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Showing content with the highest reputation on 02/02/2015 in all areas

  1. May very well be. For me (at least) good visual design starts with good music. Even with today's visually-focused programs, I still believe the best designs let the music speak visually. The Cavies winning years certainly reversed that approach (and as a result I rarely just *listen* to any of their programs -- they're crippled without the visual. BD's design is also visually driven and I really don't listen to their recent stuff much -- I watch and listen, but not just listen. Team Allentown has certainly had some winning music designs lately. I adored the Barber show. OTOH they are subject to outright design blunders. l like what I hear this year but any Cadets fan knows that early recordings frequently sound little like the final product. Writing too much material, trying to fix visual snafus, and sometimes really agressive hosing can render a Cadets book unrecognizable at finals. I think part of the reason side-by-side was so wonderful musically was that it was conservative visually. Really they should be 1 or 2 every seaosn -- best arranger and drill designer in the business. But somehow someway they mess something up. Team Fort Mill OTOH seems to be incrementally fixing stuff. Last season was a design blunder but only because they had a bit too much trust in their ability to "figure things out". Nothing wrong conceptually. 2009 -- feet not clean enough. 2010 -- oh I guess we can't spread them out quite that far. 2011 -- I think was under-rated a lot and suffered from too many preconceptions about "rock" shows. Since '09 they've figured out how to clean feet, get clean in drill, stay clean in guard, and win brass. And now I think they might have found the right mix of staff in percussion. If you think about it, Crown with a top level percussion line is a scary thought. They may be able to play the game formerly played only by BD. Establish an early season lead and never let anyone touch them.
    3 points
  2. "Tick city" Ticks were long gone by 1986, but I have seen migrating waterfowl hold forms a tad better than this.
    3 points
  3. There are many reasons for the current trends in brass arranging. Chiefly: impatience by visual, percussion and color guard judges and writers, who think of their own compartmentalized piece of the puzzle rather than allowing the music to live and breathe. We've been hijacked by WGI pacing, and designed judging sheets that reward frantic moods and over-writing. It's all VERY coordinated and well-thought-out on paper. In performance? It becomes mangled and generally meaningless musically. I won't speak for all arrangers. Some just aren't very good. Some are. Some do not assert themselves, while others do. Some are more concerned about keeping their gig, rather than making music. And sometimes, speaking up in defense of music isn't a popular thing for a younger generation of writers and teachers who didn't grow up listening patiently and thoughtfully. And sometimes they don't care. It's a paycheck and someone else is responsible for the show -- so they cash the check, and move on because their voice was drowned out a long time ago. Lots of reasons. I'm sure there are more. These are my particular views on the subject. Myself? I like music, but rarely like drum corps anymore. Love the performance levels. Truly over the "every 30 seconds needs an impact" school of thought, and the "cheats" used to achieve "clarity" and the "checklist" mentality of the design process. Double tonguing? Check. 192 bpm? Check. High sticking and a leg kick? Check. Gratuitous 16th note run living outside the musical idea? Check. Blah. Chuck
    3 points
  4. IMO M. Klesch is always very respectful of the original. Probably the least "over-arranged" material in DCI every single year he's been creating arrangements.
