RContra

I'm somewhat surprised. I teach middle school, and you've got a hardcore Millennial vibe from a tone, phrase and word-choice perspective. My guessing instincts must be fading with age.

Eh, none of this is really a big deal. Things are a little more lax early season because corps don't always know how they'll operate logistically, but when things really kick into gear, it's a well-oiled machine. But we paid good money for our early season show tickets! Well, it turns out that most things kind of suck early season. From the foot timing to the logistics. That's how the game works, and it isn't going to change, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a staffer or member anywhere who would want it another way. I've always been generally anti-prop, but man... those Bluecoats... *drools openly*

One bolt, and it's peace out.

I'm just curious, as I have no dog in this fight at all and am just sitting back reading the threat and being pleasantly entertained: how old are you and did you happen to march in a finalist corps? I mean that with no snark at all, just curiosity for context. Sometimes younger/older ears hear different things, which is totally normal.

Dagnabbit, now you made ME say it. It's like the Louis C.K. bit where he talks about how when old white ladies on television use the phrase "the 'N' word," that they're taking the easy way out and having him, in his mind, go "Wait, which word is that? Oh yeah: #$%^&." When we read those censors, it's always "Wait, what kind of measuring contest? Oh yeah: dick." So now you made me say "dick." Morning ruined.

Might want to check the definition of "fact" there, tiger. I'm not a big narration fan (only show I can think of offhand where I really, really liked it was in Bluecoats 07), but it's faux-factual statements like these that are a solid chunk of the reason current marching members mostly regard DCP as a cesspool.

We're talking around 99-04-ish. ALL of those things were absolutely looked for. I was marching/teaching in the top 12 in each of those years, and every bullet point was a big issue. The big difference between now and then is that staffs then had the ideas and intent, but not the know-how in terms of actually getting the performers to execute.

Just flat-out wrong. I marched in the first era, taught a bit then, and currently teach now. It's LIGHT YEARS ahead of the 99-04 groups. Look at upper bodies for starters. Mostly abysmal during the first era, even in many top corps. Lots of compression in the lumbar vertebrae from all the leaning back, and spine curvature like that is definitely not physiological conducive to being at your best musically. Look at the evolution of straight leg technique for another good example. 99-04 was the end of the "dark ages" for that in most corps. Leg shape was a mess most everywhere, super inconsistent and barely definable. Methodologies for teaching that style and its variants really hadn't made the rounds in most of the top 12, let alone DCI as a whole. In terms of spacing and ensemble visual responsibilities, corps now widely understand field math and utilize it like crazy (which, granted, is mostly possible thanks to the greatly increased number of well-kept grass fields, and especially turf fields, we get to use). Corps are infinitely cleaner at the bottom half of the top 12 from an ensemble standpoint, and throughout the rest of the semifinalist corps as well. Cavaliers around 2002 set the bar for this, and there is definitely a theoretical ceiling to drill cleanliness, but as an activity, we're MUCH better off now than we were then. And to cap it off, in terms of non-marching body, members are trained much better now and have a greater applied understanding of other movement principles. Star 93 put it into the common vernacular, but most of their body looks awkward now that the activity has evolved its kinesthetic knowledge base. Even body that was somewhat hip in the era you mentioned (Bluecoats 01 tango stuff comes to mind) has been surpassed considerably. Not all dance on the field is pretty, or even good (quite a bit can get cringe-worthy), but the abilities of the members and their execution has improved by leaps and bounds.

Alright, since the first show is coming up, I suppose it's time: 1. Carolina Crown -design is right up there with 2013, with a stronger drumlin to boot. Each staff knows how to clean. The notes are there for demand and vocabulary. 2. Blue Devils -With their talent and staff, it's tough to see them fall further, though I'd love vets from other corps to stop piling up in Concord. The NY Yankees of DCI. From the video I saw, this year is a little more accessible, and should have audiences a bit more on their side, which is great. 3. Bluecoats -From early season videos, this looks to potentially be THE show of the season. Bluecoats seem out for blood, and the new vis staff should inject some new energy into the kids; it's already looking like it. 4. The Cadets -Despite being #1 on my list of shows that will likely make me puke from America-ness, these guys just move and play so well. Brass was incredible last year, and if early season recordings are remotely indicative, they could be nipping at the heels of Crown. What a great line. But man... I'm just over America shows (2013 Bluecoats notwithstanding). Ugh. Make it stop. Been there. Heard that. No more Appalachian Spring EVER (though they do play the bejesus out of it). 5. SCV -Been building every year with the Bluecoats old brass staff and vis team made of Cavaliers. It's a winning formula already, and that's not even counting the stellar drumline and guard yet. They're on the path toward a championship. Whether they get there remains to be seen, but they seem to be doing everything right to engage both audience and judges. 6. Cavaliers -Digging their show upon first viewing online. Much cleaner than 12-13. Muuuuuch. Seems like the boys figured out where the dots go again. :) Love it. 7. Madison Scouts -Could even top Cavaliers, but we'll see. Madison has always played well, but they've finally got a vis team to match now. Dig the new uniforms. Their musical selections are killer. Seems like the potential for a memorable show. 8. Boston Crusaders -Last year's program was such a step up, both in performance and audience engagement. Animal Farm is such a daring concept, and will no doubt stir up some discussion throughout the season. If it works, it's got ridiculous potential. Here's hoping it's a success. 9. Phantom Regiment -Here's where things get really tricky. They move and play well, but everyone is just so freaking good now. Predictions were much easier in the early 2000s when only a few groups were good. Oy. I like the concept, and the source music is good stuff. Those black uniform headdresses though...Get ready for the internet memes, Phantom. 10. Blue Stars -I haven't seen BK or Spirit yet, so things get even tricker here. What I have seen out of Blue Stars is a show that's light years ahead of 2012-13. They seem to have a bit of a vibe similar to their factory show, only with hipper, minimalist music throughout a lot of it. Same drum staff is back, so it'll be another great listen percussively. 11. Blue Knights -They've been consistently good for years (and LOVE the new uniform design, btw), so it's tough to see them fall lower. 2013 was my favorite BK show ever, but everyone else, once again, is just so good. I'd love for them to be successful, but it will be a dogfight all the way to the end. 12. Spirit -It's a tough call for 12th, but just by recent history, Spirit tends to understand GE and visual performance at a level Troopers haven't really been at. Always entertaining, and I'd expect no less in 2014. 13. Troopers -Honestly, I thought the judges were either going rogue on Friday night last year, or DCI was trying to give them a gift. Wonderful brass line, but they weren't in the same league as Blue Stars and Spirit as a drum corps. They'll make a push, and could even end up top 10 in brass, but until they can move better and get some GE that doesn't include their best moment coming straight from the 70s, it's not gonna be finals for the Troopers.

