~Comes out of the woodwork to make a reply since it was MY phone conversation that started the $%*& so blame and hate me....I'm used to it ...lol~
The ORIGINAL post stemmed from a phone conversation betwixt Nanci and Ron and I when they called me to talk about the DVD's from DCA and, as per usual, EVERYONE took it their own way. Hmmm....Guess that's why they call it a "forum".
Our conversation eventually turned to what the activity does to hide "dirt"....And I'm not talking about keeping your uniform clean. (I'm 3rd generation and I have seldom heard/seen a marching member who took pride in looking like an "unmade bed")
We talked about a lot of the changes that have happened.....The new drills....methods of marching....etc.....
BUT.....We focused on the changes in uniforms....Mainly....Stripes....Shoes and Spats etc. and how the "new" concept of "visual" has forced the activity to shed some of its roots and adopt different concepts of a "uniform" in order to stay competitive. We also talked about how alike so many "new" uniforms are in design and their symmetry.
IMHO....It appears to ME that the designers (both visual AND uniform) are doing their best to make the lower half of the body on a marching member "disappear". If they succeed....Visual scores go up. 'Nuff said!
My whole point (and what led to this post in the first place)....If you are as good as you think you are (and this pertains to ALL marching activities)....Why don't you DARE to prove it? (Maybe....Some day....You will be rewarded for it)
And this challenge could be asked of the musical side of the activity. (That mellophone run sounded great! So glad we have amps to hide all the dirt!)
I was raised believing that "This thing of ours" was nothing more than a microcosm reflecting real life. From Pride and Respect to Talent and a hard work ethic. Teamwork to Camaraderie. If it still is....Why are we teaching how to "hide" mistakes instead of not making them in the first place?
I'm going to go out on a limb.....and rephrase Nanci's original post.....
I DARE you to EXPOSE yourselves!
Gawd! I love this activity!