jbjb85

The fact of the matter--and the thing most people can't come to terms with--is that all men (or women) are NOT created equal. Decide what you want to be. Pay the price, and be what you want to be.

Funny, I thought the Cavaliers usually start playing with their swords WAY before retreat. Isn't that part of their initiation ritual?

And another thing...if the answer is so painfully obvious, as you stated, then why do we see the exact opposite trend in our current drum corps climate? Wait, maybe question is too silly for you too. Disregard it.

Are you trying to tell me that most of the threads on here AREN'T? I think it's silly to waste your silly energy calling a thread silly when you think it's silly. So there.

Obviously, no one is being forced to choose. I was just curious as to what some people's thoughts might be. Since cymbals have been called obsolete, and adding electronics has been called too progressive, I'm wondering which one people would rather see involved in a drum corps. No right or wrong answer, really. I don't post a lot, but if you have read any of my past posts you can see pretty easily that I'm an advocate for keeping cymbals around. If given the choice, I'd rather hear a real cymbal line playing than a synthesized version of the same part. And yes, I do think that will probably happen. And also, "cynthesizers" isn't an option.

####in' rookie. I'm kidding, I promise.

Also, we would then be in a system where things like narration, electronics, amplification, dropping on purpose, sprinting around the field (not marching), and other antics that, well, just aren't drum corps, would NOT get rewarded. Sorry, I went there, and I know that comment is going to completely derail this thread. But it's true.

I think this is one of the more intriguing ideas I've seen on this website. Not only do I think it would be possible, but I think it's a great concept. Whoever said that creativity does not happen in gymnastics was wrong. There are very different and very clear styles present in routines. Yes, the "skills" are all pretty textbook, but well, aren't the basics of drum corps pretty textbook too? Afterall, what do you think the staff says when they go into judging critiques? They compare their show's difficulty to other shows on the field that night. It would be very simple to assign higher start values for bigger tosses, difficult licks on both drums and horn, as well as blind drill moves and large step sizes. Then you could start talking bonus points for other elements. If anything, I think this could lead to even more creativity as people attempt to get higher start values out of the gate. I think this idea has some real merit. If nothing else, it would squash some of the irritating discussions on DCP as to "who should have won". When you think about it, this is similar to the effect caption. For example, bigger tosses tend to have more "effect" in the Visual Effect caption, correct? So in theory, it should get a higher score. What would be different then about going ahead and assigning the higher score with the start value, and then giving the execution score as it is (or is not) performed? Screw it...I'm writing a letter to Dan Acheson. Okay probably not.

And also, if I ever heard a member cuss while IN UNIFORM, you better believe there would be repercussions. But otherwise, I'm not about to waste my time and energy. If I was going to do that, I might as well always correct their grammar too. It just isn't possible, or necessary.

I know this thread has been "closed", but I feel like there is one other point that has not been made yet. This point, in my opinion, is one of the most important points of drum corps. Yes, drum corps brings out the best talent in music and marching. But that is not all that a corps considers. When offering contracts, staff members are looking for mature, young adults. We're not interested in kids. As someone who has taught drum corps, I will say that I never once viewed it as my responsibility to be a chaperone. I was there to teach, period. Now, if I saw something happen that I knew shouldn't be happening, the you better believe that I would step in and correct the problem. But I used to do the exact same thing even as a marching member. That's probably the most important lesson that this activity teaches: personal accountability. There are no babysitters, and there shouldn't need to be. The rules are laid out, and if a kid doesn't have the common sense to simply do as he or she is told, then this activity just is not for them. And I can guarantee that kid will not be returning to a corps if they were constantly breaking the rules, because that bleeds right onto the practice field where they more likely than not were always "in their spot", or "playing perfectly in time". Some kids were never taught to listen. They might learn how by doing drum corps, but some won't learn even there. That's why everyone keeps saying that if you have already taught your child what they need to know, then they'll be fine. I'll go one step further and say that if you have, in fact, taught your child correct moral values, then a drum corps would be lucky to have him or her as a member. Those kids are going to end up as the horn, drum, or guard captain. Those are the leaders. They are the ones who hold other members accountable when they forget their dot book, are late to rehearsal, or whatever. That isn't the job of the staff. The staff is there to teach. The life lessons that come from drum corps are a byproduct of that teaching. By telling a kid that they have to clean their horn, eat, shower, pack, and clean a housing site in an hour and a half you are teaching that kid time-management skills. By letting a kid get sunburned, you are teaching them that they are responsible for their own health. By cussing them out for making a mistake, you are teaching them that you will accept nothing but the best from them, and they should accept nothing less either. When you serve something to eat that they might not like because of eating preferences, you are teaching them that they sometimes must make do with the tools they have in front of them. And as far as "what happens in drum corps stays in drum corps", well, most people don't understand or care anyway. Just like in a family of one bathroom and six kids, and outsider would think it's strange that one could potentially be walked in on while showering. Some think it's weird to hose off outside (with a bathing suit, of course). Seriously, it isn't that weird or offensive. What is offensive is the smell of someone who has been rehearsing all day and when the showers at the school (which were supposed to be incredible) end up being turned off, they end up opting to simply not shower. That is poor hygiene, and no one should be above using a hose if that is all that's available.

