Bushsop89

I remember that !!! Some corps broke into Role Out The Barrell.

I was playing on a two valve Old's Ultratone. In fact, I played that same horn in 2003 and 2004.

Here is my suggestion - Opener: Theme from Clash of the Titans - Ballad: I'll Be There (Michael Jackson) - Concert Number: The Epic (Metheny) - Closer: The Best of Bush on Broadway - a medley of the following tunes: - My Friends - A Perfect Year - This is the Moment - Car Chase (From Sunset Blvd) - Nothing's Gonna Harm You OR - We could just do a reprise of the 2000 show. OR - A show made up of the On the field warm-ups that never made it to the field. - Born on the Fourth of July - Joanna from Sweeney Todd - Cadillac of the Skies - Pictures at an Exhibition - Surrender from Sunset Blvd - That horriblel Samuel Barber piece that the corps played in 2004. (Sorry Killian)

NO BAR !?!?!? Well then, forget it. We definitely have to find someplace else.

It looks like the best of the Troopers is what it's going to be.

I would definitely agree. How about best contra section, how is that one decided?

That's cool, but whose opinion determines it? I think it's a fair question.

What the heck is wrong with you? Do you see an award for most entertaining pit up there? There is no award for most entertaining pit. Don't give DCA any ideas!! There are enough awards already.

I would still like to know how the best Contra Line award is decided. Is it a musical caption or a visual caption. Or, is it a combination of the two? Still curious.

There are several threads on this already. I think they've all been closed. The honest truth is, we screwed up.

I really don't know. If I remember correctly, I think that 2002 was the first year that the Best Contra award was given. I'm not really sure of the criteria or who, for that matter, determines the winner. I'm not even sure if it is a music caption or a visual caption. Or perhaps it is a combination of the two. I really don't know. Perhaps someone from DCA could shed some light on this for us. I am curious as well.

Oooh, I've got one. How about when Bush trooped the stands in 2005 finals. Now that was a doozie. I heard it cost them a placement.

I also don't believe we need to break down the percussion and brass awards into ensemble and field. (Or execution as they call it) It should be: High Brass and High Percussion. And why were there five first place awards? How silly is that? It seems like anyone with a couple of bucks can sponsor an award. We should start a pool and create an award, like "Best looking Colorguard" or "Best Uniforms" or something like that, and see if DCA will have it. They don't realize that it is getting a bit ridiculous. (Again, in my opinion)

My personal favorite. Good stuff !!!

Huh? I'm not really sure to what you are responding.

I also agree.

Since you asked, even if it was rhetorical........ I personally have a problem with a lot of the awards !!!! I especially have a problem with the best contra award, for several reasons. First off, since 2003, not all corps are playing contras. Some are playing tubas !!!! Where is the best "Tuba" section award? And who decides the winner anyway? I don't see it anywhere on the backs of the sheets. Please tell me where I can find the set of criteria that defines the award. Is it in box 4 or 5, because I must have missed it !!!! In my opinion, I think we should get rid of almost all of the awards, including GE. Here are the caption awards I would like to see: - High Brass - High Percussion - High Colorguard - High Marching And then the scores and placements. (Including any penalties) We can all read the recaps on line the next day !!!! Screw the best drum major award, screw the soloist award. (Which, if we're being honest, should really be called the best Soprano Soloist award - because they never give it to a Mello, Bari or Contra/Tuba player. Then again, what if the corps is using trumpets and not sopranos? Perhaps then it should be called the best trumpet/sorprano soloist. Either way, screw that award too !!) Screw the showmanship award. Screw the pit ensemble award. And Yes, screw the best Contra Section award. I just think there are way too many frigan awards. There is no need to have an award for every caption and sub-caption on the sheets. It stems from our society's incessant need to make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy about themselves - like giving participation awards to little leaguers who finish in last place. There are winners and there are losers. That is life. This is my own opinion, I am in no way representing the other members of my corps or anyone involved with the Bushwackers. And this is not at all directed at the Renegades. I thought you guys were great. Your hornline was awesome, including your contra section!

Fran, I don't have a problem with being called arrogant, or even stupid. I think your opinion on us trooping the stands, although a bit harsh, could be viewed by some as warranted. What I do have a problem with is: "...it seemed they were finally getting back in the good graces of the general audience by reaching out to the paying public with an entertaining product....." What the heck are you trying to say? We worked just as hard on the shows we put on the last several years as we did this past one in 2005. As a member of the Bushwackers, I am more insulted by that comment than anything else you wrote. I never knew that we weren't in the good graces of the paying public.

Congratulations to the entire Reading Buccaneer organization. It certainly was a memorable season. I would especially like to congratulate my good friend Dan McGrogan, on a well deserved DCA championship - 20 years in the making. Great job !!!

We had a very good show. We plan on having our best performances of the year this coming weekend. Hopefully we can make finals weekend an interesting one.

Thank you !

Amen. I'm with you !!! I don't really care where finals is, as long as it's on a nice FOOTBALL field. And Oh yeah, that football field should have to be in the Northeast. (just kidding) I can't stand Lackawanna County Stadium. Besides being on a baseball field, the front side line is skewed - (It isn't parallel to the stands) This is okay if you're in the pit blowing high notes, but it sometimes makes the marching aspect of a show somewhat difficult - if you're on the field that is. (still just kidding)

I know a way to overcome this dilemma........... This way, we won't be nearly as loud. Hey, what if we add amps? Imagine what the warm-ups would be like then? Yowza !!!

How about 1990 Cumberland, MD (I believe it was 1990) The guy who screwed up the Start Spangled Banner worse than anyone in history. Now that was funny.

I think we've lost sight of what this debate is about. Am I correct in saying that it is about whether or not we should look at woodwinds on the Drum and BUGLE Corps field? I think that Mr. Atkinson has some good points here. Change is not necessarily a bad thing. That both the traditionalists and the evolutionaries have good points to make - and that the answer probably does lie somewhere in the middle. The activity must evolve - it must grow in order to survive. With that said, the truth of the matter is that we are moving further and further away from Drum and BUGLE Corps. (Even if it is only at I&E) I believe it is possible to be very creative within the confines and structure of the activity as it exists in its current state. I consider myself to be neither an eveolutionary nor a traditionalist, but as one who lies somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. I was not opposed to the Bb, nor was I opposed to the idea of amplification. (although I am rethinking that after, "Yowza, Yowza, Yowza") But woodwinds do not represent evolution! Woodwinds represent a wrong turn. (Much like the platypus - it just doesn't fit) And I'm sorry if I've offended any fans of the Platypus. But I'm not sorry if I've offended any woodwind players. I love the sound of the sax. I love Coltrane, Adderly, Johnny Griffin, Ornette Coleman, Branford Marsalis, etc. But the sax just doesn't belong in the Drum and BUGLE Corps arena. If I want to see a screaming sax player, I'll go pay the cover at the blue note. I don't want to see it on the field at DCI finals. Those are my $0.02.