schleic8

I didn't think those Glassmen shows were cheesy, but I was in them, so I am and will be forever biased. I too am curious though what parts might be considered cheesy (with the sabre dance in '99 being one thing that I could see where someone's coming from).

You get the "brought a smile to my face on a cold and snowy day" award. Thanks. :) Jim

My final performance was all I needed to culminate my career. The cermony didn't mean anything. Marching (playing... whatever) the last show, then going through retreat and singing the corps song for the last time was WAY more important than the age-out ceremony ever was. It was all the finality I needed. Jim

Any updates? Jim

I still don't really understand why G-men changed unis... the look from 1997-2002 is one of the sharpest of all time in my opinion. Jim

Why don't you call Sal and tell him that. It's a lot more likely to get something done than posting on a message board. I know he loves hearing from former members (especially ones he marched with if Madsop75 is any indication of your corps affiliation and year). Jim

bump

I am pleased to announce the formation of the Boston University Winter Percussion Ensemble. The ensemble will compete in WGI PIO. It is open to all percussionists ages 14-22 regardless of if they are a student at Boston University. We have put together a staff that is sure to make your experience highly educational and enjoyable. The Boston University Winter Percussion Ensemble is the only nationally competitive independent WGI in the New England area. For more information visit the ensemble's web site at: http://www.bu.edu/bumo/wpe This year's membership dues are only $150 (and even less if you are a student at BU)! We hope to see many new faces at the Open House on Saturday Nov 13th from 10am - 4pm. Jim Schleicher

Looks like someone heard the news. Jim

Acutally, I think Vanguard is still a VF line. Jim Casella's fully IP. Murray Gussack's the caption head. They use VF sticks. Click here to read it from the mouth of Mark Wessels... he works for Vic Firth. Jim

Mellos all the way... French Horns are just raunchy sounding unless played perfectly. Jim

I think putting them in the stands is a good thing for two reasons. First, I'm a pit guy, so I'm all for the pit being a bigger part of the drum score. Second, to me it's a lot more important what the ensemble as a whole sounds like from the stands than what the snare line sounds like from 3 inches away. Jim

Scouts no question. Of the corps mentioned, one has a staff who's beaten every drumline in DCI. Jim

I'm with Jeremiah on '90. Just awesome. Jim

Attn: All New England percussionists. Frequency Percussion Webpage The next camp for Frequency Percussion is Dec. 20-21. Check out the staff page for a list of some of the best names in the activity who you'll get to work with. PM me or email anyone on the web site for more information. Jim Schleicher Frequency Percussion Front Ensemble Instructor

Hah! I'm blind and stupid. Thanks Chris. Jim

Why not Madison? They'll probably have one of the best drumlines out there. Anyway... to actually answer your question, Chris Hestin's doing some good things down at Glassmen and coming off a 14th place finish, I would imagine the competition will be somewhat less than in most years to get into that corps. Colts drum staff is young and very talented. A good friend of mine teaches the pit there, and I thought they took a lot of strides last year, and should continue to next year. Crown is having auditions in Indiana, so you might want to check them out. Jim

We have a winner. Always put your vibe pedals up when moving. It ticks the vibe players off, but it's better for the board. Jim

SCV... just a guess. Jim

I guess I missed the story, but could you explain a little bit better what you're talking about. Jim

Go for some Innovative Percussion! The McNutts are great. But if you're limiting yourself to Vic and Pro Mark, I'd go with Vic Firth. They're a lot better quality, and have a ton better selection. Personally, I like the Hannum model.

amazing.... light years huh? I didn't know you could stutter on the internet, but it appears as though I did not. Jim

I have also heard tapes by Todd Fox. He's not the best... but he's not bad. So, why is it that Todd Fox is bad because his scores are lower than Charlie Poole? Couldn't the reverse be true? Isn't it possible that Charlie gave you too high a score? I commend you on your "####-clean" quad playing, but it's impossible to catch everything that's going on. It's only possible to get a sampling of each section at different parts of the show. So he missed your quad break... big deal. I don't care how many tapes you've listened to, or how trained you think your ears are... I still don't think you're qualified to label Todd Fox a bad judge. Jim

I see that you have commented on Cadets pit much on DCP. BUt the thing that I dont fullu understand is why? You say things like you look for stuff other tha cleanliness and runs. What do you look for, and do you see them as light years ahead? Many judges didnt feel that way at the end...and I know you dont agree with judges, and to each his own, but what is it exactly that makes a good pit to you, and vanguard's pit better than cbc's to YOU? I think that Vanguards Book is mysterio and has more oooo moments as far as "neat" sounding..that sounds dumb the way I worded it, but I think you know what I mean., And as far as battery to pit communication...Cadets have it there...they play sooooo many linear parts lined up exactly front to back. That is communication to me. If people were at finals week, vanguards pit had a blowout it the first 30 seconds in the pit..I think it was during quarters..maybe semis?? I dont remember. Just Curious..not meaning to be rude in any way shape or form! Jason B. To me it's not vertically aligning the pit and battery... it's the musical alignment. I'm not talking about quads and keys playing 16ths perfectly in time. I'm talking about a blending of sounds from front to back. The first thing I dig more about Vanguard is their approach to the instrument. I look at their pit and see professional musicians. Cadets to me look less concert hall. I just dig the orchestral look and sound to the way Vanguard plays. The technique's almost straight from the Stevens book, and I like that. I also enjoy how Vanguard places a ton of responsibility on the pit. As far as I can tell, the Cadets pit has been more color than actual musical substance the last few years. I'm not talking about a pit feature or anything like that... I'm talking about carrying a serious part of the music ensemble. Finally, sound quality! If you can stand in front of Vanguard pit, then Cadets pit and tell me that there's not a difference in sonority, then you need to get your ears checked. Vanguard plays into the bar and gets good sound quality even at low levels. It's all just personal preference. I've been trained in pits of both styles. I prefer the Vanguard style. Not to take away from Cadets... the kids bust their tails. I just think the philosophy isn't all that. Jim

ok fair enough... but tell me what exactly you would be looking for and your basis of what parts of SCV were better than Cadets on finals night compare every section now :) First off... wasn't there finals night. Have to draw conclusions based on Allentown. I value the ensemble responsiblity that SCVs drumline has. I value the communication between the battery and the pit. Musicality-SCV oozes it. Just the kind of stuff I'm into. I can understand Cadets winning drums. I just wouldn't score them that high. Oh... and I'm a pit guy, and SCVs pit is light years beyond Cadets in my eyes. Jim