wayback

I marched rifle for Sky Ryders in '80

I guess your right (re this individual's post). I stand corrected. I guess it would be more accurate to say that people seem to look for some reason why their favorite corps didn't win or place as they desire - something other than the corps performance (which they deeply believe was the best). "Maybe it was this, maybe it was that". Only some fans go so low as to posit slotting. I'm not singling out the Cadets, either - I said "every year". Every corps has it's hard years, & I'm sure every fan shares this impulse to some degree. I also honor the LOOOOONG tradition of excellence that the Cadets represent (which started LOOOOONG before Hopkins came into the picture, and will hopefully last LOOOOONG after he's moved on up to ?) I have no axe to grind AGAINS'T anyone. I loved the Cadets back in the day when they were placing 13th. I just think that the end of the season should be a time to remember what's important about the activity, and it isn't a ring (IMHO). I'm pretty sure the individual Cadets all came away from the season fulfilled, & glad they marched. I think it does them a disservice to focus on the politics. DCP opinions are skinny trees, & their lives will hopefully develop into a dense forest. The end of the season is a time to look at the forest.

I find it so amazing - every year we see this thread. "My favorite corps lost because *put your consiracy theory here*". If you want to walk away from the season focusing on your frustration, on your disappointment, that is your choice. To me, that's like writing a beautiful poem, and ending it with a big turd for a period. If fans of the "slotting" theory really believe that DCI is so corrupt, the judging so inept, why do you care who wins? wouldn't winning be meaningless anyway? Satisfaction, fulfillment, pride - these things come to those who focus on what's important. Looking back (wayback) on my time in corps, the numbers don't define my experience. I almost hope that the 4-7 corps stay there next year, & leave fans of the top 3 to bicker and whine. BTW - Congrats, SCV on another great season. I'm confident that all those kids had a year that they will always treasure. SCV is SCV, always! (regardless of placement), & that tradition of class is something that doesn't depend on DCI or the judges, or anyone else - it's an ethos they generate from within the organization. I know many others must feel the same way about their corps - I'm sure it's not JUST SCV - but I will alway be thankful that I learned that lesson there. Just handle your business, and you win. You judge yourself, in the end.

Diaghalev (sp?) later admitted that many of the people who started the "riot" on that night were plants. The "riot" caused a sensation that assured that the work would have a long run. It ended up making Stravinsky's international reputation, & he lived off that (and his obvious mastery, of course) for the rest of his life. This brings me to a question - did Mr Hopkins do this to enhance the narrative of the season? Isn't it more intereesting than Cadets making a quarters, semis, finals sweep? I raise this question because he/they seem to act like DCI is there to serve the Cadets, rather than the other way around. I believe it may be a classic "wag the dog" situation. Many seem to feel that Hopkins sees DCI as a sub-unit of YEA!; that what's good for them is good for the activity - in fact, that they ARE the activity.(or at least they define the qualities that all other groups should emulate, without question). If DCI penalizes them (rightly so), it doesn't look so obvious that they already knows who will be on top (not because of "slotting", but just becaus Cadets have been dominant all season - they have the show this year). He's trying to make it more exciting.

I love it, George... Old-timers (here on DCP) who check how many posts you have on this little chat board, then decide if your opinion is valid. If this is "your" board, sounds like you set it up so YOU could be the arbiter. I've been around awhile, & I agree that corps still has a lot to offer. However, I think it's ridiculous to read the massive volume of posts re "the problem with drum corps" & think that there's no problem. To then attack anyone who expresses that opinion (telling them, in essence, "you shouldn't say that on my board - that's not what it's for") is kinda childish; like holding your hands over your ears. I think the problm is not the rules changes or amps or... I think the corps are more alike now then ever. Less eccentricity, less local flavor, fewer home-grown staff/members & more hired hands & imports. They all have a single vision. consolidation. (ps remeber how some - not me - used to make fun of Stanley's seattle corps? now they ALL wear little jumpsuits & jazz run. kinda funny)

scores, scores, scores. If it's a sport, then obsess about the score if it's music, listen & enjoy if it was Art (which it isn't, I think), then a number is meaningless, ridiculous I think ALL the judging is highly subjective (beginning of the season/end of the season...east or west) putting a number on a complex, quasi-creative effort like a drum corps show is always gonna be a matter of opinion arguing/obsessing about the scores is for people who are not involved in DOING, perhaps, and need to feel "involved" somehow.

It depends on what you want to do with a major in composition. Do you really mean arranging? or writing "marching music" ?(kind of an oxymoron, compositionally speaking) It sounds more like you need to clarify your goals, not find a double major. I believe that if you are any kind of composer, you won't want to be a band director, or have anything to do with marching band. If you are any kind of band director, you won't have the time to really be a composer.

His resume'? I think the Bugler's HOF has a little bio personally? I was fortunate enough to watch him work with Sky Ryders in '80 & '81. Then I was with SCV in '82, & they came west on tour... every night for that entire tour (including when BD was in attendance), goosebumps and hairs-on-end were the order of the day for all the other brassmen when Sky played Larry Kirschner's arrangement of "Here's That Rainy Day" - reserved and rich throughout, & the bottom... oy. For that time, I think they had the best contra section going. They were monsters (like a wall of Samoan linemen), & I think they were the 1st with the giant bell King contras. I heard his sound follow him. I think the most unique feature of drum corps - the thing that makes it essentially different from marching band - is the oral tradition of teaching brassmen in the arc. The bugler's art is different than what is taught in music school/conservatory/German symphonic tradition, in the manner of teaching at least, & I don't know how much of it survives. I am not knowledgable about current drum corps. Sandra Opie, Frank Dorritie (sp?), Tim Saltzman (very different, but also amazing. student of Chicago Symphony's Jacobs)

any John Simpson horn line

I am a proud SCV alum and a music snob, who thinks the musical potential of the all brass and drum (all acoustic, thank you) ensemble has just been hinted at, thus far I honor the Bluecoats. I think you guys are great, and deserve every point you've gotten (and yes, perhaps more because of the instant cred given to the Cadets & King George). Quality. Consistency. Class. A true champion-level group. I'm sure the active vanguard admires that fat sound. It would be no shame to lose to Canton. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed for an inspiring display of heart by both SCV & Bloo (4th & 5th - either way).

ALL the groups are so incredibly talented this year I think the story is shaping up to 4-6 this year and it couldnt happen with out "Crazy George" (It makes me regret some of my trollier than thou postings over this season) I'm an old old old man apples and oranges , huh (see Madison f---in" alumni) Go SCV GR is smiling

I'd love to see Bloo AND SCV move up! as an SCV fan, who has now seen their Bloo's show for the first time this year, and the Cadets for the first time since early on... BLOOOOOOO! VAAAAANNNNNGGGGGUUUUUAAAAARRRRRDDDDD! (and even I think Cadets have improved a lot - not my cup of tea, but I see where their going with it) (fingers crossed for tomorrow night) PS Madison alums rock

I don't think it matters that much I think landing 5th would be a huge psychological victory for the organization I think this late season push shows how much heart the kids have this year I think Jeff (hey Jeff! go section leader!) and his staff have done a great job and should be incredibly proud. I just want them to get up close to Cadets & take 4th in total GE.

If you're a Serge fan, check out the score to the new "Pirates" movie. "Good composers borrow, great composers steal" (Stravinsy)

Uh..... thanks philly I'll have to thank my vet "friend" for passing that apocrypha on to me (Why I otta...) I was a SoCal transplant (one of a few at that time) and got some ribbing early on, I guess he was having one over on me.