Jump to content

jonomaphone

Members
  • Posts

    41
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by jonomaphone

  1. I need to clarify a point on that one: Only one of the windows above the end zones (the NE facing one) is capable of opening. Otherwise, I don't have an answer.
  2. Its funny that you put it that way. I agree that old school curvilinear left us around 2000, but I think it's spirit is still around in a lot of corps. Writers like Pete Weber, John Vanderkolf, Jamie Thompson, Jeff Sacktig, and to an extent Myron Rosander(because its apparently the only way he can write) still do a darn good job of integrating curvilinear forms and progressions in with more modern stuff. (Additionally, Michael Gaines wrote some incredible large form curvilinear drill, we just don't remember those moments) IMHO, BD is one of the biggest killers of curvilinear drill today (I can't include SCV2010 in that because they didn't seem to have any discernible style). BD used to have some gorgeous curvaceous drill and now they are doing this thing where they might do 2-5 sets curvilinear and the fall to a scatter, just as a previous poster noted. Also, modern drill actually is harder to march, not just looks harder. Because of the very exposed lines of the 80's & 90's, that drill was much harder to clean, but, frankly, I think kids with modern training could make easy work of it. Back to the subject at hand. I agree with several of the previous posters that the switch to any key brass has been a huge advantage to the activity. Corps can recycle lines more often and they are getting a much better product to boot. I've played G bugles, good ones too. They are clunky and out of tune. Yes, the larger bore size, additional metal, and longer bore allowed them to project more...or at least allowed the player to blow harder before exceeding what the horn could handle. At first, you could really notice the difference in volume between lines, but now as manufacturers are making better horns (they get to use DCI as a test laboratory) and the corps figuring out how to play louder, I think the volume level is equaling out. (IMO, Crown2010 is the loudest horn line I've ever heard, and with the best overall sound too!) Recruitment restrictions. Love the age thing. This has helped everyone. Switch to 138 was a good idea. I don't know if any corps have picked up an extra bus for the switch to 150. I'm not entirely sold on its virtues given the loss of so many smaller corps. Time will tell on that one. I think it may be cyclical (as regional corps die out, there will be a short period with very few and then the absence will show the need for more small corps. Amplification...well... In 2004, I was one of those anti-amp people (yes, I have a t-shirt). The learning curve on that one has been pretty long, and I don't really think everyone has figured it out yet, though we are getting closer. Some great victories for amps include the weird drum from BD2004 (timpanist played it & we wouldn't have heard it otherwise), Cajons from Madison2008, and an ever increasing group of corps that are figuring out that the amplified sound of mallets should REINFORCE their acoustic sound, not cover it up. An issue that is exacerbating any problems is the sound guys. I know that not all of the board workers have a background in live sound, but they almost all behave like it. WAAAAY too loud. Its like going to an outdoor symphony concert with a sound guy that used to tour with guns 'n roses. I don't know if anybody has done it, but having a guy in the stands w/a walkie would really help things out. Amplification will turn out for the good in the long run...I think the reinforced mallet and pp instrument sounds are a boon to the activity. It may just be a few more years until everyone gets it. Amplification of voice. It can be used well, such as Crossmen2006. It can also be brash and ugly. I think we've seen the extent of its use and will only see limited use in the future. Electronics. Open can of worms: I think it will turn out to be a great thing. Right now so many design teams are still figuring it out that its not always a positive addition. For instance: so many corps use CRAPPY piano patches. Best one of the field was Crown (also had a great guitar patch). I think their use of piano and guitar added to the production in a positive way, which is what everyone should be aiming for. Madison's piano moment (rhapsody b4 drum break) was simple and short. It reminded us that they're playing a piano feature while not smacking us in the face with it. Unfortunately, their patch was not that great (very tinny). I agree with many that the thunderous goo is bad. It has its place, but ideally we shouldn't be able to hear only that during a tuba moment (spirit). Also, STOP SYNTHING SOUNDS THAT CAN BE CREATED ACOUSTICALLY!!!!!!! That is just lazy. Designers are showing their creative bankruptcy with that. I don't want to hear a synthesized brake drum sound when you have one on a rack. Yes, you can make it louder with a synth..that is what amplification is for. Design. Everything is getting more theatrical. YAAAAAAAY. I love the good old shows from the 80's and 90's where you can just sit back and enjoy, but so many shows today now offer an additional level that can be more intellectually rewarding (the sit back shows are viscerally rewarding). Only trick here that several corps have missed on is that the rest of the show has to be able to stand without the theatrics. They must only add to a great program, not be the cornerstone of it. I have more thoughts, but have to run.
