stockman365

Cadets, without question.

A situation surfaced within the last 24 hours to bring home this concept of the Blue Devils' disregard for audience appeal (general and drum corps fans alike). I saw on the news that the Blue Devils played the half time show for the Colts pre-season opener yesterday and thought...uuuggghhh, what a missed opportunity for the activity! Whats more, I had a Facebook friend (whom I am sure is not even close to a drum corps fan) post a picture of her and her husband in Colts gear, in the stands, with their backs to the field while the Blue Devils were on the field. The message was clear. The activity's finest corps (according to scores) had practically el-zilcho level of general audience engagement. The corps could have heralded the glory of a stunning brass and percussion visual performance...but instead ignored what was happening for a husband/wife photo-op while "the band" played the halftime show. That makes me sad.

Reading this makes me feel like I'm in a time warp or something. It's so uncommon but I like it!

Some of my most memorable drum corps viewing was at the good ole DCM finals at NIU Husky Stadium in DeKalb. Very accessible from the interstate and great acoustics.

After listening online, all I can say is this might be a once in a generation horn book, so capture the moment and own it members of the corps. From rookies to ageouts, consider this as if it were your ageout year because this may not be attempted nor duplicated for sometime. I'm seriously praying for you all to pull this off! I'be been waiting soooo long for this since Star left us.

There have been many influential shows over the years, and it is incredibly hard to pick out the MOST influential. The 2000 Cavaliers started the era of drill dominating the overall show design. Many corps were struck with playing catch up during that time of Cavalier dominance.

Hey, all I have to say is if the truth hurts, then do something else over the summer...and I consider myself "fat"! I don't understand why people don't understand the difference between disrespectful and being truthful given various scenarios. My high school band director called someone too fat to march from the box during rehearsal because they were fat. Granted he wasn't around much longer after that, but it was the reality...this person couldn't and wouldn't even try to get it together. Got their attention!!!

Relax....step away from the computer...and just enjoy the show. There, is that better? ahhhhhhhh

I say if we were to have more entertainment value in the activity and get competitive credit for it, another VK could emerge in World Class. We need another Weird Al Yankovich drum corps...there is so much material with all these vocal and props FAILS over the last several years, etc. Being off topic here doesn't imply I want PR to move in that direction.

Meanwhile, it seems that the backfield horn playing and the synth work against each other. Am I missing something in the design...like is the synth the Capulets? It is like hearing a hornline warming up near the stadium during a synth solo. Perhaps this is designed for Lucas Oil Stadium, but it seems to be a gap in the ensemble. Not saying that the synth is a horrible thing...I like the general feel it adds...just maybe needs more blend here and there? I love the new percussion changes...even since the movie theater! Very effective! Good work on everyone's part.

I know....perhaps at the end of the show, Juliet can leap from the podium in a "Mary Katherin Gallagher" kind of way and impale herself on the synth. RACH ON!!!

It is 2011. It is still creepy.

Could you imagine what was going though Rennick's head at the first ensemble rehearsal, and then the next series of staff recaps?

I think the adrenaline issue is spot on, but I do see where we could be in store for a show at the end of the season with as much power and passion we have gotten from them in some time. It can be found within the sophistication of the hornline arrangements more so than last season, and the drumline...with some embellishment and added dimension, can bring some needed layering to the overall feel to the show. It doesn't need props and other kookier gimmicks then the next corps to make it big time...I think its potential has been entrusted to the corps members itself and I have a sense they want to perform this show. Meanwhile, I admit the guard and the overall presentation seems rather "Amish" at this time. In a sea of guards who look like washed up cast members of 21 Jump Street and CATS, et. al., the Phantomettes represent radiance and class. Initially, I thought I would have liked to see a Juliet in go-go boots and black leather to be "modern", but I now see this approach makes perfect sense and they are not selling out the Phantom Regiment brand. It will be fun to watch them develop over the tour. While this show does not create a new identity, it does read classic Phantom Regiment and that makes me, in particular, very happy!

I kept thinking throughout the show last night that the percussion section enlisted a hostile take over of the corps and the ensemble was completely off balance. Then again, the percussion was great and the difficulty was set at a high bar...but the hornline, visual, and guard are nowhere near the same caliber. It may be a long summer...I just didn't see glimpses of greatness, but they will hopefully come through in the end. It will be interesting to see what happens when Madison, Blue Knights, Boston, and the Glassmen, et. al. are added to the mix. One of those corps could be headed out of the gate like a freight train and pick several of these top corps off...we shall see!

