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MUSICAL ACTIONS: BCad - Brass:Cadence BHmnc - Brass: Harmonic Development BMldy - Brass: Melodic Statement - Ensemble BMood - Brass: Mood Effect (space chords, etc.) BOst - Brass: Ostinato BSolo - Brass: Melodic Statement - Instrumental Solo BRhythm - Brass: Rhythmic Accents (staccato attacks or primarily rhythmic motif) BTech - Brass: Technical Exposition (runs, double-tonguing, etc.) FRhythm - Field Perc: Rhythmic Accompaniment (not primarily tech. exposition) FOst - Field Perc: Ostinato FSolo - Field Perc: Solo Exposition FTech - Field Perc: Technical Exposition SMldy - Sideline Perc: Melodic Statement SMood - Sideline Perc: Mood Effect SOst - Sideline Perc: Ostinato SRhythm - Sideline Perc: Rhythmic Accompaniment STech - Sideline Perc: Technical Exposition Break - Break between songs or movements SDrl - Silent Drill VoxMldy - Melody is sung by voice VoxSpk - Spoken voice is main focus with music in background The first breakdown will be 1988 Blue Devils (3rd place, 96.3).

OK, this may take longer than I thought since it looks like I may have to retype everything instead of just pasting from MS Word.

So I was reading the 2009 BD Show Announcement thread, and some very interesting statements were being made there. Some were decrying the Blue Devils' recent "chop and bop" arranging and others were saying (unbelievably, to my thinking) that there is no discernible difference between arranging of the past and arranging today. Rather than simply fling a statement out there, I thought I would create something systematic and analyze two BD shows from different eras: 1988 and 2007. These represent perhaps the absolute extremes - most BD shows would probably end up somewhere in the middle. But I would hope that the content of any show could be analyzed using this system and perhaps there would be a way to more accurately define "what it is" that is changing or not changing with regard to musical arranging in drum corps. Please feel free to make comments or suggestions to improve the system. The basic concept is this: watch a show from the Fan Network video. For a time block (0:00 to 0:25, for example), describe the musical actions that are happening. For example, Brass is playing melody, Field and Sideline Percussion are playing rhythmic accompaniment. Note also which is the musical focus (for example, brass might be playing harmony, but field percussion might have a technical feature, and that would be the musical focus.) After having completed the entire show in this way, we note the time (both in seconds and percentage of the show) for melodic content, technical exposition, mood effect, solos, vocals, break, etc. One could also break down amount of time brass is playing, field perc. is playing, etc. There are probably endless variations. When you do this for multiple shows, you get a sense of the difference between shows and arrangers. You may also be able to verify whether your impressions are correct or not about melodic content, "choppy" arranging, etc. Over time, and doing enough shows, one might be able to discern patterns as to whether arranging is changing over time, or whether the difference is simply between each individual show. As I said, 1988 BD and 2007 BD are pretty much the opposite end of the spectrum. 1991 BD, while being chronologically nearer to 1988, is probably typologically nearer to 2007. However, I cannot be sure of this. On to the "musical actions," which are the descriptions of what the musicians are doing on the field.

1982 Blue Devils. Simply flawless.

Hmm...Indy 2010? What weekend is championships?

I just have to say that I think whatever they're paying their graphic designer, it's not enough.

Malaguena.

The force is strong with this one...

Garfield 87. But I've been watching Star 90 - inspired by the best 3rd place thread - and that was a sweet front too. How about Spirit 80 and "Let It Be Me." A special caption award has to go to USMCD&BC anytime they do "Stars and Stripes Forever."

So many worthy candidates... 84 BD 87 Vanguard 89 Phantom 93 Star 04 BD 06 Phantom My vote belongs to 2008 Blue Devils. They did everything but score highest at the last show.

With all due respect to the 2004 Vanguard...my vote belongs to 1993 Phantom Regiment. Rondo told us they'd set us on our ear...

PRAISE YE THE GODS OF BRASS! 1990 Star of Indiana FTW!

If you are currently member of corps Y, agree that your behavior here reflects positively or negatively on corps Y. If you are currently staff of said corps, also agree. If you are recent former member or volunteer, somewhat agree. If you are ancient ;) former member, somewhat disagree. DCP is the virtual equivalent of a drum and bugle corps convention. If you are uncivil, and you are part of a corps, you reflect poorly on that organization. Civility is defined somewhat differently by every person but there are some broad definitions which can be shared. If someone in another uniform broke your corps' ranks, would you differentiate between the person and the organization?

You can't vote twice.

1983 Madison. The tastiest helping of Strawberry Soup of them all. And the tag from "Cats" was better than Cats.

In the beginning God created the heavens AND THE EARTH... Gen. 1:1 (caps added).

1992 Crossmen FTW!

The umbrella color is wrong, but it reminded me of Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte"

There seem to have been many years where a Crossmen show was the "fan favorite" that year. Which one (or two or three) would you put on your short list? Go.

Don't s**k? J/K. Bones.

And if so, why do they never get on the DVD's or CD's? This is an outrage!

1992 Crossmen...for obvious reasons...in a "photo finish" with 07 Crown.

1991 Crossmen. Was in the race for fifth until the last week of the season. Drumline had chops to die for. A very hip, with-it Metheny show with the right mix of laid-back and in-your-face. Should be in everyone's playlist. In short - my friends get my vote. HM to 05 SCV, who deserved better; and 08 Blue Stars, who I would so vote for if it were not for Bones and their Metheny-inspired goodness.

Chalk up another vote for 2002 Crossmen.

I wonder if the Fan Network availability changes things...the "obvious" ones may take a back seat to shows which are able to be easily discovered on FN.