Keith Laubhan
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Posts posted by Keith Laubhan
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I highly recommend not only watching the past few years of performances (to get an idea of each corps style and what resonates with you), but also getting in touch with the corps themselves to get info on what they expect in auditions, what the financial requirements are, and to get a feel for the organization.
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I like the show a lot, and I'll give it up to Crown, though I'm not sold on it being a top 3 finisher this year. They do seem to be setting themselves up for a medal in the near future, though.
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Not "knee," but "finis," as in an ending.
The concept is apparently about a mad composer trying to find the perfect ending.
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I always thought the Rockford "team" was the Peaches.
"Crying? There's no crying in drum corps!"
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I think they are in, by a hair... the improvement they've maid from an execution standpoint from Denver to Atlanta was very striking. Also it seems like the pacing of the show has improved a little bit.
It's the first Scouts show that I've really enjoyed since 1997.
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And I'm not gonna lie, it took me a while to get into BK this year.
Me too, though I've really warmed up to the show since the beginning of the year.
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DCI has been charged with being a viable non-profit organization, an administrator, as well as being a protector of an artform.
I'd agree that most fans don't find BK to be the most entertaining on a visceral level, but does that really make what BK does less important than the corps that are, Jay?
I'd be disappointed to see DCI move to a model that rewars "general entertainment" over "general effect." It's possible it would put more butts in the seats, but I think it's equally possible that it would prevent corps the freedom to explore other ideas or provoke other thoughts.
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Even with some of the negative things in this thread, I'm glad that:
A ) Blue Knights are being discussed. (They don't mind be debated and provoking reactions)
and
B ) There's a dialogue on former members' role within the direction of the corps.
Even though I don't completely agree with Noblegaijin, I do appreciate that he cares about the corps enough to state his opinion.
I've always felt one of BK's strengths is developing strong individuals, and the fact that Noblegaijin is willing to state his opinion, even at the risk of raising the ire of people he marched with, is evidence of that.
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I can see why one could think that, but the thing is we are not in a transitionary period. Transition implies change, and that is something the corps has not seen in years.
I'm not sure I agree with that. While there are obviously commonalities in every BK show (as there are with most corps with an established identity), especially '99 on, I'd argue that there's a very different character in this show compared to 06/07 and 03/04/05. It might be a change that you don't care for, but I certainly don't things are stagnant.
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Well, let me see: I find it refreshing that a person who actually marched at this corps has the guts to speaks his mind about things he doen't like. That's the refreshing part. I happen to agree with him. After that I complimented the corps on it's talent year after year. I then suggested a change in the design staff because that is the only real way changes can be made. I wasn't bashing the corps. May I suggest thicker skin?
My skin's plenty thick, thanks...
Something tells me you'd find it slightly less "refreshing" if some of your old Brothers were bagging on Madison.
That's all... I'll refrain from turning this into a pissing match with you.
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Thank you. I do try. And you missed the point altogether.....
Then feel free to clarify it for me. Maybe my read of your post was colored by everything else I've seen you post on topics having to do with Blue Knights.
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I think he might be refering to the fact that even though I am an alum I can still speak to some of the problems I see with the orginization rather than always singing its praises.
And to be clear, I never said anything about replacing the creative staff.
Right... I know you didn't... I was refering to his post.
I'd never suggest that all alumni should toe the company line and be sheep to their old corps. Truth be told, I'm not sold on every single design choice year-to-year.
That said, not only would I disagree with you, I'd argue that they've succeeded in their goal of being unique and different from the rest of the field. I'm sure BK would love to get more competitive success as well, but if they're going to do it, they're going to do it their way.
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Interesting and refreshing to hear this from an alum. Lord knows the Blue Knights have the talent every year to put out outstanding shows. Maybe they should think about changing the creative staff.
I know BK isn't your cup of tea, but do you have such an axe to grind that you actually find it "interesting and refreshing" to hear an alumn call his corps insane, then suggest that they replace the creative staff?
It's one thing to be a honk, it's another to be a honk who disses another corps for being different than his, as you CONSTANTLY do...
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To each their own... many people don't care for BK's design aesthetic. Many people do. Next to nobody will throw babies at the end of a BK show, but I'd be willing to bet that very few drum corps fans can confuse them for anyone else.
I took a friend to his first drum corps show this past weekend in Atlanta. I was surprised to hear the BK had his third favorite show of the weekend, behind only Phantom and Blue Stars. He knew I was an alumn, but at the same time, before the show, my description of Blue Knights didn't really appeal to him. He was very pleasently surprised.
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I'm just going to make a quick comment on something I noticed.
