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DITD

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Everything posted by DITD

  1. Absolutely, many design teams will create affects around the sonic space (less layered, "risky" ensemble moments) and less rim shots. Music book wise, some will also start to count on the wet sound effect of back field, end zone facing for the hornline. Visually, they might plan around that black backdrop for color contrast and palettes. That's just my 2 cents.
  2. I'm the same. Brass player teching indoor percussion. You only have to learn a handful of basic principals about crabbing. . .many of which have already been discussed here. You can also chat with a battery person that you trust, but be able to articulate crab technique the same way you would traditional tech for a hornline. Decide if they will march heel-ball-toe or platform on the forward march. The former is the outdoor way, but many indoor groups just march forward on the platform now. Spend LOTS AND LOTS of time on the footwork with them. Prescribed methodology isn't as important as what they do must feel natural. Now indoor movement. . .good luck.
  3. What year(s) did Dci include a vignette about the rigors of marching? The study was done on a quad player and had testimony from a physician as well as statistics. I think '93 was one of the years, but I know they did 1 or 2 more in recent times.
  4. Various and many, and definitely worth looking into if you're a wind player. They are metaphoric. Associate inhalation and exhalation to throwing a dart, shooting an arrow. As a teacher, the sigh breath exercise helps tremendously. High school kids identify so so well with this stuff.
  5. I'm very interested to see HOW Johnny V and Jimmer's books hold against more contemporary designers. These guys are the best of the best, but have not driven the bus in WC for a while!
  6. It depends on that student's marching/playing ability. True, you should not stunt a student's dreams but as their teacher, you should also guide them. Yes the experience of a top 4 corps is worth it, but not if the kid is strapped for cash, flying across the country, and no where near the level that the corps is seeking. This could actually burn and scar the student. Guide them to a corps that would give him or her a positive and constructive experience. Explain that their dream corps can be a 2 or 3 season goal and give an example of the financial commitment. There's a difference between shooting down a kid's dreams and prompting them to be successful in getting there. IF the student is slightly below or close to the expectations of a specific corps, then YES they can and should attend the camps and make sure they understand they'll have to work their butt off in between camps until they get in. What a rush!
  7. Too true. Do this. And since timing yourself can become monotonous, not only time yourself but listen to music or watch tv as you do it. The first few minutes suck, but after consistent efforts, you'll get stronger/better at it. It's the only way. For those of us who did hold up baritones/euphs, if you don't do it in the winter, you'll do it in the summer when there's no choice.
  8. So true. Staff "moving day" for corps is coming soon!
  9. Yeah, that's what I'm getting at. . .he picked these 3 probably because from watching he feels he identifies with them the most. I just think it's interesting to try and articulate to a future marcher what makes these teams unique. When I think marching, I think Cadets. But hey, PR has marched at an elite level (IMHO) since 2005. And Crown, by champs, got cleaner than I ever thought they would. When I think hornline, I am personally a Gino fan. But hey, Crown and PR are elite by judges and fans. So. . .
  10. I've got a high school marching band student (Florida, will be 18) that I feel has the playing and marching capability to compete for a spot in a top tier corps. He has mentioned that he would like to audition for Cadets, PR, and/or Crown. Assume he's fine with money, camps, move in, etc. He asked some good questions that I'd like to put to you. . . All 3 are good corps. In that capacity, a member would get a quality experience. Without being contrived or superficial, what would you tell him then are the differences from one to the other?
  11. You are correct. A show that is subscribed to by the "general" audience will be liked regardless of affiliation or location of venue. I don't necessarily dig the Cavaliers formula, but I truly recognize their banner years they were. . .entertaining. I was at finals this year, and there are many good things about Devil's offering. But there is no excuse, a portion of the crowd did not subscribe.
  12. I you look at the last few decades, corps go in and out of dominance- though necessarily a championship, but a period where they are the it. As some have said here, 2000-2006 was the age of the Green Machine. I feel like they handed off to Phantom Regiment around then. Most recently, Crown. Other teams have caught up with their design formula. Now that said, they still sell a theme (Samurai, Divide) with elite quality, and execute at the highest level.
  13. Crown has been on a steady ascent since 2003, brass program wise. Like others have said on this thread, they are locked in to that top echelon of recruits and will continue to. Props to new blood. As a skeptic, I got a steady dose of their hornline live: Ft. Walton, Murfreesboro, Atlanta, Champs. They were the real deal. No smoke and mirrors there.
  14. Rather than Devils changing the music they play, how about other teams do what they do better than them. BD was not my fav this year, but I couldn't deny that they did what they did better than CC and HNC. CC to march better, HNC needed to play better.
  15. Stand, Stand, STAND! I was at Finals too, and the crowd was alive from Troopers intro on, and let me tell you, it's much more fun as an audience member too.
  16. I'm here in Indi, and after comparing the top 5 live, I not entirely opposed to BD winning (objectively) but would humbly disagree that this breaks 99 on the sheets. Not for nothing, they marched a hole tonight that will hopefully be health(ier) tomorrow.
  17. I would agree if judging was consistent. Tonight's panel was the most agreeable for Crown. With Starnes on GE Music and Kyle Miller on GE Visual, they had their best chance to make a move. Starnes has consistently favored CC in this caption as well as Music Ensemble when he judges. Moreover, Miller tends to have HNC down in GE Visual. I mean this objectively. I agree that CC's brass is great. I may be wrong, but I think that tomorrow's panel tends to favor HNC slightly in the GE Visual caption at least. Again, no bias intended but I heard this phrase when I marched: "tell me the panel and I'll tell you the score." Ugh.
  18. A group that doesn't have the word "Devil" in it.
  19. Politically speaking- takes the right judges. Sadly.
  20. I voted Cadets. Pragmatically, their execution captions are in good shape. They are marching/spinning well. If percussion/brass number holds, they have a shot. GE depends on the panel. Especially GE music. Emotionally, I'd like to see them pull it off because, IMHO they are doing more on the field than any other and doing so in convincing, graceful fashion. I have agreed with most numbers so far because I didn't think they were clean enough to get the call. However I'm pulling for a Holy Name push and IF they can come out on fire tomorrow night, I'll be interested to see if they get the call. Man. . .what a good season for all. Amen? FHNSAB
  21. Sadly, I agree with this. I wish visuals could be timeless, but it more indicates time (age). I was playing '92 SCV for some high school marching band students and staff, and when the BOTTLE DANCE came up, all of us older folks gave the stalk freak out. The kids just looked at us as if to say "seriously?" Ugh. This next one is going to be blasphemous. . .same reaction from both groups (dated vs youth) to the Z Pull. Ahhh!!!!!!
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