1998 'B' Corps  BDB '98 Our 'B' Drum & Bugle Corps Silver Anniversary year! BDB recognized as International Champion! There's No Place Like Home (see repertoire) 1998 WMBF Champions A select ensemble of Blue Devils 'B' Drum and Bugle Corps traveled to Japan July 29 to participate in the 1998 World Marching Band Festival in Kanagawa. The Festival included drum and bugle corps and marching bands that varied in style, and were from such places as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, Republic of Korea, as well as the host, Japan. Arriving the evening of July 30, the corps unloaded equipment and luggage upon arrival at the Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel. Friday, July 31 included rehearsal for the members, as well as the courtesy call to the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture and the Mayor of Yokohama City by Mundy Viar, Beth Doebler and Alex Lesser. That night, a reception of phenomenal stature was held for the 1,000+ participants of the Festival. This was the highlight of the trip for some. The evening soiree allowed genuine interaction between all participants and staffs, where small tokens were exchanged by the members. Saturday, August 1 was the Parade at Minato Mirai 21 site, a 9-year old modern area of the city dedicated to the 21st Century. After the parade, each unit performed a concert. BDB performed selections from the summer show, which included the music of "The Wiz" and "The Wizard of Oz." Following these two events at MM21, the corps headed over to the Yokohama Arena where we were allotted 25 minutes for rehearsal at the show site! Yes, the 25 minutes seemed to fly by... Sunday, August 2, the corps was at the Yokohama Arena all day, participating in the Opening Ceremonies, the competitive event, and the Closing Ceremonies that included a Grand Bon Dance, or friendship exchange. This was led by Kanagawaken Minyo-Renmei Kagesawakai-Rengo, whose purpose is to lead and train the art of Japanese folk dances. Members of all units actively participated in this, too, having fun while sharing in the friendship cultivation. Some BDB members were chosen for the taiko drumming during this part of the ceremony. Other groups performed shows which were very military in nature, some representing ethnic heritage, and others which seemed to be on the verge of the contemporary activity as most of us know it. BDB performed a scaled version of the 1998 summer production "There's No Place Like Home." The performance area was 35m X 45m inside the Yokohama Arena. Judging this event had to have been difficult -- the differences in these performances were much greater than the differences we perceive in style and music during our regular drum corps season. In any event, BDB was recognized with the highest honer, the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture Award. Monday, August 3 was the tour into Tokyo, where we visited the Imperial Plaza and the Meiji Shrine. These glimpses into ancient Japan quenched our thirst for traditional architecture and lifestyles of old Japan. The Tokyo area is such a modern urban area...seeing these ancient areas gave us a bit of history, as well. Members and staff of BDB were truly touched by the genuineness and hospitality of the people we encountered on this trip. Rockies Tour successful For the first time since 1994, the BDB headed to Denver for the Drums Along the Rockies tour. With stops in Boise, Ogden and Casper, BDB enjoyed the camaraderie of tour. Thanks to "Wrong Way Andre," the corps was able to see a little more of the country than we planned! Besides the social fun, Blue Devils 'B' earned top placement in each of the Rockies shows, concluding their regular summer season as Division II Champions of D.A.T.R. at Mile High Stadium. 1999 season mailing list Interested to march with the Blue Devils div. II corps and/or the 'A' class winter guard next season? Prospects should be residents of the San Francisco Bay Area, between ages 13-18. E-mail mviar@bluedevils.org .

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