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Hi - Grandpa here. If you are marching next summer, please for a moment forget that I'm a grumpy old bugger who isn't into electronics, misses marching timp lines and marched snare with a sling and a leg-rest. I know I'm an out of touch dinosaur, but please just listen to me in this one thing - watch this video, and take care of yourself out there on the practice field this summer. With love Grandpa

1980 Spirit of Atlanta. "Let it be Me." If you weren't there in person to see SOA do LIBM in ANY year, then shut up. You just don't know.......

Bye

Don't worry. I didn't associate any of your comments with the class I ascribe to the Cavaliers. Have no fear: their amazing reputation did not rub off on you.

Amen Grandpa.... and members, yeah some of us wish things were different in Drum Corps today. But what stays the same is caring about each other, be it members of our own corps or our biggest <insert swear words> rival. Enjoy, take care, and think of the future when you watch the vid....

I've always found the music in the lobbies to be rather generic...and nothing as catchy as the Motel 6 theme.

Please tell me that you're not serious.

If your goal is to land a spot in the Blue Devils hornline in the future ~ then do what ya gotta do to achieve that goal. If it means gaining another year of experience at Academy then so be it. Just give 100% while you're there. The thought of not giving 100% at Academy is really a non-starter anyway. Logic dictates that 100% will be required for you to level up your chops to make BD's hornline so not giving 100% is counter productive. As for "using" Academy as a stepping stone to get to Blue Devils? Ask any of the purists here if they still work at their first job in the same position that they started in for the same pay. It's no different. There is absolutely no shame in setting a goal for yourself, making a plan, then executing that plan. The very best of luck to you in whatever you decide.

And I mean like candid shot of us kids at practice or rehearsals. And you have to know it's the late sixties very early seventies! The guy with the hair? He's Nunzio Virgilio - Bari, Euphonium, Contra.

I thought it was about trying to rally together a petition to make Tang the official drink of the United States...

The thread is about liking waffles. How could you miss that?

My earlier answers were based upon those venues that still exist. However that is not the only path this thread has followed. If you're talking "best stadium" as far as atmosphere or ambience, Roosevelt Stadium, site of The Dream, The Preview of Champions, The 1966 VFW Nationals and The 1963 World Open, and the 1972 DCA Championship wins, hands down, no comparison. But, as others have said, the field was usually pretty awful. Often, the field was more dirt than grass, dusty from baking in the hot summer sun (though a few years saw it as a 'mud bowl!'), and the grandstand had generally less-than-desirable customer 'creature comforts' (some would call it a dump!). Still, the number one fond memory of stadiums in which I marched and competed. The atmosphere was electric, whether we came in first or last. If you were never there as either spectator or competitor, you have no idea how special those Dream Contest afternoons were!

Am I the only one who doesn't know what is going on in this thread? First I thought the OP was on his death bed or something, but now I am not so sure...

Very cool! We had 280 in KAC, 144 on brass, full show; ours was open membership as well. Good times, but I wish we had performed at Finals, not Semis.

March. Perform. Do your best. Enjoy every possible moment with whatever corps you can march with. You will regret it if you take a year off. The fact that you have the skills to make any DCI world class corps is something to be proud of. There are so many musicians that have the talent and never make the leap. Give it your all and wear sunscreen!

See Vanguard 1987.

You're good enough...you're smart enough...and dog gone it....people like you!

Yes sir, I know this routine. I also have a 30 year old son and went through those trying times. Thank goodness my "Meh" factor is higher than 15 years ago! I was actually a tame kid, marching band, girls, and flying is all I had time to do. Only two of those three was I any good at (except that time in the attic with Marci...but I digress ) I repeat to my kids what my Dad always said to me when I threatened to be like him: "You could do worse!", he'd say. Followed up with "The older you get, the smarter I'll get." I can only hope, and keep my two-by-four "convincing stick" handy...

I keep trying to tell you people that. Ain't nothin' "typical" about this sick puppy.

Boy is that the eye opening truth. Very serious stuff and nothing to screw around with.

Mike, you're brilliant. Maybe the money my kid's making from promoting this movie could go towards putting up a corps for a few nights, mid-season. He's tried to get me to watch the movie; should I bother? But I'll be sure to watch closely when his royalty checks start coming in.

LOL Mike you read my mind. When I first say the post title I thought wohoooo....no more gym floors.

<There are FAR better ways of networking outside of drum corps. I know that's a popular train of thought in the Music Ed world (and it's not invalid, per say), but to be honest marching drum corps only maybe helps you get a job as a tech or a coach somewhere while in college. What's FAR more important is what/how you do in college and student teaching, as well as practical teaching experience you gain along the way. > While this is true on its face, the author is ignoring - or is not aware of - the enormous intangibles one learns in drum corps...top among them are responsibility, persistence, tenacity, and the ability to keep trying despite falling short of the goal. Drum corps people learn something the average above average (think about it...) college student simply does not learn - and mostly likely CANNOT learn in college. What drum corps truly teaches has nothing to do with music of movement...those are simply the method by which drum corps transforms the young members. To the OP: you've gotten some good advice here, from many folks. The reason to march are given in these answers. The reasons NOT to march...well, only you can know those. But a teenager's wont is to lay about, get little done, eat too much, and make pretty poor use of time. All the old farts here know this, for we speak from experience.

