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Flag Basics / Installment 3

If you've not read Parts 1 & 2, of our Flag Basics Series, then you can check them out part 1 here and part 2 here. Today, we are going to go over Spirit flags and Battle flags.

Flag Basics / Installment 3



Spirit flags and Battle flags are a fun way to incorporate the crowd into any game or pep session! Choose one of our designs or create one of your own. Whether you are going for a more traditional look or a modern design, if you can dream it, we can print it!

So, what’s the difference between a Spirit flag and a Battle flag?

Size! Spirit flags measure 36” x 54” and are recommended to use with a 6’ pole (VE102).
Battle flags (pictured above) are much larger at 58” x 80”, so go for the 10’ bungee pole (VE225).


Is that the only difference? Yep, that's it!
Here are some features that you’ll enjoy with either the Spirit or Battle flag:
  • Vibrant colors – Printed with the highest quality inks, our flags sport 100% front saturation and 99% back saturation. 
  • Durable fabric – Quality is a must at Band Shoppe. That’s why all our flags are made of the highest grade Poly China Silk! 
  • Machine washable – Dirt happens. Our flags are made to handle that! Just toss them in the washing machine on a delicate cycle in cold water. Mild detergent can be used if necessary. Tumble dry low or no heat and remove promptly to prevent wrinkles! Forgot to take them out of the drier? No sweat! Just cool iron as needed. 
  • Made in the USA! – Quality that speaks for itself!  
  • 1-year warranty – Backed by Band Shoppe’s warranty against manufacturing defects.
Now that you know a little about our Spirit and Battle flags, how do you get started?

    Flag Basics / Installment 3



    Frequently Asked Questions 

    Q: Is there a minimum order?
    A: No! You can order just one of your design(s), or you can order as many as you like. There are no minimums.

    Q: How much does it cost to get a sketch?
    A: Sketches of your designs and ideas are absolutely free!

    Q: How do I attach the flag to the pole?
    A: You can attach your flag to the pole one of two ways. You can 1) use the hook-and-loop attachments included with your pole and flag purchase or 2) you can tape the flag to the pole. We usually recommend the hook-and-loop method for clean, easy on and off!

    Q: Can I get the letters to read correctly, regardless of which side of the flag I am looking at?
    A: Yes! This is what we call a double-sided flag. We print your flag twice and sew the pieces together, back to back. This will make sure your letters/words read correctly, no matter how you look at it! (Well, unless it’s upside down, that is.  winky ;) )

    Now that you know a little about the flags, which one is best suited for you and your team? Here are some factors that might help you decide which size flag fits you:

    1. Are you looking to spell out a mascot or school initials on each individual flag? Spirit flags work better with larger words or phrases, such as “GO TEAM” or “SPARTANS”. Battle flags are great for school initials, like “NPHS” or “ECC”. Both sizes work great for mascots and school pride. 
    2. Where will you be using these flags? For smaller stadiums, fields, or courts, Spirit flags work great to accent the space. Larger areas can sometimes swallow Spirit flags, so it might work better for your team to look into Battle flags. 
    3. Who will be using the flags? While a Battle flag on a 10’ pole is easily managed by a high school student, an elementary or middle school student could have troubles hoisting it. Opt for a Spirit flag if your bearer is of small stature. 



    You’re all set! You know the in’s and out’s of Spirit and Battle flags! So what's next? Give us a call to get started on your own design! Our friendly sales staff is happy to assist in creating your very own customized flag.

    Be sure to check out designs online and in the catalog for inspiration at bandshoppe.com!


    Meet the Crusaders / Jason Reckis


    In celebration of the 2016 DCI Drum Corps Season, Band Shoppe and The Boston Crusaders are pleased to present Meet the Crusaders. This is part 3 of a 12 part series with Q & A with a few of the amazing people that make up this Corps of Giants!
    Want more? read past Q & A's.

    Jason Reckis - 2016 Boston Crusaders Contra Player



    Meet the Crusaders / Jason Reckis
    photo courtesy of the Boston Crusaders


    Q: Whats your full name, age, and years how many years have you been with the corps?

    My name is Jason Reckis, 21 and this is my third summer in the corps

    Q: Where are you from?

    I’m from Saint Peter's, Missouri

    Q: Where do/did you go to school?

    I go to school at North Park University in Chicago where I study music business



    Q: What is your role with the Boston Crusaders?

    I am a contra player for the Boston crusaders

    Q: What was your inspiration to become a Boston Crusader? 

    My inspiration to become a Boston Crusader was when I first saw their 2013 show "Rise". I knew that's a corps I wanted to be a part of and also the corps was out of Boston where I am originally from.

    Q: What does being a Crusader mean to you? 

    Being a Boston Crusader to me means you are loyal and hard working for the corps. You don't let anyone push you down or say you can't do anything, your strong and fight for what you believe and go out to prove everyone wrong.

    Q: What advice would you give to future Crusaders? 

    To future Boston Crusaders, be ready to work hard and never give up. Be ready and want to strive for greatness. If you push yourself and work as hard as you can, the reward in the end is amazing.

    Q: Who inspires you? 

    My parents inspire me to always be the best person I can be and have always taught me right from wrong and made sure I am always having fun and successful. Alumni of Boston Crusaders inspire me every day over summer hearing their stories and talking to them individually about their experiences. Hearing what they did and the hard work they put in inspires me to keep pushing and grow as members of the corps.






    B O N U S   Q U E S T I O N S !



    Meet the Crusaders / Jason Reckis

    Q: What's your favorite kind of cookie?

    My favorite kind of cookie is chocolate chip.

    Q: If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?

