Summer 2009

Here's a little autobiography about Finals Week I wrote and posted on the Troopers Forum...


I remember walking out onto the field from the tunnel and just staring up in to the stands. There was a lot of people in the stands. I could feel the energy from the rest of the corps rise significantly as we walked out on the field. I had never felt this before. Our energy level had never been this high, not even the night before at Quarters. It was one of the most amazing feelings in the world.

I remember walking out on the feild and hearing Brandt Crocker announce us and the audience giving more than the usual polite applause. I knew this night was going to be something special. I set down my drum and my hat and walked over to our little poker table that was the first bass drum. The five of us the stood around the drum playing poker for what felt like the millionth time that season. We kind of paused at one point however. We all caught each others eye and realized just how special this night was.

I remember Corey giving the count-off to start the show. That's about all I remember of the show up until Letter J of the closer. The audience stood up as we played the "One Hand, One Heart" reprise. It was the most beautiful thing I ever heard. I lost it on the field. I was crying my eyes out up until the end of the show. It was by far the best performance of the season.

As we walked off the field, the crowd was cheering for us. It was our biggest ovation of the season. As soon as we hit the tunnel, however, we walked as fast as we could to get outside and back to the buses. We wanted to be inside when they announced our score.

Patrick, the 3rd bass drummer, and I ran back inside as soon we got out of uniform. We went down to the DCI Marketplace to go to the Sheep Wagon to see if we had missed it being announced. We hadn't, but Ted said that the Colts got an 85.6. So, we decided to wander throughout the marketplace for a little bit. Well, after being there for 5 minutes, the came back on the PA to announce our score. As soon as they said "85.9", I was already on my knees trying to hold back the tears. People who saw our corps jackets turned around and congratulated us. We kept walking and some of the people working the booths congratualted us as well. It was the best night ever.

We stuck around and watched the rest of the corps. Then, the age-out ceremony came. When they finished up, Brandt Crocker announced the line-up for Saturday. When he said our name, the crowd went nuts. What makes that even more special is the fact that a lot of the corps members out on the field for the age-out ceremony were cheering for us as well. It was a great feeling.

We finally went back to Avon Intermediate School. Everyone was hyper. We were kind of forced to go to bed.



Saturday came. Rehearsal was really laid back. We all had a great time. We were all really anxious however. We couldn't wait for the performance.

I remember getting out of the bus at the lot and jst looking around. It was the first time that we had been the first to warm-up all season. It was still the best feeling in the world. We were here on Finals day.  We got our drums off the bus and started walking towards our warm-up spot from the previous two days. People in the park just watched us pass by. We finally made it to where we awrmed up at. I sat down my drum and turned around. I was shocked at what I saw. When we were walking by everyone, I hadn't realized they started walking with us. We had a crowd of somewhere around 200 - 250 people following to just to watch us warm-up. It was an amazing feeling. It got even better when we started warming-up. As it went on, other corps started arriving. But, today was different. Usually people left when the "bigger" corps showed up. Not this time. Even when the reigning percussion champion, Phantom Regiment, started warming up next to us, people stayed with us.

We finally left and went to the stadium. While we were in the tunnel, Fred walked in and held up his Director of the Year plaque. We knew then that we would never forget that night.

When we walked out on to the field, the crowd sort of went quiet. It was odd. I was kind of startled. BUt, When we lined up to walk on the field, Brandt Crocker announced us. The crowd went absolutely crazy! We hadn't played a note or anything and they were giving us a standing ovation for just walking out the tunnel! It was the proudest moment of my life. I stood up a little taller than usual when we were announced. I will never forget Brandt Crocker's announcement. It is burned in to my mind forever.

As we marched the show, people got more and more into it. Each time we ended one of our tunes, we had close to a standing ovation each time. When we got to Pentium, our closer, everything hit me. I was never going to be on the same field with these group of people again. I was never going to get to march this show again. It was the saddest moment of my life, but yet, at the same time, the best moment of my life. As the Pentium went on, so did my tears. By the end of the show, I was again bawling. The audience gave us a standing ovation plus more. People were literally jumping in the stands. I can't tell you how I feel about this because this moment is indescribable. I had never seen a crowd give it up like this for a 12th place corps. Ever. I've been watching corps since 2004. I know it's not very long, but I've spent days watching old corps videos and recent videos as well.

As we walked through the tunnels of the stadium, we saw the Blue Stars front ensemble. They stopped moving to congratualte us. We passed them and we saw our staff waiting for us applauding us with tears in their eyes and big smiles on their faces. We trned the corner and saw the Glassmen singing their corps song. Their staff and colorguard turned to us and applauded us, even though the corps was singing their corps song. Then, we walked in to the big garage. The Blue Stars completely parted their ranks to let us through. They were applauding us and yelling for us at the same time. I will never forget that. It hit me straight in the heart. I lost it again.

Retreat was again a great moment. You have most likely seen the video on the website. Thank you Mike Gough for that trailer. I cry everytime I watch it. When Brandt Crocker announced us and our place, we again got loud applause. It was the proudest moment of my life.

I hope that helps a little bit.

It has been three weeks now since that day. Everyday, I think about the friends I made and all the things I learned about music and about myself. This summer was the best summer of my life. Next year will be even better.

Chris Smart - 2009 5th Bass