mfrontz

The puzzle-piece taxis that came together in Cadets 99. Talk about telegraphing an effect. But you know, I thought the rotating plane in Cadets 92 was genius. Hmm...what else? The male members of the color guard playing "Icarus" in Crown 03(?)

This reminds me of The Onion's articles about the differences between the "wad" factions and the heated rivalry between the newspaper and yearbook staffs... All I can do is reply out of my history: There were certain brass players who just did orchestra and concert...never marching band. Would ruin their chops and besides "you call that music?" Same with those who played strings who wouldn't also play a band instrument. These would be more academic types - or perhaps just dedicated to their specific instrument. Band people seemed to be more generalists. They had a variety of interests. They are also the most "spirited..." - life revolves around band (or corps). Drama people - those who did the stage-play rather than or as well as the musical - were a little bit more "avant-garde." I was in chorus, theatre, and band in HS. My major in college was voice. But where I felt most at home was band - and I only took up the instrument in tenth grade. Then I went and marched corps one year after high school. Also, a lot has to do with whether the groups compete or not, I imagine. Only our marching band was competitive - unlike in some bigger states, there are not very many opportunities for "stationary" organizations to compete in Pa. I think that competition or another similar demand for a high level of performance changes the attitude of your students.

1992, the year I marched, was a prime example of them not mattering a whole lot. Cadets - we were beating them early year, they placed second at finals, we placed sixth Phantom - beat Cadets the week before finals and placed eighth at finals Cavies - placed fourth or fifth at Preview and won the dance Star - unbeaten until semis Blue Knights - beating us in mid-July, placed ninth Devils - passed by Cavies and Cadets in August Us (Crossmen) - ninth at Preview, three pts. down from Phantom week before finals, sixth at finals beating Phantom by .7, but five points down from Cadets who we had beaten in June and July. History is replete with corps that didn't beat other corps until Finals night. Phantom 96 fits into this category as well. Colts 96 also was beating corps early season that passed them later on. You really can't tell much by the scores alone. You'd have to hear the critique along with the scores, either: Boy, there's nowhere to go with this vehicle, or Gee, there's lots of room to grow with this vehicle.

Please tell me this is a typo. :P

Probably had something to do with the Henry V/Battle of Agincourt theme.

Any other stories out there of lines, guards, etc. that would not quit?

Maybe this is something that Chuck can answer, or Nikk or anyone else who has written for any section of corps or band... Is there an unconscious "highest possible placement" that you are thinking of when you are writing a show? For example, you think, "I think our band/corps can legitimately place (x) if they max out, based on their experience, talent level," etc., and then write the show, consciously or unconsciously, to that level? And is that something that a judge can (unconsciously) recognize in the show and they (unconsciously) award it the placement it "deserves?" I would imagine that band directors asking for arrangements or drill ask for a certain level of difficulty, so that their band can achieve it. I also imagine that one could easily get into a rut, not take risks, try new things, etc., because one is comfortable with a certain kind of writing and how things have worked in the past, etc. Any comments from anyone?

Deleted. Repeat topic.

Tell stories about your drum corps "mentor": a vet you looked up to, a staff member or director who taught you the most, even a volunteer who always had a smile or encouraging word.

Let me throw in another reason for recaps: they add transparency to the process. Corps A is consistently scoring below Corps B. Corps A fans (and staff) don't understand how the judges can be doing this to them. They look in the recaps and see that, while the visual scores of A are superior to B, they are down in brass, percussion, and guard. It also allows you to put a number with a judge and understand that there are a number of factors out of your control which influence your score. Kind of an accountability system for the judges.

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamband"

Just to split more hairs - it is properly written Vive la France. Sorry Ryan - I wouldn't have been able to sleep tonight knowing that I had let an inaccuracy remain. :)

This probably doesn't matter, but I was at DCI East that year and the Cadets did not perform the Olympic segment at least at the show. It may have been another event that weekend, but it most certainly was not the DCI East show. I remember that it was this "open secret" that Cadets were going to perform at Closing Ceremonies. Neither DCI nor Cadets would refer to "the Olympics" officially.

Madison 1994, 1995

The video on Google is either from British or Canadian TV - I remember watching this at my in-laws on NBC and going crazy b/c Costas etc. were talking over the whole performance of "The Red Pony." At least these people weren't talking over the performance. And as for exposure for "drum corps" per se...I don't think Hop had his "DCI flack" hat on when he agreed to do this. I'd bet money his only thought was "What a great experience for the kids."

