Dale Bari
-
Posts
1,235 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by Dale Bari
-
-
43 and getting better every day!!
WHO is 43? Nah, it can't be! But, he's not the only one getting better every day. So are the Empire Statesmen.
Ahhh, catching some rays here in sunny Vienna, VA, a day after "Catchin' Some Rays" in snowy Rochester, NY. I love the warmer climate, but it's much better being with the Statesmen family.
Four tunes down, one to go. We're getting close to sealing the deal with this year's music package. If you're wondering what you will do for the summer, be a watcher or be a player, let me give you a piece of advice:
Go on, be a player. Join the 2006 Empire Statesmen!
-
Out of towners, hope you got home OK? Dale and Tammy, House and the OH crew???
ES' southernmost contingent got home in record time. (I even caught the last 6:15 of the Steelers winning their 5th Super Bowl.)
We got home smartly, even though the snow in Rochester slowed us down a bit. We were hoping it was merely lake effect. That turned out true, as the snow and sleet only lasted a half hour. Tamm & I hoped that the Erie/OH crew got home safely, since the snow probably dogged them all of their way back.
Wow, what a camp! How are those arms, ES baritones?
Come join the Empire Statesmen. We're getting stronger all the time.
-
Me either. Hopefully this weekend the show will be learned!
I cannot wait to see the drill for the opener either. Last I heard that should be written already. Jamie writes some great stuff.
Tamm
Insert shameless BUMP here:
Hey, Baby, cool avatar. Where have I seen that before?
I know all about short commutes versus long commutes to drum corps. But, the LONG commute is worth it for this year's edition of the Empire Statesmen. If Tammy & I can drive 7 hours to Rochester for this show, there's a whole lot of other people who can make the much shorter drive to the next Statesmen camp (this weekend Feb 4-5). You'll be glad you did it. Come on, you know you want to! :P
"Catchin' Some Rays" is always good during these dreary cold winter months with little sun. It might be snowing outside, but the Rays are always shining at Mercy HS when Statesmen are playing cool tunes like "Georgia On My Mind" and "What'd I Say". B)
Our hornline is big, but it can always hold a few more talented people. The drum line is filling out too, and Colin McNutt himself is flying in to see our great percussionists play the fantastic charts he's written. If you're a pit player, you need to sample our front ensemble in person - seeing IS believing!
What could be better than winding up your 2006 DCA experience performing a great show, with one of the most entertaining corps around, in a drum corps-crazed city - that just happens to be your corps' hometown?! b**bs
I can't wait! Is it Labor Day yet?
-
Insert shameless BUMP here:
Yes, I know all about short commutes versus long commutes to drum corps. But, the LONG commute is worth it for this year's edition of the Empire Statesmen. If Tammy & I can drive 7 hours to Rochester for this show, there's a whole lot of other people who can make the much shorter drive to the next Statesmen camp (this weekend Feb 4-5). You'll be glad you did it. Come on, you know you want to! :P
"Catchin' Some Rays" is always good during these dreary cold winter months with little sun. It might be snowing outside, but the Rays are always shining at Mercy HS when Statesmen are playing cool tunes like "Georgia On My Mind" and "What'd I Say". B)
Our hornline is big, but it can always hold a few more talented people. The drum line is filling out too, and Colin McNutt himself is flying in to see our great percussionists play the fantastic charts he's written. If you're a pit player, you need to sample our front ensemble in person - seeing IS believing!
What could be better than winding up your 2006 DCA experience performing a great show, with one of the most entertaining corps around, in a drum corps-crazed city - that just happens to be your corps' hometown?! b**bs
I can't wait! Is it Labor Day yet?
-
Tammy-you really are my number one peep, I am so glad you and Dale are driving all that way. We are lucky to have you guys!
Teddy, I'm not so sure that I'm glad to be driving all that way!