    2 points
  5. Music teachers don't make great music. They make great musicians. I believe this is at the heart of this issue. While the arrangers are certainly capable of producing works of professional depth and subtlety, this activity is led by teachers, not arrangers. And by led, I mean the directors, instructors and judges are all teachers, not music critics, composers, designers or arrangers. Last year George Hopkins said their goals were, in order: 1. Challenge the members, 2. Entertain the audience, and 3. Impress the judges [my wording]. I believe these values are fairly consistent across DCI. Is this inconsistent with the result? Are they arranging more for the judges than for the audience or students? It does seem that way, but I think these teachers may feel that it's so difficult to express a subtle mood, and to transition from one mood to another, that they have rewarded more moods and transitions over more time expanding on each mood. I'm not saying that's right - I'm saying they do it because they believe it's better education. Perhaps they feel that the kids have the rest of the school year to play it straight. I don't know the reasoning, but I think the intent is sound and since they are by and large teachers the rest of the year, they may have some experience that tells them this is the way to go. I do think the pendulum is swinging back slightly. The important thing about Bluecoats show isn't the pitch bend, it's Hymn of Axciom. They played that piece entirely. All 3+whatever minutes pretty much straight. BD did something interesting; they played the Nino Rota theme from La Strada several times over the course of the show so that while it was broken up, at least the corps had a chance to explore that one theme more fully. And in both cases the audience had one key melodic idea to anchor the show on the way home. Almost like the old days. They got great audience response. And they came in first and second. So maybe we will see a trend toward developing one idea more fully at some point, and cramming as many statements into the rest of the show as possible as they do now. I would like to see this trend continue, more ABABCABC rather than ABC-next piece, but I am also impressed by these corps ability to turn on a dime emotionally.
    2 points
  6. If it weren't for the pulse I'd never keep up. This piece shifts from 4/4 to 3/4 to 5/4 and back several times. And the splits aren't the really impressive parts - it's the writing! Brichtimp is curious how the percussion matches the horn book and, I can tell you for sure, that drum book matches the horn book perfectly. If they can clean it... But, oh my, what a book.... EDIT: oh, and I should say what the book ISN'T. Not a lot of rim-shots or gratuitous slams for effect as well as what it is: GREAT dynamic styling (watch for the sticks to move to the edge of the drum head, writing as difficult in piano passages as at forte, AMAZING full height (stick beads almost vertical; it takes more time for the stick to reach the head so more power on the downstroke is necessary to stay in time), diddles and drags (single grace notes and double grace notes [a "ruff" in drum-speak) at full tempo in the middle of sixteenth-note triplets, and exactly similar stick heights along with full feet at 180. I'm telling you, as an old drummer with a young hotshot kid - this is an amazing drum book.
    2 points
  7. Drum Geeks: the _kid and I counted 4 splits in the snare line, and at least one was a double-handed split left to right. Oh my. Oh, oh my. That drum line is the hottest (barely) Feb line I've seen a long, long time. That book is the most difficult thing I've heard, well, ever. Focus on the snares, which are just BLAZING! and you miss the basses (thanks to the gym) but you can hear them and the tenors battling in the background. Unbelievable, astounding writing. A bit a go I was looking for the link to the orchestral version and I ran across Dudamel playing it at, what seemed, an un-Holy 180Bpm. The comment was that Hop had pretty much said they were doing it up to that speed and, by God, that Dr. Beat in banging at 176! AND IT'S FEBRUARY.
    2 points
  8. Yes but rehashing a legendary show is not what anyone needs
    2 points
  9. BigW sez: Someone mentioned the Cabs' unis- I had a lengthy conversation (the last one I really had, sadly) with William "Windy" Wildemore where he said the Cabs' unis were based on another Senior corps from Florida, I believe. George H. would definitely be a help with that. I believe the uni was based on the California Don's from San Gabriel ... Cos saw them (maybe at Nats) and got permission to replicate their uni ... at least, that's the story I remember ... I think there used to be a story about how the uni came into being on the Cabs website somewhere ... :-)
    1 point
  10. For sure, and like Chuck said: some design teams are good at being holistic, with awesome arrangements and visual sharing focus. And some are not. If one wants to focus on the top end of DCI, I would say off the top of my head in 2014 BD, Bluecoats, Cadets, SCV, Cavaliers all had really great designs top-to-bottom. Arguably Crown did as well, though they had more problematic stuff than the others I mentioned. However, the further down the ranks you go the more problematic the designs get. But that was true in 2004, 1994, 1984, etc. As corps try to move up the ranks they try to mimic successful corps designs which can lead to bigger problems (over-designing for talent of members, not knowing where the balance is between music & visual, etc). I would also argue that the WGI influence is just as beneficial as problematic. The WGI pacing gets tiring at times, for sure, especially when designers are not that great at designing highs & lows. But I think the WGI influence have given us some GREAT show flourishes. Some of Bluecoats better shows the last several seasons REALLY feel like winter guard/percussion expanded for DCI (as did Blue Stars last year, not surprising given their design team). Again, it all comes down to "the best designers do good work, the less-good or flat-out bad designers do less-good or flat-out bad work." Again, just like every other era of the activity
    1 point
  11. I guess that I should not say this, but I'm going to anyway. I actually long for the day when prayerfully the drum corps activity will make a turn from being a visual based competitive activity to a musically based activity once again. But then again, having marched drum corps in the 80's, many of the current youngsters of the activity would call my thinking dinosaur thinking. This is why I had to take a step back from the activity and become more of a spectator than an instructor.
