apoch003

Nope. Don't think so.

When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I remained silent; I wasn't a Jew. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out. These "minor" changes over the years have made too much impact, and too many people remain apathetic to them. The article quotes as drum corps being steeped in tradition. Yet, the Blue Devils are wearing uniforms from the same company that makes them for SCV, Madison, OC, Cavaliers and many others. It all looks the same. I had no problems hearing the bells (the pit) BEFORE the advent of amplification. Yet, last year, the Cadets were actually TALKING all through their show. Which I found personally, to be VERY distracting. Miking the horns now to make up for the sound of Bb instruments because G's were naturally louder? WHY? Just go back to the G's and stop messing with a beautiful system that's worked since the civil war! And finally, I don't care how elaborate your music is... if I'm not tapping my foot to the melody, it's just notes. There's a difference! LEARN IT.

I assure you all. What I observed is totally true. I found it completely foreign to my way of drum corps life. Also, I believe the kids reflected what they were taught in the performance that night. It was disorganized, too soft in volume, and very poorly executed. I'm just hoping that as their confidence builds, it will reflect in their passion.

The changes from the 80's onward have been more than just g-two valve to Bb-three valve. And I don't know what to think. We've all argued the electronics on the field debate until blue in the face, but has anyone actually seen a modern rehearsal lately? The corps I saw had 65 kids on the field.... and TWENTY TWO instructors! WHAT...THE... H-E double hockey sticks??? That's one instructor for every three kids. How are they paying this kind of staff? Now, the kids are new. As the state I'm in didn't let them out of school until the 21st of June. So I can forgive a lot of what I saw. STILL, the drill wasn't finished. Not even a first draft of the drill was finished. Don't the kids have drill camps in the winter? How come the drill wasn't hammered out between last August and this July? There were no commands. Seriously, these marchers don't know what "dress center dress" is. It's not in the modern vocabulary. There wasn't even one time the performers were called to attention. I suppose this is okay for modern drum corps, but it sure took away from the military tradition that created it. The drum major never spoke. Just stood on the podium, and waved his arms when the metronome clicked a beat. I asked about commands, and how important they were to parades. The response I got was that corps do not perform parades anymore. In fact, without retreats, they don't even know what a parade FORMATION is anymore. These performers had to be taught in 5 minutes at DCI backfield last year how to form and stand at retreat. The staff constantly sweet talked. There was no passion to the performance, no volume... I couldn't tell if the pit was even playing the same show as the rest of the corps. And the colour guard was extremely dirty. But not once, were the performers told that it was (basically) terrible. "Saber line, don't worry about it. We'll work that out later.", "It would be really nice if there were more volume coming out of the trumpets, do you agree trumpet line?", "Can everyone try and listen better to others around them?". I couldn't believe my own ears! Where was the true statements? Why weren't mistakes being fixed with pushups? I will see this corps perform again in two days. Supposedly, with a finished drill. I'm very worried for them. Having said that, it's clear to see why some corps are exceedingly GOOD using this method of instruction as well. The kids don't stress the small stuff and just learn and learn and learn without threat of repercussion of doing things wrong. This is a very positive way to teach. Using that, I can see kids wanting to learn. And that's really what it's all about, right? As the performers become more confident in what they do, they will naturally become more passionate about it, as well. But it needs to happen much quicker than the current pace I see being produced. Since there is no retreat, or parades, there really isn't much point in learning interval/distance, or commands. But it's still a shame, IMO. I wonder if the kids help each other out as well. I didn't see that happening, but who knows what happens after time on the field. Please post and help me be more confident in our beloved music activity. I could use the scolding/cheering up.

3700 chemawa road NE, Salem Oregon 97305

Just a bump. One more week until the reunion. Contact everyone you can!

Just a bump.

For full, rich, classy sound... I choose Phantom. For expertise in execution and brilliant classical music scores... I choose 80's SCV. For amazing Jazz lines with balls to the wall skill.. I choose BD. Unfortunately, this kinda makes the list a bit subjectively hard to opt in.

Everyone's wearing panties?

Degrayed.

welcome to OREGON! (It's my thread, after all!)

Wow. You're right on these, Sue. Good Job!

Just a quick update. The reunion is now to be located at the Chemawa Indian School (we used to practice there all the time in the summer) on July 6th, 2008. Starting at 4pm. The OC will start their show at 7pm. Tickets to the reunion (for the dinner provided by the O.C.) is $5.00 and can be purchase at the crusaders website or at the location. Tickets for the 7pm show are $10.00 and can be purchased the same way. So, in all, for 15 bucks, you get a reunion with an actual drum corps show!!! Bring all the souvies you want, as there will be booths and tables set up for us to show off our drum corps junk from the past! NOTE: This is for ALL Pacific Northwest alumni, not just the Argonauts D&C, Bands, etc... but also for the Blackwatch, Spartans, Imperials, Marauders, and Cascades!

Hee! If you flipped those pics, it'd be a great ad for recruitment. Before: Complete dorks.. After: Coolest guys around...

That's Mike Dietz (RIP). Plus, the sash is going the wrong way.

Ziljan for the win!

You've got a good eye, Tom. Yup!

Hrmnn... what else can I throw in here just to rile everyone up?

Hey! I'm trying to have an Argonaut moment here! ....

Oh no! I FINALLY get pics of us in 83, and you all are stomping me!

Argonauts, 1983 (from the yearbook). SUPERMAN, baby! P.S. Note how skinny I am. Those were the days.

So... where's my 82 Argo picture?

You can watch the trees growing back there!

Oh... I'm so sorry. Obviously, he was too young to go. My condolences Scott.

Be glad you're not out here... Mention drum corps to any person not involved and all you get is "huh?" followed by the yawns of apathy as you try to explain.