That is, until we get to Mercy HS and start playing with this fabulous brass line every camp! Then, I know it's worth every minute.If you're a brass player, and you're on the fence about marching somewhere this summer, then you need to check out the Statemen line. We're going to be big, we're going to be hot, and we're going to knock people's socks off at stadiums all around DCA this year. B)
Ray Charles recorded great music of many styles, so we're taking a page from him: We'll be giving drum corps fans a little of everything to hear and see. No one will walk away unsatisfied. Any player who wants to get in on some of that needs to get to the next camp in Rochester, Feb 4-5. b**bs
See ya then!
-
Awe... Thanks Tammy!!! You and Dale sounded great on lead!!! Im just glad to be apart of this talented line, espically on euph this year! I didnt make that much of a fool out of myself... even though that thing got friggin heavy come the end of Saturday, but Sunday it wasnt bad at all!
Come check us out, you wont be dissappointed!
Thanks, Spam! Keep working on your air - the sound will follow. You looked good holding that cannon alongside those other three. Four euphs gives a nice bottom to our sound.
The whole horn line, from top (Wow, whatta top!
Ritchie Price & Joe Pero ) to bottom, is as talented a line as I've ever heard at a first rehearsal. You know it was a good day when the brass arranger grinned from ear to ear every time we played his charts. And pound for pound, this is as solid a baritone line as I've ever played in. Not a weak player in the bunch - even the rookies! We played the opener with the WHOLE percussion section - even the pit.For those who weren't there: Come to the next camp - you know you want to.
Statesmen '06 - "The Future's So Bright, We Gotta Wear Shades!"
Catchin' Some Rays!
-
Adam...
You included me in that list of Caballero soloists. Thanks!!! I will consider that a HUGE compliment.
Donny
Hey, DA, with that inclusion maybe now you can be an honorary Cab!I have to say that my fav soloist was the first one I had a chance to be around: Curt Hawkins - Steel City 1987.
Another soloist whom I admire - and I got to play a feature duet with just the one time (Hamilton DCA show 2002): Donny Allen.
In 2004 Steel City Alumni, I got to know and play in the background for the great Riggie Laus on his fabulous version of "Sugar Blues".
In 2005, I also got to know (and help back-up) the singular Joey Pero. Ritchey Price and his horn blew my socks off.
But for all the non-sopranos out there, Genevieve Danis B) is, by light-years, the best baritone player and soloist next to whom I've had the privilege of standing in line. She always played brilliantly and never missed a note, and she probably never received a second thought from whoever award the DCA best soloist trophy.
Lastly, since she's been mentioned (but not by name yet) for missing a couple notes, I'd like to give April Min props for nailing that mellophone solo every other time she played it at the top of "Tommy" in our 2003 show. As for her Finals moment, it was a case of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Besides, I think she, along with most of us Brigs, ignore the Finals performance. Prelims was our show.
-
Im sure this kind of Posting has been done before.. and will be done again but thinking about the past year .. I have a list of Corps Id love to see back in Competition. Feel free to add on to this list.
Guelph Royalaires
Kingsmen
Capitol Brass
Excalibur
Chicago Vanguard Sr.
Sound Of Long Island
Grey Knights
Nightstorm
Soundwave
Les Dynamique
Generations
Lehigh Valley Knights
Steel City Ambassadors
Les Metropolitain
Westshormen
Well, I don't know so much about the others, but three of those corps couldn't possibly be out at the same time, since they all were comprised of the mostly same members at different times. And, they all trace their ancestry back to another corps someone else named.
Pittsburgh Rockets ---> Steel City Ambassadors ---> Soundwave ---> Nightstorm
As for me, if I could have a Way-Back Machine, I'd restore the Steel City Ambassadors. I think they join the Yankee Rebels as the two corps that got Oh-So-Close to winning, but never did.
BTW, if I recall correctly, the Grey Knights remnants helped put Nightstorm on the field too.
-
2004 IMo had the most entertaining shows top to bottom
I have to agree with Jeff (but only because that's the sole year of the 2000's I was a spectator! B) )
Actually, I'll say this until a new show comes alongs to top it, but 2004 DCA Prelims was the best drum corps show I've EVER seen - and I've been to DCI Finals.
-
Sean,
Are you now an official member of the "Make Sure Dale and Tammy Come Back" committee?
It'll be great to see my fellow Statesmen in November! Especially Spam and Heather!
