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So what do you think was going on there? An experienced, trained DCI judge just suddenly forgets the dress code one day? Put your thinking cap on. A long show in La Crosse with an early start time. Bad weather. A judge from outside the area, must be flying in. Flights get delayed or cancelled with that kind of weather going on. Passengers get rebooked to different flights. If in a rush, there is not enough time for checked luggage to get rerouted. Often, the result is an incomplete panel, and we ask with indignance why judges cannot even make it to shows on time. I would bet this was one of those times where the judge found a way to get there on time, but her luggage did not. Ever consider that possibility? Ironic that you complain about how few women judge DCI. Treatment like this will not encourage more to sign up.

Or here's a wacky thought: perhaps what some might think of as "slotting" is actually "consistency." Blue Devils win a lot because their designers know how to design to the sheets, they attract incredible performers, and they have a staff that knows what it takes to win. Any thoughts to the contrary are either ignorant/naive, or just plane blind bias.

We ALL miss the retreats of a drum corps show, where the corps play their respect to the winner, and we see the corps perform their trademark as they go off the field. Why can't DCI - just ONCE A YEAR, do a "Traditional Show" where the Drum Corps can play their cadences coming on the field if they like, do a retreat, and perform going off... I think i would rather go there - than DCI Championships.. anybody else interested?

Possibly but his point remains a valid one regardless. The way she was treated on here was kind of disgusting.

1. Definitely not; I care FAR more about the shows on the field than any other stuff (as much as I really love that other stuff) 2. Do they do something like this at DCA shows, or with the Alumni corps that do DCA? I personally have never been the type of guy who wants to dwell on the past: I'd rather continue to embrace the present and push towards the future. As a percussionist (who marches snare in drum corps) I of course love cadences, and as a fan I truly miss the days of retreat when corps would play each other off with special songs. But I'm fine with drum corps now and while I miss that stuff I don't feel the need to push for that stuff to come back, and I definitely would not travel to see a show just because of cadences and full retreat

The Govenaires and St. Patrick's Day go hand-in-hand. Want to be a Govie for a day (on possibly the best day to be a Govie)? Come march with us in the parade through downtown St. Peter on March 17. Meet at Patrick's on Third before 4 p.m. for information on where to line-up. St. Peter will have a bunch of festivities going on afterward. This will be an experience you won't want to miss.

Judges don't slot corps, corps slot themselves.

They'll be happy if the new judges score their corps well. If they don't, then it was a "failed experiment".

.....What corps have just put together a show with great music and NO theme? Just wondering why there has to be a THEME! Anyone?

The Kilties would like to announce Mr. Dan Farrell and Mr. Dennis Argul as clinicians/consultants. Mr. Farrell will be with the corps for a portion of the January 31st/February 1st camp weekend. Mr Argul will be with the corps for the entire February 28th/March 1st camp weekend. Additional news to follow.................. The Kilties are presently accepting applications for membership for the 2015 season. Visit The Kilties website for further information on membership and the organization as a whole: http://www.kilties.com ~Since 1934~

OK... how about an Olympic-style retreat, but with the corps all carrying woodwinds?

Naysaying? What if someone just fails to see the point of it? What if DCI says "Ok, we're designating the Laramie WY show to have a traditional retreat" How many people would that REALLY impact? Besides, to some of us an Olympic style retreat is hardly 'traditional'. That's not how we did them when I marched.

In answer to your question, yes, I would enjoy an experience like that, primarily because the whole point of all the "pageantry" around the contest would be to offer an additional aspect of entertainment for the audience (i.e. Conceptually, a scaled down version of an Olympic retreat or closing ceremony). Having said that, I would only enjoy it if all involved were actually committed to doing it in a manner that is consistent with the values that we profess (excellence, professionalism, entertainment-oriented, etc.). What's sad is all of the DCP nay saying surrounding the idea... as usual. The suggestion was one show per year, and it goes without saying that all involved would have to be in agreement to provide that kind of spectacle activity to cap the night off. It's not about the scores (yes, you can get them online), it's simply a throwback "traditional" celebration of who we are as a "unique" performing arts entity. (Yes, "unique" is debatable) Does it take extra time, effort, making of sacrifices, etc.? Of course, but I was under the impression that by nature, the entire activity was about putting in extra time, effort, making sacrifices, etc. People seem to get a kick out of going to (or observing) an NFL game when the teams put on the throwback uniforms, jerseys, etc. It's called creative marketing. Why not create a throwback drum corps experience? One show. Why not?

Man... I simply do not want to ever know what the 76 cents was for!!!!

Hey...thought this topic was about new judges coming in to the activity...somehow it has turned into a "Beth" rehashing!!!

Most of the rest of harmonium is more ethereal and less driving. Wild Nights seems to work best for the field. http://youtu.be/VamFzv523u0 Here's a link to the full piece. Definitely worth the half hour listen.