    1 point
  12. ^^^ agreed to a certain extent however the level of musical performance in the top echelon of DCI is exquisite even if the arranging seems sometimes incomplete. Its still nice to listen to.
    1 point
  13. I agree with you, Cappybara. I also think that over the years a DCI show design has radically changed from a "music-first" mentality to a more holistic approach, where visual is just-as-important (and sometimes more important) than the music. Not to mention the visual demands placed on the members kind of forces music design's hand to include "transitions" to give brass players a breather as they jazz-run at 210 BPM to make an amazing visual effect. I used to very meticulously buy/collect audio recordings throughout the years: essentially have dozens of discs with TONS of corps recordings from the 60's-mid-00's. But after a while it because apparent that it was difficult to enjoy a 15 minute program without the visual: half of the corps' presentation was missing! People can (and have) analyze difference in arrangement styles over the years, but generally I think shows are better designed now, top-to-bottom/visual+audio than ever before (which says nothing about the amount of demand placed on a MM now vs, say, 1986). It's not a negative, necessarily, but it is an obvious stylistic difference.
    1 point
  14. I agree with WILLIS. Angels and Demons standstill was good but the "program" took it to another level. Toy Souldier had excellent music but how they decided to program it was cheesy. Cavies in their dominant years always took ok music and programmed the heck out of it. That's EFFECT.
    1 point
  15. CONGRATS!! Happy 46th! Here's to MANY, MANY more my friend!!! (Freddy wishes he was going with youse guys! LOL)
    1 point
  16. Yes, but this does not sound like a modern show (i.e. a chop-n-bop highlight reel of a show). This is sounding more like an old-school show musically. The typical modern DCI show does not let musical ideas develop. This may be a show in today's modern age, but it is not sounding like a typical DCI show as of late.I thank Cadets for this and can't wait to see the finished product!
    1 point
  17. LOL Yea, that's it. Thanks. lol
    1 point
  18. OK, Heh, here ya' go... Count sixteenth notes (one, ee, and, aah) in 180 time. Now split every other note so that half the line (or every other player) is only playing the "one" and the "and" and the opposite players are only playing the "ee" and the "aah" of each beat in the measure (a "split"). Now imagine doing it while alternating your sticks (a double-handed split). Suffice it to say that keeping 10 players in time splitting rhythms is incredibly difficult and they do it not once, but 4 times in that 3 1/2 minutes, at 180bpm, They did it twice for four counts, one for 3 counts and at least one double-handed. It's kind of like how the bass drums "Split" five-sixteenth notes between them - I know you've heard it - but with snares and only two splits parts (instead of five as in basses).
    1 point
  19. "There are in fact only so many notes the ear can hear in the course of an evening. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect!" It's a good thing Emperor Joseph II isn't judging DCI this summer...
    1 point
  20. HI All, You know...there is very little that George Hopkins and i agree on...but....his corps approach to releasing information about the Cadets program during the off-season is great. They just about stand alone in that department. Bravo George and the Cadets!!!
