stockman365

Cadets, without question.

A situation surfaced within the last 24 hours to bring home this concept of the Blue Devils' disregard for audience appeal (general and drum corps fans alike). I saw on the news that the Blue Devils played the half time show for the Colts pre-season opener yesterday and thought...uuuggghhh, what a missed opportunity for the activity! Whats more, I had a Facebook friend (whom I am sure is not even close to a drum corps fan) post a picture of her and her husband in Colts gear, in the stands, with their backs to the field while the Blue Devils were on the field. The message was clear. The activity's finest corps (according to scores) had practically el-zilcho level of general audience engagement. The corps could have heralded the glory of a stunning brass and percussion visual performance...but instead ignored what was happening for a husband/wife photo-op while "the band" played the halftime show. That makes me sad.

Reading this makes me feel like I'm in a time warp or something. It's so uncommon but I like it!

Some of my most memorable drum corps viewing was at the good ole DCM finals at NIU Husky Stadium in DeKalb. Very accessible from the interstate and great acoustics.

After listening online, all I can say is this might be a once in a generation horn book, so capture the moment and own it members of the corps. From rookies to ageouts, consider this as if it were your ageout year because this may not be attempted nor duplicated for sometime. I'm seriously praying for you all to pull this off! I'be been waiting soooo long for this since Star left us.

There have been many influential shows over the years, and it is incredibly hard to pick out the MOST influential. The 2000 Cavaliers started the era of drill dominating the overall show design. Many corps were struck with playing catch up during that time of Cavalier dominance.

Hey, all I have to say is if the truth hurts, then do something else over the summer...and I consider myself "fat"! I don't understand why people don't understand the difference between disrespectful and being truthful given various scenarios. My high school band director called someone too fat to march from the box during rehearsal because they were fat. Granted he wasn't around much longer after that, but it was the reality...this person couldn't and wouldn't even try to get it together. Got their attention!!!

Relax....step away from the computer...and just enjoy the show. There, is that better? ahhhhhhhh

I say if we were to have more entertainment value in the activity and get competitive credit for it, another VK could emerge in World Class. We need another Weird Al Yankovich drum corps...there is so much material with all these vocal and props FAILS over the last several years, etc. Being off topic here doesn't imply I want PR to move in that direction.

Meanwhile, it seems that the backfield horn playing and the synth work against each other. Am I missing something in the design...like is the synth the Capulets? It is like hearing a hornline warming up near the stadium during a synth solo. Perhaps this is designed for Lucas Oil Stadium, but it seems to be a gap in the ensemble. Not saying that the synth is a horrible thing...I like the general feel it adds...just maybe needs more blend here and there? I love the new percussion changes...even since the movie theater! Very effective! Good work on everyone's part.

I know....perhaps at the end of the show, Juliet can leap from the podium in a "Mary Katherin Gallagher" kind of way and impale herself on the synth. RACH ON!!!

It is 2011. It is still creepy.

Could you imagine what was going though Rennick's head at the first ensemble rehearsal, and then the next series of staff recaps?

I think the adrenaline issue is spot on, but I do see where we could be in store for a show at the end of the season with as much power and passion we have gotten from them in some time. It can be found within the sophistication of the hornline arrangements more so than last season, and the drumline...with some embellishment and added dimension, can bring some needed layering to the overall feel to the show. It doesn't need props and other kookier gimmicks then the next corps to make it big time...I think its potential has been entrusted to the corps members itself and I have a sense they want to perform this show. Meanwhile, I admit the guard and the overall presentation seems rather "Amish" at this time. In a sea of guards who look like washed up cast members of 21 Jump Street and CATS, et. al., the Phantomettes represent radiance and class. Initially, I thought I would have liked to see a Juliet in go-go boots and black leather to be "modern", but I now see this approach makes perfect sense and they are not selling out the Phantom Regiment brand. It will be fun to watch them develop over the tour. While this show does not create a new identity, it does read classic Phantom Regiment and that makes me, in particular, very happy!