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Bob984

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Everything posted by Bob984

  1. Hi....I am curious as to why faculty are discouraging you spending your summer as you wish with drum corps.....are they concerned about your health, fatigue, embouchere? What are their concerns, and are they valid? If they are "threatening" in any matter regarding drum corps participation, perhaps you should consider a different grad school.....in some places, some profs haven't seen a drum corps in 30 years, and don't understand that things are a bit different now..... If you feel your health will hold up for a summer of drum corps, then you should do it....it's your last shot. On the other hand, if you feel that doing corps will possibly cause health issues, then I would take the advise of your faculty. I can also say that most corps' have staff that can be tolerant of certain health issues.....I was highly asthmatic when I marched....occassionally I would get an attack that would last most of the night, and thus I was wiped out in the morning from lack of sleep and being medicated.....they would allow me to sleep late and to rehearse as soon as I felt up to it. They would also allow me to leave rehearsal when I felt a problem coming on. I didn't abuse this priviledge, and they knew that if I was sitting out, whether it was in the morning or in the middle of a bad heat period, they knew why, and that I would be back as soon as possible. Only you know what your health situation is....more than faculty, you may wish to consult with your physician....if he gives the green light, then I would march.....red light, stay at home. I actually started grad school during a summer that I was teaching a major corps.....I did have to miss part of 1st tour to do school...then I flew in. But, all worked out, and my "drum corps stamina" gave me the energy to do a 2 year graduate program in 10 months. (Although I am not sure if I would try that extreme again). I did miss a rehearsal (lol) to go to my graduate degree ceremony, and showed up the next day with my pointy hat and tassle on! Good luck! GB
  2. I know that some here have posted that yelling is never the answer or effective...I do agree if the person does it regularly or all of the time. However, this memory will stick with me forever.... A top 5 corps, who I'll leave nameless, showed up at my high school a day before DCI East. (I was in one of their competitor corps, and leaving for tour later that night) Their horn arranger/instructor is a hall of famer. They set up a runthrough just after dinner time...the school was in a suburban neighborhood, and people had walked from their homes to the school football stadium right after they arrived home from work, as they were "curious" about this group from another region of the country whose vehicles went all the way down the street. The corps played the opener. I thought it was pretty good. The instructor held up the bullhorn and said this..."if that's the way you are going to play it tommorrow, then we might as well go the F.... home....(now yells)....now set it up again, and play the f.....in....chart the way I f....in wrote it!!!!!" Parents are "horrified", and I am laughing big time... My mom's eyes grew big, and my dad leans over and says "he seems to be a bit upset with them"....I laughed and said "yes".....Then my dad says "do your instructors ever yell like that?" I say, "sometimes"....he says, "do you think it will have any effect"?? I say, "we'll see"....the corps set up the opener again, and absolutely blew the roof off the stadium...wow....the instructor holds up the bullhorn and says two words...."better.....proceed...." Yep, you can call it improper....but that corps won East prelims the next day, with everyone there.....Sometimes emotion works, and I don't think anyone in the corps' "feelings were hurt" or "took it personal" when their arranger indicated he didn't think they were putting out.....do I think that he would have gotten the same response if he said "guys, I don't think you are putting enough energy and emotion into the chart".......NO....... GB
  3. I thought the 88 format was great. There has always been a problem with slotting. We have been in a system for a long time now that only 1 or two (and maybe at the most 3) corps come in with a shot at the title. The whole "on any given night" statement is a joke. Last year, without elaborating, greatly amplified that fact. If we want a system where everyone is given an equal shot, and one that discourages any slotting, random order is the way to go. When I marched, and we drew lots for prelim order, prelims were by far the most competitive shows, and the judging seemed far more accurate than finals shows. If you did a hot job in your caption, you were far more likely to get a "number" or proper placement/fully rewarded in prelims