I agree that endings to shows have fallen on hard times. Some of my favorite endings: Phantom 1993 - people went bonkers nuts. Can't believe this show hasn't been mentioned. Phantom 2001 Crossmen 1990 Star 1990 BD 1990 (In fact, it seems like all the corps knew how to end a show in 1990) Cavies 1991 Cadets 1984 and 1986

Please don't start. Although now I see the attempt at humor - but "Crossmen folding" rumors fly every year. Hasn't happened yet. It's just pointless. So just don't. Don't.

Crossmen have fallen out of finals for the first time since 1988. Many people say the musical program was the problem. Do you agree? Do they need something that will accompany a more 21st-century visual program? Should they stay with rock and roll? Return to tried-and-true? Or strike out in a completely different direction? It's time to play...WHAT SHOULD THEY PLAY? (or, if you're interested - How should they march? What should they wear?) go bones

What a fine intelligent review. Reminds me of the old days on RAMD with the RAMD Virtual Symposium or whatever it was. Are the top five being "rewarded" for amplified vocals - I don't think so. Last year it was the seventh and tenth place corps that tried it. Cascades did it as well this year. Just so happens that "better" corps did it this year. I do agree with you that Phantom's and Cadets amped vocals made sense from an aesthetic standpoint. I dug totally the drum-speak of the Cadets and the QF movie crowd in Harrisburg did, too. Musical "effects" are far more palatable to me than singing or narration. Well done, too, with your division of dc elements to sound, color, and motion. I would be interested in your non-finals corps takes. Any comments on the Crossmen's use of color? How about Capital Regiment, whose sundial thing I totally got into? As for the vertical dimension, I think that's been happening for a while (remember BD's dice in the 92 show? Star's huge triangles in 93? Cadets dance band stages in 95? Giant chess pieces by Crown in 96?) Maybe, however, it is reaching a new stage of refinement and "growing up" as it were. Something I noticed at Quarters was the amount of familiar music arranged in unfamiliar ways. Whereas in the late 80s and early 90s arrangers would approach a piece of music such as Medea, Prelude Fugue and Riffs, New World, etc., as arranging the music for a brass ensemble and trying to make it sound as close to the original as possible, nowadays it seems like the piece is arranged according to the sound palette the arrangers wish to convey to complement the visual and altered accordingly. Also, it seems as if Spirit, for one, took a cue from 2004 Cavies and others and simply arranged familiar melodies in sequence to form a kind of "musical impression." It seems to be a move to impressionistic music. The BD have been pioneers at this as well, but perhaps they are now moving in a new direction. Thanks again for the great comments!

Cadets were all they could be this year. Congratulations! It must feel good for the whole organization to be back on top.

Evil, evil troll. You have been reported. And ignored.

Mandarins: Didn't see you because late. Seattle Cascades: Icarus too close to sun. Capital Regiment: I bought the show concept. Crossmen: You did this alum proud. Best ballads around these days. Colts: Better job Friday I understand. Lose the postcards - thirteenth place! Spirit: Drum line makes me smile. Glassmen: Dvorak was made for tango. SCV: Reminds me lots of 1992. Why give Stalin any credit? Blue Knights: Thought break was after SCV. Boston Crusaders: Lots like "Conquest" - not me. Joy is contagious - spread it! Carolina Crown - Crumb's Black Angels would've rocked. Star-like brass line: heavenly. Bluecoats: Stealing title of "jazz corps" Colorguard rocks this baritone's world Madison: Guard better looking than usual. :) End needs some more work. Best screamers of the night. BD: Downey abducted by space aliens Phantom: Gershwin fits you like glove Nice to see drumline attitude Contras are your strong suit Cavaliers: Forget Cubs - Go White Sox! Drill makes my head spin Would win any other year Cadets: Designer of show: Salvador Dali

Actually, I really have enjoyed how DeLucia has called it like he's seen it the past couple of years. He told us up front Colts didn't have a good show, and his shock at Vanguard being in tenth was unfeigned. A lot better from when he was reading DCI's script on PBS.

It may very well affect tomorrow night...at least order of performance...

Anyone wanna fill me in some history here? Any other examples of this kind of thing?