silvertrombone
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Posts posted by silvertrombone
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Well, you're right about that, because I still think I would have made a good movie stand-in for Brad Pitt. Instead, when I used to work as an extra on movies that were filmed in Chicago, during the filming of "Planes, Trains & Automobiles," I was asked by another extra if I was John Candy's stand-in. (My scene never made it into the film.)
Umm...that's actually a tad bit disturbing, Mike! Please ease concerns that you scene had nothing to do with...two...pillows. Because I just had a "bathing in chocolate" flashback there!
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I'm always surprised when shows that don't come close to selling out don't have $5 tickets at the door and push that fact hard. At least in the last couple of days. $35-40 for decent seats (albeit just bleachers) and $15-20 for the bad seats in a tiny and cramped high school stadium is probably not the best way to maximize revenue or attendance. A single-A minor league baseball game is $10 at most in Peoria, and $5 on Mondays. That's third-row-behind-home-base seats in a nice stadium...
Hey...who are you?? I saw your signature: "Fan of the activity since August 12, 1991." Me, too!
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DCA has a show sponsor that touched on this as well in Bridgeport CT...the Barnum Festival.
you have last years top 5, and a corps that has several titles, plus some alumni corps......and admission is $5.
that's right $5.
and year in and year out, tied to the Barnum Festival full of many events, including a parade, has a huge crowd. for a DCA show, which I'm sure in this forum will get mocked.
There is a lesson to learn here
My God...P.T. Barnum? As in the circus folk? ####, that sounds almost like an early 20th Century version of Blue Man or Trans Siberian--I almost like the way they/you think! (forgive my snark, that was directed at others...not you!)
As for MANY events affiliated with a drum corps show...there is an entirely separate set of people I hope read my commenting on THAT concept.
####, you'd think I've been "on" to something the last three years. How about that. (that wasn't a question...it was an observation both sets of people will completely miss)
I replied on this thread and it grew by 5 more pages. Thought I'd try that again. Bump!
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No amount of advertising to the general public, no amount of spectacular performance presented in that advertising, no amount of endorsement from respected leaders in other field, NOTHING is going to ever change the public's perception of the activity as anything other than a bunch of geeky kids who could make the sacred football team....and who are thus not worth watching.
It's not a drum corps issue, it's a general public view of the marching arts, and until THAT changes and school marching programs start getting some respect and support for the public and schools, it won't bleed over to corps.
Respectfully, I disagree, Sam. OP brings up some good issues, albeit with a little bit of a tart tone. But also offers some good (if simplistic) suggestions.
I'd start with an overview of how the Blue Man and Trans-Siberian Orchestra groups--in a BAD economy, no less!--continue to draw enough of an audience to keep their doors open! Its not cheap renting out the American Airlines Center in Dallas...gotta draw a crowd! And those groups cost money...salary, hotels, per diem, etc. Granted, they also draw advertising. Fortune 500's, etc.
See also Disney On Ice and anything that Ringling is doing. Those would be good models to glean some lessons from...they've only been drawing a crowd and keeping the doors open for, what, 100 years?
Perhaps some good, old fashioned business case studies would be in order? Pay some DCI age-out who is majoring in business to study some of these groups? Pretty cheap. Would be good experience for some kid. And vastly beneficial for DCI.
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As for the rehash of "Phantom vs. Phantom" (so to speak), that was a kind of neat revelation for the evening! To see two corps once again be performing selections from 'New World' AND 'Phantom of the Opera' in the same year...in the SAME SHOW...was awesome!
Thank you to Bluecoats and Blue Stars (who I didn't get to see!) for that little treat. I look forward to seeing these two shows in person.
And Crown, the closing portion with the more recognizable portions of the Copland...juicey!! If it is possible to feature more of this, I'd say DO IT!! If the sheets are based on the recognizable stuff, load us up! Play it five times in a row. Do a 'theme and variations.' Do a 'Fugue on Fanfare for the Common Man.' There were long stretches of the show that were like, "huh?!?" Not what we've come to expect recently.
Granted, its only mid-June. But the ending of the show was divine! Would love to see the rest of it in that category!
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Well, they shut down Northpark in Dallas as a DCI theater, so I trekked up to Plano to join a phellow phormer Phantom. I missed Blue Stars and Phantom, arriving as Phantom was leaving the field, so can't comment on the product. But given that the corps opened in 2nd place with BD not present, a more-or-less 3rd place opening finish is uncharacteristic for the corps--so a GREAT start!
