momto3
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Posts posted by momto3
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"who" vs. "that" --
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/pronouns-for-people-and-animals-who-or-that
just sayin' . . .
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The Bluecoats' show is:
-incredibly clean.
-a series of set pieces relating to the general theme of the "tilt".
-masterfully executed.
-the first to marry full volume brass synth recordings with live brass.
-slick in its handling of the tilt stage props.
The Bluecoats show is also:
-Limited in its range of emotion and tone
-Limited in its color guard equipment, color changes and range of style.
-Without thematic argument.
-Without pattern.
-Without story elements, although not required.
-Without dramatic progression.
-Without depth of meaning.
-Without cultural reference.
-Without ties or reference to nationality, political scenarios, business, literary or historical references, science, the humanities other than music itself, psychology, sociology, architecture, or media.
-Without variance in musical genres within the show
Let's try this:
Part One: We are introduced to a cosmos where we are forced to experience a brand-new perspective, one that is modern, edgy, and unexpected.. What does Tilt look like? sound like? We explore the possibilities of this world where things are out-of-kilter.
Part Two (through the ballad): It is possible that individuals in this strange world can come together and resolve it into a place of great beauty, passion, and love -- but only momentarily.
Conclusion: Just as we think we can understand this place, it becomes obvious that things here are tilted too far from the norm. Ultimately, "things fall apart, the center cannot hold."
Try thinking of "Tilt" as a piece of abstract or impressionist art or poetry that speaks to each of us in a different way. If you take a great poem and attempt to dissect it by "explaining" the meaning of each line, you ultimately destroy it. It's not meant to be experienced that way, but it is in many ways more meaningful than a "story poem."
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I think both the beauty and the bane of drum corps, is that more often than not the arrangements can drastically change the interpretation and sonority, or color/textures of original music. I've found it is best to let go of any/all preconceived ideas of what I personally think a piece should be arranged, because what is in my head is likely not in the head's of the DCI designers. Sometimes choices are a bit confounding (Phantom 89 swing section), and sometimes they are so glorious in their originality that I marvel at others' ideas.
In the case with Bluecoats this year, they have to take an a cappella piece and flesh it out with keyboard parts, and work in themes inherent throughout their 12ish minute show. While that is not found in the stripped-down version of the original piece, I think that it adds a lot, and I really love Tom Rarrick's writing/arranging.
I know it's hard sometimes let go of an original piece, feel like an arranger is betraying the sentiments and tone of an original composition, but if it works in context of the medium/show then that's all that matters. In this case, I think Bluecoats do a great job
Doug Thrower writes and arranges brass for Bluecoats; Tom Rarick writes and arranges percussion. Amazing work from both of them.
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Paid $17 in Mansfield, Ohio. Theater manager kept checking with us as we waited and offered free popcorn and drink refills.
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1995: Perfect musical choices for the Homefront theme. Loved the pose of the "V-J Day Kiss" photo.
2001: Latin Sketches. No one has listed this one yet, so I had to chime in. "Red Cape Tango" was beautifully staged; can still hear those final haunting backfield notes.
2010: Metropolis. Relentless intensity throughout! Loved the belly flop at the end of the flash mob.
2011: Brave New World. "Creep" has been called "pure sonic bliss." I agree.
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Just got my DVD in Ohio!
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Garfield,
Tried your link, but it came up "survey already taken." Thanks for the attempt!
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I have attended all three nights of finals for the past five years, bought my tickets through DCI or at the venue, have bought DVD's and other merch at the DCI store. I regularly get DCI promo e-mail, but have never been asked to complete a survey. Does anyone know why? Do you have to be a "friend of DCI"? I have things to say . . .
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High temperatures, high winds, sunglare, pouring rain, tall grass, slippery turf -- corps deal admirably with it all, but conditions are often different as the evening goes on. Yes, we see no difference in the performance, but some corps have more to deal with to make it all look easy. No big problem for the outdoor shows; it goes with the territory. It's just an extra advantage when the playing field can be level for finals.
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The marcher in my family experienced five rain-outs this season. Finals night, had it been outdoors, would've taken the number to six. I also attended shows where early evening temperatures were more than uncomfortably high, and I worried about the safety of the oldsters in the crowd. Maybe it will be another 40 years before an outdoor finals would be cancelled, but I'd rather not take that bet. I love the outdoor shows, but Lucas Oil gets better each year for the fans and provides conditions that are equal for all the performing corps.
