silvertrombone

There...fixed that spacing thing for you. Ugh! Great advice. Scouts need a three-year plan IMHO. Start-up's, as I'm discovering personally (signature), need a 5-year plan to go World. So it just seems to me that a corps that was...and I've got to say that I'm not a hater before I continue. Geez, I'd cheer Scouts just for frat bro Dr. Williams, for crying out loud. But for a corps that was closer to 1/4's than finals, and given the strength of the field challenging for finals ahead of Madtown (the bigger point, IMHO), a 3-year plan seems good to have for the organization, and to be accepted by alum. Just my logic and $0.02. Take it for what its worth. Madison has a DEEP pool of talented potential staffers, contributors, volunteers, board members, etc. I don't see their place in the activity in the low teens for terribly long, if they have a plan, and I would imagine they do, given the names now involved and THEIR histories. Madison alum, I would recommend cheering your guys, buying their souvies, sending them a check (earmark it for something if you wish...food, gas, etc), showing up to camps and tour rehearsals, volunteering on tour, etc. Drive a bus for a few days and talk to the current members. They need to know what the history of the corps is about...not that the "OLD GUYS" are b'in and moan'in. Send Nikk a letter of support and encouragement...he'll remember that AND your name. Criticism will only gain your communications introduction to the delete button...that's where my inbox would shoot you directly off to, given some of the *ahem* critique I have read. And remember, my corps was somewhat below expectations of its alum last year as well. Know what I did? Joined the Board of a local start-up corps, took a hiatus from DCP...and am all the better for it. HIGHLY recommend it!

"holy trinity"...love it! First time I've ever heard that. Ironic, your corps association and that term, you know. That being said, the objective of us in the crowd recognize who's corps is challenging every year, every other year and once a decade. Thanks for the love...see my comments about Cadets 07 in the silver thread.

Wow, lots of love for Cadets 05! Never saw them live...if they beat out Cadets 07 for sheer talent/ability...just...wow!! I said BD 09. Not even close. Cadets 05 sounds like they were pretty much the same situation...head and shoulders above EVERYONE else. BD was just too good last year. And given the step up everyone took beginning in 06, I have to go with the most recent. Anything that could beat EVERYONE all season long with no defeats when EVERYONE was two steps from 05...had to give BD the love. But I still figured that PR would win this one. Crown in silver for 09 as well. Last time I'll utter it...until next time...difference between FAVORITEST and BESTEST. But that's just me...and OP's terminology. Hmph. Interesting to note the BIG 3 were shut...OUT!!! WOW. An all-time high, an undefeated, another all-time high and...29 CHAMPIONS??...SHUT...OUT?!? "Designers, did you hear that???" DCI, do this for the next theater event!!

I do. And I pretty much only use it in regards to Cadets 07 and BD 08. Well, unless they were to go up against BD 09. That would be tough.

Again...BESTEST =/= FAVORITEST. Or maybe that was vice versa. OK, so one of my all-time 2 or 3 shows EVER is PR 06. Pure...magic. This was actually a very tough choice for me, believe it or not. And I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in selecting...07 Cadets! Again, not FAVORITEST...BESTEST!!! 06 to 09 the 2's are TIGHT. TOUGH competition here. Man, this whole decade's 2's would make a killer theater event all by their lonesomes, actually! Faust is only my 2nd most favorite ever PR show, hands down end of discussion. But Cadets' "This I Believe" was simply the most perfectly performed 2-show EVERY, IMHO. Most entertaining? No. Favorite? Nowhere close. But that corps could have taken Gold and I would have known they deserved it. Just, "Winged Victory" came out and threw down EVERY TIME they had to. Only BD 07 could have beat Cadets 07. ONLY. 08, of course, would have won pretty much any other night, any other year. Actually, 09 Crown in 1st in the poll doesn't surprise me at all. They'd probably beat out 89 Regiment. What IS it with the Crown web presence??? I just don't think 2-4 was ever even close to BD in 09, so maybe that's biasing my ranking Crown 09 4th among these four years...still LOVE "Somewhere/Over the Rainbow." RIP SkyRyders! So, looks like my theory about the BIG 3 putting anesthesia on the field, antiseptic designed to bring home trophies, is correct. If this were a theater event, we would be excluding, like, 90% of DCI's champions according to these polls. DCI should do THIS for their spring deal next year...AND RIGHT HERE ON DCP, TOO!! Get the minions and legions of faithful engaged for a change. Cadets 07, IMHO.