Can't wait to see Jerry Kelsey once again too!
-
Tres Cool!
Hey! that's MY line!
-
I was just trying to figure out who Tammy was marching with this week. :)
Tis a mystery to many. I am marching with my family from Rochester for the remainder of this season.
Thanks for keeping tabs on me, it means more considering I have no clue who you are.
Tammy (Not Dale)
-
-
Donny and I are cool. I know where he is coming from and he knows where I am coming from. I enjoyed my time with Cru. The years there with him and Cooley contain many wonderful memories for me. I went to ES last year when Crusaders could no longer provide me any new memories. It was with ES I found a home. A place I thrive in. For others it may not do that, but for me it does. Yes, I did leave ES and go to another corps this season. I moved 8 hours away from Rochester. Driving that far North every weekend would have been too much. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I found myself in need of a corps this season, so I went home.
Now get this back on topic, I have nothing more to say.
TAMMY (NOT DALE)
Mr. Allen,I appreciate your desire and loyalty to what you believe in. A quality that can be considered foolish in these times or perhaps even outdated. The me generation is one that gives up on a group and puts self first, and me being an oldtimer finds that hard to understand. Yes, I am an old fart. Ms. Tammy, it seems to me that Mr. Allen is trying to only remind you of that. I think in a way he is being a little fatherly and giving you some advice, whether you want it or not. He just doesnt want you to move around from corps to corps for the wrong reasons. Just my 2 cents as an old man, whether it was asked for or not. I wish all of you the best in whatever corps you are with. And in the end, raise a glass together and be grateful you have the freedom to choose things in your life.
God Bless America !
God Bless Drum Corps !
BTW: Mr. Allen, thank you for your kind words about my illness. Mojo keeps me up to date on what is going on.
Joe
-
Joe,
Just stay inside the room whatever you do...that way you won't know what is going outside of your room. It is one of those...where you can smell weed in EVERY hallway.
Anyway...we used to put our Erie guys at Gates Motel, they seemed to like it just fine, until Ralph put the quarter into the vibra bed. LOL
Donny
I stayed there once. It was really close to practice (across the street) and I really needed a bed. ;-)
Bad idea!
TAMMY
-
Oh you like that one, eh Tam????
Rules are different depending on who you are and where you are from. I have complained about it before and I will continue to do so. :-)
BTW this is Tammy and not DALE.
And yes Donny, I did like it.
(hugs)
-
To all of those who think these horns cannot be played loudly...please come and find out for yourself. I can't hear that they don't project like the G horns. They sound pretty loud to me.
DA,
Trust me, the Bb's project pretty well. And if you doubt me, ask Tammy how loud a Bb can get - er, rather TWO Bb's: one on either side.
-
and stace....remember 95 dome,
[snip]
If I am recalling correctly, being with a different corps (see my sig below) that night at that Niagara Falls inside show, the event being referenced was not one of high standards.
BTW, I have heard DA talk about those "Ajax" contras. I had forgotten that "B" was a member of that particular group. That explains the screen name now.
But, to keep from being blamed for taking this thread off topic again, I'll say that I'm glad to hear that you guys in Cru got something going on up there. Keep it going.
-
-
Thanks! We're looking forward to it. Baroque Samba is one of my favorite tunes that Crossmen have ever done, so I'm looking forward to doing it justice!
I played that tune in Cru in 1996. It's still one of my favorites. I'm sure Brigs will more than do justice to it.
Good luck in the 'Cuse this year.
-
Someone (their DM?) asked for more than a few sentences about SoCal Dream. OK, here goes. I didn’t take any notes. This is a collection of impressions from my memory.
Dream was bigger and more sophisticated than I anticipated. I had no idea what style uni or show they had chosen. When they took the field, I wondered how hot they were in those black coats and hats and with the purple velour. The bling bling (as someone else called it) worn by some members fit right in with the overall style and tone of the corps and the show. These accoutrements allow for a touch of individuality by the members, yet still kept the look uniform.