Are you sure on the last one? Because their video uses the last 45 or so seconds of "No. 1, VII. Cinderella's Waltz", before transitioning into about 30 seconds from the end of "No. 1, I. Introduction"

Thanks to sources, narrowed this down to ... Cinderella Suite No. 1, I. Introduction No 1, III. Qaurrel No 1, VII. Cinderella's Waltz OP updated. Spotify Playlist trimmed.

I find this discussion almost a full year later about the judge's attire a bit trite, juvenile, and immature, the ### for tat responses even more so. I was at the LaCrosse contest as a guest of some of the Blue Star Family where I have previously sponsored some members. The evening was memorable for many reasons including the anxiety of whether the regional would go on or not due to the weather, the occasion of the Blue Stars' Jubilee, the wonderful combined appearence of the Blue Stars and the alumni corps, and the magnificent rainbow which appeared mid-show against the bluffs and ever changing Midwestern skies. Now for full disclosure last season I financially sponsored members of both Crown's hornline and Cadets' hornline and am a fan of both units. My roots with both go back several decades. The weather conditions subsided during Cadets' appearence but re-appeared with a vengeance while Crown was on the field. In fact, a mild ground fog rose while Crown was doing it's backfield work and the audience wondered whether the "smoke" was an effect similar to what Boston had done with the talcum powder in previous seasons. It seemed to add to the visual theme of Out of this World. Such changing humidity and weather affected Crown's tonality and it was not their best show while Cadets had a better situation. Some may have criticized Ms. Fabrizio for not accounting for such conditions when scoring the corps, but she called them as she experienced them without digression or popular politics. Those not present in person that evening but who evaluated via FN or Monday-morning recaps deprive themselves of some influencing factors which shifted numbers from the expected but not as much from what these two generally excellent horn lines achieved during the past season. I am still hoping that Brad Furlano and the Blue Stars publicly release the video that they showed on the big stadium screens during the joint performances of their active and alumni corps. It was another highlight of an amazing evening. I think that most would be most impressed by the depth and scope of this anniversary presentation.

Sky Alumni will be in the Jersey City parade on the 15th ... in the early years, we had no DM, so the Mayor filled that duty as we led off the parade ... it was hilarious when we got to the Reviewing Stand and he directed with great enthusiasm ... :-)

I am all for female judges but I am strongly of the opinion that they should dress the same as the male judges, just like female MM dress the same. The judges should not be a distraction. We shouldn't be wondering what the judge is going to wear that day. What is wrong with a green polo shirt and khakis for a woman? The fact that Beth F. wore something odd shouldn't even be a conversation, because she should have known better than to dress that way. What a way to call attention to yourself for the wrong reasons.

All the years I lived in the NYC/NJ metro area, I saw the St. Patrick's Day parade in person only once. 1984... I was dating a woman who was a police officer in NJ... and she was friends with some folks on the NYC force. So she got us passes to the reviewing stand. Spent the day rubbing elbows with Mayor Koch and others. Unbelievable.

lol..until you have had enough they you swear you'll never come back. I feel you pain sometimes....lol

Airlines loose so much luggage the agents don't even blink when you report it. But if this happens: Agent: "So you lost your luggage eh?" Me: "No... YOU lost Gov't property coming back from ... About 20K worth" Agent: "Uh...." <putting regular papers away and looking for the special "Oh crap" ones> Kicker was stuff was in a big cardboard box and never was lost. Baggage handlers saw the box and somehow thought it belonged with the plane (took an argument to get that explaination). Next day it came in on a puddle jumper to the local airport and.... didn't show up on the luggage carousel again. Then saw bunch of the people on that flight waiting to claim lost luggage and looked outside. Turned out there was 1 and a half carts of luggage on that plane and the 1/2 was still on the tarmack waiting for the next plane to come in. Hey why waste gas for a half a cart and why let the customers know what is going on. 20 minutes later here comes the rest of the stuff including the cardboard box. PS - Don't get me started on being delayed on a connecting flight home and no one told the place we were flying to (aka home for me) there was a delay. My wife couldn't get an answer from the airport and was ready to turn on the news for plane crashes between Baltimore and Harrisburg when I finally got home. Pre cell phone days and we were on the tarmack for 2 hours because the plane was over weight and they couldn't open the gas caps to siphon excess fuel.

EXACTLY!! With patronizing nonsense about "at least she had the good sense to dress appropriately" and whatnot, I just shake my head. Good-intentioned or not, a lot of criticism slung that judge's way smacked of sexist and it's no wonder we don't see a ton of females on judging panels (and the few I do know are the type that can argue and stand-up to the best of 'em)

I so love conspiracy theories. You inspired me, so here goes: How about DCI judges think ahead a little, and have on hand at every show a spare set of clothing that a judge running late could change into quickly. That's planning !

I assure you, at least where I come from, people don't get in this drum corps business to "not push as hard" as the top corps

Point taken. If you get people with deep integrity who do their best to rank and rate the contest and don't worry about playing things "Safe" but to do what is fair and right to the best of their professional ability, it'll be fine. The last thing one should do is worry about offending the "wrong party/parties". One has to be able to look themselves in the mirror later in life and know what they did was as right and as honest and fair as it could be.

