splat-a-drag-a-phonium

WEEKEND UPDATE… The MM remain in good spirits. The bumps and bruises as they wrap-up of the 3rd week of Spring Training are showing and the Monday time off until the nightly ensemble is well deserved and needed. There were many extra holes this weekend as some MM had obligations back home. The entire corps has ¾ of the show on the field and will start the closer on Tuesday. They have been busting their rear ends learning their show. I’m not going to spill anything about the show or uniforms short of saying the typical……some will love, some will hate it, some are homers (guilty), and some just love to hate. Whatever floats your boat. The source music has been posted and everyone should have a really good feel on Mr. Klesch’s arranging of those pieces, but what really excited for is the battery writing of Mr. Hannum. Not being a “Drum Guy”, was able to hear and enjoy his writing as it related to the brass book. I really like the parts in the “Also Sprach” and the “Einstein on the Beach” after the opener. Some really nice stuff there and very tasteful. There also seems to be a different “Bigness” and “Presence” to the guard this year. I will willing admit that I typically don’t look at the guard (sorry Corpsband), but this weekend they kept drawing me in…”Impossible you say?”. Looking for some good things from this group. There will be a “Preview” Sunday June 9 and I’m not sure on a time, but would guess about a 8pm. Hopefully the weather will hold off this year.

Yes…but are they Uniforms or Costumes?

WEEKEND UPDATE........ I spent the past weekend volunteering with the Corps. The MM’s are in good spirits, looking healthy and seem to already develop the “Brotherhood” bond. The all know that they are heading into a battle and are preparing fiercely for it. The weather in the Carolina’s has not been bad yet, so they have not had to yet deal with oppressive heat and humidity (that comes with time). The brass has roughly ¾ of the drill on the field. The entire corps has about half of the drill on the field. It is a little too early to get a super good read on the drill yet (and knowing there will be a TON of changes before Saturday August 10) but tend to feel like it is “Smartly” written and knowing the Crown Way- one can already see spaces for the beloved body movements. They are moving at a good clip, but they will not set any new world record 40 yard times this year. The brass ran through the ballad (The Abyss) and this is already my favorite part of the show. It will cause you to throw something…babies, children, spouses and could even cause some births next year! I have a feeling that this show is going to be difficult to capture through video and will need a live viewing to get the full impact. Example is last in Fanfare with the timpani and bass drums along the back sideline…really a cool sound live because you’re getting a sound coming from a different location than what one is used to hearing. But on video it is muffled……just an example. Look forward to seeing what they have done this week when I get to GWU next weekend.

OHHHHH wait until you see what's going to happen the metal rings. ......just sit back and think about the show title...........

I believe everyone is welcome at anytime. Just respect their space, don't get in their way and you will be good. If there is a reason that something can not be viewed then they would and should make visitors aware of such. If your respectable and polite they will not run anyone off.

Ensemble warmup normally starts at 6pm with rehearsal starting around 6:45-7:00. I'm not sure how many nights they actually get to use the stadium during the week except for saturday. I will be there this weekend volunteering.

I will make the suggestion to them about getting the Choir back together for a little Ballad serenade when I'm out there this weekend. Hey CrownBaritone what do you think?

Nice!!! All this is missing a little Barry White voice under that and there could be a baby boom toward late next winter/ early next spring.

this is it....

This IS the rest of the story.......... The Abyss was already to die for at the April camp :worthy:

Enough of the uniform chat. Lets move on to the music they are playing......oh wait that's not been released either.

I understand your position. I personally do not like going to the winter camps and cannot share what I hear being played or the latest uniform scheme beside the basic and general thoughts. But the corps has decided to wait as long as possible to release information...."it is what it is" to use a football coach's quote. they can release info how and when they see fit. My guess is all the music will be released any day now.

I can say with 100% accuracy……there is NO Brown. I would be surprised if there are any published pictures of the uniform before the first show. Even guessing they might not even show at their Preview….might discuss but give no opportunity to unveil before the corps wants it to be seen (seeing how the GWU football stadium field gets chewed up and it has rained more often than not at the recent years Preview). Suggestion that one might want to wait until they see the full show before critiquing a static picture. But just my thought.

one of the smartest comments made

A co-worker has the audio of the entire work and will say it's not my cup of tea (still to this date I have not been able to make it through), but what they are using enough and well done. Even if I did not know what they were playing and had personally heard it over the winter camps.....I would bet money that Michael Klesch would have would have chosen great music and arranged them masterfully (as always).

understatement of the thread. Talk about being bathe in brass chocolate goodness.............OH MY!

in my best Paul Harvey voice....."And now for the rest of the story......."

I know it’s frustrating, but be patient young grasshopper. It’s the Crown way……if you listen to the Michael Klesch podcast on The Marching roundtable he does give a little insight into how and why about show information releases. I will be the first to say if you thought last year’s show was incredible…hold onto your hat and wait until you hear this years. Buckle up for an interesting ride! You might be on to something………”Einstein on the Dark Side of the Beach”?

ahhh the "Crown Cone of Slience". I was there voluntering and the music is sounding very very interesting. It dropped many jaws to the floor listening.

It might have everyone up in the air over it? Those who quickly pass judgement over a show title might miss a fun ride. Who know how these things are going to work themselves out.

It's a strange brew for sure

NICE!!!! I applaud Crown for using some of this brass band stuff for the second year. Some cool stuff out there. I’m hoping they find another composer as ecstatic as Mr. Moren over how his work was arranged and also performed by Crown.

THANK YOU Jim and Crown for posting this little audio clip!! One can only hope additional clips to follow.

10 pages and I don’t believe we have a show theme and source music. Well from the home office located off the Frontage Road somewhere over the rainbow………I have it on absolutely no authorized authority that Carolina Crown’s 2013 show will be the……………………………………………………… “The Freebird Suite” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd). Songs to include “Sweet Home Alabama” (only played when the state of Alabama), the dance number of “Gimme Three Steps”, “Freebird” (only when yelled out between songs or the crowd is asked “What song is it that you want to hear……”), “That Smell”, “Tuesday’s Gone” (only played on Wednesday shows) and “What’s Your Name”. Reports have a “Special All-Star Jams” to happen nightly, but songs and artist are being kept in the top secret file cabinet on the front porch next to the old refrigerator………………