mjjdc

The short answer to the thread's question: Yes. Its not that Crown is not great this year in every caption...they are. They simply aren't as great as Cavaliers. It feels like Cavies have really made a serious push to do two things...be the fan favorite, and be the most complex yet clean visual package. What is different about them this year is you can tell the hornline is hungry...something I don't think I've seen in a while. Of course...everything on this thread is going to be individual perception so I'm sure someone else will see it differently. Still...I gotta go with what I see and hear...and that is Cavies are the best all around package this year...by more than a little. BDK

I understand what you are saying and why you are saying it, but I don't agree with the conclusion. It is pretty logical to want to launch an activity when most kids are home (the summer) and can readily take part. This is a first year for the program so it would also seem pretty safe to say its going to be pretty exploratory. I think band directors would have a hard time buying into something they have never seen...and summer offers much more exposure than winter...so a summer launch for the first year seems more like enlightened thinking. I would agree that this new activity seems to put less emphasis on "pure" brass playing, but in exchange the performers will be able to play and move, play and act, play and express...etc. I like the idea of them being more than drill spots and that they get to show much more expression. Of course...the best way to understand what this is would be to go see the show...and that's probably why they put the information in this forum.

We have a great program in store for this summer! Music, movement, theatrics... Brass heaven.

Way to go ALLIANCE!!!!!

Court of Honor...

Deleted.

Revolution Audition Camp this weekend: Peachtree Ridge High School Suwanee, GEORGIA Camp starts at 8 AM Check it out!

Great video...just in time for the first Revolution audition camp in Georgia! Its at a great facility, Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia, this weekend! HMK ECC - Revolution

Looks like REVOLUTION will have two rehearsal sites and put both halves together at their all days movein.

http://www.myspace.com/revolutiondbc (Press Release)

Scott is an outstanding Brass Caption Head and more importantly a great guy on and off the field. Last year he showed the patience of a saint reteaching me (the proverbial drum corps dinosaur) how to play an instrument I hadn't played in nearly 20 years, and how to march (without injuring anyone in my path). Given the choice between playing prelims and finals night without him or having him play prelims with me in the hornline I'd go so far as to say I'd skip the night show and choose the latter. He leads by example and THAT is why he gets infinite respect from his hornlines. It is sad and unfortunate that lack of communication or clarification of this rule didn't occur earlier, so Alliance could be judged based on its show and not on its ability to understand (inconsistently applied) rules. Terry, I appreciate your efforts to keep the drum corps activity alive in this area and I hope this doesn't in any way diminish the interest potential future Alliance members show in your corps. I am just as proud of my corps jacket this morning as I was yesterday morning. You have a great corps and some very promising young performers. I know there are great things to come from Alliance and can't wait to see the next stop on the road to lasting success.

VERY exciting. I can't wait to see y'all play La Fiesta!

We are planning on creating a new competitive circuit, perhaps a new arm within WGI. Star became a commercial endeavor completely on their own. Similarities...yes. The same thing...no. Thanks for your feedback.

Take a look! http://www.darksidebrass.org

Here is some of the information we have put together to explain our vision of indoor brass to the public: Indoor brass is different from both band and corps in that it is more intimate with the audience. There are two captions: brass and rhythm. The brass moves in several ways: organized/structured (marching) drill, choreographed movement, and theatrical characterization (envision two horns having a conversation with each other via music and attitude). The rhythm section is stationary and the concept is that it will be more like that of a jazz band or Broadway show pit. Imagine a show where the musicians tell the story through music, movement, and characterization (yes...acting). The audience is as close as 20 feet away...so movement, attitude, facial expression, audience interaction all become tools in the show's magic bag. Why Indoor Brass? • Indoor Brass offers a chance for brass players that come to the end of marching season wanting something more, or future Drum Corps members that want to be in a group that’s all about brass, to take their skills to the next level. • Since the shows will only be around 6 minutes long (much shorter than a DCI show) there will be no holding back. Tempos can fly! Louder louds…softer softs…physical expression through movement magnetizes the audience. • The emotional rollercoaster is off the charts. Facial expressions can take the audience from euphoria to a state of mourning on a dime • The rhythm section can drive the music with keyboards, electric guitars, drum set, and maybe even some traditional, battery or front ensemble instruments. This is not simply a front ensemble that fills in color in softer moments…it’s a driving force that propels the action on the “gymnasium stage” with energy and power. • This is a SHOW…so let’s have FUN WITH IT! The Cast of each show can include cast members that play, move (march, run, jump, leap, dance, swordfight, etc.), AND act. Envision brass players acting out allegorical battles with their horns…characters seemingly coming out of nowhere from within an ever evolving mountain of brass. Audience members should be heard saying: “How did they do that?” “Now where did THAT come from” “YEAH…part my hair with that wall of sound” “I can’t believe I became THAT emotional at a (your favorite forbidden word here) show” There's more...but this should give you a general idea of where we're headed.