willyc

You want to get goosebumps??? Sit in the stands at a performance of the JSU Southerners (about 350 strong), and let them hit you in the face with this!!!!!!

You want to get goosebumps??? Sit in the stands at a performance of the JSU Southerners (about 350 strong), and let them hit you in the face with this!!!!!!

I think you may have missed the part of my post where I said that I don't agree either, but as we stand here today - that is the rule.

With respect, the rules have changed, but the goal is to still make music, so the rules haven't fundamentally changed. In your analogy, the goal of the game is to score runs, regardless of how the ball is hit, kicked, pitched/rolled, etc. so, in my opinion, my original analogy still holds, since the actuvity hasn't been fundamentally altered (make music and entertain crowds). Only the methodology has changed.

Third thought: I obviously don't see Spirit copping out by using a bass (which rules allow) in a show with a rock-band theme - despite the fact that I don't agree with the rule that allows it. BUT The real musical cop-out would have been to synthesize a contra sound to fill a percieved lack in that section's volume.

Lights for night games? 350 pound linemen? No more leather helmets? Designated hitters? Gloves that are far more padded? A more-lively ball? Steroids (which we deplore) for a higher level of performance (which we cheer)? And so on, and so on......................... I'd hazard a guess that if these sports hadn't changed the way they have over the years, the stands wouldn't be anywhere near as full as they are today (or were before late last year, with the economy).

42 pages - in two days! Must be some kind of record. I haven't read through ALL 42 pages, so forgive me if I'm restating something. Just two thoughts: I understand the purist view of what drum corps should be - and am in favor of less amplification, vocals, synthesized music ( in fact, in favor of NO synthesized music). BUT, why not focus the criticism of this shift in rules toward the persons who floated the amendment, and who voted for these amendment to add synthesized music - rather than a corps who takes advantage of a change in the rules? Spirit didn't put forth this amendment to further their 'vision' of what direction drum corps should go. They simply took advantage of the new rule - with the notion that their show has a rock-based theme, and as such, a bass is appropriate. I'd suggest that, if some other corps had tried this, many would be giving them kudos for being innovative. Bottom line - Spirit didn't write the rule, they just used it to forward the theme of their show this year. The second thought - don't forget that Spirit has only been on the field once this season (unfortunately, rained out twice). As with every other corps, and with most other captions, one performance isn't sufficient to fine-tune the balance between captions. Most posters would be more forgiving of a 'traditional' section being under or over balanced in the first outing. Heck, some corps dont' even have the full show on for their first few performances. Whether you like the bass or not, give them some time to figure out the correct balance, and it may be a bit more palatable. Unfortunately, unless more traditional heads prevail, the rule is here to stay.

Especially this stuff! Lovingly prepared by Mark Whisenant and his crew.

Don't know if this has been posted before, but, if not it deserves notice. This weekend has become a tradition for the Spirit organization - reuniting alumni and introducing new members to the Spirit family. We welcome all Spirit alumni and family members to this celebration of the 2009 season start! Sunday May 24, 1PM CDT JSU Campus An open invitation from Mark Whisenant and the Spirit Alumni: It is with great pleasure that we announce the 2009 Family, Friends, and Alumni picnic on Sunday May 24th beginning at 1:00 pm (Central time). When Bill Campbell, Steve Brewster, Tommy Whitten and I dreamed this up in 2001, none of us imagined this would become a part of he corps history. How fortunate we are that it has. For those of you who have attended before, the plan is the same. For those who have not, this is how we do it. Friday May 22th is check in day for the beginning of all day rehearsals. It is also the day when the Spirit alumni will begin to gather to start the event. One new change for this year will be on Saturday night, when we will serve an evening meal to the entire drums corps, staff, management, and participating alumni as part of an expanded Spirit History Night. Sunday at 1pm local time, we invite all members, alumni, fans, friends, and family to be our guests for the outstanding Spirit brand barbeque. This recipe has been honed through the years, and many of our guests have been inspired to run right out and slap their mamas after indulging. So be careful. It is that darn good! Our complete meal is complimentary to you, our honored guests. This event will also be the debut of the 2009 Spirit souvenir season. The latest designs will be on display, and our guests will see them first. Following the meal, Executive Director Joel Vincent will introduce the 2009 corps to you. Please bring chairs for your group. While we will serve you a drink with your meal, a cooler with extra drinks is recommended. We are on the JSU campus, so no alcoholic beverages are allowed.

I'm really not trying to highjack this thread, but I'd honestly be interested in what people think about the high early season scores that PC and Academy started with and what happened when they moved east. I really don't think they suddenly started performing so much worse than when they were out on the coast. I don't pose this question with anything other than curiosity as my motivation. Not sure how BD and SCV fared in the move east, but I do know that this happened to PC and Academy.

One word............................................................................ ................................................................................. ..........togas!

Am I missing something about the scores listed in the DCP scores - percussion caption? Don't see either Spirit, Colts, Troopers or PC in the unweighted score section (scores from last night). Makes the weighted score section look rather out of whack.

Congrats to Spirit's Brass Ensemble for their strong first-place finish

If it's the picture I think you were looking at, look on the right shoulder..........................a delta - Spirit.

Extremely happy for the Crown crew!!! Congratulations, and keep up the momentum.