PR_ducky

OK, I remember we did this in regiment in the late 80s. The brass staff took a file and lightly marked the tuning slides at 1/8" intervals. Was interesting, but as a realistic practice, I seem to recall it never really panned out, still went horn to horn in the arc with a tuner before every show.

80 was great, but I still have to go with 89. So many great shows. I consider myself really lucky to have marched 86-90 with Regiment. Almost all of the years in the mid to late 80s were great. The activity had cast off the Tick system and corps were really starting to experiment with what could be done on the field, the creativity level was amazing. I still remember seeing Cadets in 87 with a show that just never stopped. I will have to say though that I agree with the 75 comment. Some unbelievable corps BUT I will stick with 89, what a great summer.

Just to throw out my 2 cents worth. I was recently listening to some DCI cds from the late 80s and I really don't think all the fiddling with the horns (2 valve, to 3 valve, to B flat) has made a #### bit of difference. In regards to a comment about PR marching 70 b flat horns, PR has almost always marched 70 horns, at least since I was a member there in the 80s. I do think some of the uniqueness of the activity has been lost and I don't really care for the amplification stuff, but then again when they switched from valve/rotors to 2 valves in the 70s alot of people said it was the beginning of the end, same with 2 to 3 valve and so on, seems to me like Drum Corps is doing just fine.

OK, I was actively involved in Drum corps from 86-96. A member of PR from 86-90, and on staff with various corps 91-96, so here is my opinion (and let's all keep in mind it's just an opinion) 86 - BD won and was in my opinion the most popular 87 - Cadets won, but SCV was more popular. (87 cadets is my fav. of all time by the way, not counting the shows I was in) 88 - Madison won, and was very exciting, but I think SCV had a better show (WAY better than 89) 89 - SCV won, and regardless of how the poll came out PR got much better crowd response (having been a member of PR and seeing SCV that year). I will also throw out that Cadets, while finishing 5th were alot of peoples favorites with Les Mis. 89 was an awesome year all around. 90 - Cadets won, and I will be honest and say I didn't think anyone had a really great show that year. 91 - Star won, but most people liked Cavies and PR 92 - Cavies won, and were very popular, I prefered cadets 93 - Cadets won, I again prefered PR 94 - BD won and was, if I remember, almost everyones favorite, what an awesome show. 95 - Cavies won in a bit of a surprise ending to the season, BD was undefeated going into finals week. Lots of great shows that year. 96 - PR and BD tie. PR was a HUGE crowd favorite, and coming from behind (4th in qrtrs, 3rd in semis, tie for 1st in finals) made it a great story. Well there ya go, feel free to flame me if you like, just one man's opinion In regards to this year, I attended a cinecast of qrtrs and PR got the best crowd response by a long shot. Cheers, -Mark "Ducky" Bertram PR baritone 86-90