FROM AN ALUMNUS

It was the first time I watched live shows, watched all the great corps in one huge full stadium during finals in Kansas. When we departed from the Netherlands it was as cold as during Queen’s day 2010: about 10 degrees Celsius. A very large group was making the trip to the USA and Canada for the first time. 1988 was one of the hottest US summers ever. We found out the hard way.

The first rehearsal was just like what we were used to, no complaints and giving 100%. But after a while some intervals were bigger than usual, when members started falling flat on their faces due to the heat. This already started during the warming-up. Perhaps just adapt the schedule a little? The rehearsal schedule was adjusted to the extreme weather and a lot of drinking water was brought in.

The tour was an amazing experience. When you think of it, every tour was unforgettable. We had a performance in the middle of the day in Olathe. The Americans shook their heads when they saw foreigners wearing their thick uniforms while it was 44 degrees Celsius. As you can see the first tour was a learning experience for everyone. We did things different in the following tours but unforgettable it was.

Ondanks het best wel strikte repetitieschema was er ook veel tijd voor ontspanning toen. Het plaatselijke zwembad, grenzend aan het veld, vond het prima als we af en toe even een duik kwamen nemen. Ik zie nog de angst op de gezichten van de zwemmers toen er honderd leden bij een break een duik kwamen nemen. Plons, zwembad vol. Niet met water maar met mensen. Hilarisch.

Even though we had a strict rehearsal schedule there also was a time to relax. The local pool directly next to the field welcomed us for a dive once in a while. I can still recall the faces of the people in the pool when 100 Beatrix members dived in for a swim. Splash! Swimming pool full; not with water but with people. Hilarious.

The contests were great too. We were the first drumcorps from the Netherlands to participate in competition in the USA. The crowd loved it. People were curious. “Wow, a corps from the far-away Europe” (without knowing where that lies). “What else comes from the Netherlands?” they asked. “Well, Heineken for example!” “No, Heineken is not Dutch, that’s American!”. “OK, well, Shell then!” “No, that’s English.” and so on. 1988 was an unforgettable year. The Madison Scouts came to the Netherlands for fantastic performances, Beatrix went to the US, we became champion and the Dutch soccer team became European champion. But for me 1988 was the year of getting my shots. I got the drumcorps shot and I was hooked forever!

Via Facebook and the alumni organization I come into contact with more and more people from that time. It is fantastic. Some people ask me, what exactly is the Alumni organization? Officially the term is used to describe a former student, but we use it in the sense of ‘former member’. In the end you have learned a lot at Beatrix’ and Jong Beatrix’ and former sounds so very old. And if you are a middle-aged person like me or a bit older then this subject is a bit sensitive. All of a sudden I got more understanding for our choice of the word.

On the 10th of June there will be a Reunion for the entire Beatrx Association. It will be a great opportunity to share memories like these. Please sign up via Dit e-mailadres is beschermd tegen spambots. U heeft Javascript nodig om het te kunnen zien. .

Henk