contrajedi8 Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) Honestly, after watching several VERY lackluster shows from the 2012 season: Boston Crusaders, Glassmen, Blue Knights, Spirit, Troopers, Academy, Colts, Crossmen... etc etc etc. I honestly think if everything was 'even' and such, Broken Arrow could have placed as high as 8th - 12th IMO. This band executes at a level that is EASILY equivalent to most drum corps, and BETTER than several. Flame me if you wish, but to ignore the obvious is just close-minded! Please don't take this as a flame. You mean to tell me that you seriously think that Broken Arrow High School marches and plays better than Spirit of Atlanta, Blue Stars, Madison Scouts, Blue Knights and Boston Crusaders? Did I read that right? Edited February 23, 2012 by contrajedi8 3
bmjfelts1988 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) There is something to be said for difficulty, simultaneous responsibilities, and the differences in percussion sections (specifically battery). Much like the top drum corps, the top BOA units "play the game" very hard. Their shows are designed to hide their weaknesses and make their strengths shine. Their show designs are also extensively planned in advance, unlike lower DCI groups. Ok now, if you are saying that the kind of show BA does lacks the kind of demand that a lower corps does, I will have to disagree (and maybe you are not saying that) . I think BA's show is just as demanding as any corps within about 16-22. "Simultaneous responsibilities"? Yeah! I don't think you are giving it enough credit or looking close enough to see what it is they are doing. I'm not putting them at a finalist level by any means but lets be honest about the demands here. They are pretty real and in some cases more difficult than what a lot of those lower level corps are doing. See my previous comment about their body movement (and the clarity they have with it). In lower tier DCI, you may not know who your members are, even when the season starts. You have no idea who the best sections are, who the worst are, sometimes you don't even know how many members you will have. The planning and "playing the game" that you can do there, is pretty limited. They just write a show, and hope that their guesses towards strengths and weaknesses are remotely close. Now that is true. I do agree with that. Edited February 23, 2012 by bmjfelts1988
bmjfelts1988 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 Broken Arrow has had several terrific BOA shows. The 2010 "Wizard of Oz" program was especially memorable. And last year, I can not erase the visual in my mind of each guard woman jumping into the arms of a musician. As an annual host of a summertime DCI show, the kids in Broken Arrow are exposed to DCI quality. YES! Actually, I'm glad you mentioned guard. I actually think their guard is at the level of a top 12 corps! 1
AlanAndreasen Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 Honestly, after watching several VERY lackluster shows from the 2012 season: Boston Crusaders, Glassmen, Blue Knights, Spirit, Troopers, Academy, Colts, Crossmen... etc etc etc. I honestly think if everything was 'even' and such, Broken Arrow could have placed as high as 8th - 12th IMO. This band executes at a level that is EASILY equivalent to most drum corps, and BETTER than several. Flame me if you wish, but to ignore the obvious is just close-minded! WOW! You've seen the 2012 season already? 3
bmjfelts1988 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) Honestly, after watching several VERY lackluster shows from the 2012 season: Boston Crusaders, Glassmen, Blue Knights, Spirit, Troopers, Academy, Colts, Crossmen... etc etc etc. I honestly think if everything was 'even' and such, Broken Arrow could have placed as high as 8th - 12th IMO. This band executes at a level that is EASILY equivalent to most drum corps, and BETTER than several. Flame me if you wish, but to ignore the obvious is just close-minded! "Academy, Colts and Crossmen"? Maybe, but debatable. "Spirit"? Unlikely and more debatable. "Boston and Blue Knignts"? "As high as 8th"? Not a chance (with the exception of maybe the guard). I definitely would not go that far. Watch the video again and listen to the feet in the sound and balance issues. Believe me, I started this thread to hopefully get a few people to give them some love but I think you are exaggerating now. Edited February 23, 2012 by bmjfelts1988 1
bmjfelts1988 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 WOW! You've seen the 2012 season already? LOL! I didn't even catch that.
craiga Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) Honestly, after watching several VERY lackluster shows from the 2012 season: Boston Crusaders, Glassmen, Blue Knights, Spirit, Troopers, Academy, Colts, Crossmen... etc etc etc. I honestly think if everything was 'even' and such, Broken Arrow could have placed as high as 8th - 12th IMO. This band executes at a level that is EASILY equivalent to most drum corps, and BETTER than several. Flame me if you wish, but to ignore the obvious is just close-minded! You can't be serious. All 8 of the corps you mentioned have superior players, staff, design and PERFORMANCE LEVELS than the video which was posted....if you cannot recognize that, you need to learn more about each of the above. In addition, until high school bands go on 60 day tours, rehearse 12 hours a day, sleep on buses, and oh yeah, allow college music majors in their bands, it won't even be close. Edited February 23, 2012 by craiga 3
bmjfelts1988 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 You can't be serious. All 8 of the corps you mentioned have superior players, staff, design and PERFORMANCE LEVELS than the video you posted....if you cannot recognize that, you need to learn more about each of the above. In addition, until high school bands go on 60 day tours, rehearse 12 hours a day, sleep on buses, and oh yeah, allow college muasic majors in their bands, it won't even be close. Hey careful. Don't mix the OP (me) up with the above "TexasCorpsdude" (or whatever his name is). I was the one who posted the video (not him) and I don't even come close to thinking Broken Arrow would place as high as 8th. That's ridiculous.
bmjfelts1988 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 Oh one more thing... You can't be serious. All 8 of the corps you mentioned have superior players, staff, design and PERFORMANCE LEVELS than the video you posted....if you cannot recognize that, you need to learn more about each of the above. In addition, until high school bands go on 60 day tours, rehearse 12 hours a day, sleep on buses, and oh yeah, allow college muasic majors in their bands, it won't even be close. That's a real good point. The average age of a lower level finalist I'm told is around 19-20 - making a comparison between Broken Arrow to an 8th place corps all that more unlikely. Which is why I didn't let my poll go that high and maybe shouldn't have even let it go as high as 10th (though I did it in case there were any out there who wanted to exaggerate). On the other hand, most of the corps between 22nd and 18th have an average age of about 16 or 17 making that type of a comparison much more realistic.
bmjfelts1988 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 Please don't take this as a flame. You mean to tell me that you seriously think that Broken Arrow High School marches and plays better than Spirit of Atlanta, Blue Stars, Madison Scouts, Blue Knights and Boston Crusaders? Did I read that right? I believe that is what "TexasCorpsFan" was saying, yes. Go figure. There is one in every crowd.
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