then in finals, at any show. Yes, it may be a bit weak if you had the eventual 12th place corps being the last corps on in finals and the winner being on 2nd. But, in the long run, it would help corps step to the plate a bit more, and the seperation between corps would become more blurred. Also, a corps would no longer be guaranteed the prime time late spot just because you are at or near the top....ie you may have to show up earlier. For the people who really have a problem with it, even a top 6 bottom 6 split (for finals only, again with no prelim scores announced (except for 13th and below)...the only thing anyone would know is that they finished in semis somewhere in the top 6 or lower 6. It would also guarantee a more even audience. When I went to prelims last year, I have noticed we now have a "country club" crowd, who only comes late at quarterfinals and semis. Does a Pacific Crest or Esperanza deserve to perform in front of a small crowd at prelims while the "big boys" get a full crowd?? I don't think so. When we had random prelims by draw, the crowd was strong the entire show. This system merits another shot. GB
  4. I think the Cavaliers do a great job at writing a show around visual concepts......however, I don't feel they have been remarkable products from a musical arrangement/effect standpoint. Visually they are great, but I don't get the same impact from the musical product....I know there are many who disagree, and you are entitled to your opinion.....they do execute everything they do very well.......however, last year, I felt Phantom was superior musically and thus had the overall superior product, and I was not alone, and even the judging community was divided as evident by the close outcome....For me, the ultimate drum corps product is a fabulous musical book presented with a coordinated visual package, and I think Cavies shows use the reverse approach......BG
  5. Ivan Rutherford......"Jean Valjean" in Les Miserables, both on Broadway and touring casts....snare drum, Cadets '81,'82 BG
  6. Most corps, even contenders, will not "string someone along" past the end of January/early February, and it is proper to ask the corps to "make a decision" if you do not get one by then (but that length is normal). Meanwhile, it is very good experience to continue, and if progress is made, your child may be in. Truthfully, the higher the corps is ranked and the larger the number of auditionees, the harder it is. If your child does not make the corps they have tried out for by the end of January/early February, it would be highly worthwhile to go to a camp of another corps....if your child earned a 2, they will have the talent to march in another corps......perhaps not a top 5 contender, but chances are good at making a spot in a corps. Good Luck! BG
  7. THANK YOU to the new Crossmen administration for making efforts to accomodate northeast members.....the new north audition will take some fiscal pain away, and a Houston pickup may make things more plausible for some..... I just checked.......Phila. - Houston Southwest.......$99 each way Baltimore - Houston.....Southwest $89 each way GB
  8. Maybe a drum corps concert CONTEST, with major prize money for the top 3 finishers, and a small appearance amount for all, would be interesting. In Orlando, they had several standstill concert performances in pavilions and other locations at Disney over the years; they were well attended and fun. The logistics are time, venue, and a sponsor to put up the prize money.....for me, it's always been about the music, so I like hearing a great corps play in concert....GB
  9. You really don't fully get the point.....I am glad that you were able to fly to corps, but many Bones will not be able to return to the corps. Only around 20 flew to last year's corps, and most of the rest were within 0 - 6 hours drive. The Crossmen were a corps who had kids mostly from the NE; they may not have been good enough (some were) to march in a top 5 corps, and flying elsewhere was not an option. The Crossmen gave them a place to march division I in their region. That is totally gone now. The corps was never exclusive to just kids from the NE, but that was our huge nucleus to this day. Alumni supported the corps in it's effort to provide for these NE kids. It will now be just another "international" corps....it will provide for local TEXAS kids, and the rest will be those with means who can fly in. But the identity as a NE corps is now dead. No effort thusfar has been made to accomodate them with either northern auditions or rehearsals....it's all in Texas. I couldn't help but notice you went from Sky Ryders to Phantom close to the time of the move to Texas, which didn't work out for SkyRyders and you didn't stick it out with them for their remaining years.....I would be interested to know exactly what happened there, because they went to Texas with great aspirations and the corps was done in 3 years....many ex-bones fear the same fate.........and I think the whole "support" thing, right, wrong or different, is that support is to a different corps; they will be the Crossmen in name only....there are many who think perhaps something needs to replace the Crossmen for the void for the young people in our region that was just sold. GB