    1 point
  21. Were selling 2 sets of guard units. The 2014 set has 16 uni's made by Effects by Design. They were made for Arabin Nights show theme. The other set has 14 uni's made by Algy. Show them was Fanfare for a New World. There at 40 swing flags. Colors are light blue, white and silver. Email if interested in any of this and pics will be sent. aamico@stny.rr.com
    1 point
  22. Feels like a Stonehenge-esque type production so far. Cadets don't seem to be playing around this year. Can't wait to see the finished product.
    1 point
  23. Are you implying, Arranger, that one person's "creative energy" is another person's "balls"? If so...then I'm with you.
    1 point
  24. hope everyone is enjoying the winter... all's well here as we await another storm tomorrow into Monday... fortunately, late tomorrow morning Karen and I will be heading south in advance of the storm and escaping for a couple of weeks - celebrating our 46th Anniversary... (yes, she's a saint for putting up with both me and drum corps) Cruising thanks to Bob Cardaneo's Cruise One and good buddy Ken MacLean... see you all after the 15th...
    1 point
  25. Most organizations (because most people), not just drum corps, are afraid of showing mistakes, weaknesses, etc. So they don't want to release early clips because (a) they don't want to publicly admit they screwed up if they feel they have to change things later, (b) they don't want to offer an unpolished display that would tarnish their public image and possibly negatively affect recruiting, or simply the buzz of fan-boys everywhere, © they don't want the public to realize they are much farther behind than they should be (i.e. "every other corps is showing clips of their entire show, and all you guys can show by April is your opener? do you even HAVE a show this year?!?"), etc., etc. Lots of reasons for not broadcasting, and in truth I think most stem from insecurity. But that's only my take because I come down on the side of full and open disclosure - warts and all. They're entitled to their position, though, and since they're the ones in charge, they have to do what they are comfortable with. And we have to live with it.
    1 point
  26. I agree! They are creating Drum Corps shows. This is not Coca Cola’s secret formula or Anything that Can Jeopardize a War or Endanger Troops’ Lives.
    1 point
  27. it baffles me how much scores are dropping.
    1 point
  28. Ahhhh, let's be careful with the use of the word "old" if you please! We are...let's say....experienced. Yeah, I like that much better. ;) Dan
    1 point
  29. All four regions will be busy with shows today, and corps are hoping that yesterday's higher scores are a sign of things to come. In the midwest, Dayton OH hosts the largest lineup of corps of the day, with a group so large that this may as well be a regional competition! Due to the number of entrants, this will be a "split-venue" competition, with World Class corps like Aftershock NZ, Buckeye Brass, Pride of Salem and The Royal Crusaders competing at Welcome Stadium on the campus of the University of Dayton and Open Class and Class A corps like Spartan Vanguard, Thunder Cadets, Valley Vanguard, Crusade and Pandemonium NZ will be at the newly-renovated Piqua HS Stadium a little ways north of Dayton. Also in the midwest, it's mostly Class A corps that will be in the spotlight at Metamora Township HS on the outskirts of Peoria IL. In the Pacific northwest, the Tri-Cities WA show moves back to Edgar Brown Memorial Stadium due to a smaller turnout for this year's event, with a matchup between the returning Thoroughbreds (who make their debut in World Class this season) and Confederate Regiment. And in southern California, Violet Knights has the stage all to themselves at Redondo Union HS in Torrance CA.
    1 point
  30. Here's another drill move from the next movement in the same show. http://youtu.be/Uvi8k5q_Z2Y There there is the opening drill in their 2008 show. The transitions from triangle to Star of David are from drill heaven. http://youtu.be/mU9KNk8HO1E
    1 point
  31. All of SCV's drill this year looked dirty to me. The intervals always seemed off but looks like that's just a characteristic of the drill, the white unis, or both. Either way, not a fan.