  3. We played Dynastys in 2005 and I really liked them. The reason Yamaha lines are so desirable is the Xeno trumpets and very sedate mello sounds. If anyone went with the best horns available they'd have (IMHO): Yamaha trumpets Kanstul Mellos Yamaha or Dynasty Baris King Euphs ...I'm at an impass for tubas as the Yamaha tuba has such a pure sound, but both the King and Dynasty tubas are tanks...
  4. So, decades of corps, thousands of tunes arranged...the question: Is there a corps arrangement that you think is better than the original? This can either be because the original was crap (alot of the pop arranged) or the corps arrangement delivers the themes and emotions in a better way than any recording you've heard. Discuss.
  5. Though we've gotten a bit off topic... FWIW, I'd love to see them on Friday. I think Teal has one of the most stirring ballads on the field this season. I had the chance to see them at Michigan City and the Kzoo and was blown away both times by the depth and enjoyability of music. However, they have a few factors hobbling them that I think will continue to do so for the rest of the season: •Poor visual design - the drill seems to be a series of impacts only...there is not a lot of character or artistry to the transitions or forms between those impacts. Also, theirs is very much a low-box show. The corps is on the front half of the field most of the time and fronts to the audience constantly. I think this will hurt their scores in bigger stadiums. •Lack of guard integration - the guard book is good (though I'd love to see more colorful flags in the opener), but the visual designer keeps them away from the hornline and battery for most of the show. They are missing out on a lot of effect points from this. •Visual execution - feet and body really aren't that bad for this point of the season (I think they are being scored waaay low here). However, with the very limited demand of their visual program, I don't see much improvement in this caption over the rest of the season. •Musical depth - the music is good...very enjoyable...especially considering that the band they take much of the music from (Dream Theater) is a jam band. However, the arranging leaves something to be desired as far as interweaving and transitions are concerned. Again, I really enjoyed the program and would love to hear it Friday.
  6. Anything by Johan DeMeij would be great, but especially his lord of the rings suite. If you haven't heard it, the Gandalf movement screams corps.
  7. 8 Carolina Crown 7 Madison Scouts 9 Phantom Regiment 6 Santa Clara Vanguard 16 Troopers tick phantom, tick troopers, credit scouts
  8. be sure to check out the i&e results at dci.org scouts did really REALLY well
  9. 3 - Blue Stars 10 - Carolina Crown 16 - Madison Scouts 12 - Phantom Regiment 13 - Santa Clara Vanguard 18 - Troopers tick vanguard, tick troopers, credit scouts ....GO SCOUTS!!
  10. 16 - Bluecoats 22 - Blue Stars 22 - Carolina Crown 11 - Crossmen 29 - Madison Scouts + 30 - Phantom Regiment - 28 - Santa Clara Vanguard 29 - Troopers -
  11. bump for primetime please, continue posting mods - could this get 'important topic' attention?
  12. 24 - Blue Stars 19 - Bluecoats 28 - Carolina Crown 22 - Crossmen 30 - Madison Scouts 37 - Phantom Regiment 29 - Santa Clara Vanguard 30 - Troopers tick xmen, tick stars, credit scouts edit - only ticked one
  13. Ok, I'll start: Madison Scouts: Lincoln HS 1545 S Hart Street Rd. Vincennes, IN 47591
  14. Lincoln HS 1545 S Hart Street Rd. Vincennes, IN 47591 found it - nevermind
  15. Hey folks, As an Indy native, I thought it would be good to have a topic with the housing sites (school's names and towns) for each corps...in case one might want to go check out a rehearsal or deliver some cookies, etc. SO please post what you know. THANKS
  16. 15 - Blue Devils 21 - Blue Stars 23 - Bluecoats 13 - Boston Crusaders 23 - Carolina Crown 08 - Colts 19 - Crossmen 31 - Madison Scouts 07 - Mandarins 27 - Phantom Regiment 07 - Pioneer 23 - Santa Clara Vanguard 20 - Troopers Tick Xmen Credit Madison
  17. Funny *sort of* story about this. Sometimes its not even the kids behavior or destruction of property that causes problems. my corps was staying at MTSU the night b4 murphreesboro. a few of our contra guys liked to sleep in the nude, which was generally ok as they covered up when they slept. well, at 4 AM, morning of the show, a female athletics administrator decided to walk through the gym...which she knew to be full of sleeping guys. one of our commando-sleepers had rolled over or kicked the covers away and as the woman walked by she managed to get an eye full. after that, we heard from vis. staff that she was incredibly upset by this and that we wouldnt be staying there in future years. same year at another site we were rehearsing and there were some families and kids in the stands. well, some mom got horribly offended by the....skimpy....nature of our rehearsal clothes. she complained and we were told no more. this really sucked as it was a school we had used for several winter camps and this string of 3 rehearsal days.
  18. ...that I wanted to send to some fellows on tour this week, but an email from Crown tells me that they are no longer accepting packages for mail drops!!!! SO...is anybody going to a show on or after San Antonio that wouldn't mind dropping a package at the Crown buses for me? I'll mail it to you, and you could take it!! (please!) If you plan on going to a rehearsal, that would be fine too. Please let me know! (via pm) thanks
  19. haha the baybeez is a classic. need one for gym too
×
×
  • Create New...