jrmscreamer

Surely there has to be a way to get a compromise between a G hornline and a Bb hornline. Pitch the instruments in Bb/F, but constuct them more like the "bugles." I realize that it is impossible to get the SAME sound, simply because of the acoustics; but is it possible to get a SIMILAR sound? I would like to think it's possible to make a Bb trumpet sound more like a bugle than a trumpet... there has to be some way. I love the distinct "pipe organ" sound of the G hornlines, but I understand the benefits of playing in multi-key. There has to be a happy medium somewhere...

I'm not saying it's wrong to add DCI members; I know several that do it. I'm just saying it's going to be that much easier for them to do with having the Cadets literally in their backyard. Is G.H. the director of C2, also? Does anyone know if they still have an age limit? That's still just a bit much for me to stomach...

Tampa Bay Thunder originally had three more shows before 8/18, but all three were cancelled; one because the show couldn't get enough sponsors, and two because the host corps aren't competing this season (Alliance and Sun Devils) So, as luck would have it, our first competition is now 8/18. Oh, well. We're bigger and better than the corps was last year. We will definitely surprise some people this year!

We'll just wait and see who they fill those holes with once the DCI season is over with.

Just saw their debut exhibition. They really are quite impressive for a first-year corps. However, one must remember that they have Hoppy and YEA behind them, too, so they don't have to worry too much about money issues (comparatively speaking, of course; every corps worries about money). I know exactly what's going to happen with the holes, too. The DCI season will end, and C2 will plug all of their holes with Cadets fresh from tour, give them a couple weeks to learn the show, and BAM, you have your top 3-5 corps. Do they still have an age limit like they did earlier this year? It's just that something about being able to "age-out" of a DCA corps doesn't sit well with my stomach. I think that, if you're going to compete in DCA, you should be a true all-age corps. Don't get me wrong- I have a world of respect for ANY corps and the hard work their members and staff put into it. C2 will be good this year... VERY good... but they also have no reason to NOT be good.

Three come to mind, and I think they've all been mentioned: 2000 Cadets opening statement 2000 Cadets closer 2000 SCV Adagio build-up and climax Yeah, I think 2000 was also a good year for DCI

I think there were a couple years when Colts marched a Bb line except for G contras, but I can't remember exactly the year. (I have a former roommate who is a DCI encyclopedia and told me this)

Hmmm... okay. So what are the Renegades doing wrong... besides being a bit untraditional? Oh... and not copying old DCI shows...

IMHO, Renegades have been well beyond most other corps, including the Bucs, in power, technique, entertainment, and just plain originality. Bucs are clean and balanced- I'll give them that. However, I have never been blown away so much by a DCA corps as I have been by the Renegades. They should definitely be placing higher every year, if not winning. The stuff these people do with bugles is phenomenal. And just for the record, I'm from Alabama, so it's not a local bias or anything

I'm just hoping someone can knock the wind out of the Bucs sails... yawn... I've seen much better corps the past few years, but they're not from the northeast, so they don't win... at least that's the pattern so far

very well said, sydstranda. kudos

I haven't been around since the early days, nor can I give a fancy list of statistics to back up my opinion. I will be merely stating what I think. Okay... To begin with, I oppose the use of woodwinds in DCI, and I don't think they will happen... ever. Let me explain. Drum and bugle corps is a combination of brass and percussion instruments and a visual ensemble. That is.. what it is. If you want to hear woodwinds and electronics, watch a marching band. The fact is that they are two different organizations. Adding woodwinds to a drum and bugle corps would be like telling a soccer team they can use their hands to move the ball. It would turn the activity into something entirely different (for all of you ready to shoot down my argument, this is called an "analogy"). Secondly, I honestly believe that DCI would lose a SIGNIFICANT number of fans. Not all, but enough to hurt the activity and the funding it on which it depends. BOA already exists, so why would you try to re-invent the wheel? I'm not bashing marching band- I'm just saying it's not drum and bugle corps. Thirdly, it would be massively impractical to field woodwinds. Aside from the major financial and logistical problem of maintaining marching woodwinds, you would have to A) drastically reduce the number of brass, meaning you would lose the impact of the hornline that most fans crave; B) increase the maximum number of members to allow for a sufficient woodwind section, which would make cleaning VERY difficult and make the corps nearly impossible to fund; or C) amplify a small woodwind section, meaning they wouldn't be able to march... not to mention going against my first argument. While there have been changes to DCI's instrumentation rules in the past, the fundamental has been the same (brass+percussion+visual). Amplification has already been approved, and although I do not entirely support it, I will admit that there have been instances where it added to the show (ex: 2007 Bluecoats). However, adding woodwinds would simply be crossing a line that need not be crossed. Like I said before, if you want to hear that, watch a marching band. Please don't pick apart my comment and make it say something I don't mean. I'm just making a point. That is all