    1 point
  32. ..and it will be a prettier and a flashier design than every other corps on the field that year. Got it. You don't like Weber. You may have your criticism about that, but their drill was more interesting and IS more interesting than pretty much all the rest. I think I'd pick that over "drill that doesn't really need to be clean because it's not drill" or "visual with drill snippets" any day.
    1 point
  33. I know several corps who would love to be "irrelevant" in 4th place! (Crossmen, Blue Knights, Pioneer, Jersey, Surf, Madarins, Blue Stars, Boston, etc, etc, etc,)
    1 point
  34. They are? Drums is one thing but they need to go outside the box to something new. They have the talent and now have the instructional staff to do this. Phantom of the Opera is not that musically exceptional.
    1 point
  35. I've always thought that it would be very cool if a show started out in period uniforms with a small number of a corps MM's (like the video presented in the first post) then......somehow merged and melded into a very modern production by the rest of corps, like taking the worm hole to a more practical use. A bit like BD 2010, emphasizing old drill moves vs the newer body movement and scatter drill.....not to mention the contrast of music and productions. Unmic'd, non-electric juxtaposed by the most severe and gooey example of the other....Starting with period and ending with period.
    1 point
  36. I get your point. I guess my feeling is that if they aren't doing anything in Madison other than taking a picture at the capital and hosting a show, perhaps they should just be known as the 'Scouts'?
    1 point
  37. I only know this... if the Madison Scouts do a Christmas Show, or a show revolving around a long ago Italian filmmaker, or an outer space themed show featuring frisbees, trampolines, and exotic costuming, they will find themselves quickly exiting the TOP 12. The current DCI judging community, most of whom have AARP discount cards in their personal wallets, grew up with the Madison Scouts. While they might say they value something out of the ordinary, when push comes to shove, they have certain expectations in shows from the Scouts, and if the Scouts do a show on jungle Iguanas or some exotic themes of faraway forces of nature, or some such, they will play right into the hands of Cesario and his Crew that really doesn't want that sort of thing from the Madison Scouts ( or even the Troopers ) no matter what they say publically. Cadets, Phantom, SCV have all done rehashed themed shows of late as a redo, and it did not hurt them score wise or placement wise in the least. The Madison Scouts should never... EVER.... do a silent, soft ending to their show, as the judges will simply not allow that from a Madison Scouts as it unnerves them from a 50 year image they justifiably have of this particular Corps. My guess, the new staff recognizes this, and that the Madison Scouts will ditch this failed foray into " going soft " with the ending of their show, and will do a Madison Scouts show, and ending that is classic Madison Scouts. Then like all the non G7 corps, its just a matter of cleaning it, and executing it. Thats my 2 cents worth of advice to the Madison Scouts anyway.
    1 point
  38. I am really really hoping for a Latin/Spanish balls-to-the-wall show. Don't forget the Spats either!
    1 point
  39. In order to do a successful comparison of styles show, you must select only two styles, and do everything in your power to select two distinctly different pieces of music, drill and uniform. The show must contain a crystal clear distinction in styles, and must clarify the moment of transition. (Perhaps creating the rotating company front that transforms into the new style. Boom. A distinct visual cue.) It's also best if you determine a historical moment when the style changed, and root the whole show in that year. "The Year Jazz Changed Forever." Three styles? Too much.
    1 point
  40. The new ending is brutal. 2 thumbs down to the Scouts design staff for coming up with this anticlimactic snoozer of an ending. Who wants to see & hear a drum corps show end like this?
    1 point
  41. 1 point
  42. 1 point
  43. I first saw that show in Michigan City early on, and I was jumping up and down backfield, yelling "They're playing JAZZ! And it's good as he##! That soloist is screamin'!!". It remains one of my favorite shows of all time!
    1 point
  44. As I recall while sitting in the stands at Finals, that show blew the house down -- best crowd response of the night.
    1 point
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