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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/18/2015 in all areas

  1. Something very special is brewing here in Fort Mill in 2015. I am speechless with what I saw and heard today. :)
    3 points
  2. 2 points
  3. Now available! Check out our post on the DCP Marketplace!
    1 point
  4. The Skyliners are off to a very good start in 2015. Overall, we are very pleased with the corps' progress so far. The horn line has about 4 1/2 minutes learned and are working on a parade tune. Percussion has the opener learned. Just as a reminder - Our show "Whatever Lola Wants" consists of "It Had Better Be Tonight", "Whatever Lola Wants", "Ain't No Sunshine" and the "Tonight Quintet". Our parade tunes are "Fantasy" by Earth, Wind and Fire, "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" by Frankie Valli and "Give My Regards to Broadway". The corps is also learning the traditional "Signature". In our February rehearsals, brass will start on the next section of the show with continued work on our parade tunes. Percussion will finish the second number and begin the next section later in the month. Along with the music, the visual staff is hard at work molding our appearance. Basics blocks take up a good portion of each rehearsal. We have lots of people from different programs. It is important that they learn one marching program - THE SKYLINERS marching program. The corps will be marching in the Scranton St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 14th. As far as our current numbers: Brass line is near 40 in number which is larger than last year. Our attendance has been consistent. We are looking to fill all sections. We will not make any decisions on numbers for drill until March. Battery Percussion - Battery is currently at 4 snares, 3 tenors, 4 bass, 2 cymbals. Pit Percussion is growing as we are still looking for players here. Color Guard is currently at 16. Our next rehearsals are at Wyoming Valley West HS, 150 Wadham St., Plymouth, PA: January 31st, 10-6 - Full Corps. February 1st, 9-3 - Full Corps. Thanks! If anyone has any questions or would like to reach me, my email address is director@marchsky.org. Larry Carbonell
    1 point
  5. Park City Pride announces their administrative staff for 2015. The Corps Director will be Mike Marella. Sissy McCarthy and Bob Bradley will serve as Co-Directors. Rich Warga returns as Business Manager. To quote Mike Marella as he addressed the membership at their 2015 kickoff event “There is a very exciting year ahead for us and we can't wait to get to work. Together we will make 2015 our best year yet.” Park City Pride ... Entertaining for the Fun of It! Visit us at TheParkCityPride.org and on Facebook
    1 point
  6. Saw the movie at the Austin, TX Idie Film Festival. Very well done. It was selected as the best movie shown at this festival. I would LOVE to see it on a large screen.
    1 point
  7. Daniel Verhussen. Madison 1980 Game. Set. Match.
    1 point
  8. ...........well, typically it's the sopranos doing that, but who knows now!! To paraphrase Kenny Norman in order to achieve the bagpipe sound from the horns---"bad players play loud, good players play bad" = bagpipes.
    1 point
  9. Crown's third camp this weekend. Website officially announces that the percussion feature will be taught this weekend. This should be telling for the '15 season with new percussion staff. http://www.carolinacrown.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=538&catid=88&Itemid=553
    1 point
  10. I say keep it because of Tarpon Springs amazing band program....but maybe that's just me.
    1 point
  11. Here's the Bill Maher clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hizEB8dkJX8 But he's dissing MB by agreeing with Rome's original tweet, so it hardly helps. He also says, "And while we're on the subject, everyone in the marching band who's not playing the trumpet or the drums can stay home because no one can hear you." I believe I've heard the same sentiment on these forums. Someone should tell him about DCI. Then again, maybe not...
    1 point
  12. 1) OSU started Monday. It was very well-publicized by University admin that students could not miss class, or risk being 'dropped' due to attendance. There is typically a lengthy wait-list to get into classes due to the size of student body at tOSU, and if you're not at class the first day of school you will likely get dropped for someone on wait list in attendance. 2) student athletes and band members did not miss school "for TV ratings:" they missed class (maybe: if the students have Tuesday/Thursday classes maybe they didn't miss any class) representing their school on a HUGE stage. The band students missed class to support other students of the University. I'm sure athletes and band members were excused 3) as stated elsewhere, Oregon started classes the week before the National Champ. game. I don't know their policy, but I suspect it was something similar. Most of the articles I read regarding class-in-session had more to do with NCAA regulations stating if a semester is in session an athletic team can only practice/compete for 20 full hours: this includes weight training, tape with coaches, and events (football games = 3 hours regardless). If school is not in session there are no time limitations for team practices. This means in theory tOSU football team could have had more practice/prep hours than Oregon since the week before the Nat. Champ game tOSU was still on winter break while Oregon was in session. From what I read tOSU did not have a strenuous week of extra practice (i.e. did not take advantage of extra time that I could tell), but that was the angle I read in ESPN and other news outlets.