  10. I checked with a parent of a member/friend....80% of this year's members drove to campsand were within 6 hours....around 20% flew.....that particular member will now tryout for Bluecoats...members with modest means will not be able to afford $2500 worth of plane fare in addition to dues (ie now over $4000 to march counting the plane fare....ouch...).........yes, there will be some who can and do..........I also hate to say this, but if the new owners cared about the current membership, they would have at least made an attempt to hold eastern auditions and a few eastern camps to ease the pain. This hasn't been done. ironically, this will does help the Texas kid who can't afford to fly..... None of us (the alumni) are upset about the eventual departure from YEA....in fact, we owe YEA gratitude for saving the corps when it was in deep, and I for one feel the corps was treated well...yes, not evenly with Cadets, but that was never the deal, and the Cadets take in MUCH more money...the Crossmen were treated more than fair. Running one div I corps is a monumental task...2 is ridiculous.....I do have a hard time believing that this was the only option, though, and the corps identity as an eastern drum corps has now been eliminated. GB
  11. Excellent post. I am an alum and former staffer of the corps. I will say that YEA bailed out the corps when in serious jeopardy when that absorption happened; although the corps has never challenged for the DCI title (how many have) they had good years, and were respectable even in the last 2 years, the only that they did not make DCI finals under YEA. Many complain that the Crossmen were never treated as the Cadets.....the Crossmen in fact were treated well....yes, they didn't operate on even budgets, but the Crossmen didn't take in nearly as many donations and merchandise sales, and were given more than their share. I also will state that I do think YEA is making the move that THEY feel is best for the corps. I can't help but wonder though if it was the only thing possible and that it wasn't done in haste......was there no way to keep the corps in the east??? All of that said....to me, the Crossmen is an EASTERN drum corps. This corps, for 34 years, provided a place for average kids from average households to drive 0-6 hours (or pile in a car/van with friends) and march in a division I corps, and they were a mainstay in Pennsylvania. These kids may not quite be good enough to make the Cadets, and flying to audition for ANY corps is not an option fiscally. The description above describes around 80% of the membership of the Crossmen. This has just become extinct effective Thursday. Some will make a very long drive to try to become a Bluecoat now. Maybe a few will try out for Cadets. Many will now stay home. Perhaps a few will try to come up with the large amount of money to return as a "fly-in" member (just one rt flight from Philly exceeds $300....) There have been no efforts by the new administration to accomodate the current members, holding no northeast auditions or rehearsals, or even any communication. Only "auditions are in November in Texas".....not exactly a "welcome back"....... Also, the alumni have received no communication at all from the new corps administration. When the Sky Ryders moved to Texas....they made finals the first year, missed the next 2, and then were toast. They were right outside Dallas and within easy striking range of UNT. This new team is from the world of band, not Drum Corps....preparing for BOA contests and preparing to tour and compete with the Blue Devils and Phantom is a whole different game. If things don't work out, will it just be another folding?? One thing for certain, is that as of now, there is one less division I corps in the east....the Crossmen are now a "new drum corps" in Texas, and that has both saddened and alienated many former members, staff, and alumni in the last few days. The Crossmen, as an eastern drum corps, are over. GB
  12. The Blue Devils original "North Drum" Triples, and Spirit's marching double side/flip keyboard were the heaviest instruments I have ever tried.....you have also forgotten marching timpani......I am sure alot of people with bad backs now who used to lug around a 29"......I saw a photo of a guy from 27th wearing "marching chimes".....PAIN! GB
