Leaderboard

At the end of the day, it is about understanding the past and the present to see how it all connects. Certain iconic moves are still effective on their own, but when one realizes the history of such classic moves or music, etc., then it strikes a more poignant chord. Because one realizes all of the past performers who may have done a version of the exact same thing. And without recognizing the past, it is impossible to fully appreciate the present. (See Cadets Z-pull and dissolving CF, Phantom chevron with leg kicks, BAC Conquest, BD wings, etc. ) I learned soooo much when I watched the Legacy collection from 1972 through 1999. So many things make so much more sense, and my first DCI show was in 1988. Noone is trying to convince you to feel one way or another. But, it is about appreciating the activity from its roots to the present. And even if you feel "meh" about something, that's fine. Just try to get whatever you can from the experience. There are no requirements for drum corps appreciation. We all like what we like.

We mounted miniature microphones on a set of specially trained houseflies and planted them at various corps HQ’s. With design meetings starting up, the contents are explosive! You read it here first!!! Blue Devils <Sounds of chairs sliding across the floor and heels clicking> DGb: As you were gentlemen. JM: Your excellency, we weren’t expecting you. To what reason do we have this honor? DGb: You will know that the clone factory build is behind schedule. I’ve sent Lord Chandler to… remind them of their obligations. Director Seidling, carry on. PS: We added the new judges bios to the algorithm. Here is the output. <Sounds of paper rustling> PS: These are the 2023 show compositions. I trust the team, as usual, can craft a backstory? [Several voices] Yes sir. PS: General Murphy, the algorithmic drill needs fine tuning again. Can you add in some of that scatter drill and other bits to dilute it. JM: Affirmative. PS: Remember, we almost revealed ourselves in 2014. As we progress towards total domination we must keep things believable. DGb: Questions? No. Very well. We shall close this meeting and reconvene at the first assimilation camp in January. Boston Crusaders CH: How are we looking for next year, Keith? KP: Well boss, we’ve formulated a plan and associated budget. Headlines are we’re gonna need a whole lot more brown envelopes to turn silver into gold. CH: I can take care of that. KP: And Ipads, lots of Ipads. We liked Crown’s app this past season so we’re gonna take it and make it our own. We figure that asking people to download an app is way too complicated so we’re going to leave ipads under the concert side seats, switched on and ready to go. In total we think we’re going to need 250,000 ipads. CH: Ok, leave it with me… it sounds like a great idea. Haha, we’ve come a long way since the 80’s huh? KP: And we’re started thinking about the show too- CH: Well I should tell you I already have a plan B for next season. If we get to Indy and things still aren’t going our way, me and some of the Dorchester old boys will start paying people late night visits. Expect the scores to surge from there. KP: <Gulp> Bluecoats JV: …so then the DM yeh , he rides in on this horse and it jumps over the pit and he springs off and lands on the podium and bows TR: Yeh man cool DW: And the horn line, they’re dressed like clowns, no, baristas! DT: Pass me over those chips Jim JV: Yes! I’m seeing blues, and pinks, and greens. Nice happy baristas. JM: And gold and some red and maybe some burnt orange. TR: <chuckling sound> DT: Mmm, I could do some pizza Carolina Crown RS: We’ve reviewed 2022 and understand now where we didn’t get things quite right. We’re gonna fix this next year and are looking at a show called “Everything and Everywhere”. It will allow us to do whatever we want with music, props, fabric. You name it, we can do it. And no-one can tell us it doesn’t fit the theme. Genius eh?! MH: I just want to know one thing…. Are we going to have more brass time? We need more notes I tell you! MORE NOTES! <Sound of large fist being banged on the table> MH: I cannot sleep a wink at night without the sweet feel of the Ott under my pillow! We must crush those other lines next year! Crush them I tell you! CRUSH THEM! <Sound of tables being turned over and chairs hurled> Santa Clara MG: …so to the part of the presentation you’ve all been waiting for. We thought Finding Nirvana was a triumph and in true Santa Clara tradition we’re going to double down on a good idea the following year. Where we had the music of Nirvana we then started looking at more rock music, this time with a 70’s and 80’s vibe. We came up with “A Queen getaway” and “Queen as a whistle” <Indistinct murmurs of approval> MG: But then we decided we could do better than that! And we started to look at music from a great Baroque classical composer. Show title’s we were toying with were “Fly off the Handel”, “Handel in the Wind”, and “Too Hot to Handel”! <Some smattering of applause> MG: But we still weren’t happy, so we worked on it some more and came up with a show that will enable us to build on the existential vibe from 2022. So I present to you our 2023 production; “Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee!”. We’re going to blend an eco-nature vibe with the music of Gordon Sumner and The Police. An SCV match made in heaven! <Whopping, hollering and the sounds of high fives> Cavaliers MV: Welcome all this this initial staff meeting. As we have some fresh faces this year, let’s have the new people introduce themselves. <Intros still going on when the batteries ran out> End of transcript.