Would that be a...UNT Eagles CAWW, CAWW?!? As for Phantom...Eine Kleine Claire de Lune??

Oh, dang it--you remove all the fun! 92 Sky, 94 PR. Missed age out, missed 93...dang it! ALWAYS but ALWAYS march your age-out! Drop out of college for a year and scrum poop off toilets, but march your age out. /soapbox

Boy, that's a nice problem to run into--having to raise prices to get business! I should talk to your marketing people about my resume!

Boo, my first drum corps camp for Sky 92 was at Spring HS north of Houston. Right across I-45 from the HS is where they used to store the Goodyear blimp and they started flying around with it during morning block. Noisiest thing you ever tried to march spiral helix of death through. Remember, most of us were just Texas band-O's back then...barely knew what drum corps was...next to none of us knew what a 3-hour block was like. And then...look...up in the sky...it's...O...M...G...the Good Year blimp! Oops. Dropped and did 10 a whole bunch of times. Although the overhead of some of what Cavies has done this decade would be AWESOME!!!

Yeah, that figures. Same as yesterday...I think the correct title for these threads is "Favoritest" not "Bestest." IMHO. Have to remember to use that more often...got called arrogant yesterday. IMHO. I'll say basically the same thing I did after the spring movie event...Scheherezade just doesn't do it for me. Vanguard's version, that is. IMHO. I LOVE the symphonic version. I'm just looking for something that hasn't been done yet. It was an especially interesting comparison scoring the corps this spring by caption. VERY good idea. But Vanguard's hornline just wasn't at the same level. Now, I realize that's comparing a 3rd place corps from 5 years ago against some of the best hornlines ever assembled. And I know that we're just talking about the 3-spot in this poll, so that makes my vote even harder. Holy Name Cadets made it really easy for me though, based on the inclusion of the word "Best." IMHO. 07 Cadets was hand's-down the "Best" corps the organization fielded this decade. But something tells me they won't be close in the next poll. And then there's the issue of my unfamiliarity with 2000-2003. Hmph. IMHO. I didn't particularly LIKE the 2009 HNC...much prefer the 94 version that I never beat--GREAT interpretation of WSS!! But since I'm, IHMO, getting hung up on terminology, I'll stick to my pick. 2009 HNC. IMHO.

Sorry, geluf--I wouldn't presume to tell a fellow UNT music alum any such thing. My statement was less telling you what to think as it was a statement of my opinion. I forget exactly where I included the "IMHO" disclaimer. Maybe I should have used more than one. Oh well. Merry Ho-Ho and Happy next year!

I like OP's initial question, just not the title or his details. I used to make the argument that NFL & NCAA stadiums were the way to go and asked a time or three, "Why are we still doing local shows in HS stadiums?" Well, in a national tour model, you're right--HS stadiums are kind of outdated. Unfortunately, until such time that we have television knocking on OUR door ASKING to broadcast DCI, we're relegated to HS stadiums and local shows. Quite frankly, we probably need FEWER shows in great big stadiums. Even the supposedly BIG regionals. Too expensive. Now, all that being said, we need to be reaching out and creating new audiences and growing the fan base. LOTS of opportunities to do that. Malls at Christmas time. Off-season performances. Here's one...how about fundraising performances similar to the existing DCI tour during the off-season with age-outs touring and performing at high schools? Just one idea. Semi-professional, paid members auditioned from age-outs, similar to Blast-style performances. Gets fans one or two more performances per year, albeit not exactly the traditional DCI-style performances. But it mixes the HS crowd that will show up for a fundraiser at their school...ANY fundraiser...with the die-hard DCI fans who will show up for ANY performance of a drum corps in, say, February!! And so on. Great thread. Keep thinking. Didn't read anything but OP's post. Merry Christmas, all!

