Nex

Donated.

I can tell you that we never once got any sort of comment, thanks, irritation or otherwise from judges last season for playing in A Minor/C Major for the duration of our 4:00+ opener or ending the show in A Major. Over half of our show was spent in one of the non-Bb, Eb, etc. set of keys, and we got no credit for it (and didn't care or expect any). That being said, we also didn't have a terribly hard time tuning (other than the folks who just had horrid ears and would have sucked at tuning in Bb too :-p). I know we didn't have the best intonation ever, but it's certainly not quite as hard as you folks are making it out. I dunno, maybe I just have a good ear that lends itself to easy adjustments on-the-fly though. I understand that Bb is easier, and that it "speaks" better on the horn, but I don't think it's nearly as big of a factor as it's being made out to be. That being said, I'm really enjoying Crown this year from what I've heard, and I can't wait to get my first glimpse live in Hattiesburg . . . and then again in Atlanta. :)

The MEMPHIS show is not being held this year. The McKenzie show is being held as scheduled. That's on the website you listed as well as DCI.org.

Indeed, there are still some brass openings. You'll have a lot of catching up to do, but it'll definitely be worth it.

But it is the ending to the second part of it . . . .

We're looking for 1 trumpet, 2 mellophones, and 2 tubas to fill out the hornline. Edit: Googlepages apparently hates me tonight, so it doesn't really matter now, does it, goldingna? :-p

Memphis currently has 24 in the brassline, and we're looking for at least four more. We'd prefer contras and mellophones, but any and all are welcome. You can send an email my way (though I may not be able to check it more than once a day) if you are either interested or know of anyone who would be.

Thanks! We were pretty much just trying to make sure that everyone would enjoy the show, so it's good to know it came across. Your numbers are pretty close. 29 hornline and 12 battery (and 11 I think, don't remember, in the pit). I'm interested in how the numbers will turn out this year across the board. It'll definitely be interesting to see exactly how it plays out with only one division.

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I can see how you could have some apprehensions, but I've never found any of Klesch's work to be over-arranging, especially in comparison to some of the corps brass books out there.

Star '91

Well, I'm a little biased, I admit, but considering we had a total of three brass staffers (and for somewhere between 25 - 50% of tour only two at a time), and the fact that we were pretty awful when we started out, I'm going with Andre and the Mempho gang. I'm glad we managed to make an impression on some folks with our little late entrance at Semis, but honestly, we were more scared that you guys would end up losing out on the best show we could give you because of it. We could have been disqualified and we could have gotten over it. We knew what we could and couldn't do by that time. I just remember Andre hammering into us, "People will forgive you for making mistakes; they won't forgive you for boring them." So a lot of us were more scared of not giving the audience a good show than the scores that day. Luckily I guess it worked out all around though :p

Pretty much . . . .

If so, I'm still not sure where he's coming from. I never said anything about disliking DCI afterward or about electronics being a doomsday. I'm just marking that there will be a significat-enough difference in the on-field product to warrant something commemorative. For me, that's where I make the distinction. Others made it at amplification, some at the Bb switch, others when various valves were added. I swear, people make less and less sense every day

Umm . . . what'd I miss? Who said anything about 2012?

I think he meant Crown and probably Blue Stars.

How about a simple "898" (for August 9, 2008) on the left breast and some sort of quote on the back. Nothing harsh, nothing offensive, just something that'll celebrate the good experiences had up to that day. I dunno if it falls under the cliché category, but the whole "For those who know, no explanation is needed. For those who don't, none can be given." quote might work.

Really, is this such a bad idea, or are people more set on complaining than doing something?

Get in on the ground floor. If an organization has a large alumni, volunteer, and membership base that doesn't want electronics, they won't use them. That's where they get much of their lifesblood now. Basically, go to Open Class, become that base, and you won't have to worry about it changing as much.