I introduced a drum corps newby to this recording and got an "Ooooo, I like this :)" response...mission accomplished!

Fantastic performance, GREAT writing of both books...that percussion section comes across very much "alive and well" :), great recording device! I would love to see the drumline reach a high level to even add some further complexity to the book...and a revamped ending pretty much a no-brainer. Thanks for keeping this up for those of us not fortunate to live in the Rockford area any longer...especially after having a featured clip today. Great exposure!!!

This makes good common sense...why would he not use grad students, etc. to teach his "students" chops and then select his drum corps line from there? I believe Rennick marketed and sold his championship drumline...a.k.a. his UNT students...to the highest bidder. Knowing full well corps members would remain loyal, he knew if he left...they would follow. SCV basically traded in their drumline for a better group of students...in essense sending their existing line to mingle among the clowns. Hey, it is a free country and anyone can do this if successful, but how do you like them apples the next time you hear "Send in the Clowns" kid who worked 3 jobs while in college to march SCV? This pattern of caption head self promotion and putting students on the auction block in this activity stinks to the kids and fans alike. Places like BD have loyalty among their caption heads, why can't other corps learn from this model? Perhaps this is a key to their long term success...and thus their loyal and supportive fan base deserves this much? From the outside looking in, I see the Rennick brand included in a group of players of the system supported by donors, etc. to pay their salaries. SCV is a fine organization, but careful what you wish for. Who wouldn't want their drumline trained year round on University_of_North_Texas time and equipment...just sayin... But with regard to Shane Gwaltney, I believe he has a ripened opportunity here to build a fine program. As a donor to the PR organizattion, I will gladly help in that effort. It will likely not be easy the first few years. My hope is that he surrounds himself with people who have a vision for long range program building and using a high standard of excellence, work ethic, and character to create upper class arrangements and competitive success. Here is to the PR drummers and their instructional team much success...the world is your oyster!!!

Here is hoping the guard is dressed in something sexy like black patent leather and thigh high boots as opposed to the grandma nighties they had on last year.

Yep, sure do! You don't understand what I was saying...sorry about that.

Okay, I admit I am bitter. I hate to see talent like Rennick resign from a corps I follow. I will say, I am not part of the corps beyond following and supporting Regiment...and I have not discredited Rennick's ability to teach and recruit. But at the same time, the self promotion efforts through online media have just turned my sights away from respecting his talent and puts a bad perspective on the whole situation for his leaving. The impression that PR is a lesser corps...or insane...and thus why talent leaves is defunct by the statistics illustrated above about the calliber of this great corps' storied history of success. If this point of view is immature, then I beg to differ! I have been following this activity since the 80s, and it has become too acceptable for some of the key players to use their corps employment and members for self promotion. When all this propaganda was coming from Rennick before the season started, I had a sick feeling that he was using this to move on. If he would have put a facebook page titled "Rennick Drumlines" I would prefer to "Like" this type of page clearly before I would click a self indulgent "Paul Rennick" fb page. Announcing his move to another organization, then posting several self promotion along with the catalog of videos with close ups of him is a dissappointing discredit to his character and shows a lack of respect of the PR organization, his talented team of techs, and the talent of the performers upon moving on to another organization. Combining his level of talent with a lower tierd corps would have not afforded him the same vehicle of success as he has had with the Regiment as well as teaming up with the stellar brass arranger in Shaw. If you look at my comments in this perspective, this should not seem immature. If you disagree, then PM me and we can talk more specifics on my point of view.

Finally, common sense!

No, I am not a percussionist and I don't know Paul personally, but I do have an opinion on the matter based upon his self-indulging/self-promoting web presence. While Scott Johnson has created his own brand, he is entitled to do so because he stays put and is committed. It is clear he uses his North Texas position to be a training ground for his corps members...however if he is as great as everyone and himself claims, why would he not have a winning line EVERY year!?!? The Regiment has a good thing going in their traditions which are a part of the total package for a corps member to pursue. The Rennick's participated very well, and if they had stayed instead of baling, then they could have been there to continue influencing and shaping those traditions. If they think leaving for SCV is greener grass...have at it, and PR will still be okay.

Absolutely!!! He didn't exactly go to Pio!