As far as their performance goes, I felt the show had good pacing, both musically and visually. Being one of the larger Class A corps, they used the field well. Drill forms for the most part were clear. Individual marching style was mostly uniform, but some brass players were sloppy in their marching technique. For the style, the music chosen was right on target. The corps was enthusiastic about doing the show and about being at DCA’s.
I thought that the execution wasn’t all there. The low brass sounded a little unfocused. The rhythms got muddy, and the impact was lost as a result. A few instances of front-to-back phasing and battery-to-brass phasing compounded this effect. That’s case of a small problem in one area bleeding over into other areas. It’s not a large problem, but probably explains their placement. With that being said, the score spread between Dream, Sun, and Heat Wave was so close that a small change could lead to a big swing in placement.
With experience comes improvement, and no doubt that Dream will get better just because of that. This is still a relatively new corps, and it was their first trip to DCA - and a long one at that. I really enjoyed their performance. I love their style, and I hope they keep pursuing it. Had Dream not come to DCA, we fans would not have known what we were missing. Now that they have arrived, we know how much lesser DCA would have been without them. So, I hope they keep coming back.
I look forward to see what new stuff they come up with and how much better they get. With the whole LA area to draw from, I expect the sky is the limit for them. Keep it up, guys, I think you’re doing just fine.
-
Here are my reflections and observations of DCA 2004. This is not a review, as such. Don’t look for a lot of facts; this is 99 and 44/100% pure opinion.
Since 1995, I’ve been a participant in one corps or another in the DCA festivities, performing in all prelims and most finals. I spent this year as a mere spectator. Seeing the corps from the inside over the last 9 years, I knew that senior corps has improved, but this weekend floored me. Who knew that senior corps are THIS good?!
For prelims Saturday, I had probably the best seat in the house for hearing all of the corps (between 40-45, left of the 50, lower deck). Every corps, it seemed, had a huge impact moment right in my face. I want to especially credit the Renegades for convincing me in the first 2 minutes I’ve ever seen them from the front that they are, indeed, the loudest corps on Earth! For finals, I was in the upper deck, not a fantastic seat (30 yard line, right of the 50), but still a good place to see the visual designs and marching techniques on display.
Prelims especially impressed me. Every corps seemed well prepared, none had one of those “hide your eyes, cover your ears” train wrecks that could happen. Every corps, even the new corps and the little corps (sometimes one and the same), had an “oooh” moment that made me sit up and take notice. I think prelims Saturday was the best drum corps show I have ever seen, period, even better than DCI Finals I’ve seen.
I took no notes; these are all from memory. I apologize if something is in error.
Gulf Coast Sound was a great way for DCA to jump out of the blocks. To my friends, Nikki and Mike Predmore (and Mary at the souvie table), you guys rock! I hope GCS keeps growing.
Though they wore black and purple unis, Dream evoked images of people dressed in long yellow coats, and that’s a niche not easily filled, which they did well. The show design hit all the right notes for me, even if the execution wasn’t the cleanest. I hope they realized all their goals for their first DCA appearance, and I wish they’ll return soon.
The Govenaires are the best littlest corps I’ve ever seen, period, in DCI, DCA, whatever! I guess that’s what being the oldest corps can do for you. The baritone soloist was a delight, my favorite feature player both nights. I liked the rapport the DM established with the crowd. They were a little too over-hyped on Sunday, but their Saturday show was impressive both because of their size and being a first-timer at DCA. I was glad to hear the DM say they’ll be back next year.
Shenandoah Sound impressed me for being as good as they were for their size (8 horns) and relative inexperience. I always liked BS&T music on the field, and I thought it a good choice for their second foray to DCA. One must always walk before one runs, and the gains Sound made since last year may be modest, but gains they are, and I hope they keep it going.
Sunrisers planned the most ambitious show in Class A. (I’m ignoring Grennies for the moment, since they didn’t plan to be in Class A originally.) Even though this corps has a long, rich history, it seems like a new corps, so such a hard show surprised me. But they pulled it off well. “Classical Gas” was a particularly interesting music choice. They might have even planned to repeat as Class A Champs. I feel for them not even making Finals. Even still, that’s nothing for Sun to be down about. That show may have even been tough for larger corps to perform well. And I heartily agree with awarding the Best DM award for Class A to Dana.