I was VERY impressed with Cadets' show being opening night. It will be great...really good use of familiar music. Anyone who thinks Christmas music won't work need only revisit 1991 Cavaliers. This could be even better due to the musical aspect. Look for Cadets to be right in the hunt.
Bluecoats...mmmmm!! Looking forward to where this show goes in 6 weeks or so! Brass wasn't quite up to the level of the couple of corps that came before them, but its also early. They'll get there, courtesy 14-hour days...and that show will be FUN in August! Great tubas...does it have to be stated?!?
Cavies show seemed like they were thumbing the judges' noses. "So you want MUSIC, eh?" Seemed like their typical offering only with music wrapped around the visual concept instead of notes. I marched Phantom, but I grew to respect Cavies in the last decade--they were just too good NOT to!! But this product is either too early to fully appreciate, needs a year for the creative staff to "get" the new sheets or just isn't very congealed yet. Maybe August will be another story, in which case I look forward to seeing what they do!
Crown, like Cavies, just didn't resonate with me. Again, it seemed like the new sheets confounded this staff which seemed like a natural fit to dominate on the new sheets. The show seemed "off." Another case of too early? Maybe. Time will tell.
As far as scores / placements were concerned, I thought the judges were pretty darned close, which was REALLY interesting! Cavies in 5th?!? Phantom in 2nd?!? BD not being there has to be taken into consideration obviously. I imagine they will be in their typical 72.0, 1st place out of the gate territory. They typically do that, but then again, they haven't exactly been playing "music" the last few years either...pardon my term. If they are having the same problems Cavies and Crown exhibited last night, that could really shake things up!
In short, if Phantom was truly in 2nd place last night I'll call it right now having not even seen the show--that's your champion! Could be even if BD is in 72-range. Would be an interesting year seeing Phantom and Cadets go back and forth all year and duke it out in Indy. But Cadets, given some time to finish their product, is going to be right there all season, whether they are racing against Rockford or Concord. And wouldn't that make an interesting 3-legged race?!? Would sure love to see all three of those corps winning regionals this season, with a different leader each night in Indy!
But with the new score sheets, all that is necessary is to see Crown and Blooo finish their products, do some cleaning and get a little rest and they'll be tight as well. Would be interesting to see--what was it, 2006? 2007?--all over again, when most of the Top 7 corps beat each other at some point or the other.
And SCV with Fiedler, Rennick and JD Shaw cannot be too far out of the mix!! This is starting off well. Kudos to Michael Cesario and all of those who put work in on redeveloping the new sheets--well done!
And I know that 2012 has only just begun, but this has GOT to make 2013 look amazing! Once creative-sorts get the idea behind the sheets, music next year is going to be SMOKIN'!!
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Shoot, Blooo...why do you say that?
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I am proud to announce that DCI Open Class Director Dave Eddleman informed me yesterday that the Open Class Advisory Committee unanimously approved Forte to participate in the 2012 DCI summer tour. The corps will be added to the schedule in coming days and the official announcement will be made by DCI as well.
DCI Executive Director Dan Acheson visited Forte's rehearsal camp this past Saturday, meeting with members of the Board of Directors and Administrative Staff, viewing the evening ensemble rehearsal (in which members coordinated the forty-five drill sets learned earlier that day with music!) and mingling with staff, parents, volunteers, Board members, etc. He was particularly impressed with the calibre of staff, how they conducted rehearsal and the sheer output of our members.
I would like to especially congratulate Program Coordinator Dallas Burgess, himself a "rookie" in that role, for assembling this staff, who was receiving praise from parents Saturday evening as well. I have asked staff for one thing and one thing only...push the members! I am not asking for score or placement. I simply want members to come back in 20 years saying, "Man, staff pushed us to beyond what we thought we could achieve...and we achieved it!" The numbers, at that point, will work themselves out.
Congratulations to the entire Forte family! Now the hard work begins. But so does the "fun stuff," too!
A couple of answers to questions that have come up recently as well...
Forte Drum & Bugle Corps will, on Saturday, June 23, 2012, become the first drum and bugle corps to perform in "Jerry World"...aka Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington, TX. We are proud to be the "halftime" entertainment for the Guns & Hoses Foundation's football game between police and firefighters. G&H will also stage the "Diva Bowl," a "Powder Puff" game between female police and female firefighters. I don't know about you, but I'm not sure I would label any game between female police and female firefighters a "Powder Puff" game! More details as well as tickets will be announced shortly.
