MusicEdNC

Then you are incorrect. While my background w/ the histroy of whats been done at WGI when is extremely shady, I know at least 2, 3 years ago Missoin Vievo (sp) did it extremely well, by doing drumspeak and then playing what they spoke in thier infamous trial show. I don't know if they did it 'first' per se, so if they didn't, then the timespan has to be greater then 3 years. Narration has also been going on for several years in both marching idioms, with that there are too many examples to name. Both KM's show from last year had narriation as well as Westfield from the year before. Point being, is that many groups have been doing it in thier respective venues for at least several years now. While I could certainly see a case being made for years when it is used more then others it being 'in fad' 'per se, it certainly isn't going away. Personally, I feel that a fad is something that happens, then for whatever reason stops happening. (Perhaps for stylistic reasons?) That certianly isn't going to happen here. levi

Amp's are a 'fad'? Man, someone hasn't been keeping up w/ what has been going on with other areas of the marching arts. I agree w/ one of the above posters. 'Fads' are something that cycle thorugh periodically. Amps are here to stay and simply make things sound better. Not very 'faddish' as I understand the meaning of the word. levi

I don't understnad. What does eliminating the cymbal line have to do w/ the lack of impact at a tonal center. levi

Madscout does seem a little off base. He is correct on one thing however. This is not a 'sport.' It is more along the lines of an atheltic event. It seems that he misinterpreted comments to mean that 'winning first place is the only thing that matters.' Which was A, never said, and B, i don't think anyone really believes that. It isn't all that matters, but, this is a compeition, and the goal is to win. Sure, you can put PC language on it. "Oh, its the performance that counts, everyones a winner, what matters most is you put on a good show.' But if this was all true, alright then, so lets just not have a top 12, lets just put on festivals throughout states. I wouldn't be in favor of that. Regardless, compeition is something inhernt in the activity, and it is much better to be the first place group then the 3rd, and much better to be the 3rd then the 5th...and so on down the line. But that dosn't mean that the last place group didn't accomplish things of value, on either a personal or compeitive level. levi

I'm amazed at how many people think scores are % points away from perfection. levi

"See, here is my problem with the activity now days, we put ay too much emphasis on making shows too difficult. Somewhere, someone has got the impression that in order to be good, your show has to be run at 220 bpm, have music that only slightly resembles the original score, a zillion 32nd note runs, with various splats, gacks, odd body angles (ala Star 1993) etc..." It's called demand. Performing more at higher levels of acheivement = higher score. "Remember the days when drum corps used to play melodies? Remember when you used to walk away from a drum corps show humming more than a few of the shows?" I heard plenty of melodies tongiht. "I walked away from the theater last night with only two shows in my head... Regiment and SCV. I have no idea what BD played... but I do remember "Yoswsa yowsa yowsa". That is a shame consdering Downing is probably the greatest composer in DCI history." I actually enjoyed thier show. I thought from a design standpoint some things didn't work, but for all the talk of narration on here, it didn't bother me that much. "Cavies were solid, but nothing in their show really stuck with me." I would agree. I was much more a cadets fan then cavies. "Madison was good, but pretty much all we were watching was Carmen." I would agree as well. "I could go on and on... but I'll save it. Yes there is something missing in SCV's show this year, I'll be the first one to tell you that, but honestly the show is much better than an 87ish score. Just my opinion.. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> "

I got to the theatre late and just missed SCV's performance. (had rehersal) I don't know about anyone else but the talk around the theatre I was at was how bad they were. Apparently it had quite a few people that don't keep up w/ things pretty shocked. levi