I'm sorry...was the title "Bestest" or "Favoritest"?? I must have misread that. Obviously, as stated before many times, I pretty much bleed Phantom Regiment. But '03? C'mon, honks. Seriously. Favorite, OK--but best? I probably wouldn't even rank it in the top 3 4's of the decade, but I'd have to see SCV '00 to say for sure, even were I to answer as a biased Buick. That being said, Best I would have to say the '07 version of PR. Still don't care for the show, but they are sandwiched between two of the finest shows EVER in Faust and Spartacus, each for different reasons (overall product in the former, GE and AUDIENCE REACTION of the latter). So the talent was obviously very high. And '07 was a HYPER-competitive year, meaning the top 3 were once again the BIG 3, so anyone in the 4 spot HAS to be on the short list for the award. And same thing for Crown '08...you guys aren't voting based on quality, you're voting based on "Favoritest"--just sayin'. So, me personally, I say it's pretty hand's down. This decade has been all about the top 12--well, pretty much the ENTIRE ACTIVITY--taking a step up in quality due to the reduction in number of corps. So the later 1/3 get top nods ahead of the earlier 1/3's obviously. In terms of talent, there is no comparison, IMHO (have to remember to include that to sound a little more open-minded, I guess), between '07 Regiment and '03. While I like the show from '03 better, that word 'like' and "Best" are two different balls of wax. But some REALLY great 4's out there to contemplate...and I'm SURE glad to welcome Crown into the discussion with some high finishes lately! Just my take. EDIT: Forgot to add...I'm partial to Crown's Finis due to the inclusion of Claire de Lune, since I marched it at Phantom, so take that into consideration when I say "Best" versus "Favorite" as well. EDIT-EDIT: b/c I can't spell "say" correctly apparently.

Jesus, have you marched anywhere previously? If this is your first audition, be prepared to be rejected if you go to any former championship corps or Crown. Sorry, that's just a reality. If I have the opportunity to choose between a high school junior from a decent Colorado marching band and someone who marched in, say, Blue Knights, I take the BK vet every time and twice on Sunday. Whichever corps you choose to audition for know that you are auditioning for two of the best organizations in the activity. But also know that well over the number of spots they have to offer will have 4 times as many as could fill the corps there to compete for them. Heck, its not unheard of for returning vets to be turned away. IF..and I do mean if...IF you are rejected by whichever corps you audition for, walk away from that experience having achieved something that most people don't ever pursue. Auditioning for top corps is a pretty big deal these days. Then go audition for Blue Knights or Troopers. If you are rejected there, don't view it as a judgment, they just have a whole bunch of people auditioning there, too. People want to march in Finals, not so much for the show as for the experience of marching in that calibre of ensemble. Then you go audition at Scouts, Crossmen, Mandarins, Cascades, Crusaders and do that for a year, then try again. That all being said, SCV has one distinguishing advantage you will want to consider: SCVCadets! If you don't make SCV, which is likely, ask if they would consider you for the B corps. Remember, SCVCadets won DCI Open Class in 2008 and both SCVC and BDB placed higher than Jersey Surf and Teal Sound the last two years--both of those corps are now moving up to or in World Class. SCVC would be a GREAT experience for you, and a great way for you to get your introduction to DCI in a world class organization, perform with members more your age (instead of 3-4 years older), and ingratiate yourself to the staff for auditions next year. That's not to say that next year would be a given--you still have to work your BUTT off just to make a corps this year. Those are my thoughts. Good luck in your decision. Both are great organizations and you would do well auditioning for either.