Forte's DCI schedule has been slightly truncated as a part of our review process. DCI felt it would be more conducive to assist us reduce the total miles and length of our tour by condensing our performance schedule slightly. Our schedule will now begin with our performance in Denton, TX on Thursday, July 19th. The full schedule will be released by DCI shortly. I'll wait to discuss publicly until this occurs.
Forte continues to forge new partnerships with schools in the D/FW region as we continue to develop our own programs and establish our brand as an elite performance ensemble in one of the greatest markets in the marching band and drum corps activities. Stay tuned for more announcements regarding partnerships with area schools, districts and other entities.
In the meantime, congratulations again to the entire Forte family for successfully passing our DCI Review. Members...PAY YOUR DUES!!...come to camp at Memorial Day in better shape (last Saturday was tough, eh?) and better prepared to continue to raise the bar another notch. Drill Designer and Visual Caption Head Andy Brady said it best after March camp, "This is a different corps every month!" Meaning, you are improving noticeably each time we see you--keep it up!
And beware challenging staff...you get what you ask for! ;-)
Semper Porro
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Perform background checks on all senior leadership including candidates for Board of Directors. Go in-depth. Do NOT affiliate with people who don't pass this phase. Period.
Secondly, pass a list of names and brief bio on each by the good folks at DCI, DCA, WGI--pretty much anywhere they might have developed a..."reputation." Do NOT affiliate with anyone who does a face plant on this item either.
Within that group of folks who actually pass muster on these two items, gather as many people who don't have degrees in theater or music as you can find. Artistic sorts are a dime a gross. Go heavy on people who know how to run a business.
I hope that all helps. Learned some rough lessons in our first three years at OYAA / Forte. ;-)
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So I'm hearing of a pretty interesting situation developing here at Forte central. Yeah, yeah...who let the OC Director out of the OC threads, right?
Well, my question is somewhat activity-wide, so allow me a little bit of room on this one, k?
What is the BIGGEST horn line in drum corps history that had a majority FEMALES in the TUBA or CONTRA section???
I'll grant you the all-girl corps. Obviously, I'm curious what the largest mixed corps tuba section with more GIRLS than GUYS is/was.
Because if its never been documented, we're about to make it NECESSARY to do so. Hint-hint.
TUBA CHICKS are taking over at Forte...and it sounded #### good in March. Way to go, girls!
Semper Porro.
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Oops. Try this link. My earlier one apparently didn't work.
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Here's a working Link
Thanks, CQuinn--don't know why mine wasn't working! ;-)
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Where is there a ranker?
That would be my Vice Chairman, Gordon Martinez. He took the time to look up every single NPO participating in the voting and has been tracking the leaders for 2 weeks. We rose to 7th place by Friday night, 5th on Saturday and then leap-frogged to 2nd on Sunday where we have been since, about 1,200 votes (now) out of 1st.
Sure would be a shame to see that much effort go to waste! Please vote for Forte every day between now and February 9th. Thank you!
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http://fuelinggood.c...ggood?id=803534
Attention ALL fans of drum corps...Forte Drum & Bugle Corps is currently sitting in SECOND place NATIONALLY in Citgo's Fueling Good $5,000 gas card give away! This is largely due to the support of the drum corps activity and we are asking you to help with one BIG, final push. Help us leap frog into FIRST PLACE this week. We are not far behind and you can help us achieve this notable accomplishment quickly.
http://fuelinggood.c...ggood?id=803534
You are able to vote ONE time EVERY DAY through February 9th. Please vote for Forte D&BC "Chicago-style"...vote early, and vote often!!
Thank you, drum corps fans--we appreciate your support and assistance!! ;-)
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http://fuelinggood.com/rewardinggood?id=803534
Attention ALL fans of drum corps...Forte Drum & Bugle Corps is currently sitting in SECOND place NATIONALLY in Citgo's Fueling Good $5,000 gas card give away! This is largely due to the support of the drum corps activity and we are asking you to help with one BIG, final push. Help us leap frog into FIRST PLACE this week. We are not far behind and you can help us achieve this notable accomplishment quickly.
http://fuelinggood.com/rewardinggood?id=803534
You are able to vote ONE time EVERY DAY through February 9th. Please vote for Forte D&BC "Chicago-style"...vote early, and vote often!!
Thank you, drum corps fans--we appreciate your support and assistance!! ;-)
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Looking through the 2012 DCI tour schedule both Revolution and Forte are not listed in any shows.
Are both not coming out this year?
For those who obviously missed my reply on the previous thread (or chose to ignore it)...
