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The most important thing in teaching any technique is specificity. Where are you on count 1? the e? the and? the a? Initiation? Preps? How many inches is the shoe from the ground on the and? What portions of foot are used going backwards. How should they feel. What muscles are used on count 1....the e? and? a? Which musled stay relaxed? What is the upper body doing through all of this? etc.

Methods of Madness, Part Deux - MORE music (and different music...) from the great mind of Bernard Herrmann -

On gold bond, yes bring it. Some may never need it, but its better safe than sorry. I needed it, and sometimes i didnt, but if you get the extra strength ultimate premium kind, put some of that down there in that neighborhood right befor a show... and..... wait for it.... HYPE!!!!!

What "They" should have done is leave DCI the way it was and tossed all this TOC crap in the trash!

Good point! You're right! Therefore DCI should redo their TOC Poster reflecting your more accurate sentiment: "Ladies & Gentlemen...coming to your town this summer ...the PGC Tour, 8 Pretty Good Corps !!! No....there not specifically the best corps (you know, comparitive records, different years, blah blah blah)...but none the less they're pretty good! So... drive great distances with expensive gas and come see the PGC! "

Cavaliers technique: What technique? Pick em' up and put em' down. Judges will imagine that they see a technique and give us credit for it because the drill is clean. Cadets technique: cut out your knees and insert springs (although their technique is starting to become the crown technique) (the majority of the falls I see during the season come from the Cadets, but to their credit, their drill is pretty ridiculous most of the time) Blue Devils technique: straight legs, no bounce, and no dirt. they march the hardest drill in dci, and make it look the easiest because of the minimalistic approach of their technique SCV technique: unique. that's about it, it's bent leg, but not at all like Cavaliers. How they manage to define that technique is beyond me, but they make it work Phantom technique: same as crown, but with a really "low" or more squatted jazz run Crown and most of the other corps in World Class: straight leg, with slight bending between downbeats. Legs are kept "long" or "extended." Classic, looks great, and is easier to clean than most of the other techniques. This is an extreme oversimplification of the different techniques, but if you sit in the stands and watch all the corps, this is what you will see.

GOLD BOND. If your corps requires you to get a 1 gallon jug or bigger, get a two gallon jug. Bring flip flops for after rehearsal. snacks for the bus (power bars and gatorade) At least two pairs of shoes (it will rain, maybe even several days in a row. You will want a wet and a dry pair you can keep switching out) Way too many pairs of socks. Don't pack too much. You need lots of socks and underwear, but not much else. You probably won't need more than 5 pairs of shorts. Wear them for like 4 or 5 days in a row, trust me, no one will judge you. For shirts go out and buy a couple of the 20 packs of the plain white cotton shirts. Wear a shirt for a day or two, then throw it away.

Resealable plastic bags! Always put anything liquid like shampoo, etc in a ziplock bag. There is nothing quite like opening your bag and finding out that your clothes are covered with goop. Always shower! I heard a few people say that they liked getting the extra sleep, but, it is not worth receiving a "non-scheduled" cleaning like I saw happen in the day. There is nothing quite as "aromatic" as a fellow corps member who thinks they are the only one who doesn't stink. Count to ten. There will always be conflicts when there are 150 individuals in close proximity. Every individual will have different tolerances to stress and exhaustion. Grin and bear it! Cover your head. The pain and discomfort of a sun-seared scalp can really make your days and nights on tour a battle. Have fun!

You think it would take that much to generate that sort of response? That's occurs perhaps twice a month.

On a more philosophical and less practical level: your attitude is key, and your attitude is whatever you make it. The key is to always try and choose to be happy, choose to be positive. Even if you're having a terrible day, there's a lot of truth to the old "fake it til you make it" maxim. That said, it's hard to do that your rookie year because you haven't experienced a full summer, so you don't really know what it'll be like for you, but it's still good advice. Think about it: if you had your choice, would you rather be angry and frustrated or happy? To a large extent, it is your choice - mind over matter, power of positive thinking, whatever you want to call it. However, you've still got to work hard, and it might not always be best to have a grin on your face all the time. If you're ticking and a staff member keeps calling you out, and you just smile and say "okay!" but don't actually fix it... that's bad news.