Geez...the whole idea of bands and the arts losing their funding is such a foreign idea in Texas. I don't know, maybe the presence of the fees to participate in extra curriculars is the next step in that direction here, but the bands, other music programs, theater arts, etc are all so STRONG here it just amazes me to hear this topic discussed elsewhere. I hate to take over Pat's thread on that thought...maybe a new thread on that would be more appropriate...but I'd sure like to hear the state of the marching band activity elsewhere. I just saw the Flower Mound Marcus Band Trailer this afternoon headed off to a competition somewhere south...FM Marcus was State Champ or BOA champ a year or two ago...AMAZING band program! Amanda Drinkwater, Director, is also a judge for DCI's Texas swing, IIRC. Thanks for posting this thread, Pat--and good to see you on the Planet!

Repaying Vanguard's compliment by copying each others' 87 shows? Am I right...is that when SCV did NRK??

1992. /topic

Considering the title...cannot believe this made it 16 pages. Literally did not read past OP.

There. Gotcha covered. Spot-on. Agree with your BD analysis, too. I've been saying (so have others) since 04 that PR needs to take a look at HOW BD and Cavies approach visual. Cadets, too. That's the standard, obviously. And BD, quite frankly, moreso than the others. BD doesn't "wow" you, like you said. They just put a good visual show on the field and the clean the snot out of it! Cavies "wow" you with visual and wrap (write?) their music around that. Totally different concept. Regiment always seems to strike me as trying to re-invent the visual wheel. I've never been impressed with the 2003 show, though many others are. I just looked at it as a 2-legged, 3-legged stool. Something was missing. And ever since I came back into the activity in 04 I've said the corps wasn't doing visual and calendar management right, with rare exception. And your point about late season tweaks is absolutely spot-on, again. Those are the things you PLAN to change...aka, ADD. Not come up the week before Finals and say, "Oh, how about if we..." No. And it should be pretty obvious before July 4th if the show concept or any portion thereof isn't working and corrections should be ready to go between the parades and San Antonio. I don't know about that. I remember starting with one opener in 94 and ending up with another one entirely.(drill-wise...staff always had this peculiar notion of playing 'Ritual Firedance' like 'Bolero.' I always got a kick out of Scouts doing Bolero a few years later!) In fact, about the only thing I think was somewhat solid all season in 94 was the ballad. Clair de Lune...gonna have a certain theme there...not many to choose from! But both the de Falla and Herman had MAJOR overhauls over the course of the summer. 93 was similar from what I remember hearing. That's kind of Tony's style. Throw something on the field, see what sticks, correct the rest. Annoys the heck out of me, but I'm not on the BOD, so who cares what I think. The only problem I ever had with Tony's stuff was...you can't come up with this stuff in JUNE?!? Or MARCH?!?

Still don't know the name...didn't check the link. But if he's all that the first page says he is, it's a BIG improvement! Let's face it...drill hasn't been PR's strong suit...pretty much ever. Hopefully they will do something bold like this for the colorguard as well...everything visual should be the focus...as if Finals score sheet didn't prove that. Drums...check. Keep Rennick, do swell. Brass...check. Keep JD, do swell. As if he's going anywhere else. They're going to BURY JD on the County Square in Rockford...a long, long time from now, of course. Visual...this is a good start. A very, very good start. Although something very, very ironic. I mean, is this THE guy who wrote SCV's 1989 drill?!? Wow. Something just came full circle! Bravo, corps. Bravo! I asked for bold, and this is bold. Three more like this and it's all good.