Man, this one really blows me away. I guess the first thing that comes to mind for me is, "Are Bluecoats going to slip next year?" One could argue that they've already begun to slip in recent years, but their drum scores have at least kept them up there a little bit. Naturally, more resignations are on the horizon. Probably in the next week or two. So far I'd say it's too soon to be able to speculate very accurately as to how each individual corps and the activity as a whole will be impacted. But, I'll speculate anyway. I'd say that with their staffs staying intact (so far) it's going to be a Blue or a Green victory (snore). Or else Crown will make a run and we'll actually see some new (and much-appreciated) blood in the number one spot. I think either way, we are going to see some serious shifts of power in the activity next year as far as who makes the Saturday show and who doesn't, as well as where some of the recent power-corps land with these staff changes. Thanks for the great shows, Mac. You'll be missed by many.

I would have to say that one thing you have going for you is your attitude. If you truly do want it as bad as you say you do, then that is going to be your best ally. But, you also have to be prepared for the idea that it might not happen for you. Consider how many people make a corps every year, get to all days, and then can't survive. Those people wanted it really bad too. They made everything happen to get there, and then once there they listened to their body as it said to them, "Stop what you're doing. This is not a good idea." I guess what I'm trying to say is never hope or assume it won't be THAT bad, because it probably will. I'm certainly not trying to crap on your dream, but I have seen firsthand how heartbreaking it is for someone to make it and then be forced to go home. It is awful for them and everyone else. Just make sure you really are as prepared as you possibly can be. The unfortunate thing about drum corps is that you can have every other aspect going for you but one, and that single aspect will take you out every time.

Well, "better" is definately a strong word. Different for sure, but I'm not sure anyone could say better. In fact, it could be argued by some that when you are actually IN the activity, you have a smaller sense of things. I mean, you are spending your entire summer with one organization, whereas he is observing all of it. Just to put that in perspective, it's coming from someone who marched three years, had it "figured out", and then spent the summer after my ageout realizing I knew far less than I thought. It's been my experience that the ones who say they have it figured out are ironically the ones who have it least figured out of all. Go figure.

You're right, a lot of these things CAN be said about almost any corps. But the key words there are "a lot". I have been trying to think of another drum corps that you can literally say ALL of those things about. Don't get me wrong, I am sure that Crown has their own internal affairs that they are constantly working to make better. Every corps does. But I'm pretty sure I could take every other drum corps and point out an obvious problem they had this summer whereas Crown did not. Even the most common problem, money, doesn't seem to be an issue for them. So far the only negative thing I've really heard anyone say is, "Well, I personally didn't care for their show this year." Notice it wasn't anyone saying that they had a weak section, just saying that they personally didn't care for the design. And well, it's pretty much impossible to please every single audience member. I'd say they were pretty successful since they won over the overwhelming majority. So, if you can think of another drum corps with the positive reputation that Crown has, then feel free to post it. Until then, I'll keep drinking the kool-aid. :)

Because they have this activity figured out, in my opinion. They provide their members with the best possible education and summer experience. They practice good sportsmanship. They put out entertaining shows, consistently. They get the best possible equipment, uniforms, trucks, busses, etc. They don't seem to spend on frivolous (you can interpret that word how you will) items for the corps. They seem to focus on every single aspect of the drum corps, rather than just having an outstanding visual package, musical package, colorguard, or what have you. That says to me that everyone is focused on educating, and it also says to me that education DOES yield results. From the drum major to the front ensemble to the third trumpets, I feel like those members walk away satisfied with what they accomplished and learned. They pay attention to the competition factor and work towards being successful in that arena, yet I don't think they probably define their season by their placement. They aren't afraid to try something that is new and hasn't been done before. They work to raise funds, and they do a good job with it by sponsoring two drum corps shows, a fall band show, they sell great souvenirs, and they have an ongoing fuel fund, just to name a few. They are friendly and willing to help other organizations like themselves. They seem to place emphasis on public appearance and perception, without making it a stifling and strict environment. All in all, I don't think there is much you can REALLY find wrong with Carolina Crown. They are like the America's Sweetheart of DCI. Since finals there have been many shortcomings of other corps pointed out. Specifically--the actions at retreat. And yet no one has anything to say about Crown. That doesn't just happen by accident. It is a result of how that corps is run. From the administrators on down. Good for them, and may others follow suit. Just my opinion, though.