  13. A big misconception among many is Crossmen perceived as a feeder corps for the Cadets. Not so. Very, very few Crossmen have bacome Cadets....in fact, more of them have become members of Blue Devils. At the initial YEA audition, a kid had the choice of auditioning for Cadets, Crossmen, or both. Many select both. Yes, it IS true that many who were pretty good but cut at Cadets ended up with Crossmen....not a bad thing. There are kids who are cut every year at auditions for every top 5 contender, yet end up marching with another finalist. There were also kids who only wanted to be Cadets...period, and some who only wanted to be Crossmen....period. You are right that the future is definitely uncertain....I'm an alum, and former staffer, so I hope they survive, but I will miss the corps' identity as an Eastern corps........GB
  14. I stand corrected....I got my info from a fellow alum, and he obviously was wrong....sorry.....and don't get me wrong, I still wish them best, but am saddened that they are no longer an eastern drum corps....... GB
  15. Many current Crossmen members will not be able to afford to return to the corps because they can't afford to fly to rehearsal in San Antonio, and their division I marching experience is now over. It's that simple. And that sad. GB
  16. It doesn't compare. When Boston took on the Florida contingent, they were having major recruiting problems. Some staff were from Florida, recruited heavily there, got many talented kids from Fla. to give it a go, and they made it in, with more Fla. kids then Northern kids. The Fla. connection has been solid ever since. They have worked out the whole northeast/Florida logistics, and made it work. They still have a base in Boston, and I believe some kids go there for tryouts and I believe some rehearsals (at least they did). The Crossmen will not have a NE base at all. Everything will be in Texas. Their identity as an eastern corps is done. The average Crossmen member from the Northeast will not be able fiscally to go to Texas. How it works out in Texas is a big question mark. I do think the corps could have survived in the east and eventually rebounded...they have just been very young the past few years, and there have been staff/administration changes as well. GB
  17. The Corps DID have other possible options......rumors in both Pa. and Va....both would have allowed the corps to maintain it's identity as an Eastern corps and would have been viable for returning members. An Eastern possibility would have definitely happened if time was given. Now, few, if any, members will return, from what I am hearing. The Crossmen had many members within a 6 hour drive and they were average kids from average households...for many, flying to Texas is not an option. GB
  18. As an alum of the Crossmen and former staffer, I can tell you that many alumni, and current marching members, are very upset. The Crossmen, in good years and bad, have always been an Eastern Drum Corps. I was in the corps when we first made finals, and we were very proud that a group of average kids from Pennsylvania and the tri-state area(and, yes, some from other places...whom we welcomed) were able to bust their tail in a bad parking lot and become a solid DCI finalist. The Bones, like all major div. I corps, do have kids from many places, but have maintained their roots, and to this day had a large contingent of members from Pa. and within a 6 hour drive. Now, the kid from Pa. who wants to march division I, and/or is pretty good but maybe not good enough (or the desire) to be a Cadet, and can only afford to drive (with friends) and not fly to rehearse...well, his marching days are over...although some might hop in a car and take a long drive to Bluecoats. There were 3 kids in the corps this summer, guard members, from Texas. Not one musician. Yes, the Crossmen had a rough couple of years (but were still respectable). A young membership, and changing staff/administration made things a bit difficult. I understand YEA needing to let go of the corps over time and the reasons........but I fear that what happened to Sky Ryders when they moved to DeSoto could repeat here. The Crossmen went through some very rough times, but always survived, and would have survived in the East. I am not so sure they will now. Yes, Texas has some great musicians. They march with Phantom, Blue Devils, Santa Clara and others. They are not going to flock to the 15th place Crossmen. The new director comes from a great HS program. But BOA is not DCI, and talented 15-17 year olds are not going to hang competitively with corps with 20 year old music majors. Nothing can change that. We have alumni who had kids in the corps the past few summers...average kids with average folks with average jobs....flying to San Antonio to be in the corps is not an option; they gave their hearts to the corps and marched with the same pride as if they were 6th place.....their marching days as a Crossmen are now abruptly over, by force, and with no ability to have any input prior to the decision (nor did the alumni). From what I had heard, the Crossmen did have a respectable number of kids who wished to return to the corps before this happened; now, very few, if any, will. I just pray that if/when the Texas thing doesn't work, that somehow the corps will come "back home". GB I