    1 point
  13. I think this is the thing to keep in mind when discussing college marching band. It's not high school BOA, TOC, US Bands, etc. It's not drum corps competition. For the most part, the college marching band is put together specifically to enhance the Game Day experience. Period. Some college bands utilize a drum corps style (kind of drum corps lite), some are show bands, some are swing bands, some military, and some perform a more dance-based show. I love the variety of college marching band. Even the Blue Devils re-posted one of Ohio State's shows from this past season because of it's creativity and entertainment value. They didn't re-post the show (on Facebook) because it could beat other corps or college bands. That wasn't the point. Many of the big college bands (power 5 conference bands and some others) operate somewhat as follows: - 1 week band camp - 2 hours per day of rehearsals, 5 days a week - dress rehearsal on game day and pre-game and half-time performances - most of these groups perform 6 to 8 different shows each fall (NOT ONE SHOW for 15 weeks). Someone mentioned how the Oregon Crusaders would eat the lunch of the Oregon College Marching Band. Sure, if we're talking about OC in the late summer when they are clean and the legs and syncing, the music is clicking, and the GE is locking in. Last time I checked, OC performs ONE show for all of spring and summer. They rehearse 8 to 12 hours per day. They have a corps camp of 30+ days, on the same 12 minutes of music and drill. Oh, and the kids are NOT in school at the time, especially at the college level where they are taking advanced classes. Ohio State MB worked up, I believe, 9 shows this year. NINE!!!! Not one in which they rehearsed 8+ hours per day in summer weather while not being in school, beating the crap out of 12+ minutes of music and drill for the entire spring and summer. These are important differences to understand. Knowing what I do about the OSU MB, I can tell you that if we took the best 110 members of that band, added 40 guard, and took them to spring training for 30+ days, then on the road for DCI competition for the summer, rehearsing 8+ hours per day on ONE show only, well...that would be one talented World Class drum corps. No, they probably would not beat the likes of the top 7 (although a lot of this depends on the instructional staff), but they would be very good. I believe with the right staff and show they could be top 12 good. I suspect that could be the case with a number of excellent college marching bands in the country. Georgia, FSU, UT Austin, U. of North Texas, Jacksonville State, Western Carolina, Michigan and Michigan State, and on and on. What is the top 7 in DCI anyway? In large part it's comprised of drum corps that recruit mostly college-level players, many of whom march with their school's marching band. The difference is that those top drum corps are collecting the best talents from many of those great college, and some high school, marching bands. So they are, in essence, All-Star ensembles that can spend all their time on ONE show. They begin show prep over Thanksgiving weekend, offer mini-camps through early spring, then hold a 30+ day corps camp, and then tour for 2 months. They have unlimited rehearsal time (or seemingly so) vs. a school ensemble that must rehearse in the midst of a busy class schedule when students have other considerations and jobs. Lastly, need I mention the teaching staff. The top drum corps have 20, 25, even over 30+ staff and techs. In the 22 years I have taught college marching band, 18 of those as a head director, I had 1 percussion instructor, 1 flag instructor, a majorette coordinator, and a student helper. That's it. And I didn't have those people for every rehearsal. Many small-school bands are lucky to get 3 to 4 hours per week of rehearsal time. The reason I choose to rant about this (and my apologies to all of you for this) is that every time college marching band gets discussed on this forum it turns into how DCI is better, which corps would beat college bands, and which college bands are better than other college bands. Blah, blah, blah...and who really cares. College band is for the game day experience. There may be a few that compete. Good for them. Most exist for fun, entertaining shows that promote the game day experience, school pride, etc. But it's many of those same students from college marching bands all over the country who comprise our top drum corps in the summer.
