ironlips

"Their Drummer’s Call Tattoo is the fife and drum corps equivalent to DCI and Williamsburg and Yorktown are the fife and drum equivalent of Blue Devils." Absolutely on point. These units (the current ones and the ones they represent) are a major root of our modern "Drum Corps", and the contemporary activity owes its very existence to them.

It's a beast simply to hold, never mind playing the bugger. It really does sing on "God Save the King" in concert F, however. I think that was it's original job in any case. The Duke of Kent wanted his drum and bugle band to blow away all those wimpy woodwind groups.

This is precisely what my mentor, John Sasso, said when someone complained that the contra bass was a bridge too far. Actually, folks have been messing with the "natural horn" for centuries, in every key imaginable. Check this out (and re-load the popcorn bowl): https://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/2014/05/inside-the-arc-to-key-or-not-to-key/

Oy vey! Not another G vs Bb debate! One is not better than the other. They are just different, with different advantages and disadvantages.

That's a clever and funny take. Actually, I think the company has simply become a donor, but the announcement is in "corporate speak" and is a bit confusing.

A long time ago in a galaxy far,far away...another legendary all-male drum corps went through the transition to co-ed. There was significant resistance from alumni, but that move was a major factor in re-invigorating the Garfield Cadets who subsequently went on to renewed prominence in the activity. At this point, even the "old timers" are on board.

I'll bet you could sleep walk through that 22-5 Drill and Ceremonies manual.

Agreed, but it isn't exactly quotidian, at least not within these threads.

All else aside, I believe this is the first use of the word "polemics" on DCP. That, in itself, elevates the conversation.

Had you had previous drum corps marching experience before the service?

Maybe so, but we sure marched a lot. Towards the end of Basic, my company (Delta 2-2) held a "drill down", the incentive being a week-end pass for the last man standing. After about 15 minutes there were 2 of us left and we had worn out 3 drill instructors who had been rapidly shouting commands for direction changes on the move and manual of arms at the halt. A lieutenant decided to take over. We wore him out too, neither of us making a mistake. Finally the CO put an end to the ordeal, declaring we'd both get the pass. As the DI marched us back to the main body of troops, the other recruit whispered, "What drum corps are you from?". "St. Catherine's", I replied. He responded, "St. Kevin's". I flashed on something my grandmother used to say: "Saints preserve us!"

Yup, call-and-response rhyming couplets with a message, set to the "Bo Diddley" rhythm as we marched out to the rifle range at Ft. Dix, in the November rain in '68: Drill Sgt. - While you're marchin' with your pals...(platoon repeats each line) Jody's gonna get your gal... She told you that she was true... Now she's ___-in' someone new... Headin' out to pump some lead... Shoot some V.C. in the head... It went downhill from there, and not printable here. It was a lousy time to be a soldier, but we delivered those lines with conviction, and stayed in tempo. Entrainment like that can save your life. By comparison, drum corps drill was a walk in the park, a sunny day at the beach.

If I recall, during the '70s the Scouts used Dynasty and Olds horns, at various times. Enter "Olds Bugle" and "Dynasty Bugle" into a search engine, select "Images", and you'll probably see your horn. By '79 both brands would have had 2 upright pistons.

Re "Air-Grams": A few years ago I judged a show wherein it seemed there were a thousand of these, all similarly inane: - "Go, Sally. We know the second piccolos are the best, and you're the best second piccolo." - Aunt Peggy and Uncle Willis _ "Drum Line, you rock. Win this puppy and we'll all go to Pizza Plaza!" - Mom and Dad Pickleborn - "Joey, slide that bone, boy. The Marching Alligators are pulling for you." - Sissy and Pete Though a few of these were more entertaining than some of the bands, after a couple of hours they became painfully annoying. There was a 15-minute intermission and a couple of us decided to act. We concocted a faux-gram, paid the 2 bucks, and sent it to the announcer. This is what it read: "Dear Mom and Dad, I know you love me, but right now I'm trying to remember the drill changes, so don't call me out while I'm on the field. See you in the parking lot." Have you ever seen an Air-gram get a standing O ? I truly think that audiences would pay an additional $.50 per admission just for the guarantee of an "Air-Gram-Free" experience, and there would be a lot less cringing and embarrassment at shows. Fans might be prompted to attend DCA shows for this very reason

JWillis35 said: " I think this mostly boils down to Denise giving 3 years to help the Cadets as they move forward from a very bad situation." This is the Denise I have known for over 40 years. I have no knowledge of the decision-making infrastructure within the Cadets, but typically in organizations such as this the CEO and the staff work for the Board of Directors. They are the ones making staffing decisions. Everybody else carries out their directives. And all of these individuals, at every level, are deserving of respect, regardless of how anyone feels about them personally. DCP is not the forum for airing personal grievances and vendettas or accusations, or throwing shade based on hearsay. There are other outlets for that.

“Amen” from my peers?" AAA-Men! Our teams were a bit more formal, and kept in formation until we were clear of the stadium. Then we'd circle up, do some sort of tribal yell, and proceed to fall out to greet our fellow competitors...or not. That tradition gave way to the Kumbaya, mass on-field disintegration that seems common now. There will be no going back, but that's ok. Today's performers never witnessed the older protocol. They weren't even DNA molecules then.

The FM-22-5 is just a formalization of choreography for military applications. Drill is dance, and vice versa. See: https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Together-Time-Dance-History/dp/0674502302/ref=d_pd_sbs_sccl_2_1/142-4477119-4326453?pd_rd_w=qQMJK&content-id=amzn1.sym.6ccaee5d-096a-4b4f-a8ba-f4ae5ec130a1&pf_rd_p=6ccaee5d-096a-4b4f-a8ba-f4ae5ec130a1&pf_rd_r=7PKWTE76GGJZSBXTX4SG&pd_rd_wg=xDRGm&pd_rd_r=3f9fca69-b60f-4da0-901c-29fd9923778e&pd_rd_i=0674502302&psc=1

A giant talent. Irreplaceable.

Sending all possible good thoughts.

An interesting exercise in speculation here. I would only point out that it's unlikely that any 1992 drum line would have possessed the simultaneous responsibility movement skills of a contemporary one, any more than today's lines could credibly perform the musical books of the former era. The talent is equivalent. They are trained for different demands. If either of them time-traveled to the other's universe, they would get their legs cracked, I think.

According to reports, DCA has reached an agreement with the Social Security Administration to begin pension distributions to everyone who marched more than 40 shows. In addition, refunds will be mailed to all audience members who have attended Finals over the past 3 years. The hope is that these gestures will incentivize corps member loyalty and offset audience dissatisfaction with the recent rapid deterioration of the quality of the DCA experience. The Caballeros and Buccaneers will be providing the bulk of the necessary seed capital, as soon as the sale of that famous bridge is finalized. The entire operation will be overseen by the DCA's newly named "Welfare Czar", the Easter Bunny.

Understood, but don't fade too quickly. You've got friends here who appreciate your perspectives.

Want to know what's boring? I'll tell you what's boring: the constant, predictable "snarking" at each other that characterizes so many postings. Wake me when it's over, please. ZZZzzzzzzz

We caught Queensmen/Sunrisers alum and Hall of Famer, Billy Cobham, last night in Oakland. I swear, he was put on this earth so that the people could find 2 and 4. Here are a couple of clips, the first from a few weeks ago in Paris: You'll recognize this one: (His old instructor, Bobby Thompson, would be proud.)

There have been times when Fran's shirts were more entertaining than some of the corps. "High General Effect goes to....Fran 'Tommy Bahama' Haring".