cybersnyder

I like the idea of entertainment being part of the score, but I can't come up with any objective way to judge it. Have a judge not watch the show and only watch the crowds? Hey, they look like they're having fun. 17.85. The only real way to judge entertainment value is with fans buying or not buying tickets. If they find DCI entertaining, they will continue to purchase tickets.

I hand out water at the parades or play trumpet/mellophone - no way I'm trying to do the silly cart / PA thing. At the games I have a big speaker and PA support. I try to play the low sub notes underneath the sousas to make them sound bigger rather than trying to play over them.

You're right, "pit only" would make sense as the next step and be a much easier sell than on field. I don't know why I even feel so strongly about it. I play electric bass for the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band. Talk about a hypocrite.

Is it really the sousaphones, french horns or trombones? I don't think so, it's that they're the last buffer between woodwinds being on the field. As much as I hate it, they're coming too. With this rule change, the inevitable is just that much closer. Five years, max?

Just a guy that sits in the stands and buys t-shirts here. Never marched a corps. I used to tell people about drum corps and inevitably they would say, "You mean marching band?" Then I'd explain how it's unique with a wall of brass and drums. Now it's just no woodwinds, except for the nonjudged intro. Now I guess I tell them that it's kinda like marching band but you don't really get what the show is about and if you really don't understand it, it probably scores higher. (Just a little bit of sarcasm.) Basically, I'm less interested in going to shows with this change, maybe even more so than amplified instruments. If woodwinds ever are introduced, or when they're introduced, I'm completely done. Keep your identity!!!

Good to know. That was always my impression.

Last night was my first DCA event. Was sad to learn that it was Empire's last performance, but I was thankful to have been able to witness it. It was a great performance. Talk about going out with a bang!

Of course not, I just think it was a great way to turn it up a notch and it didn't cost a single dime. A social media rally cry, if you will. Previously I was most impressed with Surf's thunder stick gimmick. #standupforcrown wins with simplicity, instant delivery and cost effectiveness.

IMHO, when they posted 16 characters on Twitter / Facebook - #standupforcrown. Of course they worked hard, had a great show all year, etc. But the additional crowd reaction created by the effective use of social media to increase the crowd response pushed their GE score up a notch or two and secured the victory. To whomever decided to post #standupforcrown on Crown's Facebook/Twitter - brilliant.

Goosebumps every time I watch that.

Very true. Have done a fair amount of interviewing over the past few years and you can quickly tell which candidates are along for the ride and which contribute significantly. Within reason, don't be afraid to highlight your individual contributions.

It would definitely look good on the entrance application, but unless the reviewers know what drum corps is it would be about the same as listing "marching band" on your application. You would likely get a higher return on effort and cost with other activities that more closely align with your major. Definitely do drum corps, but work on that GPA / SAT score. My daughter (and I) play for the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band. Yeah, I know it's not drum corps, we're not trying to be drum corps. Anyways, they started paying band members for practice and performance time this year and now she can list "employed by Baltimore Ravens" on her experience. Ironically, that probably gets her more "points" than marching in a world champion drum corps. The problem is that most people don't know what drum corps is and like in politics, when you're explaining, you're losing.

I really like it. Elegant and tough at the same time.

There was an email that went out a few days ago that the Cadets were looking to fill five spots dues to injuries. They listed the cost at between $2,700 and $3,000.

Of course the whole economic downturn had nothing to do with it. Actually, maybe synths are to blame for the economic downturn.

I did not know that. Now I'll have to look for a senior corps that needs electric bass for next season. Cool! EDIT: Nevermind, I found the rule and it's only mallets. I was wondering if hell really did freeze over.

As much as I dislike Blue Devils, well more like baffled by their placement I don't really hate them, I'd easily pay $100 to sit in the center of their brass warm ups. I get goosebumps from the YouTube videos.

I salute you. I tried something much less ambitious, starting a small Christmas brass ensemble to do some brass caroling. I failed miserably. Tried to get things started on Craigslist and didn't get a nibble of interest.

I aged out while in the Army and always regret not being able to try DCI. Give it a shot, you'll regret not doing it later on.

DCI wants to expand the market so it makes no sense to encourage shows to be less and less accessible to the general public. Unless the path to expansion is the WGI crowd rather than the general public. Which somewhat makes sense. Joe Blow wants to see sports with a V8 or hard hitting tackles and high scores, not trumpets and them there drums.

I'm far from a hardcore fan. I've only been at one finals and I hit local shows when it's convenient. Unfortunately I'm finding far less enjoyment with drum corps. I miss brass hits that are brass hits and not the subs maxing out. But that's fine, the organization needs to evolve and mature and in the process they'll lose people like me. My only regret is going to get hot dogs during the 2000 SCV show at finals. How could I have missed that???? If I win the lottery big time I'm going to offer to pay all fees for SCV members, buy a full set of G bugles (not sure if they switched in 2000 or not but it would sound cool) if they redo "Age of Reverence". Oh, and nobody named Krystal will be allowed in the corps. I get sick every time I think about it. I don't even like hot dogs. But I digress, I mostly agree with the OP. I'll still hit some local events but even Allentown at a three hour drive is seeming too far to be worth it. I'd rather go see Linkin Park / Incubus. They do a better job at the synth / amplification thing. Not grumpy, just losing touch with the direction drum corps is going.

IMHO, drum corps will be around for a long time. There is a lot of fat and inefficiencies that can be trimmed without much impact on final product. Get an extra year or two out of the uniforms and instruments. Partner up with other corps to buy food in bulk, get better rates for buses, etc. The biggest uncontrollable expense will likely be transportation which is only going to get more expensive as fuel costs increase. Shorter tours are possible, but then you cut appearance fee revenues. So I guess it all depends on how far you need to travel between shows and how much you take in at each. Advantage goes to East coast corps which typically have less distance between shows. Drum corps are creative on the field, now they need to get a little more creative behind the scenes. Those that can adapt will continue, those that can't or won't will end up doing indoor percussion or something similar.

I've given up on caring about scores and from purely an enjoyment factor, I liked the Colts show. I didn't get the colorguard uniforms, I rarely do, but I liked the use of color throughout the show that added visual impact to the performance. Crossmen had a nice performance. Enjoyed the music, but the cutouts may get in the way. Crown had exceptional brass, but visually it was a smear of cream. I didn't dig the whole Christmas thing for a summer show, so my enjoyment of the Cadets was biased from the beginning. So I think the show that impressed me the most was the Colts. Unfortunately, that adds zero points to the overall score. Another fun show at Chambersburg and I'm very happy that the rain held off.

If my football team doesn't live up to expectations, I'll point out where I think there are faults. Same thing with corps. These are the big boys, not a little league team where everyone gets an ice cream cone win or lose.

Being from Baltimore, anything that gets rid of the Colts logo is a plus.