    1 point
  14. The simple answer is timing. If they were in the back of the field, you'd have a bunch of brass/battery instruments trying to figure out how to read time from a bunch of mallet instruments playing complex four mallet accompaniment. If they were off to the sides, you'd introduce a whole heap of difficulties, particularly if the marching members are staged on the other side of the field. From an acoustic perspective, the goal is to have the mics as reinforcement, not as sound replacement. As much acoustic sound should reach the box as possible. That becomes incredibly difficult when you start to move naturally quieter, non-directional instruments farther back on the field. You'll get a lot more processed sound in the box, and a lot less actual acoustic sound. The general nature of our activity means that something is going to be poorly balanced for some seats somewhere. Its unfortunate that you end up in that position. I do know that there are some stadiums that have handicapped seating in the mezzanine level. Not sure where you live, or what shows you typically try to attend, but some of the regionals definitely have that seating available (Atlanta comes to mind). I know the stadium at the high school where I teach has its handicapped seating at the top of the stands rather than at the bottom. I can sympathize with your situation. Sitting at field level can be a rough situation. I spend a lot shows there every summer, and it is difficult to get a read on the show down there. I hope you're able to seek out some shows that have a better situation for handicapped seating.
    1 point
  15. The Blue Stars absolutely take talented, committed marchers with no experience! I marched Blue Stars with no prior corps experience during the 2012-2014 seasons (before aging out). While it has become more competitive to make the corps, from my general observation, it is very feasible for a member to make it straight out of high school, assuming the effort is there. The Blue Stars are a great organization and provide a life changing experience for all who are will to give it their all. If you have a question about the organization or experience feel free to PM me and of course email the corps. The worst thing you can do is not audition because you are afraid you won't make it, I promise you will leave the camp better than you came in regardless of making it or not. Best of luck!
    1 point
  16. Even if you don't / can't march this summer do the following: 1. Get in the absolute best physical shape of your life. Build both strength & stamina. 2. Practice your horn. Get some technique books and work your way through them. 3. Now the fun part - start running while you play the technique charts. Note that steps 1-3 could also be accomplished by marching somewhere this summer. True inspirational story from an old flatus (me) - back in mid 80's one of our drummers decided to audition for Scouts after we folded (not due to lack of $$ but that is not important right now). He did not make the cut. So, he practiced (tenors) literally 5+ hrs a day until the next season. He aged out of Cavaliers in 92 w/ 5 seasons under his belt, 3-4 of them as center (lead?) tenor. Then he entered the Marines. Boot camp was easy for him. So - stop lollygagging & start practicing! Right now!!
    1 point
  17. Go after your dream man. Its not unheard of for a first year member to make stars. Even the top level groups take first year members with no drum corps experience if they are ready for it. The only way you'll know is to show up and try out. There are options to get a year of experience if you find out you aren't ready the first time out.
    1 point
  18. He apologized - I don't see why there's still a problem. And frankly, I don't see why there was a problem in the first place. Nobody was bullied. He didn't change my opinion about marching bands or DCI. He didn't change the opinion of his listeners either. In fact, I'd say the backlash by marching fans did more harm than good - we looked overly sensitive, keeping up the stereotype already in the minds of many (especially when his apology contained "bullied"). The OP is correct that Rome had a take and it sucked. Let's move on. Also, I remember the video of Steve Young. I always assumed that he was contacted by DCI (paid by DCI?) to make kind statements about drum corps. Does anyone know otherwise? As I understand it, Bobby Knight's opinion was sincere and based on his encounter with Star of Indiana.
    1 point
  19. Ah, yes....Whitewater '84.....one of the now-legendary tales in This Thing Of Ours...... Being on the field that night was rather interesting. No, I wasn't one of the "dominoes", but it (literally) happened right behind me. It was a blind backup at a 2-step interval at 190-ish. One of the sops let the guy in front of him get too close, and those that were there know the rest. I didn't see the mayhem ensue, but marched right past the pile of bodies - about 8 of them. At that moment, I had absolutely no idea what was happening, but what I can remember is seeing Donnie & Shorty side-by-side on the track "givin' it up" (a pretty good show up to that point), and then suddenly simultaneously putting hands to face (what I always called the "Home Alone Gesture"), and then sprinting down the track in the direction of the crash. That's when I was able to see what had happened out of the corner of my eye. I've only ever seen one photo of the crash, and it was pretty horrifying...one of our sops in midair, arms & legs stretched directly out in front of him, almost as though he was sitting on a recliner. The one positive thing that did come from that was that, for the rest of the season, we would set up a 2X2 block & march backward at 190-ish as part of our visual block every day. Everybody learned how to march a blind backup at a 2-step interval, suffice it to say!!
