There aren't too many pictures here...mostly we were just trying to get from one show to the other without self-destructing.

1) Here's one of the corps marching towards the stadium for it's first performance.

2) He he he...Barbarians at the gate. When this shot was taken, I was heading up to the top of the stadium to watch my dream come true.

3) Fortunately, the shadow of the stadium covered our entire marching area!

4) Ahhh, yes. Marching in the incredible heat and wind of Moreno Valley. I knew there were going to be problems when the map of the stadium included an arrow for wind direction!. Fortunately, none of our guard did any tosses. But marching in black uniforms? What was I thinking?

5) The standard fooling around group shot, taken right after our final performance in Santa Barbara. It should be noted that the dude with the contra on his head (1996 Nightfire Member of the Year Uri Bassilian) marched with the Santa Clara Vanguard the following year and also marched the 1998 corps. I've been told he was the contra section leader, which, if true, doesn't surprise me. After all, anyone who can trip over a street cone, during practice, while marching quickly with large steps going backward, carrying a King K-90 contrabass, who falls on his tush on asphalt and does not let the contra touch the ground has something going for him!

6) Our guard...which was half the size of the horn line.

7) Our drum line. For comparative size, see #6.

8) The horn line having delusions of grandeur.

Some individual shots now. Unfortunately, I've forgotten most of the names of the people involved. Sorry, guys.

9) Here's our entire snare section. The bass line was twice the size...you ever tried to write a part for two tuned basses, one snare and one tenor, with no cymbals or pit? OY!

10) A good shot of one of the baritones at the beginning of the show.

11) Ah, yes...da one, da only "Da Roach." The best musician in the corps after Uri Bassilian, the contrabass guy. Note the traditional electrical tape holding his horn together! Who says we didn't give the kids a complete corps experience? ;-)

12) This would actually make a good t-shirt. It's a great shot of Uri.

13) Here's one of Uri & Hector just before the show starts. What a look on Uri's face!

14) Tonya Ochoa, our drum major

15) This shot holds the entire 8-man horn line. The beauty here is that if you didn't know how large we weren't, you'd think we were a lot larger. My favorite shot for just that reason!

16) Lastly I just got a postcard from Blue Devils and the Santa Clara Vanguard, touting the last west coast shows of the millennium. The highlight was a picture of Vanguard's contra line. Right there is Uri Basillian, my member of the year! (I circled him) Way ta go, Uri!

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