Amen Brother! Easily one of the best closers ever.

No one knows your situation better than you do. You've marched a season, so you know what you'd be missing out on. If you feel you need or want to skip a season, then go ahead and do so. It won't be the end of the world. It's becoming more and more common for members to take breaks, skip seasons, or even to quit marching period after one or two seasons. Usually for financial reasons, but not always. Just make sure you use the time you don't spend marching wisely, and there will be no regrets.

You had me totally on your side until that last bit. If the real reason you would choose to march again at the corps where you marched last year is because you're worried that you'll be too out of practice to make Blue Devils in 2013 or 2014, then stay at home. You would be doing your former corps a great disservice if you march there just to -- as you yourself said it, stay in practice so you'll have a better chance of making Blue Devils. Because believe it or not, that's not what your current corps is there for. Now if you want to march next year because you enjoyed the past experiences at your current corps, have a love for that corps and want to help make them and yourself better, then by all means, march. Just don't do it for the wrong reason. Of course, if you truly enjoyed your experience at that corps, why go anywhere else. The grass really isn't always greener on the other side.

The top 12 to look like this 1. Santa Clara Vanguard 2. Madison Scouts 3. Troopers 4. Phantom Regiment 4. Cavaliers 5. Blue Devils 6. Cadets (of Wherever) 7. Boston Crusaders 8. Crossmen 9. Crown 10. Bluecoats 11. Blue Knights 12. Blue Stars a bit blue at the end aye? LOL

Look.. if the kid is on scholarship at a university with a good music program... that's a good indication that the kid can probably play. Maybe the kid is looking to be challenged... and may soon outgrow the current organization. It is then on the organization to do a sales job to keep talented kids. To simply tell kids with talent, goals and a realistic picture of their abilities they should sit it out if they aren't going to make a long term commitment to an organization.. I'm sorry... that isn't right. Drum corps isn't some street gang or the Skull & Bones... it is just a summer marching band. Once again, it is fully on the corps to sell themselves as the ultimate experience and encourage kids to stay because they will continue to get something out of it... not because someone else might be more loyal.

Look. The reality of it is that kids move from corps to corps these days. Kids leave one top corps to go to another tops corps... looking for different experiences... ones that are aligned with their needs and goals at THAT particular moment. What could be exactly the right thing for that kid this year, might not be the right thing next year. This is the practical reality of youth. To try to guilt a kid into not participating in the activity because you question their motivations and loyalty to a specific program is an antiquated view that does not take into consideration the practical realities of the current state of the activity. As for the kid staying or leaving... it is up to the corps to do the sales job on the kids.. through the quality of experience, not through guilt tripping.

Shouldn't it be the other way around? Isn't is the responsibility of the corps to create the type of experience kids see as an ultimate, rather than transitional experience? I don't understand the whole idea of kids being disingenuous or not committed if they are looking at the experience as transitional. If a kid goes to a community college, works like mad to gain the knowledge and experience necessary in order to transfer to his ultimate choice of university, is he consider as being disingenuous or uncommitted to the community college? Again, it is 100% on the corps to create an experience that kids wouldn't think of leaving, not the other way around.

2005 was a great show for brass - bright music, deep and full arrangements... definitely a lot of fun to listen to. (I got the brass-only recording of that show, and as a drummer it's hard to admit but that is one full show that could have got by without a battery!) Mike

Has there ever been a case in the past 30 years where someone hasn't wanted to audition for the Blue Devils?

March. You have a very finite amount of time to do this. Sand in an hour glass, my friend. You'll always regret it if you don't march.

Am I the only one here that is left wanting more out of percussion writing nowadays? It all seems so stale to me. Technically it's executed quite well for what they do and it's fun to listen sometimes, but I don't feel like there's much depth to the music. Nowadays I am very rarely caught off guard or emotionally invested in what a percussion line is playing, especially compared to the writing of say... early 90's Crossmen or 1993 Star. In other words, I feel like the shift towards execution has arrangers focused on doing things in very similar ways in comparison to each other as well as themselves... leaving the taste in my mouth from percussion writing kinda stale. This whole "battery dances whilest featured even though it doesn't really connect to the music or show at all" trend isn't helping either. Anyone else feel this way?

Every day I see people half my age who are so obese and out of shape that they can barely walk. The issue is not age (and never really has been), it is physical condition. I started marching in senior corps at the age of 16. To me, at that time, guys who were 30 seemed ancient (who else remembers the "don't trust anyone over 30" mantra of the 60's)? As the years went on on and my involvement in the activity continued, my perspective began to change. I marched in a top 10 DCA Finalist corps in 2000 (New York Skyliners) at the age of 50 and had zero issues keeping up with the program. Several other horn players that year were as old or older (Lou Marshello, playing soprano, was about 63 that summer). We certainly weren't "intimidated" by the experience as one other poster put it. My bottom line - judge me on how I march and play, not when I was born.