    1 point
  20. The Red Knights Mini Corps Cordially Invites You to attend a B R A S S C L I N I C with Master Musician and Corpsman Ritchee Price Bio: Trumpeter Ritchee Price has had a long and exciting music career involving different styles of music. Big Band Swing to marching band to drum and bugle corps to acoustic jazz sextet to performing the National Anthem at Fenway Park and Mc Coy Stadium, Ritchee brings a style of solo work and ensemble playing that makes those who are listening very happy. The former featured lead trumpeter and soloist with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra also has performed with the Count Basie Orchestra and backed up music greats such as Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Lou Rawls, the Temptations and Mel Torme. Ritchee has performed at the White House, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall as well as Paris, Sweden, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Japan, Austria, London and South America! His drum and bugle corps years (1966-2005) has seen Ritchee evolve from a soloist in his junior corps, the York (Pa.) White Roses, through the present. The Reading Buccaneers, the Rhode Island Matadors, the Long Island Sunrisers and in 2005, the Empire Statesmen have had Ritchee perform with their corps. In the 2005 season, Drum Corps Associates (DCA) at the World Championships in the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, voted Ritchee the Soloist of the Year! Also he was inducted into the BUGLERS HALL of FAME. Because of this diverse music background, Ritchee has been involved in Marching Band and Jazz clinics across the country. His Jazz clinics have also had him performing as a featured soloist with the middle school and high school jazz ensemble. His Marching Band Brass clinics show a fresh approach to the art of outdoor trumpet playing. When: Sunday June 1st, 2014, 1 PM to 5 PM 1 PM to 4 PM (Hands on Playing Session) Bring your Horn !!!! 4 PM to 5 PM, Q & A Session with Light Refreshments Bring your questions !!!! Where: The Richmond Town Hall Directions: www.pittsfieldredknights.com Why: To Discuss Proper Breathing, Tone Quality (Soft and Loud), Lead Playing, Technique and Finger Dexterity, Personal Warm Up Techniques, and Playing Clean. No Charge to Attend. Just show up for The Best Brass Lesson of Your Playing Career. Listen: "> "> HOPE TO SEE U THERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    1 point
  21. I spent most of my money on wine, women and drum corps........the rest I wasted.
    1 point
  22. Sorry to be sensationalist, but WOW ... what in the world did the new staff do to this corps? Even the corporate-friendly hosts of DCI At The Movies were baffled by their show. I know it was "incomplete", but there was nothing I saw that had ANYTHING to do with the Cavies of the past 15 years. I know that all the geniuses of the early 2000s Cavies are with SCV right now (and I hope their show is good), but how could they not find people halfway decent to replace them? YIKES. I'm a big DCI fan and am not trying to insult anyone here, but I just can't believe the product I saw put on the field tonight. I had to come home and watch Frameworks, Spin Cycle, and 007 to cleanse my palate.
    1 point
  23. I was hoping for Cavies to finish 9th, not because of my opinion of the show or fondness for Madison or Boston, but from a purely scientific perspective. As an experiment just to see if the ToC shows would stick to the never-quite-spelled-out rules and go on in 2013 without them.
    1 point
  24. 1 point
  25. I talked to someone who knows somebody who's friends with a girl who dated a guy that's currently marching with the Cavies and word on the street is they already folded and all members should be home by Wednesday. True story.
    1 point
  26. in no particular order... Joel Alleyn - Oakland Crusaders Doug Tholo - Madison Scouts Rick South - SCV Paul Zimny - Freelancers Mike Zapanta - SCV Dave Gibbs - Blue Devils (duh) Jerry Boyle - 27th Lancers Dan Veerhusen - Madison Scouts
    1 point
  27. Joel Allyne - Oakland Crusaders - Mid 70's DCI.ORG Article
    1 point
  28. It's hard for an outside observer to get a real feel of how good a drum major is, at least in my opinion, based on 90% of a DM's responsibilies never make the field. That being said, James Gulke (sp?) from the mid 90s Blue Devils must've been doing something right... dude left with a fistful of rings. From a competitive standpoint, he's got to be one of the most prolific drum majors in recent times.
    1 point
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