"Forte is undergoing a review of the Open Class Advisory Committee and we are contracted for 11 shows in 2012 pending passing of that review. This is Standard Operating Procedure on the part of DCI and the Open Class Advisory Committee from what I have been told. Dan Acheson informs me that he foresees no problems with our review and that Forte may publicize our schedule in the mean time and that we will be added to the calendar upon completion of the review.
"In the mean time, we are expecting a great turnout Saturday at JJ Pearce High School in Richardson, TX. The D/FW drum corps community is invited to join us in the afternoon if you would like to just come out and hear / see a drum corps in action. I know that "the bug" is growing pretty big this time of year and we all have to "scratch" that drum corps itch after 3 months away.
"Forte is looking forward to a GREAT 2012 season and we are especially thankful at this time of year for those who have assisted our organization in overcoming the aforementioned problems of our past. As we stand at this, the "Crossroads" of our organization's young history, we are also thankful for all of you who assist us in our path forward.
"Happy Thanksgiving, and look forward to our 2012 production! ;-)"
Nice to see you back on the Planet, Tom.
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Forte is undergoing a review of the Open Class Advisory Committee and we are contracted for 11 shows in 2012 pending passing of that review. This is Standard Operating Procedure on the part of DCI and the Open Class Advisory Committee from what I have been told. Dan Acheson informs me that he foresees no problems with our review and that Forte may publicize our schedule in the mean time and that we will be added to the calendar upon completion of the review.
In the mean time, we are expecting a great turnout Saturday at JJ Pearce High School in Richardson, TX. The D/FW drum corps community is invited to join us in the afternoon if you would like to just come out and hear / see a drum corps in action. I know that "the bug" is growing pretty big this time of year and we all have to "scratch" that drum corps itch after 3 months away.
Forte is looking forward to a GREAT 2012 season and we are especially thankful at this time of year for those who have assisted our organization in overcoming the aforementioned problems of our past. As we stand at this, the "Crossroads" of our organization's young history, we are also thankful for all of you who assist us in our path forward.
Happy Thanksgiving, and look forward to our 2012 production! ;-)
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If I were BD, I would be just a TAD BIT concerned with the GE Vis 1 judge. I would have already been on the phone to Dan Acheson requesting that judge find her way to Calcutta for the rest of the season. 0.1 swing and BD's in 1st.
Also interesting to see the 5 corps below the 9 corps and 10 corps on the same judge's recap. If I were wearing green, I would have already called DCI requesting this judge be assigned to bus #3 and our judging panels the rest of the season...probably from now on.
If I'm Rockford I'm wondering what it would take to tie a bowling ball off on her ankle at Sea World on the way out of town.
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i guess we'll have to wait and see?
Boring reply, Lance--trying to compete with someone for "top poster" honors?
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First of all, a BIG shout out to the members, staff and supporters of Carolina Crown on their success and victory in Saginaw, TX night 1. BIG accomplishment--congratulations! I look forward to seeing what you guys accomplish the rest of the season.
I did not see the shows in Texas or the theater event, so I have no idea how the performances went. But I had concern that the members were so surprised after night 1 that they experienced a drop night 2 just simply having never been in such a position. Can anyone comment?
I remember having similar experiences coming out and FINALLY beating rivals while at both Sky in 92 and Phantom in 94. In each instance we never looked back and never lost to a corps after passing them. In the case of Sky, it was a lower-placing corps and a very young corps, not exactly like Crown, which is probably quite a bit more veteran than we were at Sky. But Crown still isn't as experienced as the corps in its placement vicinity, so that is why I say the two situations are comparable. Phantom was obviously both a veteran corps in 94 as well as a more experienced organization then than I would say Crown is today. So again, similar situations.
We started out in 92 about 7 points behind Spirit of Atlanta and by the end of July we had caught Spirit and never lost to them again. So while we were not a veteran corps or organization, we certainly hyped on finally catching that rival. And in 94 we started out in 6th, lost to Scouts the first time we saw them (their home show, btw!), then never again (up to 5th); lost to SCV the first time we saw them, then never again (up to 4th!); and FINALLY caught Cavies on the night of Semis and beat them in Semis and Finals (ended up in 3rd!). We never beat Cadets and BD was undefeated. So again, veteran organization (if not membership...I think PR 94 had 28 vets?) that knew how to turn up the heat after a big victory.
