incompleatangler

I'm a long time member, but I haven't posted much in quite a while. I've been in and out reading and following a long from time to time. Just haven't had much to say that wasn't already being said. Still, I'd like to share some humble opions on the current top 4 as July nears it's end, and the DCI season enters it's final stages of acceleration. I haven't seen any live drum corps yet this year, so the grain of salt is on the house. I'll be lucky enough to be in Dublin tomorrow and in Massillon a week later, though. SCV - Wow! What a corps! A lot of things are coming together for them this year! The battery is still aruguably the best in the biz. The challenging original visual identity has taken another huge step forward with the addition of Michael Gaines's input. The hornline, consistantly outstanding for years, is gaining (regaining?) it's own identity based in the balance of precision and expression. They are well deserving of the love fans and adjudicators alike are heaping on them. I will love seeing them medal this year. As in, I don't see them dropping to 4th, or really at all. I'm not quite convinced they'll be champions this year, but I wouldn't be all that surprised if they pulled it off. Bloo -- (it's only fair to warn: I'm a homer here). That closer is killing them. This is 3/4 of a championship design. The relentless dedication to performance level, the showstopping moments, the innovative visual design and prop(s), the tasteful and exciting approach to electronics and amplification? They're all there, evolving as they have the last several years. And I don't believe what I see as a slightly less effective design choice will see them drop below 4th. I just think the ballad lacks the juxtaposed subtlety and power that choices like Hymn to Axiom and Great Gig in the Sky exemplified. I see the bronze as their ceiling right now. Blue Devils - It's true that they park to do some of their best barking, but it is, to my ears, the best barking the activity has to offer. I could bathe in that brass sound. I know many prefer the pyramid balance and faat tone that Crown brings. Far be it from me to say those folks are wrong. I prefer the top heavy, nuanced approach we find in Concord though. And what they are doing visually is certainly effective if you ask me. Is what SCV is doing more effective? We shall see. As was the case a year ago, I find BD simply amazing, yet not unbeatable. Crown - Up through the ballad, I. am. so. on. board. I thoroughly enjoy the solo vocal here. The performer is terrific, and the hornline has found a way to blend with that, not only supporting or accompanying the vocal, but interacting with the soloist. Then, in the second half of the program, I can't escape the feeling that they're trying to Einstein-on-the-beach me, nor the feeling that it's just not on the same level. I love seeing them try to innovate like this. Honest. I'm just not enjoying this particular run at it as much as I want to. The vocal in the more "modern" pieces (forgive an over simplification -- and one of likely dubious accuracy at that) starts to feel like it limits the sound pallet after a point. The performance is still top notch, and I think the integrated vocal works for quite a while. To my taste it just hangs on to the point of overbearance. I believe bronze is their ceiling. I'd prefer to see them in 4th, but I admit a healthy dose of Bloo homerism colors that opinion. Now we've got two weeks left. Any one of these groups could certainly still surprise me (or certainly even the judges). Luckily I'll have live viewings of three of them to inform my developing opions (oh how I wish I could catch BD live this year!) As always, the season's end is coming too fast. As always, I'm blown away by the achievements of EVERY corps, not just the top placers. As always, the ride is phenomenally entertaining and inspiring. Best of luck to all the performers, educators, designers, administrators, parents, volunteers, and supporters. This $%!& is fun, amirite!?

For those who, like me, go nuts trying to figure out which feed you want to load up. Well, I haven't posted in a long time, and I'm afraid I can't figure out how to embed this image. Here's a link though. https://photos.app.goo.gl/hux0EmTHVRaJzTc73

Oh, my. I'm totally in the wrong place. I was looking for the Medford, OR scores. LOL Apologies.

I can't find any scores for this show. It's not even selectable on the dci.org scores page. Did the weather turn on 'em?

Quickly gathered last night and re-posted today. http://reddogrambling.squarespace.com/blog...cs-of-star.html http://reddogrambling.squarespace.com/blog...cs-of-star.html Sorry, no attribution to original photographers.

Okay, so this is the quote I was really commenting on. My bad. Blame the iPhone. LOL

Great point! I've listened and listened, but I don't hear electronic brass doubling in the 'Coats show this year. Their use of electronics actually adds to and interacts with the acoustic sounds of their brass and percussion. They lay it all right out there. Can they win? Sure! Likely? Probably not, but I wouldn't rule it out. I see a race at 1-3 and a the very compelling one at 4-5, but I also won't be surprised with ANY change in the top4 spots (I don't see Crown rising beyond 4th - or BD dropping below 2nd, for that matter). Throw in Phantom/SCV and Blue Stars/BAC/Madison, and well... What a year! I can't get enough!!!

Looked up a few. I'll save you the work. Note: These are housing sites listed for these corps' performance dates at Allentown. This is a busy weekend. Most (if not all) of these corps are not in the same place for both nights of the Eastern Classic. Bluecoats Conrad Weiser High School 44 Big Springs Road Robesonia, PA, 19551 Cadets Conrad Weiser High School 44 Big Springs Road Robesonia, PA, 19551 Crown 102 S Saint Cloud St Allentown, PA 18104-6766 (484) 765-5300allentownsd.org‎ Blue Devils Pleasant Valley High School 1 School Lane Brodheadsville VA Cavaliers Penn State Schuylkill 200 University Drive Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972

Done and done. Way better than using Compy. Oh, and WOO-HOO! I'm going to Allentown!!!

Well, I've never been accused of being observant. Thanks!

So I'm finally sure I can get to Allentown. (Whew!) I was checking out purchasing tickets from DCI, and navigated their web interface fairly easily. Is there no way to purchase over the phone anymore? I'd really like to deal with a human being for this.

I guess I remember this coming up when "they" added amplification. Seems like the folks do the recording would have mics elsewhere so they could mix the sound a bit. I can't imagine crowd noise can be that much of a problem. Though in a dome, the echo would likely compound the further away from the sideline you went -- as evidenced by the comments on this thread. Lose, lose?

Maybe they need to get better at it?

I think they'll have to. It's all about finals week when you get to the bottom line, right? You don't design your show for high school stadiums in [insert inoffensive state here].

I was at the theater, and was disappointed in the sound throughout. Pits were overpowering hornlines and drums (not just electronics either -- amplified mallets can pierce!) There was a moment in the Bluecoats' show that was almost painful. I got the sense watching many of the corps that they were adjusting as thy went. I imagine tomorrow will be a bit better. The echo was certainly noticeable on the broadcast. I'm wondering what my experience will be like on Saturday night. I'm waaaaaaaay over in the side 2 corner, section 631 (I think). I should be able to see forms pretty darned well, I guess. Sound may be completely jumbled, though. Sigh... 9 more years? I hope I'm wrong. I hope it works out alright. I'd be interested to see if an open roof made any difference, too. I'll be watching DCP and Twitter for everyone's comments about tonight AND tomorrow. Anyone have any thoughts on what the giant black death curtain did to help/hurt the sound?