Every generation has something to offer. Modern Drum Corps would not be here if it weren't for the past. Performance art evolves over time and what you like is simply what you like. One thing to note is that one day, you'll be on the other side of the mirror talking about drum corps of the 2020's and having people say "Meh....it's ok but it's not really my bag." And again, that's OK. I am not privy to any private messages that you may get, but most of what I see is people in the threads are simply people trying to share what THEY grew up with and try to maybe expand your musical vocabulary. Does that mean that your tastes are flawed. Of course not! You're your own cat with your own tastes and that's cool. Tastes also change with time and exposure and some different "generations" of drum corps literature may connect with you at some point in unexpected ways. Music, for most, is an emotional journey. What connects emotionally is yours and yours alone. I can say "Man listen to 2010 PR and tell me that it isn't one of the most beautiful shows you've seen." But that's MY emotion...MY mirror. You are your own cat. Be proud of that and continue to be respectful of the work that goes into the generations of music which came before your chosen time frames. That's all anyone can ever ask of a fan.

I participated in DCA in the 80's and 90's. I remember regular season shows with attendance that exceeded attendance numbers at many of this decade's DCA finals. I remember when DCA had personalities that entertained and engaged the audience. This was DCA's uniqueness and its identity. I remember when almost everyone in the audience could name at least four or five of the drum majors. I also remember a time when competition could get, for lack of a better word, rowdy. This includes individual behavior in the stands. The finals awards ceremony of the 1990 season comes to mind. Behavior such as you described was not uncommon during my time in DCA; not frequently, but one could say occasionally. Your concerns are certainly valid when today, young folks populate the DCA corps and more than likely, their parents are in the audience. The behavior you and your partner witnessed is "out of place" within the current iteration of DCA. My point is that the product has changed, and that change is permanent. Creating and implementing a marketing strategy to grow the "new" brand, is imperative.

so the statues finally came to life 6 years later?

Exhibit A: Your peremptory demand of silence of someone by basically stating “I told you I was right, listen to me!”. I mean no ill will, and I sincerely mean that, but I’m going to call out your demeaning and egotistical tone to others each time you reply accordingly. No one here appreciates your dismissiveness or the way you speak to others at times - no one here plans to obey you. Lets pivot this back to drum corps dialogue now without ego and dictatorial behavior. We don’t all have to agree with one another but our disagreements and/or replies can be communicated respectfully and without fear of attack.

Pfff, you don't have to validate why you don't like something. If you're curious about why others like it, that's one thing. But insulting you for your not liking something and not trying to make yourself like it is silly. Some folks don't understand "no thanks" without responding "WHY NOT?!" Sometimes the easiest response is "just because." Edit to add: Sutasaurus, I'm just not that into you. Please stop reacting to me and ignore me already.

....or adding a much needed synth part to the orchestration.

This is a prime example of "If you don't like it, you're wrong."

cool. i don't care much for gatekeeping on a public forum from the op or anybody else. i was pointing out other ways that show is also terrific. first year on Bb for SCV, I think, too. and that arrangement of short ride still sounds fresh today. hadn't thought about that show in awhile. so thanks for bringing it up.

I would LOVE to hear PR do Appalachian Spring. That poster reminds me so much of some of the William Rice block prints from the Arts and Crafts movement. Much ❤️

I love ever moment after that as well. One of my favorite big brass hits of 2001 comes right as that vid cuts out, actually.

I enjoy discussions that make room for everyone to freely express what they like and don't like about art and education in this industry. If someone disagrees with me not liking something that's weird. But if I can say why I didn't like something and they're generous to offer another perspective? Boom. That can be just plain fun. Even if it didn't spark my interest, I try to distinguish why so I can understand what they see that I don't. This is, in fact, how my partner turned the tide on BD for me. He knows I prefer esoteric art pieces... recalled a show he loved... and then showed me 2000. It changed my whole perspective on them. One might imagine why I was resistant... despite my ongoing respect for our friends across the bay. 🙂

But, seriously you have to go to a LIVE show to get the full experience.

still got ya. i admit i snarked in here too. i've been trying to be nicer and just keep pointing out a lady runs a non profit after losing in court for mismanaging a non profit that was supposed to give scholarships

Around :58 seconds

The day a Bob Ross themed show where the corps slowly makes a painting on the field is probably coming.

"Happy Little Trees," featuring music inspired by the art of Bob Ross

Yup.

Don't let someone get to you on here. A lot of couch warriors. I, for one, am glad you are a part of this forum.

That personal attack honestly took longer to emerge than I thought it would. I can sit in my presence here knowing that I've been a form of support and a model for reporting and responding to abuse in this industry. Attack away. I've already lost pretty much everything else in this space.

Spartabigfoot.

During the covid restrictions that kept the music ensembles from functioning normally, I exposed my students to some things that they otherwise wouldn't encounter. One day was drumcorps day... I showed them BD 1999 and BD 2014 back to back. I asked them what their favorite program was and why. The results (among 50 HS students) was split right down the middle. Each group preferred their choice because of the way that the design resonated with them. The 99 camp liked that it was concise and clean. The 14 camp found the show complex and entertaining. When I asked which one seemed more difficult, nobody could weigh the 2 against each other in that way. I was surprised at how balanced the opinions were among students that really have had no exposure to the activity before.

