Jim Nevermann

?? Your grammar's correct.

"Victory at Sea". The last major corps I can think of were the '74 Cavies: "Guadalcanal March" ending with snippets of the 'reconstruction theme' [title?] and "Song of The High Seas", and Skyliners somewhat similar version in '75. Yet no Finalist has used anything since from all the hours of VAS's dynamic, evocative scores... have they?

Which, of itself, is fine and perfectly normal. Unless one is close to retirement or owns the business, who of us, generally, wouldn't go to another company, even a competitor, for higher pay and/or benefits? Drum Corps is certainly no exception.

On the other hand... Jeff Feidler from Cavies went to SCV. Rick Valenzuela from SCV went to PR. Now Paul Rennick from PR went to SCV. Which means that pretty soon.... Aha. Oho. Umhmm: Drum Corp's version of 'musical chairs'.

Well, let's see... Jeff Feidler from Cavies went to SCV. Rick Valenzuela from SCV went to PR. Now Paul Rennick from PR went to SCV. Which means that pretty soon.... Aha. Oho. Umhmm: Drum Corp's version of 'musical chairs'.

I'm completely stunned and, without knowing the reasons [which I don't need to], utterly mystified.

I wish.

Unlike the US Civil War, WWs I & II, Korea, and certainly Vietnam, I don't recall hearing or reading of any distinct, frequently played, 'main-stream media' songs protesting OR supporting the US involvement in the Iraq/Afghanistan war. This seems odd, given how wildly controversial the Iraq war became... particularly since it's lasted longer than WWII. Now granted, I don't listen to "Top 40" stations much, yet I've always kept half an eye open on general music news, including Rolling Stone. Yet I recall no protest music since 911; *nothing* in quality or quantity remotely close to the vitriolic rock songs of the Vietnam War era. One possible reason occurred to me: unlike previous US wars, this one had no Military Draft for zillions of guys to sweat-out, thank God. Still, war is war... which in past wars, in one form or another, has always produced distinct, recognizable, 'populous' music of both protest and support, some of which always found its way into marching music. But I've not heard any for this war. Your thoughts, please.

Unlike the US Civil War, WWs I & II, Korea, and certainly Vietnam, I don't recall hearing or reading of any distinct, frequently played, 'main-stream media' songs protesting OR supporting the US involvement in the Iraq/Afghanistan war. This seems odd, given how wildly controversial the Iraq war became... particularly since it's lasted longer than WWII. Now granted, I don't listen to "Top 40" stations much, yet I've always kept half an eye open on general music news, including Rolling Stone. Yet I recall no protest music since 911; *nothing* in quality or quantity remotely close to the vitriolic rock songs of the Vietnam War era. One possible reason occurred to me: unlike previous US wars, this one had no Military Draft for zillions of guys to sweat-out, thank God. Still, war is war... which in past wars, in one form or another, has always produced distinct, recognizable, 'populous' music of both protest and support, some of which always found its way into marching music. But I've not heard any for this war. Your thoughts, please.

I started drum lessons and reading in 1957, going on to jr high and summer school band, orch and even concert percussion ensemble of sorts. I joined [and was instantly addicted to] D&B corps about halfway through my sophomore year in HS, 1965. However, although our unquestionably corps-experienced drum instructor could and did write all the drum parts out, he wrote in what I'll call an 'imprecise' or 'not always correct' notation. I thus learned our snare parts by a combination of interpretation and rote. It wasn't until late '66 or early '67 that I came across "The Badger Strut" [author?] and especially "Tornado" by Mitch Markovitch --they and related pieces published, I think, by Ludwig-- that their distinctly precise, correct notational style --originated and championed by Mitch-- really opened my eyes; made my "Aha!" light come on; radically affected how I understood and thus more accurately played corps/rudimental drumming for the first time. Mitch's notational style has, I believe, come to be used universally now.

To me, just as importantly, marching drums that aren't so absurdly heavy. With lighter weight drums, the need for drum stands could be reduced or even eliminated... which would also negate their cost, maintenance, storage and transport. Of course, the companies that make stands would prefer the status quo.

As I opined back in '04... "Crank snares to the top" says the theorem. "The hardware won't 'pop' so don't fear them." But hands and wrists blight from 'Formica-hard' tight, And only a bat's ears can hear 'em! "They're 'tenors'" we say of our quads. To call them that, though, is at odds. To designate right, their multi-heads tight, Say "Four toneless bongos"... ye gods! "Traditionally" (said to our faces) "The big drums are what were called 'basses.'" They're now cranked terrific, way up stratospheric, Too high! Throw 'em back in their cases. And speaking of sections expensive, (now don't anyone get defensive) "More tymps, bells and 'toys'! We MUST have more noise!" The Pit swallows money... extensive!

One of, if not the biggest reason there are fewer corps today [picking up on an earlier response] than in the past is the astronomical costs in supplying, maintaining and transporting the Pit's instruments and --within the last couple of years-- the additional costs of electronics. Because of these two sections alone, Drum Corps has very thoroughly shot itself in its collective, financial foot. So because of the crushingly expensive costs each corps necessarily must assume if they want to be competitive, OF COURSE there aren't as many corps as there used to be, and OF COURSE not as many kids can participate as once could! This is a surprise? This is debatable?

Contact DCI directly. Really, who better to ask? Now my question: did all current DCI judges teach Finalist corps in the recent past? In other words how could they judge that highest level of corps if they were never caption heads of such corps themselves? I taught a DCI Finalist corps many, many years ago, and have always played or taught [or both] various marching groups pretty much ever since. Yet there's no possible way I could --or want to-- teach corps today, much less judge them. So are all Finalist judges also past Finalist corps instructors... or doesn't it matter?