Ah, so you've seen their show already? Wait until you see how they use it. Nothing remotely difficult to understand. Caught their rehearsal at UWL and talked to a few buddies on staff with some more details on what else is coming. You'll be able to tell what each room is easily by the time everything is in. Lots of logistics to figure out. If you've got more effective ways than they do, let's hear them.

The corps headwear makes everyone look like an alien. Intentional?

2001 was just a complete disaster. It felt like an 88-year-old Cold War-era Russian man attempting to recreate Monty Python. Just stiff, awkward and out of their comfort zone. If anyone remembers the Dana Carvey Show's sketch "German Guys Saying Nice Things," it was pretty much that, only not funny. At all.

Much stick figures. Very gyration. So Phantom. Wow.

Judging by the guy's haircut on the left, I'd assume he's generally not qualified to comment on anything visual ever.

I can't believe I'm saying this in a DCP thread about this topic, but I honestly think we've collectively answered this particular line of inquiry as accurately as is currently possible. Well done, everyone. Well done. Now, to watch some bad bootleg 2014 videos!!

Brasso--how do you feel about stating that today's talent is simply more "concentrated" i.e. more talent in singular places, since there's no empirical way of accurately measuring "talent" within the overall back-in-the-day drum corps communities? I would imagine, say, the top 100 marchers/players today are better than the top 100 of yesteryear, but only because the pedagogy has advanced further (ironically enough, by the marchers of yesteryear who've now contributed as instructors, passed down their methods, and improved upon the initial methods used upon themselves). This phenomenon does not necessarily dictate "talent," however, as that term, I would assume, also includes the spectrum of potential and innate abilities, whether ultimately unlocked or no. Also, in 20 years: jetpacks.

I'm guessing part of the problem was that their first "big-time" Bb line (Bluecoats) didn't sound so hot (horn-wise, which is NOT a reflection on the players), and when they switched to Yamaha in 2005, they magically sounded muuuuuuch better. Those Kanstul trumpets were especially stuffy, and their contras were almost stupidly heavy (much like today's Jupiters) compared to the Yamahas, with no discernible sonic advantage to make up for the unwieldiness.

Yep, Phantom went to Bb in 2003. Madison and Bluecoats were also on G in 2001 as well.

Be careful--many of the corps in the 7-15 placement range absolutely HATE it when you use them as a stepping stone. Members and staff included. Just know that before you really make a decision. As a staffer... somewhere... if one kid was just slightly better than another, but I knew he ultimately wanted to go to BD, Cadets, or wherever, I'd cut that person and take kid #2 every time. Corps that start to climb are very aware of the concept of long-term investments.

Definitely. Characteristic sounds and intonation are light years ahead of where they were in G.

Every once in a while, the pre-show "non-judged" portions even contain serious demand. 04 Bluecoats has some awesome visual stuff going on, and Crown in 2010 brought some fantastic sonic and movement demand with their pre-show.

2001 was when about half of the Top 12 was on Bb. It took several years for horn manufacturers to catch up to the needs of the corps. Look at the convertible Yamaha tubas Cavies used in 01/02 vs. their 03 horns. Listen to those stuuuuuffy Kanstuls Bluecoats used 02-04. Even today, the companies are still improving. Listen to the 2014 Jupiter trumpets vs. older models this season and see if you can hear a (big) difference.

There's no doubt that the talent and achievement level is way higher today. BUT What we all need to keep in mind is that each generation contributes to the one that comes after. The 70s guys eventually led to asymmetrical drill and the pit in the 80s... their 80s performances led to the teaching of the 90s guys and increase in performance quality... who they taught the 00s kids... etc. etc. Kids these days could learn any show from the 70s and 80s in a week and get in clean within a month or less, but that's only because of the generations beforehand who've learned the craft and refined their teaching methods over the years. The cyclical nature of the activity is a great thing for music education.

Got to see a video. I was hesitant, since I don't like the ballad source material, but the duet sounds freaking sweet. The sonic palette change is really striking, and the kids play beautifully. Dunno about the overall mix since the clip was taken at field-level, but the writing and playing is great.

This is a fantastic idea.