MelloTrump

This discussion really merits it's own thread. I'm speaking of brass players specifically. I was speaking of the eventual loss of the individual to develop relative dynamics due to the crutch of being able to depend upon a person with a mixing board to fix any and all discrepancies. . Imagine, if you will, every single horn player with a mic on their horn and someone up front "troubleshooting" the show. Someone gets blatty , and it gets fixed, a section doesn't blend well, and it gets fixed. This is all hypothetical, of course, but as it stands, the current trend could make this possible. I just don't want to see playing brass in drum corp become devalued. It will, and kids will get less from it if the above happens. As mentioned before, this isn't yet current issue, but take a look at what autotune is currently doing to music. As a reference point, have you ever watched the beginning of a season of American Idol? The early part of the season shows us extremely deluded individuals who believe that they can sing, but soon show themselves to be tone-deaf and without any vocal talent. These same people are most definitely immersed in autotune. TV, music, games, and mobile phone apps are showing people that music has an easy button in autotune. Music as a whole is devalued because of this. To sum up, the whole point of my original comment was based upon a very possible hypothetical situation contingent upon current trends continuing. Nothing like that YET, but could happen. I have and have had wonderful experiences in drum corps, and I'm just hoping that kids new to the activity are getting what they deserve. The value of working together and trying to achieve something great supersedes the perfection that the above mentioned technology will bring about. Technology certainly doesn't = evil, but I see it devaluing the individual musical experience of those just starting a drum corps career. If there are more questions, feel free to pm me. I might actually start a new thread with this topic. Thanks for your time.

Good point, but I think that you might be missing something. Achieving dynamic balance in any musical group is always a challenge. Learning to listen and adapt is a HUGE part of this, and for most kids that age out of DCI, playing in a group that large won't happen again unless they all happen to end up passing auditions for their regional symphonies and are lucky enough to get a spot. If they are accustomed to someone on the sideline with a mixing board making the appropriate adjustments for them (and it could eventually end up like that), then one of the more useful skills from participating in drum corps is lost, and an easy button presents itself. It seems that if the current trend continues in DCI, combined with the current partnership with DCA, that certain educational experiences will be lost with the advent of more technology that you seem to be espousing. It's not at that point currently, but it could just be eventual. No conspiracies here, just thoughtful speculation. Please keep this in mind.

No one here was in Rochester for the show? No reviews?

Very cool idea! How do we get that ball rolling?

Holy Crap! Watch out, top 3..

It would be cool to see a show in the Capital Region of NY again. Have the corps that were listed committed to the show, or is it still tentative?

Cool!

Here's to the brave people that start drum corps! May the jerks that try to drag the brave people down, land in the holes that they dug for themselves. Go get'em Paul!

Really?

Why is this thread listed as having 0 views? Lame..

I don't think that synths have any place in DCA, nor should they ever. I am also of the opinion that it shouldn't be overdone in DCI either.. I have, however heard some disconcerting rumors about soloists being amplified. If you can't play over the rest of the corps, then dynamics are not being utilized effectively, or you're not projecting enough, or the freakin' guitars are TOO loud! A football field is not a nightclub where you have to be miced to be heard over the din of the crowd and the other amped instruments. PLEASE, make note of the distinction! <<steps off of soap box>>

I believe that DCI should try to be a little more transparent. Perhaps they should allow the minutes of their meetings to be seen by the public. Then, instead of ANNOUNCING a rule change, they can show us something that is being proposed, and how it will effect things to come. It won't happen, I don't think.

CHANGE.

Debating is one thing. WHINING is something completely different.