2nd Wind adult drumline and honor guard are recruiting a Drum Major for a few area parades throughout the spring & mid-fall. Although not required, experience as a marching and/or guard instructor is a plus. Expectations and responsibilities for this position: 1. Always project calm, self-assured leadership and bearing. 2. No conducting, but must be able to set, march and maintain consistent, non-adrenaline driven tempo. 3. Give commands (what and when needed) with a clear, well-modulated voice. 4. Must recognize and be able to sequence the different streetbeats as needed, including when to use the simple “Get On, Get Off” beat. 5. The drumline does a brief, complex, standstill drum solo (including a built-in marching intro and halt) at Reviewing Stands and sometimes during parade lulls, so you must have a keen sense of when to start the solo sequence AND to restart a streetbeat after the solo. 6. Keep the drumline and guard in close formation, straight lines, etc. as well as appropriately distanced between other parade groups. 7. SAFETY: watch for and steer 2nd Wind around street hazards… and not just horse poop! A couple years ago one of our bass drummers didn’t see a speed bump, and crashed to the pavement. Amazingly, though, he escaped what easily could have been disastrous injury. So 2nd Wind will rely on you to safely guide us at all times! 2nd Wind practices twice a month at excellent facilities near Edmonds, but you won’t need to attend more than once or twice before the season’s first parade. Your headgear and uniform jacket will be provided. You will supply trousers black shoes and possibly gloves. 2nd Wind is a unit of an IRS 501 (C3) non-profit corporation licensed in the state of Washington, and has no connection with any veteran, religious, or political groups. Please eMail/contact Jim Nevermann, Director & Drum Instructor

2nd Wind adult drumline and honor guard are recruiting a Drum Major for a few area parades throughout the spring & mid-fall. Although not required, experience as a marching and/or guard instructor is a plus. Expectations and responsibilities for this position: 1. Always project calm, self-assured leadership and bearing. 2. No conducting, but must be able to set, march and maintain consistent, non-adrenaline driven tempo. 3. Give commands (what and when needed) with a clear, well-modulated voice. 4. Must recognize and be able to sequence the different streetbeats as needed, including when to use the simple “Get On, Get Off” beat. 5. The drumline does a brief, complex, standstill drum solo (including a built-in marching intro and halt) at Reviewing Stands and sometimes during parade lulls, so you must have a keen sense of when to start the solo sequence AND to restart a streetbeat after the solo. 6. Keep the drumline and guard in close formation, straight lines, etc. as well as appropriately distanced between other parade groups. 7. SAFETY: watch for and steer 2nd Wind around street hazards… and not just horse poop! A couple years ago one of our bass drummers didn’t see a speed bump, and crashed to the pavement. Amazingly, though, he escaped what easily could have been disastrous injury. So 2nd Wind will rely on you to safely guide us at all times! 2nd Wind practices twice a month at excellent facilities near Edmonds, but you won’t need to attend more than once or twice before the season’s first parade. Your headgear and uniform jacket will be provided. You will supply trousers black shoes and possibly gloves. 2nd Wind is a unit of an IRS 501 (C3) non-profit corporation licensed in the state of Washington, and has no connection with any veteran, religious, or political groups. Please eMail/contact Jim Nevermann, Director & Drum Instructor

"If you can find anyone over the age of 40 who is still able to and willing to teach to that style, let me know!" ...and... "However, snap, spin, salute, post, halt may be appropriate for a parade." Oh, correct on both points! 2nd Wind adult drumline [Edmonds WA based] is not aiming to build yet another indoor winterguard; not another teens or early college age guard. Instead we're starting to look for guard folks from the 1960s-'70s and thereabouts [just like our drumline] who don't have the time nor teenage physiques to do contemporary guard work... BUT who would still like to march a few parades with us, doing what they once did and enjoyed so much. We added an Honor Guard in 2009 and now want to develop a small "traditional" color guard to finish-out our likewise 'period' style drumline [which is growing as we speak]. 2nd Wind has never tried nor wanted to be like all the other drumlines. What fun and challenge would that be?

Aha: thanks for the title. However, as for contemporary color guard, see, I'm looking in the exact opposite direction, i.e. 'old school' style: no choreography, no dance, no acting and no props or recordings whatsoever. Instead, focusing on people and instructor who can teach and perform 1960-70s rifle, saber and flag work while wearing (this will shock and doubtlessly repel a few of you) exactly the same color and style uniform as the non-guard members. Imagine, a 21st Century guard wearing what the rest of the group wears! Oh man... what a completely novel idea! How radical! How revolutionary!

Which is called what? I'm not a guard person, so don't know what it's called. Something obvious like "NW Winterguard"?

WGI/band/independent? I know that some instructors teach more than one guard, so there can't be that many [relatively]. Burns is the only name I know of for sure.

Anyone?

Is "/23" a typo or an additional reference of some kind?

I'm reliably told this is a HS and not middle. Nevertheless....

Yeah, I wondered about that when I first received the link. Their marching band [scroll down in Youtube] is good too.

I presume this has been posted in DCP and discussed to death already [i just put it in the Brass Forum, too], but if not... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLcsyA-2LpA...feature=related I'm not current with concert band literature & performance, but they're very clean & dynamic. And this is a *middle* school band??? Gadzooks!! Notice the massive, deep-shell concert bass. Anyone used one in a Pit?