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DCI's More Forgotten or Less-Acclaimed Moments


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I've been spending quite a bit of time catching up, via recordings or Youtube, on DCI's past. Throughout history, there are moments which are universally acclaimed as being "big" or "impressive." But I have found that there are even more moments, solos, or shows which have either escaped the public (i.e., non-drum corps "geek") consciousness, or have been set aside, usually due simply to the passage of time. I've always been a proponent of the idea that "to truly understand where we are going, we first have to understand where we've been." In that vein, I would ask the following: What, in your opinion, have been moments which have gone largely forgotten, but in retrospect were moments to behold as being "great" or "wonderful." This isn't a thread for proof or debate. It isn't intended to be comprehensive. Rather, it is highly personal, and speaks for nothing more than each poster's recollections and expressions of what reached them. To be fair, I will start with a few of my own:

1) The entire era of the 70's, with the assorted "balls-to-the-wall" soloists. Yeah, I'm a teacher. Yeah, I'm a "trained musician" (whatever the living hell THAT is supposed to mean...which, in my book, is precious little). But first and foremost, I'm a trumpet player. I love the sound of the screamer. Someone who, for eventual good or bad, is willing at that moment to hang it all out there. Put his name on the line. For nothing more than OUR enjoyment (o.k....MAYBE just a little bit for their own ego as well. Oh well...no harm, no foul.). Brady, Keavit, Metzger (and yes, for every one that I name, I admit that I'll be missing 5 others), and so many more. If I had a wish, it would be to be able to go back and see any of them -- live -- not on video. Sadly, it'll never happen. Much to my own total and personal loss.

2) Barbara Maroney Mellophone Solo ( "I Have a Love." ) -- 1984 Cadets "West Side Story" The perfect illustration of when sometimes, the soft and loving look from the one you love means a thousand times more that the shouted acclaim of millions. Meaning isn't always in the power of numbers...sometimes, it's in the force of simplicity, internal strength, expression, and beauty. This one always nails me. Always has. Always will.

3) "Strawberry Soup" -- 2002 Crossmen. No, it isn't Madison. Yes, it's different. And just maybe what the French were meaning when they coined the phrase "Vive la Difference." With the emphasis on "Vive." And despite what we all might think about the French...they totally nailed the meaning of the phrase with respect to this one.

4) Larry Shane soprano solo, 1990 Blue Devils "Tommy" -- No, not long (actually, only about 20 seconds). But for me, it provided the perfect bridge into what followed. And provided it well.

5) 1980 27th Lancers -- "Off The Line" -- I'm a lover of the British Band heritage. And the sheer power and execution exemplified by the Lancers is often times, I feel, both still acclaimed, yet totally forgotten. I watch this one as often as any other I can think of.

Everyone...please feel totally free to make your contributions without impunity. Think of it as a "sharing" thread.

Edited by HornTeacher
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Ditto on 02 Crossmen. That whole show was absolutely killer. Is my memory faulty, or were they beating BD early season when they came out east? Maybe they were just nipping at their heels. Either way, that was a great storyline to follow that season.

That was the summer that BD came out with a show that was nothing like what was on the field for finals. Devs had them by 4 points at their first show together, but Crossmen took them iGE visual at the show.

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1990 Cavies: a show I thought should have been their first DCI victory, the key moment being John Rutter's "All Things Bright and Beautiful"

1987 Star of Indiana: a forgotten show but in my opinion had some great innovative moments with the juggler. They did not come East that year, or at least as far East as the Boston area and if they did I missed them, and I know friends thought it was a Bridgemen rip off, and they do owe some for their dancing animals to our friends from Bayonne, but I enjoyed its circus theme and thought it was rather creative.

1988 Sky Ryders "Sound of Music" When you look at what 1988 offered: Madiosn's amazing performance, SCV's Phantom, Garfield Cadets Les Mis, Phantom's Romeo and Juliet as a sampling, a show based on the "Sound of Music" does not sound all that sophisticated, and even compared with what Sky Ryders did the previous year with "West Side Story" was a bit more innovative, but with "Sound of Music" Sky Ryders created one of the best feel good shows of all time.

1991 Phantom Regiment: For opera buffs, this is the equivalent of Madison's a Drum Corps Lovers Dream

Non Finalist show: 1993 BAC did Scheherazade long before SCV in a show that those of who waited for BAC to make finals for my years thought this might be the show, as we did in 1994 when they edged ever so close. If that had happened, what a finals that would have ben: making finals for the first time in Foxboro in front of a hometown crowd with 27th's "Once More in 94" that would have been a night to remember.

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1991 Phantom Regiment: For opera buffs, this is the equivalent of Madison's a Drum Corps Lovers Dream

Now Padre, who would ever "forget" the guards sensual moments?

I'm still mad at my self for not driving the 40 or so miles to see the 94 finals!

Edited by Ghost
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VK's drum solo in 94. total note fest, fun, with 7 incredible tenors. Shame it didn't make it Saturday night

ditto on 02 Crossmen. Somehow that show stalled for like 3 weeks score wise. Heat of the Day has never been done as well

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2) Barbara Maroney Mellophone Solo ( "I Have a Love." ) -- 1984 Cadets "West Side Story" The perfect illustration of when sometimes, the soft and loving look from the one you love means a thousand times more that the shouted acclaim of millions. Meaning isn't always in the power of numbers...sometimes, it's in the force of simplicity, internal strength, expression, and beauty. This one always nails me. Always has. Always will.

I didn't know drum corps existed in the early 80's (was just a youngin'), but I think saying Ms. Maroney solos are "forgotten" or "less acclaimed" would be crazy. I'm a percussionist, and even I have a myriad of respect, admiratin, and flat-out awe every time I hear her Garfield mello solos of the 80's: they really are the epitome of great tone for the instrument!

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I didn't know drum corps existed in the early 80's (was just a youngin'), but I think saying Ms. Maroney solos are "forgotten" or "less acclaimed" would be crazy. I'm a percussionist, and even I have a myriad of respect, admiratin, and flat-out awe every time I hear her Garfield mello solos of the 80's: they really are the epitome of great tone for the instrument!

You're right, Perc. Maybe I should never have included it.

(Edited) Upon second thought: No, I'm glad I did. It's obvious that there are a number of "newbies" to the art, both in a participatory and viewership capacity. Some of these individuals may not be aware of the many wonderful contributions made earlier in DCI's history. There is nothing wrong in citing what might have been a meaningful performance to any of us who go back a ways; if nothing else, it might provide a service for some of the younger members. Maybe the thread was mis-named, or maybe it should have been placed in the history forums instead of here. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Edited by HornTeacher
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Under forgotten: 1975 Blue Devils drum line imitating a wave during the concert of Mangiones "Legend Of the One Eyed Sailor". At a time when the corps stood still during the concert number this was one of the first instances of "body movement" in a show.

The DVD doesn't do it justice as PBS cameras focused on parts of the drum line during this. Saw it day after DCI from a stadium pressbox and we were just going nutz over it.

Hmm... someone else did a once or twice thingee popping the horn up and down during a drum solo while in a straight line. The top of the wave went that way.... and then it came back.... probably 1976 or 1976 day after DCI again when I saw it...

Edited by JimF-LowBari
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