Penn State

the more truthfu answer is... its easier to sell used Bb/F equipment due to the much larger market.

you are correct.

ding, ding, ding...we have a WINNER!!!! and to just beat the question...the approved mulit-key rule was proposed by BD director Dave Gibbs.

As someone who has been putting time in on the IYM (Yamaha 204SP) I must concur with Scooter's assessment. From my personal experience: I have never really had a strong upper range (G above staff +) but have the ability to consistently hit a 'high' C since playing on the IYM. This mouthpiece really seems to jive with my embouchure, very well. When I started with mello I was 'that guy' with the Bach 7C. From there I switched to a Conn mello 6, to a 6BM (came with the Bach 1105), back to the Conn Mello 6, switched up to a Wick 2 (now on a 204SP), switched up to a Blessing 5, and currently going between the IYM and Bach 12 (alto horn). All that is just to show I've taken a decent tour of the land of mello mouthpieces. IMO the IYM is leaps and bounds better than the mello 6 and sweeter then the Yamaha piece ( I have it, tried it, preferred the mello 6). However, the tone it produces seems to be in the middle of the road of the 'laser' sound of a mello 6 type piece and the tenor horn like sound of a traditional mellophone mouthpiece such as the Bach 12. I love how the IYM seems to naturally jive with my embouchure but I prefer the full sound I am able to produce with the Bach 12. Personally, I loved to combine these two pieces, which would be sweet! Side note on the cup shape...the IYM has a very 'V' shape compared to a mello 6 or like mouthpiece. However, as Scooter put it best, has more of a 'U' shape esp. when compared to traditional mellophone/tenor horn mouthpieces. The’ V‘ in the traditional mellophone/tenor horn mouthpieces is much ‘sharper’ than the IYM, accounting for the difference in tone quality. I highly recommend acquiring a IYM and Bach 12 (alto) mouthpieces and giving them both good test drives. Please le us know your educated opinion!

It is also important to remember there is such as thing as a bad horn. E.g. Scooter Pirtle plays a beautiful passage on a Yamaha 204. Now we hand him a Bach MERCEDES mellophone and using the same mouthpiece he plays the same passage. At the end of this exercise it would be very clear that the 204 is a superior instrument. The flaws of the Bach wil be so obvious you'll wonder why this horn was so widely used. or Find a playable Conn 16E, tuner, and a Bach mellophone mouthpiece (modern mello pieces will not fit). If possible have you favorite march mello and mouthpiece available. Play the horns side by side. After that it will be clear that the modern march mello is a superior instrument.

The best I can do for you: http://www.middlehornleader.com/Jupiter%20...tum%205050S.htm Interesting though, the 5050 did sqeek past the 1121 (half duck) but is bellow the M541 (half duck) and the 204 (one duck).

or Yamaha sorry, had to add that

very nice, def recommend

Yes! thank you Matt

Gary, you'll love the Omni Severin! Such a nice hotel, indoor pool,decent fitness room, attached to center circle mall, and a stone throw from the stadium. The Omni-Severin has become the hotel of choice for the Penn State Lady lions basketball team for the Big Ten basketball tourney (held annually in Indy). There are numerous local establishments in walking distance from where you'll be staying. The Spagetti Factory (a Blue Band favorite), there is an Italian family style restaurant a few blocks from the hotel (don't remember the name), St Elmo's steakhouse, and a few others I can't recal right now. Bars, The Slippery Noodle has become a favorite for B10 bandos. They def have been the most tolerable of 'in good fun' shenanigans . I'll check with my fellow B10 bandos on more places. Def update this post, and let you know.

somebody call 911, Crown fire burnin' on the football field!

Agreed Karen. Esp. the part I bolded. It seems to make it more like a job, where you have to pay to work.

Great story! While at Penn State, I had the honor of marching with both Cadets and Blue Devil members in Blue Band. Knowing the culture of east coast of drum corps is very different from Blue Band, I asked both Cadet and Blue Devil members what DCI corps would it be easiest to transition to from Blue Band. Not so suprising, the answer was always, Blue Devils.

$800??? Thats about $400 less then what I paid for a 500 level grad course at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. CRAZY!!!

*bump* Very good question, I hope more will respond. Personally, I feel a great show starts with a great music package. I should be able to close my eyes in the middle of a show, and still be able to understand and enjoy the product through listening alone. Nothing irritates me more then a show concept based on a visual package.

why oh why, dear drum corps gods do we have to have a DCA and the DCI East classic on the same night??? I really want to see both and don't want to have to choose!!! I hate decisions

ROTFLMFAO!!!!!! hilarious for me...I love both corps, a college buddy (Blue Band) is marching BD and yes I did pick..... CROWN

This video has footage of (only) the 'new' Dynasty brass line. It does have good footage of the new marching tuba! btw...my first reaction to the video was, OMG! that person is touching a brand new horn with out gloves on, you evil person!!! anyone else get freaked out seeing bare hands on silverplated brass instruments???

Bellow I compiled a list of the 'most affordable' marching brass lines available, including the seller you originally posted about. No name (same seller) Trumpet: $232 (lacquer) Mellophone: $327 (nickel) Baritone: $489 (nickel) Euphonium: $699 (nickel) Tuba: not available Blessing Trumpet: $465 (silver, intermediate) Mellophone: $1,109 (silver) Baritone: $1,549 (silver) Euphonium: not available Tuba: not available not available Jupiter (not Quantum) Trumpet: $859 (silver, intermediate) Mellophone: $1,139 (silver) Baritone: $1,379 (silver) Euphonium: not available Tuba: $3,469 (silver, convertible) Dynasty Trumpet: $799.99 (silver, ‘marching’) Mellophone: $975.99 (silver) Baritone: $1,429.99 (silver) Euphonium: $1,629.99 (silver) Tuba: $4,289.99 (silver) Schiller (suspect same company as ‘no name’) Trumpet: $287 (silver, intermediate) Mellophone: $597 (silver) Baritone: $685 (silver) Euphonium: $697 (silver) Tuba: $1,097 (silver, 4/4) $1,139 (silver 5/4) sources: http://ebay.com, http://wwbw.com, http://jimlaabsmusic.com Some thoughts: Although I can not personally recommnend a no-name ebay instrument, I would be very hesistant to purchase one. Even with very low prices, you might be better off purchasing a new Dynasty horn after the usually incredibly high shipping fees are applied. However, if you were to take a leap of faith and purchase a line of low cost instruments, I would go with Schiller since they are being sold by a US dealer and have a full brass choir/line available. If you can, try to get demo horns before purchasing. No matter what brand you look at, its a large financial investment, and an educated purchase is the best (and only?) way to go. Best of luck to you. Please keep us updated with news, questions, comments, etc... as you are able. Best wishes!

Thanks so much CadetsMom, you made my night!!!!

Personally, I recommend Anvil ‘flight cases’. In the short run, yes it will cost you more than building a cabinet. However they will last much longer than a cabinet. Penn State Blue Band has been using the same set of cases for 15+ years. You can literally drop the case of the back of the truck (not recommended) without damaging the horn. The product is definitely worth the money! http://www.anvilcase.com/ *I am not associated with Anvil in any way, just a very satisfied user of their cases.

first gotta bump this back to the first page. second...since i'm at work till midnight in north joisey somebody cheer for HNC (tuba-Jason) and Surf (guard- Ashlie)for me extra loud, please and Crown too!!! don't know know anyone marching Crown, just love the corps

I have no doubt they will