It's time to play, "What's it all about?"

[Plan9]

OK, we've heard (and will continue to hear until Indy) volumes about performance, marching difficulty, brass & percussion quality and all the nuances of the "caption" numbers (as judged by us and those that are paid to do it!). Many of our "Reviews" speak at length about show moments and degrees of success or failure. But what are the corps (and designers) trying to say with their shows? Is it just a catchy title with a good music book and lots of formations (of varying difficulty); or is there method to their maneuvers?

There are obvious examples of easy to follow themes/storylines (PR 08, BCoats 07/08, Crown 07, etc). IMO, this year, there are fewer of these...but maybe you can help me out. See if you can verbalize (afterall, that's all we do here on DCP) what your favorite corps is "saying" with their show and give examples of how they are successful at making it easy to see, tying it together and putting a bow on it at the end.

If you have difficulty explaining a show, that might be a symptom of the corps weakness to connect. NOTE: I recognize that all shows (even some legendary ones) don't always have content and flow in terms of theme, etc. They might be just straight ahead drum corps power music and drill that touch us fans and yank us out of our seats, with no real beginning and end (except for a paint peeling brass and percussion assault)!

Also, different observers may have different opinions of the shows so having more than one analysis per corps is fine.

I'll start out with BD from the perspective of a non-vet who is a relatively new fan of the activity:

BD begins their show with a cadence but quickly dissolves into an atmosphere of a Jazz Club in the 30's (you might imagine hearing the Duke, Count Basie, Dorsey, or even the echo of a young Billie Holiday), muted then wailing trumpet and mello euph, almost suggesting "come on in and take a seat!" The guard might be the wait staff, buzzing around, dancing on the chairs and then... in come the battery.

From the background the brass come spinning in, then into the club and take a seat. Big introduction of the "Happy Days...." theme, as if they didn't have a care in the world....relaxing and enjoying the Jazz.

Then a change, introduced by a $ sign and the very dark meanderings of Piano Variations, taking us into the apprehension and confusion of the "sudden" depression (most of us now know what that might feel like!). The $ sign dissolves and the entire corps forms a moving "bread line" (just ask your parents) as the chairs now become backdrop like houses in the burbs (or wooden crates that served as houses for some). Then sheer pandemonium and a powerful musical statement that we will recover.

The last movement is a player piano kind of "keystone cop" announcement that it's over and we see the light at the end of the tunnel...flappers, jazz and fun! Then a resolve back into a brief darkness like it's trying to hold on, but a then the corps powers through it and comes out on the other side.

Then a drum feature with lots of field movement... followed by the faint introduction, then an all out big-band "the sun's out" assault. The club's open for business again and club band's in charge (I've got Rhythm blowin' the roof off)! Followed by a sort of homage' to that tumultuous year of change and resolve to survive...then into the power ending of big brass as if to say "We're back, and we're back to stay on top!"

Now, give it a shot with your favorite!

Edited July 3, 2009 by Plan9