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http://ukfannetwork.org/watch/DCUK/live.php

This is quite a silly thread, or may I say, some of the opinions in here are quite silly. At my high school in northern Virginia (which is actually a hotbed for the marching arts believe it or not) we had weekly competitions. On Friday nights for home games, the band would go onto the field to play the national anthem and welcome the football team. After that, we would go into the stands and play typical stand music, and the fight song would only be reserved for when we scored touchdowns (which was pretty often). At halftime, the dance team would perform a routine (the same routine that THEY would perform at their competitions) and so would the cheerleaders. Then we would march onto the field and play our competition show. The crowd typically responded positively. The fact of the matter is that all of these programs are part of a SCHOOL and the goal of schools are to EDUCATE. The football team is not just there to entertain a crowd, they’re also there to get these young kids exposure to the sport, gain experience, get coached, and learn. The dance team performs the same routine they do at their competitions. Imagine that! You know why? Because the dance team needs experience performing in front of a crowd. It is, for them, a dress rehearsal so that their coach can see where flaws in the performance are and fix them during practices. And the same goes for the cheerleaders, same goes for the marching band. They don’t need to make their jobs primarily to promote school spirit. Just having people THERE all together dressed up in the same colors is enough school spirit in of itself. We are talking about public schools here, their goal is to first and foremost educate their student body, no matter what program we are talking about. I can understand a marching band’s or dance teams’ primary job being promoting school spirit and entertainment in COLLEGE because very few actually will participate in competitions and the programs are there as a supplement to the education the students are getting as dance or music majors in their classes. But saying that bands should shut up and run around in circles while playing the fight song during halftime for the sake of “OMG SCHOOL SPIRIT!!! KUMBAYA!” is so silly that I’m not surprised that it’s coming from anyone but Stu himself.

You're safe from me at least since my throwing arm isn't like it was 50 years ago. But, the burning prop used by Boston might still be around.

So last night I closely watched the crowd during the halftime performances for my school and the opponent. The opponent played Shake it Off for the drill team and 1,000 Airplanes on the Roof for their contest show. Crowd applauded about equally for those two. Our band played The Final Countdown for the drill team and New World Symphony for the contest show. Crowd applauded about equally for those two. Band parents probably more than most, I must admit. Nobody fell asleep during the halftime that I could see. Then the football teams came back out and everyone went back into pep band mode and all was fine. Mike

No one said that. There's a time and place for education and a time and place for entertainment. Both in totality create the experience for the students.

Educate them on your time. Entertain on ours. See, this is the problem. Somewhere along the way we decided ars gratia artis was the way to go, and turned up our noses at entertainment.

Nope; critique is reserved for Bobby L. Collins!!!

Well, over here in DCEuroland... Beeches (a corps from the UK) has scratched the drum corps scene here with the pointy end of the wedge with a flute soloist in their ballad... and you know what? I'm not that bothered. In fact it fits nicely into the show and isn't actually all that offensive. My skin didn't fall off and I will still wake up in the morning.

Watching it right now. DCUK on the laptop, college football on TV. Multi-tasking. LOL.

Now that’s an interesting panel lineup

As we're commenting on just about every aspect possible, and in some cases deciding one opinion is the correct one, we forget that every district is unique and this may be a regional issue. Football is still king in Texas and it's an absolute monarch. Go to Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maine, football may still be king but it's a figure head. My guess is that if angry band parents from some school districts in my area complained to the principal, and use either the "d" word--discrimination or "u" word--unfair, action would be taken because there are more band parents than football parents and in my area, football is no longer the money maker it once was, basketball is the cash cow. We also can't ignore that many schools are dropping football programs, some due to safety issues, others due to cost and lack of interest. In many cases the football coach no longer has as many arrows in his quiver. If it's any consolation, I know football and basketball coaches who complain the only people who actually watch the games are the parents of the players, unless it is a rivalry or playoff/championship game. As someone who has probably attended more high school games than the average person, high school kids often arrive at games late, leave early, spend lots of time socializing and at the concession stands, and watch some of the game. In many cases high school sporting events are as much a reason to get together as it is about the game. This should not be seen as a problem, it's normal socialization for the age and it's an observation not a critique. Maybe the solution for the band to get the same respect as the football team is to mobilize the parents who have a child who plays football and another who is in the band. They have a vested interest in both worlds.

well ok

On the panel: 1) DrumManTx, 2) Brasso, 3) Jeff Ream, 4) George Dixon, 5) Cappybara, 6) Kamarag, 7) Liahona, 8) 2000Cadet, and the 9th to be designated as the Lone Wolf is...?

sometimes you can get the best of both worlds in the same show. i doubt you'd agree, but it's true

It's not an opinion. I'm active in the field, it's a fact. You'd be intelligent not to argue the facts of someone who is knowledgeable and out there on Friday nights (and in the hallways every day).