Again, I didn't see any of the performances over the last week, but my take from afar was that perhaps Crown experienced a moment of, "Well, OK...what do we do NOW?!?" Not so much resting on their laurels as simply being the first time in their history they came out on top with everyone in the house. This Crown strikes me as a VERY dangerous ensemble if the judges were willing to place them in 1st opening night. They probably deserved the win, they just didn't KNOW they were THAT good. ;-)
I'm interested in UNBIASED input from folks who saw both opening performances. ;-)
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Obviously June 20th is not August 10th. But when was the last time BD started a season outside of 1st or 2nd place in an individual show? Is this the first time in its history BD began a season outside of California? And putting all of the top corps together in one show...just whose idea was THAT anyway?? ;-)
I am one of the many who is not a fan of the "G7/8" concept because of the "have's" and "have not's" aspect of the concept. But I also see the positives...if only for those participating if not the rest of the corps. But I can't help but think, if you're BD and you just started the season in 3rd for the first time...ever???...that's gotta be a pretty unique feeling following two undefeated seasons.
But then to follow up 3rd behind Crown and Cavies with another 3rd behind Cavies and Cadets...so now you're effectively fighting for 3rd or 4th depending on how serious Crown is and how well their kids deal with this unexpected, sudden success, is also a new feeling for a corps that has only been outside the top 3...what?--THREE TIMES?? EVER???
Then there's the "uh-oh" feeling looking at the spread and seeing Phantom Regiment closing the gap from 4+ points to just under 3 points after 3-4 shows. And last year's Dark Horse, the Bluecoats, right behind Phantom and closing the gap as well. You can't tell me Bloooo doesn't want to catch the one corps they never beat last year.
And so the race to end the season before "the next" corps to catch you is on. BD is headed back to California in 3rd/4th with a return trip to Texas quickly coming. Phantom and the Cadets are headed west with SCV and BD, so the likely prospect that BD may win very few shows on its home turf is a realistic possibility for the first time in DECADES. And California HAS to be lovin' the early-season slug fest its tour will be this year! They haven't seen anything this exciting since 2007's Championships!
But I can't help but wonder...has that "uh-oh!" thought entered BD's mind yet? I mean, they have a long, established history of coming out better than everyone else week 1 and simply lasting until Championships week hoping they peak right and outlast everyone else's late-season charges. Sometimes its a 2005/2006/2008. Sometimes its a 2007. Sometimes its a 2009/2010.
But the first week of 2011 looks like a BD we have quite literally NEVER SEEN before!! Now obviously, the format of the "G7/8" thing is unique historically as well. Perhaps that is a contributing factor?? And perhaps BD comes out in their next show and just simply singes Cadets to a crisp?? I didn't see any of the Texas shows or the theater thingy, so I can't comment...I'd be interested in analysis from the rest of the community.
But with BD sitting (comfortably?) in third, perhaps in fourth, and a LONG way to go...are we looking at a 5th place Blue Devils corps this season?? Remember, SCV and BD are going to be going at it for the drum title, so there's simply no telling just how good SCV may be, either...too early to tell would be my guess...and a LONG way for them to make up before eyeing beating BD is a realistic possibility, just according to the recaps.
Thoughts?? ;-)
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The musical/marching outlet that drumcorps served for many is being fullfilled by marching band and indoor drumline/guard programs.
The "keep the kids of the streets" aspect is from a by-gone era. You can keep the kids off the streets with some drumcorps or other local program, but not when you tour the whole summer and charge a few grand.
I really think drumcorps, as we know it today, can survive many years with a few tweeks. #1 The top few million $dollar acts peel off and take their big budget battle stars to broadway. #2 The remaining corps limit the summer tour and spending to levels than many groups can achieve. #3 Promote Open Class.
Hmm...first time using the new site...interesting.
I like your comments, jonnyboy. #'s 1, 2 and 3 are spot-on. I have actually begun pondering what form this might take on going forward. And I believe that perhaps leaving DCI entirely and going ahead and morphing into whatever it is they want to morph into might work best for the "G7...I mean 8." Either that, or perhaps do this "World Series-G7...I mean 8" thing during what we now know as the "off-season." Leave drum corps alone, let it go its own direction and encourage those folks to just move to New York, NY (i.e. Broadway!!). And if you want to field a DCI corps...more power to ya!
I think it would work out nicely, actually, with the ability to hold separate auditions for the "BCI" (Broadway Corps International?) initiative. Let them raise their own funds, reserve their own venues, sell their own tickets and hoard their own revenues. No need to share with us "others."
They get to go do...whatever. We get to "take back" our beloved activity. Sound good??
Star of Indiana - 1992
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted · Edited by silvertrombone
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