🤣🤣🤣 this current thread has me dying. love that i already have a reputation here lmao

i... have? i've listened to a lot of the shows i've been sent and i say nothing because i don't want to hurt people's feelings.

I would have freaking cried if I saw Babylon live. Amazing show actually scratch that, i would have freaking cried if i saw any of my favorite shows live nobody told you this but i had a couple tears in my eyes at tempus blue live, and then in the theater with riffs and revelations

I just taught the Gilded Age to my 11th graders. Seems like a bleak era to make a show about, but I live for bleak shows. I'll have to check it out!

I watched The Gilded Age. Same people who brought us Downton Abbey. If you like dark humor, Succession is for you. They say it’s not based on Rupert Murdoch and his dysfunctional family but I call BS.

Someone on the forum likes dancing, so I thought I'd show HER a video with something dancible from the lower limits of her viewing criteria. Orwellian Wiress, that 2001 SCV clip was specifically for you...

See that's so neat! I went the other way. My partner never knew ANYTHING about drum corps. She was a cheerleader and 20 years younger than I am. I took her to her first drum corps in 2018 and she absolutely loved it. Now, she doesn't necessarily like some of the avant-garde stuff but what she DID dig was anything familiar. Hearing her say "Oh that's insert-artist-x" was a really cool thing to watch.

This screams at me as a potential transparency issue as well. If I were a parent or trusted educator/mentor sending a young person to the industry, how can I know that minimum standards in safety are being respected? I'm ashamed to say how far I got in youth education before such training was ever even brought to my attention. Even 2.5 is minimal, but commendable in this world. Folks simply don't understand the extent to which violations reverberate in a survivor's life, let alone that many violations are preventable. That's not even getting into survivor support, which all educators should be adequately prepped for. Too many educators are mandated reporters and don't know it. 😞 Agreed. The variance is hugely problematic.

Grimmo--your post was laugh out loud hilarious. Could you do the same with the bottom half of the top 12?

……. and they were being judged on DCI judging sheets created by people in some cases not yet 30 , and judged on those Judging sheets by judges in some cases not yet 30 .

Y'all are great.

… to the music from “ Thommy “🍺👍

All right, Panelists, it's time to cast your votes in the Drum Corps Conspiracy National Debate Finals. Please select from the following: 1. The accusers have proven their case 2. The defense has prevailed 3. This thread is the biggest waste of electrons in the history of DCP The tally will be announced as soon as the judges get back from their trip to St. Thomas, where they will be consuming chilled cocktails with little umbrellas in them. The winning team will be allowed one final post before the thread is closed.

Music provided by drummers playing Thom Thoms.

Yes .. and to be entirely spiffy ,will wear my Thommy Bahama shirt and Thommy Hilfiger pants to the special occasion as well 👍

Do you need a Snickers? Because you've been cranky and on the offensive all day.

This timeline is weird. Egotistical... in drum corps. This industry sounds really really weird to outsiders for good reason sometimes.

Pines of Rome? (just noting they're all one type of tree, and there's hills)

It's GD's typical peremptory behavior and speech at times... He finds a way to sprinkle on a bit of superiority in his comments for some unknown reason and certainly never likes to be called out.

I have seen more than one interview with Denise where she used the words “me” and “I” way too much. I don’t know her, but she certainly does have an aura of self-importance. It’s not a good demeanor in any kind of team activity. Being a strong leader is one thing. Taking credit that belongs to others is something else.

Camden County NJ: Big guy "so this year....we embrace Joisey again. fans loved it." DH: "so a full Bon Jovi show?" TK: "a tribute to Wildwood or the Stone Pony?" Big guy: "no. these two fine Italian gentlemen behind me 'suggested' The Sopranos. They assured for a small fee and a favor we could return if ever asked, they could clear the licensing" Two gentlemen crack their necks, looking resplendent in their jogging suits and spotless while Air Jordans, while looking at the antipasti and Gobbagool on the table

Fail to plan, plan to fail. Words I live by.

It you want to find the real truth, you should look at accurate sources like this...

these days they care more than the past. but you have to realize the addiction to success, which is way too often tied to placement. a perfect example...in Cadetland, Hop was as hated as he was loved...probably moreso. but they placed well from 1982-2016 or so. his people skills and more were bashed to no end......but he stayed. his management style trashed. the organizations finances were never solid by any means. no one in the activity was less liked...but the placed well and he stayed. it took the Inquirer article to finally get him out, and even that was a mess because of his hand picked sycophantic board. Pioneer for years was the legend of how not to treat members, but Blenski stayed in charge. Mike Stevens out in Oregon. the list goes on.

Hello, my name is Matthew Chuck and I am the President of GOLD Youth Arts. At this time GOLD has no plans to move to up to World. : )