If your thighs get raw from rubbing together, nothing works better then a sprinkle of gold bond and a splash of water.

Triskaidekaphobia - The Fear of the Number 13 Includes excerpts from their 13 previous championship shows.

well said!!! Like! Like! Like!

I just wanted to say that I felt compelled to buy a membership to WGI fan network to see the Onyx show, just from looking at this thread. I had never paid attention to WGI before, being mostly absorbed by DCI. But I have to say, the Onyx show is amazing! Never seen anything like it. Same with the show from 2010. Glad I checked it out.

I think that is what you are missing. At pretty much every point in that show, it IS being performed by every member - full out. It's just that there are MANY layers that took an incredible amount of time to coordinate into a cohesive program. If it were "random" then people would be getting hurt all over the floor. It's just like scatter drill in drum corps - very rarely is it a true random scatter. Each performer has been plotted to make it look like a scatter, but the plotting and coordination is what makes it effective. The cool thing about Onyx this year is the depth and layering and multiple events. I was exhausted after the first time I watched it. On subsequent viewings, I enjoyed it even more by focussing on small groups and events and watching how they evolved. There are shows within shows out there. Every time I have seen it, it has been like watching a variation on a theme. And if you look at the criteria for box five and six on the world class sheets, this show meets all of those requirements. I would imagine that the judging community is split, but they are doing a heck of a job evaluating this show based on the criteria on the sheets and not their personal opinions. Like it or not, nowhere on the sheets does it say you have to have unison ensemble flag blocks, or a minimum number of rifles in your rifle line. I like to be entertained by color guards. Sometimes I am entertained by tricks (South Shore), great performers (Aimachi from the early 2000s), or in this case, I am entertained because I have to work a little bit to take it all in. Am I sometimes confused? Yes. But that is OK. At the end of the day, I enjoyed it because it is pushing the boundaries and doing something unique.

"They will attempt to destroy anything that differs from their concepts. Not being able to create art, they will not understand art." -Onyx 2011 At Onyx, our intent is to create something new using tools from the past in combination with tools of the future and from other idioms. Certainly we anticipated and welcome discussion, controversy and strong opinions both for and against this direction. We do appreciate your participation. For sure, the negative comments usually make DCP more interesting and therefore are expected on this forum. It is sad though, in an activity struggling for support from the outside that we attack one another with such hateful comments. It is even more disheartening when the attackers are directors/parents/performers. Michael Lentz Onyx

Okay, so you hate snakes, but you understand their vital role to the ecosystem. You hate brussel sprouts, but you understand that they are good and healthy. Why is it impossible to hate Onyx's show and still understand that it is pushing the bounderies of winterguard? That what Onyx is doing, is good for WGI? I don't necessarily love their show, but I can put my own personal opinions aside and see the talent, the intricate design, and why they are getting the scores that they are. People can hate it, but they should at least try and be a little more subjective...though I know they won't :)

I am not surprised to read all the strong opinions on the Onyx show, but I am very surprised at the vitriolic commets coming from some of the posters on this board. Whether you like the show or not, I find it hard to imagine that this show motivated you to the emotion of hate. If you get that worked up over a colorguard show perhaps you should seek medical attention and get an anti-anxiety pill. I hear Paxil works wonders. The show is very different indeed, but I do not see people running around. I see highly skilled performers dancing. I also find it odd that for years we were begging designers for different and unique programs. Then when we get something truly different we bash it. I guess that is how things go in the artistic world, lest we forget the riot " the rite of spring" incited. I also think it is intriguing that people seem to react to the show as if it has personally offended them. I wonder if JMR would be so critical of the show if their child were marching with Onyx instead of Corona?...I am looking forward to seeing all shows in Dayton...and mildly hoping for a riot. Mamaw-

Naw, it just means that the 5 people and their friends decided that the production is meeting the criteria of the sheets at a higher level than other productions.