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I'm posting here (only once) to add a suggestion . . . If we stop posting on this thread, it will die a natural, well-deserved death.
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This excellent video from the Fan Network is one I would show to anyone who wonders what drum corps is all about; think it also comes close to answering the "life changing" question: http://bcove.me/mrlotnto
Whoever put this together for the Oregon Crusaders -- great job!! Hope they have a great year!
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Yes, that solo does for sure!
. . . and that solo in the original "Asphalt Cocktail" was , I think, played by a clarinet. Obviously, matching the original instrument is not necessary.
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I have to agree with Bruckner8 here. My son tried out for an upper-tier corps and was cut in the final round. The corps staff were very supportive and helpful. They took the time to suggest more than one other corps and discuss with him which might be the best fit. Then at least one phone call was made to pave the way. Bottom line, we did not lose money because the corps that took him (and where he had a wonderful experience) did not charge for the camps he'd already missed, and IIRC they didn't charge an audition fee, either. Yes, there will always be corps who are better than others, but lower-tier AND top-tier corps have staff who genuinely love the activity and care about the kids who love it, too.
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Bump. Made my donation.
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Exactly. Drum Corps doesn't have to be all artsy fartsy, In fact it really shouldn't be.
Keep in mind that some folks find "fan-friendly" can equal "cheezy". And "artsy fartsy" can equal "brilliantly entertaining."
I loved the Madison show, but I enjoyed other shows that were a bit more "complex" even more. And I didn't enjoy the cheese factor in the Cadets' show.
Drum corps is doing a good job of having "different strokes." I hope they keep it up!
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Not that it will matter to anyone but me, but I just did some "unfriending" . . .
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As she stood at the sideline, a corps member (hidden from view by the drum) removed her uni shoes and replaced them with green slippers. Then when the uniform was ripped off, the transformation was complete.
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OK, so I have a MM in the battery so I watch mostly the drums.
Quick impression of Annapolis.
Colts - Drumline was pretty good. Lots of neat visuals. They have a funky lot warm up, too. The show didn't leave me with much of an impression; wasn't bad, wasn't great.
Glassmen - Despite being a drum guy, all I noticed was the color guard, which is almost lewd. The female guard moved like (I've heard
) ladies move in a "gentlemen's club". When they weren't dancing they were trying to "dry hump" the male guard. Seriously, the lady next to me took her young daughter done to get some ice cream as soon as that started. So, basically, I liked the show......I wonder how THAT gets scored on a judge's sheet.Boston - I have a total blank-out from Boston. Nothing is sticking. I THINK they were good.
Cadets - Drumline was very dirty. Snare spacing was all over the place. Only eight snares; I wonder what happened to number nine? Lot's of "park n blow". I was let down from some of the earlier reviews. I expected something like last year when they just played and marched for about a minute, and it was fabulous.
Crown - if the intention of the uniform is for them to look like they fell in tall grass and forgot to brush themselves off, then they achieved that. I didn't like the new green. Drumline is pretty tight. Bass section looked like they got "lost" in the drill a couple of times.
I thought for sure Crown won this show, and was really surprised (as was most around me) when Cadets took it.
Judges are so scared this time of year to judge what they see.
Here's the logic (in my mind): Cadets have been marketed off-season as this year's champs (75th, etc...). So if judges put Crown over Cadets, they are kinda saying that Crown could win this year, and no judge will risk THAT this early.
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I'd love to see a strong corps come back to central Ohio. There's a model for bringing a corps back successfully. It's called Troopers.
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There's no pre-show yet. They've been working on other things.
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The guard is struggling with the trunks as they portray a carnie trrop setting up their show -- they're supposed to be struggling (you'll see them move much more easily as hornline members move them at other times). If you watched just the trunks, you'd see many things (and people) pop in and out of them during the course of the show, plus they make an extra "platform" for the guard at times. Agreed it's hard to keep your eye on just one element as there's so much that's interesting going on.
Why don't corps compose their own music?
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
Bluecoats' lovely ballad in 2010 (both show and ballad titled "Metropolis") was an original composition by Thrower/Rarick . . .