Regardless of how poor your previous web host may have been, it's VERY unprofessional for this kind of language to appear on a corps' website:
I'm sure that could have been phrased much better.
You're kidding, right? If a vendor can't make it right, why shouldn't a corps (or any other organization, for that matter) explain to its users what the problem is and the steps taken to remedy it?
... Especially after a few people criticized the BK web guys for not "explaining themselves" when the problems first started happening.
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You're correct. There are NO double credits or ticks anymore. It's simply 1 tick and 1 credit now.
My bad... didn't get the memo.
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Gotta stave off elimination for my blue buddies.
13 - Blue Devils
05 - Blue Knights
25 - Blue Stars
14 - Bluecoats
11 - Boston Crusaders
21 - Carolina Crown
15 - The Cavaliers
09 - Colts (credit)
18 - Crossmen
08 - Glassmen
19 - Madison Scouts
10 - Mandarins
10 - Pacific Crest
24 - Phantom Regiment
07 - Pioneer
14 - Santa Clara Vanguard
12 - Troopers
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Honk! Honk!
10 - 7th Regiment
09 - Academy
10 - Blue Devils
09 - Blue Knights
19 - Blue Stars
11 - Bluecoats
12 - Boston Crusaders
16 - Carolina Crown
08 – The Cadets
11 - The Cavaliers
10 - Citations
10 - Colts
10 - Crossmen
10 - Dutch Boy
11 - Glassmen
10 - Jersey Surf
13 - Madison Scouts
10 - Mandarins
10 - Oregon Crusaders
10 - Pacific Crest
17 - Phantom Regiment
10 - Pioneer
10 - Revolution
09 - Santa Clara Vanguard
10 - Spartans
08 - Spirit
10 - Spokane Thunder
10 - Teal Sound
12 - Troopers
11 - Velvet Knights
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Quite the contrary, I've never seen a bad ripple.
I have...
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Blue Knights this year. It's great to see a hornline really pull that stuff off with grace.
It seems like every year the corps proper gets better and more acustomed to doing the intricate body stuff. They've really elevated the dance aspect of what they do.
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My guys need all the help they can get! +2 to BK.
10 - 7th Regiment
9 - Academy
10 - Blue Devils
8 - Blue Knights
13 - Blue Stars
11 - Bluecoats
10 - Boston Crusaders
14 - Carolina Crown
10 – The Cadets
11 - The Cavaliers
10 - Citations
10 - Colts
10 - Crossmen
10 - Dutch Boy
10 - Glassmen
10 - Jersey Surf
12 - Madison Scouts
10 - Mandarins
10 - Oregon Crusaders
10 - Pacific Crest
16 - Phantom Regiment
10 - Pioneer
10 - Revolution
10 - Santa Clara Vanguard
10 - Spartans
9 - Spirit
10 - Spokane Thunder
10 - Teal Sound
12 - Troopers
11 - Velvet Knights
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it's all about the $$...unfortunately
Well, it's gotta come from somewhere. Drum corps is an expensive game for just about all involved.
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Why is it that the 2007 DCI Finals show cannot be viewed yet on fan network? There are already several 2008 shows to watch, but not 2007. I was thinking by now they would have them available. Does anybody know when this will happen?
I'm not entirely sure, but I'd guess after the 08 DVDs go on sale.
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I'm not ready to declare Cavies dead in the water quite yet... Blue Devils have the edge now, but much crazier things have happened than a one point advantage disappearing in a little less than three weeks' time.
I think people are underestimating the depth in Cavies' show. It doesn't hit you in the face like Devs, but there's a lot of room for subtle, clever elements, and I don't see any reason why those can't take shape late in the season.
I get a similar feel with this year's production that I got from Machine a couple years back. I don't think it's an impossibility that it might be enough to catch BD.
As for those that are saying it's boring, I'd disagree-- I'd say that it's more "atmospheric." I think it does a great job of setting a mood, and while I can't really recall any specific melodies from their show (like I can with Devs), I don't feel like I was any less entertained or connected with.
However it shakes out, the winners will be the fans.
The Blue Knights Have Gone Insane
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
I think the organization in general is a little gunshy about artificially changing things up to be more "accessable" or "entertaining." As Wes points out, look at '95 and '01 for that. Talent wasn't an issue with either corps. Trying to be something they're not and failing to play to their strengths were.
At the end of the day, some people will really dig BK, some people won't, and the world will continue to revolve. I'd love to see Blue Knights more universally liked by the mob and ranked higher competitively, but not at the expense of striving to bring something new, refreshing, and artistic to the audience.