I've seen the show twice in person, and I didn't see anyone just "running around". They were dancing. Why do you think that these members aren't being utilized for their talents? They are just as important to the whole design of the show as those who are spinning equipment. Its called a dance line. Every world class guard has one. :) Movement is a part of the whole score, just like equipment. Onyx is very talented this year movement wise, why not capitolize on it? They seem to be just as good at spinning as well. And the equipment book looks impossibly difficult and yet they do it perfectly! Im not saying I like the show, but I know a top notch guard when I see one, and Onyx is top notch.

Sure they arent really using music like we are used to. And there are a lot of people on the floor and it kinda looks like a frantic mess, but im pretty sure thats the idea. Every show I have been to it seem like no one is clapping or screaming during the middle of it and then as soon as the show is over it takes like 5 seconds for people to comprehend what they just watched and then the people in the stands go crazy! Last show i was at someone from another group sitting below me looked over to the person to her right and said "what the heck was that?" and the other person said "Im not sure but it was awesome!" It is very different, but its not a bad different to me.

i believe one of the responsibilities of world class is to push the activity and move it forward by introducing new ideas and concepts and i don't believe anyone can deny that Onyx is doing just that. Although not everyone's cup of tea, no one can deny the talent they have. I personally have no idea what the show is but you know... maybe it's nothing? Is that a bad thing? Maybe it's simply a mesmerizing show that can be whatever it is that you want. There are many shows that (in my opinion) are boring as all heck... BUT i would never deny them the talent that they have - i'm jealous as ..... that guard is so much more advanced than when i marched many years ago. Best of luck at WGI Onyx! (it wasn't all that long ago that 'guard is becoming too dance oriented' - true statement) moving the activity forward

I know a lot of people might not understand the top three shows ... it's just performing art ... I don't get SAC, SCV or ONYX's show .. but they are all very intriguing ... are they entertaining? did they present excellence in equipment? did they move you? was it memorable? I think this year, SCV, SAC & Onyx answer 'yes' to those questions. They are very distinct and stand out from the rest of the crowd. Are they fan-favorites? Not sure... but they will leave a lasting impression. Onyx has some talented members who might read this post and feel disappointed and hurt to read that someone "hates" their show.

My opinion is going to be Bluecoats they are progressing great and there my favorite corps.

Average Placements starting in 2000: 1) The Cavaliers 1.9 2) Blue Devils 2.0 3) Cadets 3.09 4) Phantom 4.72 5) SCV 5.18 6) Bluecoats 6.54 7) Carolina Crown 7.72 8) Boston 8.0 9) Blue Knights 10.14 10) Blue Stars 10.4 so yes, if it chosen based on average placement. it still holds true. Boston should have been included. so selections pretty accurate

If this was the spring of 2006, many posts would've demanded Mr. Boo's immediate resignation. Let's put it that way.

The direct sale value of media heads to zero very quickly over time. The real value of media is in advertising revenue. Television and radio figured this out a long time ago. Sponsors pay for television via advertising. If they asked people to pay for it directly few people would watch it and it would not have the relevancy that it currently enjoys. Movies still have direct sales but more and more revenue is being generated by advertising. Classical music has figured this out recently. Just about any classical work you can imagine is available on Youtube. You can stream live and recorded orchestra concerts for free from the world's top orchestras. Their main concern is concert attendance and donor support, and that is achieved only if the population as a whole cares about classical music. Jazz music has not done this and is suffering dearly for it. Drum corps needs to be relevant if it is to survive. In arts and entertainment that means the general population at least knows it exists. Corps and DCI, by protecting their puny direct sales media revenue, are missing an incredible opportunity to gain relevance through the internet. Not only should they offer their content for free, they should gear their show designs towards creating content that looks and sounds good on the internet. Drum corps right now cannot get major corporate sponsors beyond companies that deal directly in the marching arts. That is the basic economic nut that needs to be cracked if the activity is to ever find sustainability.