    If I could sing one song on American Idol it would have to be "Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake

    Meet the Crusaders / Jason Reckis>

    Q: What is the one, single food that you would love to have right now?

    The single food I would love to have right now would definitely be pizza because I love pizza.

    Q:  What’s your spirit animal & why?

    My spirit animal I think would definitely be a lion because they are strong and awesome, and I would like to think I am as well.


    BAND SHOPPE presents BOSTON DAY



    An Afternoon with The Boston Crusaders!!


    An Afternoon with The Boston Crusaders
    photo courtesy of the Boston Crusaders


    The Boston Crusaders will be rehearsing in Evansville on July 17 as they travel from Alexandria, KY to their next destination in El Dorado, KS as part of the DCI Summer Tour. During their stop in Evansville, The Crusaders will be holding a hands-on clinic and performing their show, Quixotic, in this FREE community event.

    This is truly a magnificent opportunity to #ShareTheCorps with someone who may not know about DCI or who have never experienced the awesome sound of drum & bugle corps!

    BOSTON DAY: An Afternoon with The Boston Crusaders


    WHEN: Sunday, July 17
    TIME: Gates Open at 1:30PM
    WHERE: Reitz Bowl, Evansville’s West Side
    COST: FREE to the Public

    Refreshments will be sold at the event.
    In addition, The Crusaders souvi truck will be open to purchase your favorite CRUSADERS swag!

    Event Schedule
    1:30PM : Gates Open at Reitz Bowl
    2:30PM : The Boston Crusaders will perform their show Quixotic
    3:00PM : The corps will hold an ensemble clinic where they will break down their show for the audience and explain the meaning of the movement and music behind Quixotic
    4:00PM : The corps will invite students middle school age through age 20 to the field for a break-out, hands-on clinic. Students will be able to experience the brass, percussion, and guard sections of The Crusaders. NO INSTRUMENTS NEEDED FOR CLINIC.
    5:00PM : Closing of event

    We hope you will join us for a fun afternoon of music education and community pride. #ShareTheCorps with someone new and experience drum corps with them for the first time.

    FIND OUT MORE @ drumsontheohio.com/bostonday






    Quixotic
    The Boston Crusaders are excited to bring their 2016 production, Quixotic, to the field; a reflection of the masterpiece The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. Considered one of the most influential works of literature from the Spanish Golden Age, Don Quixote has been called “the best literary work ever written” by the Bokklubben World Library.

    On a field of windmills, the show opens with an interpretation of The Impossible Dream” and “I, Don Quixote” from the Broadway musical. The corps travels the entirety of the field, in itself a challenging musical and visual feat, reflecting Quixote’s quest “to travel the world, righting all wrongs.” The heart of the program presents a series of juxtaposed visual and musical events, non sequiturs reflecting the hero’s various adventures, battles and visions. Solo performers, small ensembles, mixed large ensembles, percussion interludes, guard layering and interruptions present full sensory “quixoticism.” The production climaxes with “tilting at windmills” (literally) ((or are they giants?)), the definitive image of Don Quixote.

    The program concludes with the iconic “The Impossible Dream,” the musical reflection of Don Quixote’s spirit and journey, an anthem for the quixotic dreamer in us all.



    Meet the Crusaders / Jacob Bowman


    In celebration of the 2016 DCI Drum Corps Season, Band Shoppe and The Boston Crusaders are pleased to present Meet the Crusaders. This is part 2 of a 12 part series with Q & A with a few of the amazing people that make up this Corps of Giants!
    Want more? read past Q & A's.

    Jacob Bowman - 2016 Boston Crusaders  Color Guard Member


    Meet the Crusaders / Jacob Bowman
    photo courtesy of the Boston Crusaders

    Q: Whats your full name, age, and years how many years have you been with the corps?

    My name is Jacob Bowman, I am 21 years old and this is my third year with the Boston Crusaders.

    Q: Where are you from?

    I'm from Indianapolis, Indiana

    Q: Where do/did you go to school?

    I went to high school at Franklin Central High school and I attended college for two years at IUPUI

    Meet the Crusaders / Jacob Bowman




    Q: What is your role with the Boston Crusaders?

    I'm a color guard member

    Q: What was your inspiration to become a Boston Crusader?

    The thing that drew me to Boston was the passion behind their shows


    Q: What does being a Crusader mean to you?

    Being a Boston Crusader to me means not only growing exponentially as a performer but also having a support system and family of hundreds of other crusaders. I now have a family of every generation of Boston Crusaders for the past 76 years that I can trust and that I can get support from. I'm part of a corps with such a rich history and this family that I have here is what being a Boston Crusader really means to me.

    Q: What advice would you give to future Crusaders?

    If you are looking to become a Boston Crusader, I would say to hold on tight, because it's a ride full of different emotions. And while it will be hard, and frustrating at sometimes, looking back after finals night and being able to see your family of Crusaders and say "We did this together" is the most rewarding feeling in the world.

    Q: Who inspires you?

    Honestly, my caption head, Rory Duffey inspires me so much. Everything he does is so organic and he makes me see the world in a different light while I'm in rehearsal.







    B O N U S   Q U E S T I O N S !




    Meet the Crusaders / Jacob Bowman

    Q: If you were a scented marker, what would you smell like?

    If I were a smelly marker, so would be the mint one because I'm obsessed with mint.

    Q: What is the one, single food that you would love to have right now?

    I would love to have Taco Bell right now.

    Meet the Crusaders / Jacob Bowman

    Q:Who is your favorite Disney villain?

    My favorite Disney villain is Gaston because I'm in love with Beauty and the Beast!

    Q:  What do you think cats dream about?

    I'm fairly positive my cat dreams about either chasing mice, or catnip.



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