drumno5

Good choice, Cadets 2007 gets my vote as well. Crown 2014 could crank it,too.

Hear hear, well said. Can we all agree that hearing "America the Beautiful," or the national anthem, or anything, played badly by a poorly coordinated, ill-rehearsed group is not a good thing?

Matt is a high school band director in central New Jersey.

#1 Likewise, I never pretended to speak for any contingent of the "farmer" community, or anyone but myself. To anyone, agriculturally inclined or otherwise, who enjoys it, go ahead on, by all means. But I'll pass. None for me, thanks. #2 Can't say I disagree on your second point. The taunting, trash talking and childish showboating engaged in by athletes, whether professional or scholastic, is completely distasteful to me. Peace, Fred O.

Fair enough, can't say I disagree. Fred O.

Depends on your point of view, I suppose. Not trying to be a self-righteous blowhard, and as I said earlier, if you find it entertaining, indulge yourself, by all means. But Standford, Princeton, any of the various "bands" of that ilk - I don't find them entertaining at all, either musically or humor-wise. Fred O.

As I said in an earlier post, if you find it entertaining, then who am I to argue? But no thanks, I'll pass. Regards as always, thanks for the dialogue. Fred O.

But the extent to which low budget antics have gone mainstream still doesn't make the Stanford Band, or Nicky Minaj giving the finger to the Super Bowl audience, or Seth MacFarlane singing "we saw your t*ts" on some tv award show any less tasteless, imo.

Like I said, if that's your bag, then knock yourself out, have fun. But none for me, thanks. Peace, holiday regards. Thanks for the dialogue. Fred O.

A fun thing, perhaps. But the whole we're-smarter-and-hipper-than-you-and-everybody-knows-it-so-it's-OK-for-us-to-act-like-snarky-a**holes act is tiring - puerile and low budget. Seth Macfarlane, anyone? Ugh, none for me, thanks. Peace, Fred O.

Kind of a no-man-sees-my-face and-lives vibe, eh? Peace, holiday regards to all...

Hey, thanks for the dialogue. Best regards... Fred O.

Hey, my reply disappeared? I meant no disrespect or ill will, to anyone. my point was/is that the mega 400+ groups look really congested, the work of the high end drill designers notwithstanding. But I still think 150 can look overpopulated, especially with the variety of flotsam and jetsam corps lug onto the field these days. I enjoy the modern era, absolutely - but there's something to be said for the elbow room that the 128 -135 teams offered their members (and their viewing audience) in years gone by. It is, as you say, a matter of perspective, perspective, perspective. Peace, holiday regards, Fred O.

"Pulsing," someone said that? That's even funnier than when corps list their "faculty." Peace to all, no personal disrespect intended, Fred O.

Yes, it is a matter of personal opinion, no argument. I think those 400+ mega bands are really congetsed looking, their drills being written by the DCI top designers notwithstanding. The bodies to field area ratio is just too high for my taste. Just my perspective, perspective, perspective. Regards, thanks for the dialogue. Fred O.

Not arguing for or against one or another, or taking isssue with anyone's personal preference. But I think some folks, when hearkening back to the G bugle days, "confuse" (for want of a better word) tone quality - by which I mean the characteristic sound of the instrument, not in the degree of excellece sense - with volume. The G bugle sound is a throatier, "coarser" (again, for lack of a better descriptor) sonority. But I'm not convinced that they are inherently louder. Just my $.02. Peace, Fred O.

Not to go old-school curmodgeon, and respect to the big, strong and fast corps of the modern era. But there are times when 150 on the field looks a bit "congested" to me. Peace, Fred O.

Tacky.

Like when YEA offered their services to Crossmen and Boston?

I think the answer to that question would depend on whom you are asking.

1982 San Jose Raiders fielded about 6 or 8 marching congueros and a bass line, no snare line iIrc, supporting their urban/latino-themed look and repertoire.

Didn't they do that back in the 80s too, with those Paiste "Color Sound" (pairs of different colored plates) cymbals?

That's why you tuned to them, because they are difficult to adjust.