spanksregular Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 (edited) NOTE: Since people here don't read, I'm going to summarize my post. Why is it when Crown/Bluecoats/Boston/etc play college marching band shows and get high praise but it isn't okay for the Cadets to use narration? What is the line of what's marching and what isn't? Original Post: I stand before you today, asking, nay, begging for someone to answer this question for me. What is the difference between drum corps and marching band. People post on this board a lot, they complain about how Hopkins is making the activity more "like marching band". What I don't get is, what about all the marching band-esque qualities that people here put up high on a pedestal. Is playing "Eye of the Tiger", the theme from Rocky, cute renditions of "Barber of Seville" and the opening fanfare from "Also Spracht Zarathusa" really the territory for semi-professional musical ensembles such as drum and bugle corps? People eat some of that stuff up and it is probably more marching band like than anything a narration or saxophone could do. I don't want this to be any sort of "bash fest" and I hope the moderators and other posters are kind to this thread, but when I see moments like the Bluecoats ballad, or Boston's opener, or Crown, I think "Ohio State Marching Buckeyes". So can someone please tell me why people simply slide past these differences? Edited July 4, 2008 by spanksregular Quote
Meaghatron Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 (edited) Um, woodwinds. Oh, and trombones and sousaphones. The schedule is a little different, too. I love drum corps. Edited July 4, 2008 by IPlayPercussion Quote
spanksregular Posted July 4, 2008 Author Posted July 4, 2008 (edited) Um, woodwinds? I'll accept that, but what about high school marching bands that don't have the budget to be able to afford woodwinds, are they now drum corps? There are musical differences too people. I don't think people would be very happy (I sure wouldn't) if Cadets came out and played "You're a Grand Ole Flag", I would certainly expect such repertoire to be performed by Herbert Hoover High School or something. Edited July 4, 2008 by spanksregular Quote
Meaghatron Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 I'll accept that, but what about high school marching bands that don't have the budget to be able to afford woodwinds, are they now drum corps? There is a high school band in Florida that does not field woodwinds. And yes, they do call themselves a drum corps. They field brass, percussion, and guard. Quote
silvertrombone Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 What was the name of the :troll food: that was banned last year? Are you for real? Or are you just the return of some previously banned nitwit? Seriously. Marching band celebrates football. Period. Drum Corps celebrates a much higher standard of marching and performance execution. Lots of other details but if you attend a rehearsal of each you'll get the general idea. And as good as Michigan or Ohio State are they will never touch the average semifinalist in achievement. Quote
dciguy01 Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 I wouldnt even say Michigan and Ohio St are the prime example of college marching bands. I look at at schools like UMASS and James Madison for that. Quote
spanksregular Posted July 4, 2008 Author Posted July 4, 2008 What was the name of the :troll food: that was banned last year? Are you for real? Or are you just the return of some previously banned nitwit? Seriously.Marching band celebrates football. Period. Drum Corps celebrates a much higher standard of marching and performance execution. Lots of other details but if you attend a rehearsal of each you'll get the general idea. And as good as Michigan or Ohio State are they will never touch the average semifinalist in achievement. I am honestly not trolling. I would be much more vulgar and careless with my language if I were trolling, but I am merely trying to just generate some legit discussion about this. Please don't call me a troll, I haven't called you names :( Note I didn't mention performance quality, but the actual physical rep both "categories" tend to play. I'm actually shocked by some of the rep being played by corps this year. I just don't understand how people are fine with the Bluecoats by bash the Cadets, I think this is a perfect continuation of what was being discussed in the "Narration hypocrites" thread. Again, please don't turn this into a bash fest or a string of "in b4 lock" posts, this thread won't be locked because I have done nothing wrong except question the system. Quote
skewerz Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 I'll accept that, but what about high school marching bands that don't have the budget to be able to afford woodwinds, are they now drum corps?There are musical differences too people. I don't think people would be very happy (I sure wouldn't) if Cadets came out and played "You're a Grand Ole Flag", I would certainly expect such repertoire to be performed by Herbert Hoover High School or something. High school bands are providing the instruments to the band members now? Woodwinds cost more than horns? Marching band is a school provided extra-curricular activity. Drum corps has little or nothing to do with school...except some of the members still attend school. If the Cadets came out and played "You're a Grand Ole Flag", you could bet your socks it would be one of the most awesome performances of that song you or anyone else in the world would or will ever hear in their lifetime. marching band is horns, and percussion, and color guard, and woodwinds, and narration, and bass guitars. drum corps WAS horns, and percussion, and color guard. marching band used to be nerdy...it's not so much anymore... drum corps used to be cool...but it's on the path of being nerdy... marching bands want to be like drum corps some drum corps want to be like marching bands the differences are endless... Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.