I honestly don't know how the rules currently work. Open Class may have to vote on it separately, or it may be universal for all DCI. But fact of the matter is that most Open Class (the overwhelming majority) won't be using them for years now, if ever (if the membership doesn't want it) simply because the members do have more input within the corps than in the World Class corps (and currently, many don't have the extra money to purchase them . . . or amps for that matter).

It's actually more fun than you'd think. Just ask the Open Class corps from the past . . . oh, forever. You've got to be in it for yourself and the corps, not the audience. You perform to them, you try to give them the best show possible, you try to wrench their emotions in every which way, but you've got to be able to want it even if the stadium's empty, otherwise it's just a shell.

Alright, everyone. Folks are going crazy over this electronics thing. While those of you who hate it are safe for one last season, you're probably wondering if there's any way to deal with the loss of drum corps without deserting the kids. Those who are of marching age may want to stay away from electronics and yet still march. Well, don't worry. There is a way. Let the electronics folks have their way. That's right, I said it. Leave 'em be. Stop arguing and stop fighting it. It's going to happen. Focus on how to survive in the post-electronics world of drum corps. How you say? The answer is but a click away: http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php?showforum=23 That's right, anti-electronics ladies and gents, the world of Open Class drum corps is still here. They're smaller on average, and as a result, they often don't have the means to utilize electronics (whether due to financial limitations, transportation limitations, etc.). In addition, many don't necessarily want to use them. (An added bonus for some of you . . . there's less amplification usage too). Now, I know what you're thinking. "But it's Open Class . . . it's just not as good, and I won't get the same butt-whooping experience as in World Class!" Well, it's a common misconception by those who don't have much experience (or any) with Open Class, but it's a little skewed. The corps are younger, so there is often an ability difference, but just like World Class corps, the staff will write to the corps' ability. If there is a sudden inward surge of members disgruntled over electronics, not only will the membership problems be solved, but the ability level will go up as well. As for getting a lower quality experience, well, that's just ignorance Now, I know you're still a little iffy here, but the smaller corps of Open Class are a little more family-like (in that there are fewer members, so you tend to know everyone well, and you make very close friends because of it). The staff members and administration of these corps are often-times more open to members and volunteer input than any World Class corps is. If the members don't want electronics (and want to keep it that way), they can! Heck, if you work it out right, you can make Open and World class equals in all but electronics usage. So before you swear off junior corps, take a look at Open Class. They want the members, they want the volunteers, I know they want (and could definitely use) the money that World Class corps get. So give it to them. Show DCI that there IS another way. Vote Open Class this November for a better 2009!

Having read some of your other posts . . . several in fact, I'd have to say that you are the last person to be throwing the word "ignorant" around. The OP is using simple logic (which your username suggests you're familiar with?) to say that since a new, never-before allowed classification of instrument is being legalized, it will be utilized. Once utilized, this will affect the sound produced by corps to some degree (whether great or small). Assuming that anyone using the electronics will be making them noticeable (otherwise why waste the money on them?), anyone who doesn't wish to hear this change from their definition of drum corps will be fully justified in not listening. Maybe it doesn't have to do with "purity of drum corps," maybe someone is familiar with the use of electronics in other forms of music and doesn't like it in any way. It's pretty easy to then extrapolate to drum corps. And I don't remember perfectly, but I don't recall the OP using the word "hate" either. As for me, I do recognize that this will make a marked difference in drum corps. I'll reserve my judgment on it until I've heard electronics in use, but I think the shirt's a great idea and wouldn't mind having one.

Why don't people start looking at more Open Class corps then? The majority of them don't have the people (or the money) to utilize those electronics once they're legal in '09. Plus, the more familial environment allowed by the smaller size means that the members have much more of an impact in the way the corps is run as well as the shows themselves (at least in my experience). Just start going to march Open Class . . . unless you think that they'll be using electronics right out of the gate. I doubt that'll be happening though.

Mempho's got a couple openings in the hornline (and guard I think). Percussion isn't finalized, so you can probably still audition for those as well.