  19. 1976, 30 years ago (wow) was my first time at DCI Nationals, in Philadelphia. We were parking near Franklin Field, and I asked my friend "who are the guys in the yellow coats", and he told me. A few hours later, they came on, not "in the block" as they hadn't been at DCI in 1975. They came on and blew the house down, and I loved the show and so did the vast majority of audience. I remember thinking, "these guys are not only in, but by a mile", and they propelled their way to 6th. I remember reading in DC News about some of the controversy....the uniforms, antics, etc. I think the biggest actually came from the marching performance judging community; their visual performance numbers were very erratic, and this lasted some years. Like any corps, they had to bust on getting ticks out, and were not always consistent, but I also know that sometimes it seemed as if they were "dumped on" in "M&M", perhaps by more traditional thinking judges who inwardly hated their style. In both 1977 and 1980, the Bridgemen were very, very good by any analysis.....I do think that they were title contenders both years, although I doubt that they would have been "allowed" to win no matter how tight the performance...it's no big secret about the lowdown after the prelim DQ and subsequent court injunction that they were dumped before they set foot on the field at finals in 77.... The bottom line is the Bridgemen broke new ground, were very fun, very entertaining, and yet competitive.......when you looked past the "fun", this corps played their tail off, especially in 77 and 80 (and I am not dissing other years, as they had many other good years, but those two were fabulous)... Larry Kerchner and Dennis Delucia were and are tremendous arrangers....Kerchner wrote arrangements that worked, yet if you analyzed them, there was alot of challenge in playing them well; if you think "Thunder and Blazes" is easy because it's "familiar", start working on playing that fast, never mind on two valves.....and Delucia wrote creative percussion that fit Larry's scores, and showcased the line in great features, plus they were deadly at execution...an 11 was no big deal for them, yet other lines would give anything to get one once. And not to overlook Hoffman.....crazy visual things, but again, very well coordinated, and perhaps the corps did not get credit when they executed well....those yellow coats amplified any visual error, so they were very exposed. It was tremendous seeing them out there this year (the Scouts alumni were absolutely awesome, too, and extremely entertaining) , and at both shows I was at, the audience loved them (and so did I).....I hope they can keep doing it.....good luck to VK in their comeback try........ One last note....the Bridgemen's first controversy and that of the Cadets this year were very different. Even by the end of the season this year, I don't think the Cadets show won over a majority of the audience, and I think the controversy over using voice, amplification, and props/characters continues.....it will be interesting to see what they do in the future....by the end of the 1976 season, I think Bayonne had won a majority of the audience and they were usually very well received wherever they competed in all of the years following, and the way they "invented" their corps into a fun yet competitive machine was pretty amazing. GB
  20. I would have to disagree with you. The Cavaliers have and continue to be absolutely top drawer from a visual standpoint, no argument. However, musically, I find them coming up short. Before I get going, I am not coming without knowledge.....31 years in the activity, a B.S. in Music Ed and a Masters in Performance, a few championship rings in my dresser drawer, and too many years as an arranger/instructor to count. I find their music to be lacking in expression, depth of sound, dynamic contrast, emotion, demand while moving, and extended sections of thin scoring (ie percussion and drill only) or very segmental horn charts. It was clearly evident that the brassline of Phantom Regiment had far more demand in every one of these aspects....yes, I do agree that the Cavies hornline was very, very clean....but the caption is also to consider a balance of how and WHAT....and they come up substantially short in the what aspect of their arrangements. The percussion judges did recognize this. Some brass and effect judges did, but others did not. I actually got to speak with several of my drum corps/educator friends in Madison: whereas some did not feel the same, the majority felt that Phantom had a significantly better musical package...enough to win the show. GB
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