highpitch_83

In my experience, the investment in electronic instruments pales in comparison w/ buying new horns/drums/uniforms year over year (or every other year/every 3rd year/etc...) particularly when you can use the same equipment for multiple seasons (especially front ensemble mic'ing, synths and PA setups). Also, I don't mean to imply that marketing initiatives are exclusive to the G7. Wouldn't you agree that most members of the G7 tend to have more comprehensive and (from my perspective) costly marketing initiatives (save Phantom Regiment)? The two most obvious examples being BD (BD Entertainment/Precision Arts/System Blue Clinics) and the Cadets (All Access/The Cadets Experience). I also don't imply (or feel) that these Corps DESERVE any more money for performances than the rest of the top 25 corps, as I wrote in my original post: "it doesn't change the fact that they're (the G7) making the choice to spend more than the other corps." Personally I think if they want to spend more then they should charge more for dues or fund raise to offset the additional costs instead of demanding additional compensation from DCI. Where is your data that says the G7 already get more money per show than the rest of the World Class corps? Two years ago I was part of a group that tried to organize another DCI show in Central MN. At that time the cost to bring in a Top 12 corps was around $2500 (similar to what you see as compensation for the AA and A corps in the slide show presentation) which is a far cry from the $6,250 (per show) that the G7 is requesting for these "AAA Events."

Glad to see the sky is still falling so i can jump in on the discussion after sleeping on it I'm convinced of 3 things (all my personal observations/opinions): 1. These corps have put a lot of money into equipment purchases, marketing, infrastructure, etc... and are tired of getting the same cut as organizations that don't or simply aren't able too (I can understand their point from a business perspective, but it doesn't change the fact that they're making the choice to spend more than the other corps) 2. This proposal isn't detailed enough to be voted on and passed in it's current state, it will have to go through numerous revisions after discussions w/ all the parties involved (i.e. DCI and all the corps within the circuit) 3. These corps directors are saying to DCI: "we're already spending the money so if you aren't willing to be more accommodating we'll start what will essentially be a rival "circuit" that contains some of the best talent in the country and we will bookend every major DCI show w/ our 2-3 day "interactive performance experience" and attempt to steal all of your ticket sales until you collapse. However, if you play nice we'll use our power(s) to help "everyone." It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the summer...

I will be helping my students learn their new music for summer marching band! (Mars/Simple Gifts combo... should be fun!)

I disagree. Your stating an opinion - what sounds "better" to you doesn't necessarily sound "better" to me or the guy/gal next to us. IMO you should judge a drum based how it SOUNDS not the logo on the front. As for BD "writing their own ticket" for sponsorship that isn't necessarily true... there are many layers to the sponsor/organization partnership beyond: BD IS TEH AHMAZING GIVE THEM WHATEVER THEY WANT FOR FREE! Also, they won two drum titles on those Dynasty's (in fact groups that play Dynasty have won the last three Sanford awards in a row: BD '07, PR '08, BD '09) doesn't seem like the quality of the instruments is the issue...

They only add to the cost if you CHOOSE to utilize them...

Really? No one wants to bite? How about on Part 2 (2006-2009)!

I've been seeing a ton of "Top 10 ______ of the year lists" but none that are drumming related! So I took some time this week to put together a comprehensive list of my favorite DCI Drumlines of the last 10 seasons!). Part 1 is up now (2000-2005) and Part 2 (2006-2009) should be up tomorrow (i'll post a link when it's uploaded)... Check it out and post your faves too! http://www.rudimentality.com/knowledge/200...-2000-2005.html Happy New Year! Eric

I agree w/ the other poster about not trying to replicate the "feel" of a kevlar head w/ a mesh head, it just won't happen (I've use mesh heads on my practice drum kit for years, IMO they're intended to keep the noise down rather than replicate the feel of a real drum head (mylar or kevlar). If it was my child I would probably spend that $200-$250 and get him/her a 12" gum rubber pad (approx. $35-$50) and the DB-90 (approx. $160-170). That way they get a more accurate representation of the response from a kevlar head and have a metronome/tuner/basic drum machine functionality that will last a lifetime (and can be extra helpful when he/she grows up to teach their own line! FULL DISCLOSURE: I've never actually used an RMP-5 or any similar product with integrated "instructional" software... if it's intuitive enough that might be the way to go!

