Good morning Greg,

I wanted to send an email after such an incredible experience last night at the Waukee show. It was my first show of the season and my first time around the Colts in quite some time. I Wanted to share some thoughts. If you would like to share them with the group, that would be fine.

When the Blue Devils left the field last night and I saw the Colts getting ready to take the field, I have to be honest  I was nervous for you! That is one of the most dominating Blue Devil organizations I have seen in my 25 years around drum corps. They have the entire package (so I thought). But then the Colts took the field and I was quickly put in my place.

As a five year member of the Colts (1989-1993), my heart fills with pride everytime I see you. I don t care if you lay an egg or rip my face off, I am proud regardless. Its never false hype, but pure, prideful happiness in the group. But tonight was different. You took the field with a sense of passion and pride that I have not seen in a Colts group in quite some time.

It wasnt arrogance or cockiness, but determination and pride. It was as if you could actually see a family taking the field. It wasnt about scores or winning  it was about a group of people focused on one goal, one outcome  to do the very best you could and to make the crowd believe in your family. You did that!

I have to tell you  everyone loved the Blue Devils. BUT  you stole the show from them. Not because it was in Iowa or because there was lots of family and friends in the audience  you took the field and you captivated us from the first note.

That first hit took my breath away! I have not had that feeling since the Blood, Sweat and Tears show forever ago! That feeling that, hell yeah, thats my team right there!

I WAS SO PROUD! Then that ballad  wow. I was in tears the entire time  watching that beautiful color guard travel through the corps and that HUGE ending brought back so many memories of alumni friends from the past. They were all with you last night and every night that you take the field.

We are all there  believing in you, supporting you, and loving what you do for the Colts and our bloodline.

The ending of the show gave me a heart attack. Im not going to lie  as a past soprano screamer, I was out of my seat with the ending of the show. Such an impressive, in your face ending to one of the best Colts shows I have ever EVER seen.

I was screaming, crying, hell, I almost threw this baby that was sitting right next to me  but I didnt want to distract from the ending of your show so I left the kid alone.

WOW  so proud - - and I know that all my alumni friends would have felt the same way.

This year is special for me because I have a student marching in the corps.....

Watching her out there - watching someone I care about fall in love with the corps that changed my life made my drum corps experience come full circle.

From a scared kid going to camp 23 years ago, to aging out on the field with my brother in 1993, to watching my own student become a member of my Colts family is priceless. I have never been so blessed to have had such an incredible experience. I thank you for that. Last night was so impressive that I am now buying tickets to semis and finals. I wouldnt normally get tickets for finals but I want to be in the front row to watch my Colts take the field Saturday night in Indi!

Thank you Colts. Cherish your family and friends around you.

This will all pass way too soon and one day, you will look back and find yourself reflecting on your past experiences with the Colts family. Dont take one second for granted. You have something very special brewing there!

Keep it up  we are ALL BEHIND YOU!

GO COLTS!!

Scott
1989-1993 Soprano

Director of Bands
Benton Community High School