Don't ask questions. Just go where you're told, when you're told to, and always keep your ears and eyes open to what's going on. The biggest lesson I've ever learned is "Don't be that guy". You know, the one who always misses directions, and screws up everyone else because he stepped off wrong or stopped a set early and caused a pile-up. Besides that, just relax, and try and enjoy yourself. If you get free time, try and talk to the older members. not only will you become great friends with everyone, but you can also learn so much from them, and most of them have tips on how to survive, cause they've gone through it all before. Also, on the bus, learn how to ration your space. Everyone on the bus hates the kid who's stuff spills out into everyone else's space. Take up your zone, and only your zone. Your life will be much happier and easier that way. (About Gold Bond, not everyone needs it. I never did, but that's just me. Don't stock up unless you know you'll need it. Good way to test is to go for a run around a track for awhile. If you feel a need for it after that, you're going to need it on tour.) Just my $.02

Yep.... and while we're at it, let's make it harder/more expensive for corps to get the copyrights if mass (internet) media starts getting involved. Just how many corps doing all original or public domain music do you want?

http://halftimemag.com/articles/03-2010/03-2010-gear-up/high-performance-flag-pole.html here you go...

(This is not an actual announcement. It is not even a rumor.) Feel free to come up with your own and have fun... Since the current trend is to play brief snippets of tunes, I have selected fifteen tunes to comprise BD's 2011 show: SHOW TITLE: “Fifteen - The Phenomenon of Wet” OPENER: “Mean Streets” (opening statement from 1996) “Ya Gotta Try” (1989) “T.O.” (1982 & 1983) SOLO SCREAM FEST: “Somebody’s There” from “Red Light, Blue Light” (1992) “Everybody Loves The Blues” (1983) “Strawberry Soup” (1993) DRUM SOLO based on “Day Danse” (1994 & 1995) complete with mobile tom and cymbal racks, spinning bass drums, and monkey drumming . CONCERT: “Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor” (1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1983…segueing into…) “One More Time Chuck Corea” (1983) BALLAD “Chase The Clouds Away” (1975, 1976) “Dindi” (1980, 1981) “If We Were In Love” ending (1989, for redemption) CLOSER: “La Fiesta” (intro) (1984) “Spanish Fantasy, Part IV” (final statements from 1986) TAG ENDING: “Since I Fell For You” (1988)

Congratulations to Corona: Winterguard Association of Southern California IW Champions! Thanks for an amazing 7 seasons Corona!! 1 Corona 94.15 2 Fantasia 93.75 3 Diamante 84.55 4 Lealta 81.75

Congrats Corona!.....beautiful Corona! <3

I openly admit that today is LOT better than 1984, no doubt about it. And in 1984, I was very aware that it was lot better than 1974. I attribute it to better talent (staff, memberships, creative teams); whilst audiodb attribute it to more rehearsal time! All good.

Hells yes. And the way things are headed, it looks like we're going to be in for another beastly summer. (It's only April and we're already desperate for rain.)

You get sound wash like in most domes, although it's never been as big of an issue for me in the Alamodome as other domes. This could be due to where I choose to sit, not sure. One thing I know for sure, though: given the choice between a dome and sitting in Texas heat all day outside, I'm taking the dome every time.

This is depressing. :( It tore at my heart. That people think that the shapes and movements the performers of guards make doesnt classify them as artists. :( so the artist that sculpts the sculpture of the ballerina is an artist but the dancer that picked the pose, GOT IN THAT POSE, and put on the uniform to model for the piece of art is of course not an artist? :( This is weird to me.

Mr. Hill corrected his article. Sonnor's flagwork is very lyrical; sending hugs from Alberta! Now where was I? Yes. Onyx has poetry. What poem and who narrates? I'm curious :-)

Like I said not everything has to be positive. If you would like to get sarcastic, then put on your "big boy pants" when you see a show you dont like, Critique the show and get out, dont sit on your computer whining repeatedly about it.

Phantom is not immune to this. Is it likely? Probably not, but I'm pretty sure the boys marching Scouts the first year in decades they didn't make Finals weren't considering it a possibility at the beginning of the season. People need to remember that every corps success relies on two things, how good they are, and how good everyone else is. I think Phantom will be OK this year, but without the Rennick drumline pushing score up the rest of the corps will have to tow the line a bit more to stay TOC competitive for 2012. Phantom is the most likely corps IMO to drop out of top 8.

A required rock out section with a minimum decibel level??? ...no? ...okay...