Also see: QIK for non-iPhone applications http://qik.com/ A fellow instructor has been using it for over a year w/ decent results...

This doesn't make any sense to me... How is it with the advancements in technology over the last 10 year that it would be MORE expensive to produce the DVD's? We're not talking Blu-ray here (which is still very expensive to shoot for and reproduce) but a technology that has been refined and made more cost efficient every year for over a decade. If anything we should be seeing more features/featurettes on the current format for the same money (or slightly more depending on how they want to position it). Personally I think the stripping of features from the DVD is meant to encourage people to buy a Fan Network subscription (which I would gladly do if those missing DVD features found their way onto FN but they haven't).

YES. (someone who hasn't purchased a DVD since '07)

not to mention "eight year olds Dude..." ~Walter Sobchak

See: Phantom Regiment 2007 (1000 Airplanes on the Roof)

Oh you know it! Can't wait!!!

My first drum corps show was on a band trip to Bristol in 1998. Best.Day.EVER.

I don't think "style points" is the right way to phrase it... I believe the official term is: "recovery" (anyone?) That being said, if we had the Judges tapes on the DVD's this discussion would be a whole lot more interesting...

I find that I enjoy the "classics" more when I'm listening and not watching... the charts are just great :)

With all due respect, what you see at rehearsal and performances doesn't mean you're getting the whole picture. Re-read paragraph #4: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/nelson-14...e-exposure.html That is a career killing incident... if it was me, and I stood to lose an $80k/year gig for something that wasn't true why not fight it regardless of the cost or time it takes to clear your name?! <edited for homonym>

2nd'd side note: $80,000/year for a Band Director gig?! //packs bags for FL//

Being a professional musician and learning to play an instrument to use as a creative outlet are two different things entirely. Sounds like someone is resentful towards parents that stole their childhood. I've been working with the "spazzes" you refer to year round at a local high school (Marching Band and Indoor Drumline) and have seen kids with "professional" talent first hand that would've flown under the radar if they hadn't had the opportunity. Coming from a supposed corps veteran, I'm shocked that you feel that way... what would your fellow alumni think of your statement(s)?

I agree with point #2 but I'd like to think at least some of these High Schools are paying a premium for these arrangements/visual ideas (or is my naivety showing?! I've watched many other groups get burned by the copyright bug and always make sure to cover my *** my organization or move on to another idea if we can't afford it)

This...

This! Other than that I recommend any body you try to program you attempt yourself with a drum on before asking the members to try it... having that drum(s) hanging off the front of you severely limits what you can program and what will look good.

A snare line executing paradiddles perfectly clean for 40 bars straight sure as hell is tasty! I'll give you that if they did the same 40 bars every year it would start to taste bland... I did watch the vid you recommended and you know what? 85% is tasty because it's clean but having a dirty attack on 3 of the first 4 triplet rolls greatly affected my enjoyment of the video... Ironically the part(s) that sounded the best: paradiddles.

Space can be harder to clean but doesn't necessarily make the book "more difficult." By that logic any Cadets book from the last 20+ years would be less difficult because their hands are always moving. For this thread's purposes it seems the OP is defining "tasty"/difficult as: "the difficulty increases in proportion with the number of notes on the page." I think we all know that there are more intangibles to it than that, but for the sake of this thread that's the lens I'm looking through. I'm not trying to take away from Phantom's Sanford Award in '06, it was well deserved and is one of my favorite books of all time. My point it that it is so freakin good BECAUSE it was clean... (and yes sir that bass line was RIDICULOUS)