Meh. You know, sight-reading at UIL was bad enough. Here--we're going to "practice sight-reading." Yeah. They could lose that, IMHO. Next to nothing musical about that at all. Play all the black ink, forget about musicality--just hit all the notes and get close on the volumes, etc. 48 hours or a week wouldn't be enough. Given the concentration that bands put on football games, playing for the drill team each week, and perfecting the competition show, I don't see how this would work. DCI? Forget it. Even if you did three shows during the summer...think of all the changes that go on now? Writing more than one show ratchets up the expense big time. Cuz the corps doesn't gain any extra time. You just lose rehearsal time by adding repertoire to an already maxed-out, crammed time frame. Now...that being said, I like where you're headed here. Keep going.

Oh, Tom...flattery will get you everywhere! Yeah, '94 was kind of a disappointment all around. Although I do prefer Cadets' WSS over any other version they've ever done. And BD was just incredible. Maybe the first of their "Blah...but perfect" shows. As I've said many times, 94 PR was a repeat of 93...with different music...well, some of it was different! Beautiful ballad...Crown's version still brought tears to my eyes just hearing it! And this Sky-ex was equally moved by "Somewhere/Over the Rainbow" as well...and I didn't play either of those! But yeah, 94 was just...weird. First year without Star on the field and everyone was A.) kind of asking, "OK, what's next?" or B.) Maybe I should say BD.) "DANG...Devs are GOOD!!" That was kind of a change, too. As for 02...don't know...was smack in the middle of starting grad school and getting over a female-sort. But based on the progress we've made since 04 when I made it back into the activity, I'd say I sure hope 02 was rock bottom. Cuz what I saw in 04/05 was crap overall. Heck, 06 music was terrible and a select few chose to drag on terrible repertoire right up to 2008. I said it in 07 and it was SURE the case this summer...I believe we have turned a corner for the better in music, and more importantly, the concentration on the importance of the music. So, hopefully, for at least the next 5-10 years that will remain the case. See, the thing is, you don't have to have unentertaining, unfamiliar repertoire to have a Star 91/93 or Cavies 2000's. It's really not even that hard to wrap a good musical show around phenomenal visual or drill...well, at least, it's not that hard for me to conceive of the possibility someday occurring. I just don't see many folks popping in custom-written music into their iPods or CD's in the car. We don't like band literature for a reason...unfamiliar, and we can only take so much dissonant aleotoric (I know that's not spelled right!) music for so long...and that's generally 30 seconds. I suppose the 02's served a purpose...they showed that where we came from (music the focus) wasn't all that bad. And subsequent years have validated it. I believe PR 08 punctuated that point for anyone that didn't believe it before that. Well, maybe that was more for the visual/entertaining aspect of that show, but it had been hyped for a year based strictly on the name and the fact that everyone knows the ballad. Here's to hoping 2010 is more like 08/09 that 02-06!

Keep me in the loop...two corps, one RIP, the other always begging for money. Shoot a note to oldschooldbc as well.

One of you legal eagles correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the artist have the sole right/privilege of doing whatever the heck they want to...as long as they pay a royalty? I mean, geez...write Bernstein melodies into the Verdi Requiem in one or two parts at a time, just pay royalty to Lenny's estate for the use of the material! And isn't there a stipulation that it has to be "substantial portions" of the whole? Meaning...well, just what the heck actually does that "substantial portions" mean? Enough that you can hear the melody and identify it? Enough to know you know it but can't identify it? Something where you hear theme, development, variation, restatement, etc, et al? An entire ensemble playing the work straight up for in excess of 30 seconds?? Craziness.

Oh, that's fine. There's a musical compositional technique for getting around that. Simply compose your own version of the piece. Plenty of composers have done that. Think 'Variations on a Theme by Paganini." I believe several composers took the original theme and wrote their own version of theme & variations. Or you can pull a John Lennon and "borrow" entire passages straight out of Bach for your chord structure for 'Yellow Submarine.' IIRC, Lenny did the same thing for part of WSS...wouldn't swear to that. Man, I can see VK having a field day with this concept! Come on, guys...its just a big ol' copy job on R&J, anyways!