A Message from Corey Mark

[Corey Mark]

To All GCS Members and Alumni,

It has been a pleasure for me to be a member of The Gulf Coast Sound Drum and Bugle Corps for these past seven years. Jason, and more recently Tom, have done an amazing job of leading the corps through some very tough times. I am glad that they have given me their full support in taking the reigns as Corps Director.

As with any organization that experiences a leadership change, there may be some confusion and apprehension about how such a change may affect the direction of the corps or its members, alumni and friends. To be perfectly clear, I fully intend as my highest priority to field a competitive drum corps in 2011. Thankfully, the groundwork and infrastructure to do this have already been set up by Jason and Tom. However, I must also be clear that the tools and methods that we employ to get us where we want to go will also change. As with any sports team that operates with a given mindset for an extended period, a change in management is sometimes needed to refresh the commitments of its members, and to view the team’s strengths and weaknesses in a different light. We’ve done a lot of things right, but we can also improve them and make fresh attempts to change what hasn’t worked so well in the past. I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to effect positive changes that will strengthen the corps for the coming years.

How will this be accomplished? I am not so naïve to think that I alone can come up with a formula for success. We cannot succeed without the help of every current and former member of GCS putting their energies toward helping us move forward. As has been the true mantra of this corps from its inception, “The corps is its members”. So, I’d like to start by inviting you as the most important stakeholders in the corps to participate in a positive dialog with me on how we can make what we do better than ever. Help me set a course for change within the corps, and I will do my best to make it happen.

I will be contacting many of you to get an idea of your thoughts and impressions about the corps. You can contact me at any time to discuss your ideas and concerns. You know that I’ll give serious consideration to any ideas that you have. But, you should also know that your greatest argument for effecting positive changes for the corps is your willingness to work toward the success of the corps and to commit fully to whatever path is chosen for the good of the corps.

I remember all too well the swell of pride that I felt when I first pinned the GCS star on my chest and stood in front of thousands of fans being introduced as Gulf Coast Sound. Please do what you can to see that this opportunity continues for yourselves as well as others.

[Tom Huntley]

Tom Huntley reporting for duty Sir! Who's with us?

[Jason Rose]

"I'm your Huckleberry"



(Name that movie)

[Everett Hinote]

I'll be back for action next year.

[Simon Coffman]

"I'm your Huckleberry"



(Name that movie)

Tombstone. Give me a hard one.

[Scott Miller]

"I'm your Huckleberry"



(Name that movie)

didn't we do this a couple years ago?

[Alex Schlueter]

"I'm your Huckleberry"



(Name that movie)

didn't we do this a couple years ago?

OH ya, nice scott

[Jenny Todd]

"I'm your Huckleberry"



(Name that movie)

Tombstone. Give me a hard one.

Even I knew that one.

[Everett Hinote]

[Jason Rose]

"I'm your Huckleberry"



(Name that movie)

didn't we do this a couple years ago?

Yes, we did. I forgot.

My head isn't really that big, is it?

(That's rhetorical. Please don't answer.)

[Andy Jurick]

"I'm your Huckleberry"



(Name that movie)

didn't we do this a couple years ago?

Yes, we did. I forgot.

My head isn't really that big, is it?

(That's rhetorical. Please don't answer.)

Wow...how many directions can we go with THAT comment!

[Thomas Dean]

Such an honor to have Pai Mei as my Corps Director!

[James Shatto]

Next years show --- The Flying Dragon

-----

Tombstone of course. Except that it was Val (Doc Hollywood), not Kurt that said "I'm your huckleberry.".

-----

Let me know if you need me to record anything. Or fill in on the occassional parade. The distance is to vast to make the trip 20 times a year, but I can swing a good 3 to 6 times, most years.

[Corey Mark]

Thanks, James. We'll keep you in mind.

BTW, Doc Hollywood was a movie, Doc Holliday was at Tombstone.

[Corey Mark]

Such an honor to have Pai Mei as my Corps Director!

Play your cards right and I just may teach you the five point palm exploding heart technique (generally reserved for people who don't pay their dues).

[Preston Bennett]

Assuming I'm still in the city/state/country, I will definitely be willing to help out with anything you guys need. Feel free to contact me at anytime.

[Jason Rose]

Assuming I'm still in the city/state/country, I will definitely be willing to help out with anything you guys need. Feel free to contact me at anytime.

Wanna help? Come to the rehearsals.

Bring friends.

[James Shatto]

Do parties count as rehearsals?

-----

I had a friend in the army that played sax (but we'll forgive him for that), but he was really into that Bujinkahn / Ninja stuff. He'd always be tapping you on the shoulder, and saying you have 30 seconds to live. Not sure where that fits. But thoughts of Corey going you have 30 seconds to fix that mistake, or else (I don't give you the antidote) comes to mind.

[Mike Predmore]

Such an honor to have Pai Mei as my Corps Director!

Play your cards right and I just may teach you the five point palm exploding heart technique (generally reserved for people who don't pay their dues).

ala Fist of the North Star?