It doesn't ting a bell.

I am gratified that my book, Spectacular Sound Mixing, http://xtremebrass.com/store/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=28 has been adopted by Drum Corps International as required reading and training manual for all music adjudicators. This will provide some degree of standardization for the evaluation of how sound systems may be best integrated into field shows. Some DCI corps have already been making use of this resource and it may soon be adopted by the BOA and DCA folks, as well.

Ay Dios mio....

Sorry, that was rude of me. I always saw it as a reference to Shostakovich's music and his defiance towards the Stalin.

Maybe there's a connection I'm not aware of.

Wasn't it some guy named MacArthur??? (Not Douglas.)

or maybe corps who have solid design per the rubric on the sheets will succeed regardless of judges (and regardless of DCP posters' personal opinions)

Want me to start a petition? Oh wait - not sure how many of my brothers know who I am...

No, it's like saying if a soup kitchen wants to feed hungry people but has no money, no one gets fed.

Would LOVE to seefrom 1976!!!! Yes I a back!

This page hasn't been awake in a little while, so I figured I'd give it a bump. Some pics from 1988: Dutch Boy

What a great weekend! The Kilties had a very productive weekend and were able to ensemble the first two numbers with a full musical ensemble. It was a great experience to get to Racine and work with the Corps! Thanks to Larry Pawlowski for the invitation and to all the Corps members and administration for making me feel like a part of the team right away. Best of luck on the 2015 campaign! -Dennis

I was luckier with my wife (mid 80s Carlisle IIRC) but Danville 1977 caused me to break up with a girlfriend,. Think that breakup was even luckier for me as our personalities did not mesh. Her parents brought her up where everything was all black/white good/bad with no shades of grey in between. So we go to Danville and first corpsmate we see was called Wolfie because he looked like the Wolfman. Very nice guy who would give you the shirt off his back even if it was his last shirt. But the way he looked,,,,, yow.... Still remember the later conversation: "You KNOW that person?" "That person is my FRIEND" Kinda went downhill from there.....

I honestly can't remember the name of the corps - it was "all-age" although they're members were wicked young - the time was about '98 or '99 as it's the last time I got fired from the Yankee Rebels that day - can't remember which time. Think I offered to pop someone at rehearsal - it was the right decision. I would have fired me too. Anyhow - the senior corps from the ABE area with a Clarinet player that taught the brass line. That's all I remember.

What's with all this "heart attack" schtick? You're all creeping me out. Shovel, schmovel, blow, schmo...Hire the kids from the high school band to clear the driveway and watch from the living room with a hot brandy. That's far more economical than cardiologists or snow blowers, plus you'll be keeping the little buggers from playing those god-forsaken saxophones for a while. F

... First time I took her to a show she said "that's pretty interesting. Can't those instruments be tuned?" Tuned ... schmoooned ... every "eghad" moment from a Fleetwood record would have never occurred if the horns were in tune ... ok ... scratches, clicks, dust flubs and other technical recording things added to the drama ... but NOTHING was as pleasurable as us saying "did you hear what he TRIED to play?" ... the end result of perfection for me wasn't a listening goal ... it was the quest ... :-)

My wife, Carolyn Lamont - like the Loch Lomond Lamonts - is descended from the Scots - and is the cheapest living human being. I'm pretty sure that her philosophy is a) keeps me out of the house; b) she doesn't have to shovel it. c) maybe I'll die and things will be quieter. d) She won't have to keep going to drum corps things. She's one of those "Classically trained" musicians with her MMus in Composition from Boston U. First time I took her to a show she said "that's pretty interesting. Can't those instruments be tuned?" (in this particular case the answer was no, as it was that little senior corps from Easton). She claims the Blue Devils, the year Kevin or Danny aged out, are the only drum corps brass line she ever heard in tune.

I'm thinking/feeling the same way - amazing.

Is there a book of your life coming out any time soon? Please let me know when it gets to paperback. I also need to get you together with Mike Hart, former Sunriser (in his heart he'll always be a Sunriser, as well as an Airborne Ranger) who got 3 Purple Hearts in the Big One - no, not WWII, Viet Nam. I'm going to go way out on the limb that the two of you could swap some amazing stories, that many of the rest of us would listen to with rapt awe. Glad you made it okay. We've lost enough of our generation.

But there is an advantage to using electronics to amplify the pit instruments. marimbas, xylos, and such. its better for both the player and the instrument. with the amplification the performer can use proper concert technique instead of having to hammer on the instruments to keep up volume and blend with the battery and hornlines. the players dont wreck their hands and wrists anymore with the electronic help.

I'll add on and go one step further: the percussion caption, as it stands on the field for most of the summer, is the LAST place amplification balance should be discussed. Sure early season when the 5 man panels are in, fine, and there he and the music ensemble guy are at times doubling each others work. I know judging for a local band circuit if I dreamed of discussing amp balance from the field level, I'd be crucified. I can't even imagine a percussion judge at the DCI level even thinking about it. now, if they brought back the upstairs judge for big shows, I could see it.