31st - June 2nd at Clover HS.  The attendees ranged from "rookies" to 5-year "vets", and were selected based on their current leadership abilities and/or potential.  The breakdown of attendees by caption was 11 brass, 7 percussion, 2 guard and 2 drum majors, including all eight members of the corps' Student Leadership Task Force, who again gave input for this year's agenda.

The theme of this year's camp was "Empowerment - the Change From Being Part of the Environment to Producing One!".  This theme was selected based on input of both the Student Leadership Task Force and post-event survey comments from last year's camp that the attendees wanted to better understand their role in leading the corps.  Carolina Crown Executive Director Kevin Smith explained, "the attendees were looking for specific details on such things as their role in rehearsals, how far could they go in dealing with other students, and how could they personally make Carolina Crown a better organization.  Although there is still much more to do, I think we began to give them a better feel for all of this through the variety of sessions presented during the camp."

After a welcoming and introductory remarks by Kevin and Director of Operations Brian Bambauer, Larry Markiewicz, Brass Caption Head and Brent Bernier, Visual Co-Caption Head took over for sessions on: "This Camp's, and the 2002 Carolina Crown's Goals & Objectives"; "Leadership - What Is It?"; "Being the Silent Example"; "Encouragement Isn't Always a Pat on the Back";  and "Show and Tell - Less Tell and More Show".

A session that was specifically requested by the Student Leadership Task Force and ended up being very informative was "Carolina Crown and Drum Corps International - Friends or Foes?"  This session was presented by a panel of area music educators including Joe Gulledge (Rock Hill HS); Mike Santiago (Clover HS); David Ragsdale, South Mecklenburg HS; and Jamie Lawson, Pulaski County HS.  The panel was asked to direct their remarks towards three areas: 1) the perception of Drum Corps International and Carolina Crown in the band community (and how we can improve, or continue upholding that perception?); 2) Is drum corps and Carolina Crown of any value to music educators?; and 3) What are some common misconceptions of music educators about the activity or our organization that we can try to correct in the future?

"How to Unify the Group Through Common Goals, Sacrifice, and Performance" was a session Paul Rennick, Percussion Arranger/Caption Head, presented to the group on Sunday morning.  It was followed by "Expectation and Preparation... Components of Success", presented by Michael Shapiro, Guard Designer/Caption Head.  The camp concluded with what was the favorite session both years of the camp, "Open Forum With Caption Heads".  This roundtable-type session allows members of each caption to spend time speaking directly to the caption heads from the captions not their own. The post-event survey results always indicate that not enough time is provided for this inter-caption communication session.

Although the camp involved some very focused learning and interaction by the attendees, a little "bonding" and fun was also thrown in.  The attendees spent time eating lunch with the 70 participants of the 1st Annual Carolina Crown Summer Music Camp on Saturday, and then spent Saturday night relaxing over a good dinner and video games at "Jillian's" in Charlotte's South End area.  Sunday afternoon the attendees toured the Clover HS facilities in preparation for the start of the corps' annual Spring Training on Sunday night.

The group will continue to meet throughout the summer both among themselves and with corps administration and caption heads.  They will also be working throughout the season to help instill leadership skills in every single Carolina Crown member.  Something that will undoubtedly produce great results for the organization in both the short and long term.

30 Attend 2nd Annual CrownClub Weekend

Our 2nd annual CrownClub Weekend 4/20-21 (the April camp weekend) was another big success. Some 30 parents, fans, volunteers, alumni, etc attended this fun-filled educational weekend.  Some of the highlights of the weekend included 1) Dr. Dave Kampschroer discussing the history of DCI; 2) Caption Heads Michael Shapiro and Larry Markiewicz explaining what they are trying to teach the members of Carolina Crown; and 3) the members of the 2002 Student Leadership Task Force answering such questions as "Why do you do Crown?" and "What has been your most interesting/funny/enjoyable experience at Carolina Crown?".  The Ft. Mill HS band boosters assisted with food service for the weekend to allow our volunteers to attend the event. Thanks to Kim Rosenfeld for handling this!

At the CrownClub event we also introduced the charter members of our newest initiative, the Carolina Crown Volunteer Committee: Susan Yow, Randy Bunner, Jim Branden, Rena Morton, and Teri Brinson.  This new committee will meet periodically "on-line" to discuss ways of enlisting, nurturing and maintaining our much-needed volunteers!  They have met twice thus far and we are already seeing great results!

DCI Selects Crown’s Teri Brinson as 2002 DCI Volunteer of the Year!

Carolina Crown President Bill Loelius announced via email that Support Services Coordinator Teri Brinson, a five-year member of the Crown family has been selected as 2002 Drum Corps International Volunteer of the Year.  She will receive the award during special ceremonies held during the DCI World Championships this August in Madison, WI.

Each year DCI canvasses the drum corps community for nominees for this very important award. The Crown Executive Committee submitted Teri’s name several months ago and was thrilled when we received notification of their selection.  In his announcement email Bill noted, “Teri has been recognized by Carolina Crown in the past as our support person of the year(s), now it's time for her to be honored by Drum Corps International...she truly is the "best-of-the-best."  Below is the text of our nomination authored by Treasurer DeAnn Ellisor:

     "I am nominating Teri for this award because of her undying love of the activity and all that she does to promote it and make Carolina Crown a premier corps.  For the past four years, Teri has been the “Food Lady”.  Not only does she appear and provide miraculous meals at every camp; she takes a leave of absence from her job for 10 weeks and does the same for the entire summer tour.  She spends many hours just recruiting volunteer cooks and “helpers’ for tour.  She has made the Carolina Crown food operation painless, and one of the very best in DCI.  She does all of this out of love and caring because she is paid not one penny!  This is a real volunteer!

    Teri started with the food truck when two of her children were in the corps.  She has stayed on and taken on all of the members as her own.  She is “momma”, nurse, best friend and counselor to all of the members!  I wish I was more articulate and could express in words how I feel about Teri and all that she does to help Carolina Crown.  To say that she is a cook is understating what she does.  If Carolina Crown were a Five Star Restaurant, she would be the Chef, HeadWaiter, Chief Dishwasher, and Manager all at the same time!

    Carolina Crown has some of the most dedicated volunteers I have ever known, but Teri is a cut above in that area I am proud to be able to nominate Teri Brinson for this award!"

Teri’s selection marks yet another milestone in Crown’s short history.  Joining Doug Madar and Carol Srdar in 2001, and Kevin Smith in1998, Teri is the fourth recipient of this award from the Carolina Crown family!  I guess DCI is just confirming what we all already know… Carolina Crown is a great team!

 Congratulations, Teri!  Your award is well deserved!