Mello Dude

LOL

Just proves it's not being judged.

Incorrect. Unless there are rules in place to cover it it cannot and will not ever be covered the same everywhere. You can say the same for amps as well. A squeal from an amp during a performance SHOULD have a penalty as a bad narration OR the fact it's one person taking the attention or time off the corps performing should be something accounted for.

This!!!!! God I miss a G hornline....

Well, I suppose just like any other politcal thing Hopster does this is just trying "educate" us. Another attempt to push the activity forward. Very well done BTW. I give it to the man, he knows how to play the game. I dare say if the Cadets came out, bent over and did a performed uniform dump on the 50 yard line and tied it to global warming I dare say they would not only win DCI but would be lauded by the usual folks here. Note to Hoppy and the people pushing the whole show "I GET IT!". I simply am smart enough to "NOT LIKE IT."

LOL...How about this, if the Cadets win every major player in DCI will feel obligated to have as much or MORE narration in their shows to have a shot an winning next year. You can see this is everything so far and it follows a logical pattern of what is percieved as "better" or moving the activity forward. Amps, Bb horns, narration...etc and so forth.

I agree! LOL Occasion Magic

I have actually seen a couple that are setup right under the podium. ContraRich77 said, I would counter how could you NOT notice? Perhaps I just note a higher degree of detail when watching the performing unit than do some. Somehow, I don't see how you can miss the guy running around hooking up the amps and then standing under the Drum Majors podium the whole performance. I would at LEAST expect some to notice when the Drum Major salutes...but perhaps I expect too much and this is why we need narration to inform those that don't get it.

Umm, don't the corps members have and do wear uniforms?

I saw the Scouts in Oswego and quite frankly I cannot believe they didn't take second place by a LONG shot over Spirit and Crossmen.

That's pretty funny. I am amazed how many people are actually against having some sort of dress code to be on the field with performers in uniform. I never expected this many posts. Possibly, this could be the theme for a 2009 Cadets show with a bum walking around the field and by the end he is clean shaven and well dressed running the amp!

Well written and thought out show. They are VERY good. The only thing I see is the show is a little flat from the other top corps I have seen.

There ya go! Not only louder wall of sound than most corps today but even untreated lumber looks cleaner.

Look, I am not "trying to degrade people". Why in the world would you not have these people on corps shirts and clean cut sitting right on th 50 yard line? The last show I went to this year, everyone one of them were wearing flip flops, very worn shorts, very worn non-corps t-shirs and long unkempt hair in a pony tail. BTW what does 28 posts have to do with having a valid discussion point?

No, really. What is with the sound tech's all these corps have on the 50 yard line dressed like bums or homeless people? Not to be a prude or a complete arse, but wouldn't it be a good idea to at least be clean cut with a decent set of slacks/shoes on for the performance? Has anyone else noticed this?

We should be questioning the qualifications and perceptions of the judging community as well. I would hope they are routinely checked for hearing and sight loss yearly. Interesting, you don't think playing music involves the use of extreme dynamics? How boring and unmusical. Headbanger indeed.

I absolutely agree with you. The problem, like any other activity that is in competition, is that the corps are going to do whatever it takes to get the best score they can out of those judges. If DCI has proclaimed (or heavilly suggested, wink wink) that you need XYZ to win you can bet most corps are going to do XYZ whether it's in writing or not. I think Mike Cesario said it best (paraphrase), "Those that are percieved to be moving the activity forward will be rewarded."

No, never, I would not say worse. But, look at the inverse of what you are saying, if one doesn't march drum corps they don't know how to practice or have standards? I am sorry but I can remember almost always having like a day to look at a couple pieces of music and being expected to play it almost to perfection by sight reading in ensemble. Not given 8 months of continuous practicing. I would say that your technique would be great, your appraoch to playing music in a college music program(s) no so good.

You should listen to the 80 and 81 versions they have done.

Is it? Tell me how playing the same 10-12 minutes of condensed music, marching, for 8 moths is making someone a better musician in the scope of becomming a professional player. For teaching marching band or drum corps I think it's a no brainer, but better musician?

See, you only point to something bad and not well done like CSO. Those that never push the envelope with dynamic range will NEVER achieve a truly loud or soft sound. Also, there are multiple techniques for teaching brass and not ALL brass have to play the same way. What I see here on the forums lately seem to be a real lack of rounded education when it come to brass sound. Brass lines don't all need to sound like CSO to be good. Take LSO, they don't sound the same, yet they sound wonderful. Take that brass ensemble from New Orleans, technique all over the place yet they sound great. A GREAT brass player is able to change the way they sound (in a good and pleasing way) given the music they are playing to match what is going on to convey the music to the end person listening. Music with no emotion is simply not acceptable. If you canot feel and play the music as intended you have not been taught properly IMHO. You don't need someone on an amp telling you what you should be thinking about as you listen to music if done properly. On soapbox: Get rid of the amped pit. It's bad enough the hornlines don't play as loud as they used to why bury the really nice playing going on with 16th note runs from 12-20 people not playing the melody.

This is if you can here 50% of their show over that amped pit. Everyone plays so dark anymore that there basically no overtones going on anymore. Trumpet lines sound puny. Scratch the Bb trumpets and get some D trumpets. You know what is funny is that some people here probably have never played in a major symphonic orchestra. I have never played so loud in my life (even in PR) as I did there trying to balance 100+ string instruments. The grand experiment is over and the G bugles simply sound better on the field. Music without substantial dynamic contrast is silly; that used to be what set drum corps apart. Don't believe me? Why do some corps have to now tell people what their show is about rather than letting the art speak for itself?

I also went to the Oswego show and I have only one thing that ALL the corps out there had major issues with...amps. The PIT on EVETRY corps there is way out of balance to what is going on the field. Quite honestly, I don't see why you need to amp 12-20 players sitting 30 feet from the stands. Every time someone hit a bass drum in the pit the resounding thump from the speakers souded like a sonic shock wave. Couple this with that fact that hornlines simply don't play as loud as they used too they get buried if they face the back of the field or are playing soft melodic parts of their show. I would suggest if they are not going to use a device or person to adjust the volume levels correctly, or at the very least musically move them to the back of the field where you can use them as a "Dr Beat" and lose the overly annoying dutting from the snare line. That's my rant...;) I liked the show overall and for early on looks to be a great year for everyone. I thought Madison was scored a little low IMHO, the only corps that actually came close to the volume levels you expect from corps. As a side note I LOVE the design of Cavies show this year. What a complete package...now if the hornline can get the wow factor in there it looks like another ring year. As a side note to anyone interested I think that the Bb trumpets sound puny and this being the 8th 9th year on the field I would consider substituting some D trumpets out there or something to give them a full sound.

Just my 2 cents. If you cannot convey what your show is about through the intednded medium of music and effect, voice will do nothing to help you. I saw the Cadets show last year 4 times and quite honestly they just don't get "IT" IMHO. Their show was like the perfect ice cream sundae then some d###### went and covered it with chocolate choking out all the good that was actually there.

1989 was the first year Regiment used toe first.