Heat Wave did have the hardest road to Scranton (though not as long as some others), with Hurricane Frances bearing down on their homes. I don’t know if I could’ve performed while my home and family were being threatened. I loved Donny Allen’s book of Brazilian-style music, which continues Wave’s occupation of that musical niche. It suits them well. I missed seeing my friend, Keith Hall, who teaches the brass. They sounded the best I’ve ever heard them. But the drum line seemed most improved over what I’d seen before. I like the unis - I hadn’t seen these ones up close before - though Vic’s DM uni would look better on the corps proper.
Wave, Dream, and Sun all were close to each other, and any one of them could’ve been in Finals. Who’d’ve predicted that Grennies would declare Class A and Govies would pull off what some may think an upset to slip past them? None of them should feel disappointed.
The Grenadiers’ New York Voices show was exactly what a corps in their position needed. A show like the Metheny show last year would not have served them as well as this one did. But no matter the theme, Grennies always have entertaining programs that I like, even when my corps was dueling with them. I hope they get things straightened out and return to where they were not too long ago.
After missing their performances two years ago (due to being at warm-ups), I was wondering if I would have some sort of transcendent experience watching the Yokohama Inspires. Well, I didn’t, but I was nonetheless impressed to find out that they basically just learned this show very quickly and very recently, and this is not their actual show for the new season in Japan. I hope they are not disappointed with being seventh this year. The music was recognizably Latin without being overtly so. Their sound was impressive, and their individual marching style was razor sharp. The show, even if intended for only being performed at DCA, was stylish, interesting, and well written. No corners were cut anywhere. If they decided to make this every other year pattern a habit, I wouldn’t mind one bit. The extra long ovation they received at finals retreat was well deserved.
The Kilties had the toughest draw of any corps in DCA. They had to follow the most anticipated performance of the whole weekend (Inspires). But they held their own very well. I hadn’t really seen Kilties since 1999. And I can’t believe how much better they have gotten. The colorguard has grown and the drill design has improved immensely. I’m not sure I could wear a kilt, let alone do high mark time in one. The horn line, always a strength, sounded wonderful. Mr. Jerry Kelsey does some nice work.
Carolina Gold is making great strides, even though they’ve near-missed Finals twice now. I would say their show is the most “DCI-like” in senior corps this year. That’s not a negative comment. They’re just a little more a-melodic than the other corps. I “got” more of it this time (since Kingston, NY). Using fresh music (Dave Matthews, in this case) is always welcome, just keep it fun, which Carolina did just fine. Keep improving, Gold, like you’ve been and Finals will be in your future.
I’ve not been too hip on Skyliners’ recent shows, but not this year. The show is well paced, and maintains the NY sound while remaining interesting. The soloists were quite good, and the Lego toys in the pit make me smile. I thought their marching was improved over recent years, too.
Corps Vets hit a home run with this year’s program, “Heart of Jazz.” It’s toe tapping fun! “Big Noise” was one of my favorite charts of the year. What a mellophone line! The full brass sound impressed me too. I’d bet your commutes to practice were a lot shorter this year, right, Joey? I think CV might have been better than last year, yet dropped two places. Such was the strength of DCA this year.
Hurricanes may be the most improved corps in DCA this year. The gains in marching over last season were topped only by the growth in their brass line during THIS season. Bringing DA in was a smart move, and his impact showed between my viewings from Kingston to Scranton. Using the five old unis to mark the years was smart. Of course, “Mag 7” is my favorite signature song in all of DCA. Just one quibble: if the corps’ first year was in 1955, then 2004 is the 50th edition of the corps, but it is only the 49th anniversary.
Is it true that Bushwackers are playing a recognizable, fun show? Of course, it is. What a well-designed show, performed to the hilt by the corps. They made the best use of the entire field of any corps. I also liked seeing the old long, gray Bushwacker coat worn by the saber-bearer in the honor guard Saturday.
