splat-a-drag-a-phonium

With the first full week at GWU in the books after volunteering on the food truck- I’m not going to spill any show details beyond what is published or that the EQ trailer started getting its new wrap Saturday…..but it looks SHARP!!!!! They have from the Pre-Show through “Dies Irae” on the field and spent a visual ensemble Sunday night adding things to the “Gates of Hell”……which is going to fly!!!! They also started working on the transitions between the “Gates” and “Dies”. The MM’s are working hard with the normal first week bumps and bruises. Their spirits are high and the “Band of Brothers” mindset is running through the entire corps. They have been making good use of the stadium and the new turf and even had to accommodate college baseball tournament which restricted use of most of their fields for this past weekend. One can already see the place holders for their body movement that will be added and dare to say it have a much different feel this year than the past as it’s under new management. The thinking is it will be more cohesive with the guards movements. Subject to be seen. There is a lot more work to do, but the MM’s are attacking the challenges daily. There is a more business like feeling about this group. August 9th seems like an eternity to them but we all know the time will fly and be here before we know it. More after next weekend. Guessing how they normally break it up…they should have the Copland on the field.

It's unfortunate for all to get caught up into who releases what show when. Another case where a situation is being over blown and over thought then slanted in a way never intended. It's been documented that Jim looks to release when he has then entire package together, which includes artwork that is typically the last item finished. His preference is (if he could have his way) would never be released prior to the first public performance as to minimize preconceived ideas about the show and more importantly to unveil a complete show package.

WOW- it's just as if the kid was still marching For what has been leaked/ posted....it's easy to tell this IS going to be a much different show than the last bunch of years. One that nobody will be able to say they are following a "Formula" this year. This will be your year......IF you wanted to hear a Crown hornline to play dark/ evil music. Even the ballad (if you would call it that) is haunting. They have a ton of work ahead of them, but there is a renewed focus and determination along with a impressively beefed up battery. Now, what does that mean? Right now at the end of April after their last camp.....nothing and they will let their performance do the speaking come mid June.

FWIW- my take is that Crown is not telling a story that you have to follow or research to understand the show. I feel they design a show not to be too literal AND that has an ambiguous plot. Which in turn leaves an opening for each viewer to interpret based on their own thoughts, feelings, experiences, etc. Therefore opening up their program to be more accessible by a wider range of people. Personally if you don’t understand the show…you’re likely thinking way too hard about it and not sitting back to enjoy what they are doing.

OK...I will play along. My first hope is that there is a Bertrand or PLC original composition in the works (which I have expressed to a few on the design team). But in second place I would love a show played around PLC's Immortal. I DO think they will continue the brass band piece(s) this year.

sooooo did that have another injury slot to fill?

Go "Team Ronda!" and "Creamsicles"

OK since you brought this up. Short story- I believe it was at Crown's March camp. Saturday night they were working through the Ballad with “The Poem”. The young man who currently speak the Poem was right next to Michael Klesch as they were working on his timing and phrasing with the music. BARRY HUDSON was also at the camp (old timers should recognize the name) and made his own version of the Poem. Imagine the big bulky, crew cut guy with his thick Boston accent having “Fun” saying things like “two lovers spooning on a park bench”. At one point he has adlib an entire version. He cracked everyone up and which point I turned to Kevin Smith and say for the 2013 Crown Tour DVD there needs to be an alternate “Barry” version of the poem. I wish I had recorded that!

FYI...Carolina Crown IS a past Drum Corps Champion. Sorry if you don't count Div II. So they fit under the current title. But the reality is they can call these shows anything. How about calling these shows Monopoly?

FYI- on occasion they DO arc up instead of circle up, but Crown’s “Norm” is to circle up…plus it gives Crown age-outs a “Special Treat” to get inside that circle. I guess your plea should to be taken up with Mr. Harloff and not DCP. I know last year (when I joined them on tour) after the initial warm-up they did exercises and show segments in different page drill sets. They even did at Finals.

Don't let him off the hook sooooo easy as he HAS ALL the inside information! He has an a very talented age-out (5th year I believe?) in the guard. Oh....by the way GO #purplepantsband!

I hate to bust everyones bubble........but the young lady who "Hits" the samples is out on this recording.

I KNOW I KNOW......darn I cannot say :ph34r:/> But what I can say is notice there is no "Crown" set....so can guess where that might go?

No. He knew who he is and really found it funny. I told him with that brass line playing that piece and that poem in a Barry voice would have babies born on the spot.

Back during the winter camps it was the baritone guy (call him Mr. K) than once on the field in spring training they switched to the DM (call him Mr. H) and looks like once they hit the road it was back to Mr. K. I know there have been many different reiterations of the poem since the spring. As I told Mr. K some time ago…use your BEST Barry White voice!

No.......1990 was the first DM AND first female DM.

Not being a drum guy....this part of Knee 3 is my favorite. Mr. Hannum did a great job with the writing.

As one alumni on this board.........YES we ALL think Kevin is GOD!!! Nothing ground breaking there. Of the alumni that I communicate with…..everyone falls into 2 categories- love it or neutral and want to see it on the field before commenting. I’m very sure there is a pocket of folks that do not like them. Most love it and it likely has to do with the chameleon corps thing (although they were in “Cream” about half of their history), but I’m getting that it’s liked because they are out there challenging the norm and standing out from everyone else. I have found that Jim Coates is very receptive in talking about the corps direction and listen to our concerns. Yes we don’t have the numbers of most other corps, but I know there is a vocal group that they hear from regularly. At the end of the day- it does not matter the type/ color of uniform/ costume is worn. It’s all about how a show “Speaks” to you and what you get out of the show. Which is the beauty of Drum Corps- if you don’t like show “X” just wait there is another group next. Just my 2 cents

A Facebook post from Bertrand Moren (the Composer of "The Devil's Bridge")...."Wishes a safe trip, and a fantastic tour 2013 to all the great young people of Carolina Crown ! I'm really looking forward to see and hear your show ! Good Luck and Best Wishes from Switzerland !"

That part was a weekend camp experiment and will not see the light of day this season. Unfortunate as it would be a nice addition.

THIS WEEKEND’S UPDATE… So the preverbal “Cat is out of the BAG”……pictures of the uniforms, video clips and audio clips are floating around in the interweb. Nothing left to hide behind………except for pulling the rabbit out of their “Fake-Os” later in the season……… Good luck to the 2013 Carolina Crown as the load up and heading westward. Safe travels and see in Charlotte at nightBEAT.

Yes....Crown's are stock black drums with the "Chalk Board" wraps.

I agree with your comments. Someone said a number of post back that Crown is sitting back waiting for other corps to have a bad year.....my option is the design team did not sit back waiting on anyone. They are pushing the envolope doing their own thing and I for one will just let the chips fall where they may. I'm ready for a fun ride this summer and cannot wait until I join them on tour for the last two weeks of the season. Unfortunately the rain might win out again for this years preview. We are here hoping it holds off until later tonight.....time will tell.

ok That's funny!! I know better than let the truth get in the way of a good story, but the "Free Day" in Vegas is only 4 or 5 hours and it's a laundry day also.

Thank you!