Does anyone here have a video of Academy's low brass/trombone ensemble at this year's I&E? Did anyone here see them? Probably the funniest thing I've seen in years. BRILLIANT ideas, and well-performed. Low-Rider meets the movie Titanic! Help, anyone?

One word: Depends Sorry, couldn't resist ;)

If you do recall, it is WGI: Sport of the Arts. With that being said, how is it pretentious for a group to identify themselves as an artist? Is dancing no longer an art form? Just because it isn't a framed, paint covered canvas does not mean that what these performers produce is not art. As stated in the WGI Mission statement, “WGI Sport of the Arts exists to foster positive experiences for all who participate, by promoting education, creativity, and freedom of expression through the unification of the marching arts industry, music education, and the performing arts”. I believe the term “art” was used at least three times… Also, it states that WGI encourages freedom of expression, so why is everyone involved in this activity so opposed to something out of the ordinary. Just because it is unexpected and unique does not necessarily mean that it is bad. People are very quick to judge and attack things they don’t immediately understand, which in a world so full of fakeness, I personally think it is a breath of fresh air to experience something new and different. Our activity has been toeing the same line year after year giving the audience and judges exactly what they expect with big blocks and flag features. I appreciate that type of show as well as Onyx’s approach to be different. Some people have commented on Onyx’s lack of standard movement. Though it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I feel that it works for them. The style of their shows allows them to expand the horizons outside classical dance technique into a different realm of movement. For those that disagree that this is an acceptable addition to the color guard world, once again, see WGI’s site explaining winter guard: “Modern color guard is a combination of the use of flags, sabers, mock rifles, and other equipment, as well as dance and other interpretive movement”. As for the claims that Onyx is leading the activity in the wrong direction; who says you have to follow? If you don’t like it, change it. WGI has never claimed that you must follow the leaders of the class, in fact; they even go so far as to state that “WGI's artistic direction is fully controlled by the units”. It is up to each and every group to impact the activity. Onyx has dared to be different. Many other groups have blazed their own trail and it has worked for them. Many have tried and have been less successful. But for the people that complain that they see the same work year after year, or hear groups use the same songs; don’t be upset when someone tries something unordinary. As for Onyx’s behavior at retreat, I wholeheartedly believe that they were grateful for their medals. If you noticed, they stood professionally through the whole retreat, start to finish. Though some people think that they were behaving rudely by not clapping, I’d much rather see that than what I’ve witnessed by some other groups in the past such as going to retreat intoxicated or removing their medals because they didn't win. I witnessed many gracious, joy-filled faces from all the medal winners this year as soon as retreat ended. http://wgi.org/contents/What-is-WGI.html

I'm not sure what Mr. Lentz said to you that was so insulting, but I'm starting to believe it was justified. I'd take a big ole stab at it being part of their character -- part of their performance. Next you'll have us believe members of Corona are actually made of paper. I too did see them celebrating after they left the red carpet, and the few run-ins I had with onyx members were nothing but pleasant. Perhaps they read your numerous posts trashing the guard and their director and decided not to give you the time of day. Hell, from everything I read I wouldn't give you the time of day and I'm not even affiliated with the group. You may have an opinion and a choice, but with posts like that, you sound like an idiot.

I really think that the Bluecoats are the closest, but if there is anyone I would want to see win it it would be Pioneer.

If we are talking about a corps that has never won before my preferences would be: 1. Bluecoats - They are truly deserving and really have a shot if they build on last year. 2. Boston 3. Crossmen

Hmmm... I missed WGI this year, but after reading this thread I am curious to see Onyx on DVD. I actually think it sounds like something I might like. I'm very happy they didn't just try to repeat their show from last year. As for their talent level, I am sure they have a lot of people attend their auditions, so the talent level is there. If someone can't spin, they were chosen specifically for their dance skills. Time will tell how this show stacks up in 5 - 10 years; time will be the judge.

The immediacy of the performance. The energy that they bring, the intricacy and the coordination; without a discernible (at least to me) beat, the coordination is amazing. I love how they draw Me in with a movement, and then it flutters throughout the whole ensemble. I love how they move, which is strange. I never had a love for dance. It all looked like much of the same, but this was different, and I loved it.