I had never seen Renegades from the front before. Saturday, I discovered what I was missing! Their sound is unbelievable! The visual program and percussion seemed much improved, too. The colorguard unis are outlandish, kinda like Oakland Raiders fans’ get-ups. Roland and company, screaming away on their sops, are outrageous, but my favorite moment is the bari soloist and the hornline turning away at the end of the “quiet” tune. And the show actually has a little storyline to it. Although, if the show is called “The Triumph of Evil”, why does the evil overseer get carried away at the end?
Does anyone want to go “Moondancing”? Duh! It’s so obvious: Why hasn’t anyone put “Moondance” and “Moonlight Sonata” in the same show before? I think Minnesota put together the best set of songs in DCA this year. Their version of “Sonata” wins my vote as the most haunting melody of the year, maybe ever. Their repeat DCA Champion drumline was just so good, it’s sick. And the brass line was the best I’ve ever heard from MBI. Yes, their scores were low, but the place was right. DCA was just too strong.
The Buccaneers’ low brass section is always a joy for me to hear. But listening to them play Shostakovich, especially “Fire of Eternal Glory”, was heavenly! There is no weakness in this program, nor in the corps. The show is as sophisticated as can be, and yet remains eminently entertaining. Did Shostakovich write this music expressly for the Bucs? It sounds like he did. The DVD’s will be worthwhile just because of them - everyone else is merely gravy on top. I find it hard to believe that a corps can be as consistently good as Bucs have been the last for 7 years without winning DCA at all. Third place will have to do this year.
Both Saturday and Sunday, I found it interesting that Renegades, MBI, and Bucs seemed to wear the crowd down. They were so good that they wrung all of the energy out of the fans. The crowd did not have as much energy left to give back to the three following corps compared to previous years.
Hawthorne needed a mighty effort to defend their title this year, maybe even a superhuman effort. Alas, while caballeros may wear capes, these Cabs did not have S’s on their chests. The new Bb’s did help them sound less edgy, and the drumline played like I’ve never heard them play before. The guard was no less than superb. Curt’s feature in the ballad gave them a wonderful moment that no other corps had in their show.
OK, so I have cause to be biased (I was a Brig last year), but I truly believe that Brigadiers’ “Caravan” is the classiest, most sophisticated program on the field this year, and it’s my personal favorite, despite the corps’ relative inability (versus, say, Empire) to get the crowd to feel the passion I felt in it. Not that I think the crowd disliked the show, but it’s a more cerebral show, whereas Empire’s was definitely visceral. The two programs simply aimed at different targets. Winning Best Visual and Best Brass is a tribute to the corps’ talent and work ethic. Genevieve was, hands down, the best soloist out there. (No offense to Mr. Pero, whose fine work is far more conspicuous.) The “Out of Africa” impact was the finest moment in DCA 2004, and was the one time the crowd did respond like the show demanded. And when they finished, I really thought they had pulled off the upset.
That is, until Empire took the field. With the most seamless program of all this year, Statesmen finally had a show design that I could respect. I always respected their work ethic. No one works harder than Empire, but I rarely liked the designs of past years’ offerings. That changed this year. Never once did I ever think of Madison while hearing “City of Angels”; Empire made a new program out of it. The props were not overbearing, and the cheese was minimal. The General Effect trophy, as always, determined the champion, and the judges chose rightly. Finally, to my friends who joined Empire this year – Tammy, Julia, Larry, Norm, and especially Steve Cooley – I hope you all savor your well deserved championship.
Who knew senior corps could be this good? Well, let’s just see where next year takes us.
LOGICAL HYPE, PLEASE.
in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions
Posted
Ahhh, Tom,
I could truly hear that smartass sarcasm oozing through the screen as I read "Mystique Pizza". Yes, by all means indulge that irrepressible compulsion on a more regular basis, I miss it.
Hope all is well up in Reading. Tamm & I look forward to hoisting a cool one with ya at Wildwood afterward. I hope you'll be there with all your friends in Blue.
As for "logical hype", I guess I know what Geena is talking about, but that's asking a lot from a basically illogical species as inhabits Drum Corps Planet. (Rhetorical question of the day: Is DCP a Class M planet? Or would that be Class A? Nah, too old a reference for some around here.)