bobchilds

Good one, Conner! You did get me thinking about what the loophole might be, and about how the Bluecoats already incorporated saxophones back in 1994. Bob Childs

Yes, I was bummed for that person. It's particularly unfortunate that he didn't notice it happen when it did, as I think he WOULD have been able to pick up the piece without much distraction from the show. The musicians were pretty much just posing and doing body movement at that point. Bob Childs

I just caught something on the 2003 DVD of the Boston Crusaders, that some of you might find interesting. During the show, a piece (tuning slide) of either a middle horn or baritone flies off of the horn and is later picked up by the drum judge. I don’t think it’s visible on the multi-camera view, but you can see it on the others. Here are the details with time codes: (8:37) A horn player just to the right of the 50-yard line is dancing or acting like a bull or a matador or something. A piece of the horn flies off and lands on the 45-yard line, just behind the front hash mark. (9:38) The field percussion judge runs over to pick up the piece. If you’re listening to the judge’s commentary, it’s right after he says “good shaping going on.” Bummer that the player probably couldn’t play the last third of the show… ~Bob Childs

How about the opening statement to Blue Devils 1996? (Club Blue - Gangter Chronicle) That would make a great alarm to wake up to as well. Bob Childs

I've never really thought about it, but I think you are right. 1989 was the end of an era for BD. I remember thinking at the time that the corps was trying to reinvent itself or "find itself" from about 1988 through 1993. This is not to say anything disparaging about any of those shows - 1988, 1990 and 1993 are three of my favorite BD shows of all time, especially 1988. But with the experimentation with uniform colors, and either playing it safe with old BD tunes or trying some radically different pieces, it just seemed like the corps was looking for direction. I think BD found its new identity in 1994 - new uniforms, classic BD musical selections but with a more modern approach, and a new approach to visual design as well as an improved marching program. This is all from an outsider's perspective. I will be curious to know what others think. Bob Childs

I know that it might be loud, but I wonder if there will be any screamers. :P The list of great tunes is long, but I'd like to hear (not necessarily in this order): Ice Castles Malaguena/Malaga Ballet in Brass Memory from Cats You'll Never Walk Alone Strawberry Soup Slaughter on 10th Avenue Captain From Castille For the SECOND set, I'd like to hear: Superstar MacArthur Park The Way We Were Bohemian Rhapsody Bolero Somewhere Over the Rainbow Battle Hymn of the Republic So many great pieces over the years... ~Bob Childs

It would be a little surreal to hear Brandt Crocker's voice announce, "On the field, from Pasadena California, presenting their 200X program "M.M.T." (and you know what that stands for!), VK!!! ~Bob Childs

The 2006 show will be titled: "Penny Lover: A Tribute to Lionel Ritchie" Perhaps the rest of the Commodores are reluctant to grant permission to use "Brick House." Hope it all gets ironed out... ~Bob Childs

<facetious> Maybe they'll go in the door with cream pants, and come out with burgundy pants! That would be innovative, wouldn't it??? </facetious> ~Bob Childs b**bs

Hey everyone... Does anyone have a review for the Blue Devils' "Alumni & Friends" CD?? I have heard the soundbytes, but am wondering what you all think of it. Cheers! ~Bob Childs

I know this isn't drumcorps, but there is a weekly, hour-long barbershop quartet and chorus program called "Harmony Square." It airs twice every Sunday on XM channel 4. I only mention this because there are a few similarities between the two activities: 1) musical groups 2) very competitive in nature 3) amateur performers 4) not widely mainstream 5) high degree of musical excellence 6) annual "world" championship, although most competitors are from the US. Drum corps doesn't really fit into one genre, but perhaps there could be at least a similar weekly program on one of the XM or Sirius channels... ~Bob Childs

Actually concessions were really expensive in Foxboro! It was pretty cool having the opportunity to buy beer at a DCI show though, albeit $6.50!!!

I think you make a good point. There was a lot more human interest and behind the scenes coverage than there was of the actual shows. I think baseball is very exciting when I watch highlights videos, but to actually sit through an entire game can be excruciating to a non-fan. An old English teacher of mine used to say, "a good paper should be like a swimsuit -- long enough to cover the topic, but brief enough to keep it interesting." Applying the same principle, I think the broadcast was great for mainstream exposure. But since they were showing such brief clips, I would have liked to seen a little more from the 9-12 corps. ~Bob

I know it has been a while, but Kurt Gowdy used to say "bands."

I have to say that I have always liked 1989 Phantom Regiment more than 1989 Santa Clara Vanguard. Actually, I listen to the shows more than I watch them (only saw SCV live, and that was in the early season). I don't mind PR's ride cymbal, but I do mind a couple musical flubs in SCV's show finals - specifically, 1) the really bad xylophone phasing in the pit at one point and 2) some pretty bad fracks in a couple of the sop solos. Being in California, I love Vanguard, but my pick for 1989 is definitely Phantom. Bob Childs

I just checked www.tvguide.com for the ESPN2 show. On the grid, it is listed as "Band Competition." If you view the description, it then shows that it is the 2005 DCI Finals in Foxboro. Oh well. I am just glad that the activity is getting more and more publicity and exposure. Perhaps better information will come with more time and exposure in mainstream media. Bob Childs