Man, I had no idea you can't create a show that works as a Friday night entertainment vehicle *and* a competitively successful show design.

Gatekeeping When someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to a community or identity. "I love punk bands like Green Day!" "Ugh, they're not even punk. They totally sold out." "Oh man, I love Harry Potter. I am such a geek!" "Hardly. Talk to me when you're into theoretical physics."

Spoof. As a parting gift, Mr. Gibbs outfitted BD’s buses with dream out-stretch chairbeds and a Concord room where Cappybara croons, “You are so wonderful to me!”; while when the Cadets’ buses are not at hotels, to be sure one sleeps an endless loop is played of Hop talks. After the Cavies are finished wishing “Good Night, Dude” a la the Waltons to each of the other 149 brothers, if they are not tired out, they get to listen to Hook’em Cavies reread aloud the entire 2017 joke book while they hide in their pillows. Meanwhile Bloo has adapted their stage, slides, and ramps into bunk beds. No jumping from one level to the next, however. Troopers sleep with their saddles while Blue Knights have no trouble keeping their eyes closed dreaming of snow storms, colorful birds, and far away events. Santa Clara has entered a major league concussion sleep study program due to their recurring dizziness and nightmares about snakes. Madison in their ten fifteen-men tents always sleeps with one eye open…to see who is the last man standing. Boston’s buses have no problems with cold nights as each bus has a fireplace like atmosphere with its own burning fire constantly fed by Brasso and other volunteers who aren't allowed to snore. If the temperatures get too hot, an automatic fire alarm goes off playing Carolina Crown’s Inferno. Meanwhile, Phantom Regiment have declared their buses insect-free (even on Swamp Tour) as mms wear yards and yards of individualized mosquito netting. Some sets in red, in white, or even black. Blue Stars have several beds to choose from recent past shows: from queen size to twin to make-your-own or sleep in a trunk. Decisions and mysteries makes one wonder what goes on down in the warren of Academy’s rabbit holes? Like Crossmen, it’s an enigma. What does your favorite corps sleep in?

I'm waiting for the ink to dry on those Creative Director contracts for several corps looking for me to travel with them as they journey towards show designs. Or at least several of them have told me where to go, ha, ha.

Someone has entirely too much time on their hands waiting for the first show announcement.

I keep dropping my pencils like gangbusters

In the immortal words of Doyle Gammill, "Boy you play! Mah GAWD!"

So nice to see field perc used during the ballad for something other than standing back field! Excellent contribution.

There were a number of DCP folks saying the same thing about them being top 5 after last year. I like Bloo and their organization. But realistically, they have one title and three other Top 3 finishes in 30 years of being a regular finalist, vs seven titles and twelve other top three finishes for Rosemont in that same 30 year span (four top 3's vs nineteen top 3's in other words). Assuming an organization with that kind of track record doesn't know how to stay in the top of the activity is a mistake.

Personally I think a God is a fan of all the corps equally, but it's not the Cavaliers that make me think religious thoughts when their show is over, it's Blue Knights. Since "Avian" in 2012, as soon as BK finishes, I always have the same the same thought: "God only knows what that show is about." Only kidding Blue Knights fans. I'm sure God was a Cavies fan in 1990 with one of my favorite Cavies moments, their amazing arrangement of John Rutter's "All Things Bright and Beautiful."

You and Noah. Don't tell me God is a Cavalier fan, ha, ha. We're all pulling for you.

Speaking of Flo, I purchased the whole year deal because I have a granddaughter who is on the track team at Sacramento State plus I wanted to check out BOA, as well as all the great DCI events. This is my first time to watch any BOA events and this afternoon I am watching the Regional competition at Clarksville, TN. Just saw Castle HS and was so impressed with them. Great sound, an entertaining show, and some saxophone soloists that have me contemplating the possibility that allowing a few sax players (who of course double on a brass instrument) to perform in a drum corps show could be a good thing. Please don't stone me!