scvanguard

This is ridiculous. There should be an exemption for not for profit 501© organizations. I mean, they aren't doing this for profit! In fact, DCI LOSES money on CDs/DVDs each year. And these artists will still get something. How many people on here have bought something from an artist where they first heard it in Drum Corps? I know I have. This is just another example of corporate greed.

I would love to have a time machine and take 2014 Crown back to say 1974 and perform in exhibition at a show.... and not watch the show....but watch the crowd. Some people would have this look of total awe as in "OMG, that is unbelievable" and some would have this look of "WTF?"...... Would be interesting to say the least....

Why doesn't DCI just re-issue all of the old non-top 12 on the APD format? They have the original source tapes/audio files, production facilities, and they could then pass on the $$ earned from the APDs to the existing corps like they do with the current APDs, and for the defunct corps, either split the money with all the corps or keep the money for the cost of producing the APDs. Would love to hear Avant Garde, Defenders, Memphis Blues etc...digitally.....

See? This is excellent. Mike liked those shows, I didn't. He probably listens to them, I don't (except for 2005 Cadets, see below). Which is good. Discussion is good. He respected my opinion, and I certainly respect his. We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable! I would also add 2008 Cadets to Narration I didn't think worked well. And I actually do like and listen to 2005 Cadets (LOVE the huge note hold and crescendo towards the ending), I just skip over the drumspeak part. As for re-doing an old show, I didn't mean exactly the same because there's been so much creative expansion from back then, I meant more of an homage to some kick butt shows from the past. Just a throw down of some of the best corps of the past, call it "Drum Corps Greatest Hits, Vol 1" - then you hear the opening of Channel One Suite, or the final push of Danny Boy and maybe a big 2 7 on the field, with double flags (no trampolines). To quote one of the staff from VK back in the late 80s/early 90s - "We want a great show, man. And if it turns out well competitively, then....far out"... To me, that quote should sum up drum corps.... Now, what is 'great', is open to interpretation.

I've been a fan of drum corps since 1982, and I'm personally glad to see the creative explosion that has taken place since the abolishment of the "tick" system. I always thought, "Couldn't a corps win the title by just playing a scale and marching up and down the 50", if it's just the corps that makes the fewest mistakes that wins? So from 1984 until electronics was introduced, I think the creativeness of DCI jumped off the scale and we've all benefited from it. Now comes the next evolution - amplification/electronics/movement. I admit, I was a little concerned about amplification/electronics, but 1 show, to me, shows why amplification can, and does work - 2004 Blue Devils - Summertrain Blues Mix. This show shows exactly what the concepts of amplification was intended to be. Instruments that could never have been used before, can now be used. That's when I decided that I'm ok with all of it.... so long as it works... So in regards to amplification, electronics, narration and corps body movements, I'm ok with it, so long as it works. Times I don't think things worked: Crown - singing 525,600 minutes Crusaders - narration during "Composition of Color" Cadets - narration during "This I Believe". Cadets - Drum Speak Cavailers - ....And so It Goes (the falling down and rolling). Blue Devils - The re:Rite Of Spring (the poles were distracting) Phantom - Triumphant Journey (trees distracting). Times I think things worked: Phantom - Appasionada 874 Crown - Angelus! Cavaliers - Machine Phantom - Spartacus Blue Stars - The Factory Blue Devis - Through A Glass, Darkly Bluecoats - Metropolis Cavailers - Mad World Cadets - 12.25 Bluecoats - Unmasked Crown - E=mc2 Cavailers - Secret Society Madison Scouts - Corps of Brothers Mandarins - Destination America This year, I love the Bluecoats and Cadets shows - Narration and pre-recorded note bend included. I think both work perfectly. Narration because without it, the music could tell just about any American story. In this case, the narration is the "thought" of the show and the music is the accompanyment to emphasies the story. Very intelligent. Love the Bluecoats because while it is pre-recorded, it is of the actual Corps, it is un-expected, extremely cool, and not over used. Crowns show I love the horn book, the music and the concept. I can do without the trampolines and the drum break on the mufflers, while interesting, I think is too long and doesn't really show a lot. Blue Devils will probably win it all, because they are just that dag gone good. But as I always say "It's not about winning....it's about putting on an entertaining show". We all have on our media devices drum corps shows, and we don't listen to just the champion or the top 2 or 3 or even the top 12. Some of my favorite shows have been non top 12 shows (1990 Blue Knights and 2006 Blue Stars come to mind). In closing, I would just say...."As long as it works...." which in and of itself, is the issue. What works from some, doesn't work for others. Personally, I would love to see a corps take an old 80s shows and re do it completely and let the scores fall where they may (Are you listening Jersey Surf?). Would love to see 1986 Blue Devils redone. Or since they are in the northeast, how about re-doing a 27th Lancers show (1980)?