Let's also remember that CYO also ran a marching band circuit, and drill teams, putting even more competition out there. The CYO Nationals! The CYO Music Festival after Labor Day at White Stadium or Dilby. Packed houses. Think of the vast numbers of kids involved back then. All seven of us kids in my family marched in drum corps or CYO bands. Heck, my father drove a bus and an equipment truck for years. TWO weekly newspaper columns that exhaustively covered the local "marching music" scene - Herb Cole and Bill Duncliff. Compare those numbers of kids deeply involved in music and marching, of the broad array of weekly spectator opportunities to the current situation. ... sad.

In 2009 and 2011 I sat in the same section at finals, a dozen or so rows up right near the 50. From what I can tell, the acoustics overall were MUCH improved this year from the first year. Am I just being optimistic, or did DCI take measures to make this happen?

If you don't spend the big bucks and get within the 40's you are screwed IMO. I know weather is a huge factor but I hope one day they go back to outdoor stadiums for Finals (unlikely, I know).

I don't think you're mistaken. It did seem like there was more curtain coverage this year. Also, I suspect the corps are figuring out how to play in an enclosed environment, and that is noted in the scoring of the winds and percussion. So, your observation is a keen one and your ears are not playing tricks on you, IMHO.

Blue Rock!

"Do not go Gentle into that Good Night, Old Age should burn and rave at close of Day, Rage! Rage! against the dieing of the Light!" I have been guilty of overstepping the boundaries of Taste & Tact, for which I apologize. But I have never transgressed my own sense of Honesty. If that has offended you, So Be It. But "this above all" I have always been True to myself. I believe that Drum Corps, which existed long before me & will continue long after, is possibly the single most significant experience a person can have; although Marriage & Parenthood are tied for Silver. May God bless you all, Brothers, Sisters, Rivals, and above all, Friends. "March on to Victory", because "Dreams that you dare to Dream really do come true."

Predictable review.

Apparently, not that thick.

INT is performing twice !!!!!!!

I'm not sure this is fair. Shapiro was the man behind the "Houdini" show, which I thought was VERY well received by the general drum corps fan population. He does have a habit of writing a pretty tough guard show, but I like that because I like whatever challenges the members. When the brass aren't able to perform a certain section perfectly, the brass staff changes it to make it easier. With Shapiro, he doesn't water it down - he makes it even harder, if anything. And that is something I can respect. As far as complaints against Shapiro, I think maybe part of the problem is that he may need some guard techs who are a little more assertive and can run rehearsal more efficiently. As far as the props, I haven't heard anyone complain of the Blue Devils' props. They had 12 2x4x8 planks of wood, 12 wooden asterix looking things, 5 large white cubes, and a giant black and white jump rope, not to mention colorguard that looked like Good 'n Plenty. And no one has been calling them bando-ish? The Blue Devils had giant mirrors on their field last year, which cut the field size drastically - much more so than the Blue Stars' scaffolding - yet the Blue Devils were never penalized for not using the full field. In fact, they WON! So before you go and comment on the Blue Stars, don't forget that there are corps that take this even further, and have success with it. The problem with the Blue Stars' show is 1) the music wasn't diverse enough, and the ballad was lacking emotional content, and 2) the drill was lacking in originality. That is why their GE scores were low. The show was fast, exciting and difficult, but it was flat and one-dimensional. Let's put this in perspective. The Blue Stars have really not been in the mix of things for a long, long time until just a couple years ago, and had an off year, and STILL MADE FINALS. This has to say a lot about how special this group is.

ALOT of young folk at the shows here in the Midwest. I used to live in Massachusetts, and now that I think of it there was always an older crowd at the Bean Pot, East Coast Classic and the show in Bristol, RI

I think saying "corps x deserves to be in the TOC because they have a larger fan base and can bring in more money" doesn't make any sense, because of this: Out of the 5 TOC shows this season, and I believe they were at Giants Stadium, Ft. Mill, Murfreesboro, Rockford, IL and Cypress, TX, 2 of those places were so small that there were people literally sitting in the end zone, 2 of them was decently large enough, but they still sold out all the seats, and the one that WAS large enough was at Giants Stadium, which I think was a really good venue, and they sold their seats plus they had a couple left over. They've been pretty much completely selling out, and then some, so no more fan base is really needed. And I think they need to find some larger venues if they are thinking of doing this. The venues at Ft. Mill and Rockford were just ridiculously small for a competition of that caliber. It was almost a joke. Parking was a nightmare for both the fans and the corps.

There is alot of talent out there who would probably love to be their arranger. I am certainly positive that they will continue to thrive.

No college prep takes an entire summer. Not before freshman year as an undergrad. Truth.

I think if anyone has the clout to do something like this, it's the Cavaliers. Why does this thread exist? Are you actually trying to get people to criticize this show because they had people playing upside down for brief moments? Is there no end to the complaining? Just enjoy the darned show, for crying out loud. There doesn't have to be drama made about every darned thing.