Geneva

I know that back in the 60’s and 70’s a major objection from the scholastic music world was poor intonation of many of the corps. This was a byproduct of G instruments, overblowing, and the lower level of brass technical competence all of which are history now. Articulation always was a strong point of drum corps and in the past decade this has risen to a new level of awesome accomplishment!

In my opinion, the problem is simple…not enough melodic development! It is almost like some corps are “allergic” to melody lines or seem to fear becoming trite or cutesy. Also, many themes are very dark. Corps rely too much on rhythmic sound bites that often go nowhere. That said, I do enjoy the current trend to feature complex brass articulation which displays the tightness, talent and hard work these kids put in.

I tried the replay on Reading and it was still scrambled in both audio and video. Very disappointed Flo. What gives?

Same here.

I bought several of Moe’s pictures over the years. I was curious about how he got started in drum corps photography. He shared the following with me… January 16, 2006 ”In grammar school I got in a “scout” trumpet band- then high school band- Joined the Navy and got in the recruit D&B corps in boot camp. Got out of the Navy in 1957-Joined the Connecticut Hurricanes in 1958, but didn’t get into the (?drum) line until 1959. So started taking my first drum corps pics in October 1958. The latest DCW ran two of the pictures I took at that show. i had to get out of M&M due to my job at a local newspaper that started a Sunday edition so that I had to stay late Saturday nite in case something happened & I had to take pix. i consider the ‘64 World Open my first major show, but I did go to the 1963 World Open, but only took a few pics at finals.” RIP Moe, you done good!

Frank, I agree with most of what you have said here, but have a problem with point #2 with the harmonic series. In my experience there is not a simple linearity in stridency as you go up the harmonic series. Of note, is the 11th partial (Fsharp) which does not slot with the same clarity and certainty as the 10th partial (E). I think that the actual key of the instrument is more important. I find that holding down the third valve of a B flat trumpet which converts it to a G instrument also changes the responsiveness of the instrument resulting in a broader timbre and more volatile slotting with more intonation inaccuracies. The trumpet also feels more free blowing like a bugle. Less air resistance, greater bore caliber, and bell characteristics of bugles also all seem like important factors to me. I think that if you put 50 G buglers elbow to elbow next to 50 B flat/F brass players playing at the same decibel level, the buglers will sound louder because of a broader more immersive timbre (also with more intonation problems, but that is another discussion). Your factor #1, playing louder, is certainly true. I vividly remember a description from a 1950’s drum corps bugler about the playing philosophy of the day as he excitedly described hitting the 50 yard line at the climax of the OTL with the sole objective to “drive the stands back 10 yards”!! 😂

Not so sure about the conical conjecture. My Olds Ultratone soprano was pretty much as cylindrical as my trumpet. I think the traditional Boy Scout bugle was conical as are cornets. I think key, bore size, and bell flare were more important.

Yes, an interesting question. I have always felt that the perception of volume with G horn lines had a lot to do with the wider “cone of sound” generated by the instruments all other factors being held constant. The result being a more immersive sonic environment beyond sheer amplitude. Having said that, when I heard Blue Stars in semicircle at Allentown last August I almost felt they were too loud! 😂

Perhaps the Bleu Raeders from Metairie, Louisiana.

Blue Coats, Phantom, and Madison?

From FLO Marching DCI Eastern Classic (Day 1) August 2 | Allentown, PA Start Time: 7:00pm ET Event Schedule: TBD Participating Ensembles Include: Genesis The Cavaliers Blue Knights Blue Devils Bluecoats Colts Pacific Crest Madison Scouts The Academy Music City DCI Eastern Classic (Day 2) August 3 | Allentown, PA Start Time: 7:00pm ET Event Schedule: TBD Participating Ensembles Include: Blue Stars Phantom Regiment Troopers Boston Crusaders Carolina Crown Mandarins Crossmen Spirit of Atlanta Jersey Surf Seattle Cascades Santa Clara Vanguard

In particular, Phantom Regiment.

2000, “We Are the Future”, for me. It was a joyous musical book and the brass/percussion “duel” was great drum corps theater!