shawn craig

I think this is the problem. Many think it's not being done right. I was not impressed with any electronics Saturday night. IMO no show would be less without them. I found many more distractions then enhancements. Unfortunately what is right for you may not be good for someone else like the OP.

Wrong. It was VERY BAD in person in Annopolis. The synth sounds did not add anything to the show. There was one place in the middle where some synth sound was really bad. Sounded totally out of character with everything else going on plus it came in WAY too loud and ruined the moment. I thought Glassmen had the worst use of synths all night. Sorry to be so negative but the members who work hard to play so well deserve better then to have synths ruin sections of the show.

I think DCI is going to see slim crowds this year because of the economy, especially early season. If you use to go to three shows and now you can only go to 1 or 2, if possible, most people will choose late season shows. As for the Marine corps. It's a military organization and they don't do things like DCI and IMO shouldn't try. Their tempo's are very stately and this group is for pagentry, not competitions. In the past I've always been impressed with how well they play and the sound they put out for the size group. I thought the contras sounded very good. However, I didn't feel this group was a clean and precise as usual. Perhaps a new show or change in personnel? I don't know but they usually sound better.

I have to agree. I was very underwhelmed by what I heard Saturday from electronics. I didn't hear anything that, IMO, "made" a show or gave me any "WOW!" moments.

Not in "the know," just a hunch but I think a lot of coreography and body movement is going to be added to give the show a feeling of being a ballet. There are already hints of that as some horn players step out of the drill and interact with each other and the guard. Just speculation on my part.

I didn't buy a program. I'll one DCI program in Allentown but I don't buy all the individual ones for each show. Therefore, I didn't read all that. But should I NEED to read the explanation to understand the show?

My take very quick take on saturday's show. I sat in the top in the deck at about the 40. Middle section of the deck was full, sides were empty. Below looked much the same. Not a big crowd. I expect this will be a trend, espcially for the early season with many folks low on cash. Colts: Good solid show. Brass line has a nice sound but needs a lot of work on attacks and releases. Gaurd had some really nice things going on. Lots of blues and used oars in one section. Boston: I really liked the show but those with children might want to take a restroom break during this show. It is very suggestive and a few times leaves nothing to the imagination. Great sound from the brass 20-16-24-12. The tubas had a really good sound. Glassmen: Nice show but not memerable, at least at this point in the season. Outside of some solo work in the beginning, the theme didn't come across to me at all. Still enjoyable. Cadets: Solid show will be a crowd favorite. 22-14-22-14 in the brass line. Crown: My favorite show of the evening. I think this show is well designed and has a lot of room for growth and the theme will come out better as the season progresses. I thought the pre-judged section was beautiful and the hit was well timed the the announcement. IMO, as the show developes it could/should pass Cadets. I like the fuller symphonic sound of the brass line. Electronics: IMO without them I don't think any show would have been less or they would be missed. Best use was Colts waves. Glassmen had some sounds I didn't think blended well or worked. The whistling at the beginning of the Cadets sounds terrible, doesn't really sound like a whistle to me. The piano was ok, but even the best electric pianos just don't sound as good to me as accoustic pianos.

They're ok. Nothing bad but nothing special either. The gold trim on the side doesn't really show except when they march toward the endzone, which was rare. I didn't notice it until the end of the show and then barely. The show was nice but except some solo work in the beginning I don't get the theme at all.

Well actually ......... Not so much. I do wear various corps stuff at most shows.

FINALLY!!!

I really don't know what they intend to do. My gut feeling is they'll be adding a lot of movement and coreography so that by the end of the season the show will be somewhat of a ballet. That's my guess at why the drill isn't as fast passed and colidescopic (sp) as usual. We'll see.

I am who I am. I'm over 50 to hell with doing what supposedly cool people think is "right." I'm going to wear and do what I want. And, if some poeple don't have anything better to do then belittle others, screw them, they're a sad bunch of people.

Watched video's from a place. Very nice show. Guard is very good. I'm not a guard expert but I thought the gaurd was underscored the last two years. This show seems like it has a lot of potential for growth. Some very interesting subtle things going on with 1 or 2 horn members leaving the line to do movement. I think we'll be seeing a lot more coreography and body movement to enhance the "ballet" theme.

According to corp history (KFC Commercial) shouldn't he be playing a piccolo?

I play flute, love flute choirs, and play in a woodwind quartet. I play tuba, play in a community band. My best freind plays clarinet and is also in the band. I go to the opera to hear amazing singing voices. Last Friday I went to the symphony and heard an amazing concert; Rackmaninoff piano concerto #3 and selections from Wagners Ring. I enjoy each different type of ensemble for it's unique qualities and different sounds. When I come to drum corps I want to hear great brass and percussion! Is there something wrong with wanting to keep the activity unique? Is there something wrong with enjoying the unique sounds and style we have? I have yet for Mike D, Matt or other pro anything goes people to answer this question which I have posed many times on these threads.

You heard it here first folks. The __________ are this years champs!

LOVE the new uniform!!!

I think the problem is they're most often amped to balance at the brass and battery at the louder volumes. Therefore, during ballads, small ensembles and solos, and other softer sections they are too loud becuase of the amps. Even when the pit percussion is playing softer with appropriate mallets the amps often negate a lot of that and the pit over powers the accoustic ensemble. In other words, with proper air support and stick heights the accoustic players are achieving a wider dynamic range then the amped front ensemble.

Iota Omicron Bowling Green State Univ. 1981

Agreed. Brass intrumentation is what I'd like to see/hear more of.

Last year I didn't get to see Spartacus early on as Phantom went to California instead of coming East. But I did hear them both early and late in 06 and 07. There was a HUGE difference in both shows in every aspect. As for the video (which has been removed from the unmentionable site), it was nice but certainly not a professional job. You couldn't tell anything about the drill. I liked the music and think when it's refined with all the nuances it will be beautiful. It was hard to get a good read on the brass line with the mic used and my poor computer speakers. So if they sounded fairly good that way the must sound impressive live. While not a percussion guy even I could tell that they'll be challenging for another perc title. I liked most of what I was seeing in the guard. I liked the ladies in black with red trim. Liked the guys in the tuxes but not sure I liked them as well after the jackets came off but then it's hard to get a good read on the visual from that video. I'm sure Phantom will add some pre show material that will explain better the "magic" or special quality of the violin. The show certainly doesn't try to do the entire movie which is good because I really don't think that would work. They take one sub-story from the movie. Therefore, I don't think seeing the movie is a requirement. Looking forword to seeing the show in Allentown. GOOD LUCK REGIMENT!!!

But will they use them as well as Les Chatalains (sp)?

I emailed the office and asked. They said something is in the works.

Pacific CREST I imagine it's a wave CREST. The shape matches the blue one on the uniform.

Sounds Great! Can't see a lot of guard work but looked liked some good weapons work going on and some great unison tosses. !P!O!W! Go Scouts!