JOHNSTOWN_BLUE_DEVILS_BOB

Thank you for the intelligent and constructive input. Did we forget about the many 100's of kids 6 to 12 years old, seeing the shows, who are very impressionable and easily desensitized, growing up believing violence is acceptable whether real or acted. I would think we, as supporters of what used to be inspirational, would wish to nurture decency and kindness in thier formative years. And yes, we could all use a little more decency in our lives.

No I haven't checked this week. I just posted this as a reaction to last night's show. But now I will take the time to check. Sounds like there might be some other dissatisfaction with this issue. Thank you for the heads up. (Apologies for the big font mistake.)

I am amazed that there are few criticisms of the level of violence in the shows this year. Well, I for one hate to see the social decadence that has been allowed. Shame on DCI for not having the decency to set standards in this area. Remember that these are still young folks, mostly teenagers and they certainly don't need to be any more desensitized to violence as being acceptable than they already are in movies and TV. The Phantom show should not be allowed as well as part of the Cavis show. I had friends in to watch this yesterday and I was really embarrased by this. My friends now have a much lower opinion of DCI for allowing this. I totally agree with them. The fact that the theme of the show was based on a violent time reenforces the need for review of content. How does this go over with the 6 to 12 year old kids watching? I know you will say the kids already know about all this violence and have it in their games, etc; which is exactly my point. Sorry if this might be redundant but I don't spend my life on DCP readiing comments. I understand there has been previous commentary on this (but not mine). So OK, now pile on me....!!!!! (ps:the title should read: "Where have our standards gone?")

I am amazed that there are few criticisms of the level of violence in the shows this year. Well, I for one hate to see the social decadence that has been allowed. Shame on DCI for not having the decency to set standards in this area. Remember that these are still young folks, mostly teenagers and they certainly don't need to be any more desensitized to violence as being acceptable than they already are in movies and TV. The Phantom show should not be allowed as well as part of the Cavis show. I had friends in to watch this yesterday and I was really embarrased by this. My friends now have a much lower opinion of DCI for allowing this. I totally agree with them. OK, now pile on me....!!!!!

The BD show's audio was cut for the last 2 minutes of their show and for the last 25 seconds of the concert. A notice was on the site that read "Tonight during the Blue Devils performance, a portion of their audio will be muted on the live stream due to an unresolved music licensing issue". I'm sure a lot of people were upset.

The BD show's audio was cut for the last 2 minutes of their show and for the last 25 seconds of the concert. A notice was on the site that read "Tonight during the Blue Devils performance, a portion of their audio will be muted on the live stream due to an unresolved music licensing issue". I'm sure a lot of people were upset.

The video camera crew was not a "drum corps" camera crew ... they "came with the stadium rental", i.e., they were Stanford camera people who are more used to doing football games. That is obvious. That's a poor choice for a camera crew and not really a good excuse. I hope FanNetwork can afford qualifed people in the future.

Regarding the FanNetwork, the live cast of the Stanford show was very enjoyable. We all loved the whole show. This is a great concept once the bugs are ironed out. Just a few observations, since I don't know who else to share these with. The camera work was on the poor side. The angles were not good. They missed all the high points of all the corps. The drum line solos and the horn solos were not captured except for 10 seconds of the BD show. The camera selection was poorly done, whoever was choosing the hot camera. Many times we were looking at the ground, or the back of a judge or player. The camera was watching guards at rest on the sideline or from behind while important stuff was going on. It appears that the camera crew was not familiar with the shows and didn't know where to focus on for the highlights. They at least should know that drum corps folk love to see drum lines, solos, etc. I realize it is early in the season, but the customers are expecting better coverage. The BD show's audio was cut for the last 2 minutes of their show and for the last 25 seconds of the concert. A notice was on the site that read "Tonight during the Blue Devils performance, a portion of their audio will be muted on the live stream due to an unresolved music licensing issue". I'm sure a lot of people were upset. Hope this does not come across as negative, only as possibly constructive observations. ps: I totally disapprove of the violence portayed in the Phantom show; these are still teenagers! OK, now it's your turn to jump all over me......

Regarding the FanNetwork, the live cast of the Stanford show was very enjoyable. We all loved the whole show. This is a great concept once the bugs are ironed out. Just a few observations, since I don't know who else to share these with. The camera work was on the poor side. The angles were not good. They missed all the high points of all the corps. The drum line solos and the horn solos were not captured except for 10 seconds of the BD show. The camera selection was poorly done, whoever was choosing the hot camera. Many times we were looking at the ground, or the back of a judge or player. The camera was watching guards at rest on the sideline or from behind while important stuff was going on. It appears that the camera crew was not familiar with the shows and didn't know where to focus on for the highlights. They at least should know that drum corps folk love to see drum lines, solos, etc. I realize it is early in the season, but the customers are expecting better coverage. The BD show's audio was cut for the last 2 minutes of their show and for the last 25 seconds of the concert. A notice was on the site that read "Tonight during the Blue Devils performance, a portion of their audio will be muted on the live stream due to an unresolved music licensing issue". I'm sure a lot of people were upset. Hope this does not come across as negative, only as possibly constructive observations. ps: I totally disapprove of the violence portayed in the Phantom show; these are still teenagers! OK, now it's your turn to jump all over me......

Regarding the FanNetwork, the live cast of the Stanford show was very enjoyable. We all loved the whole show. This is a great concept once the bugs are ironed out. Just a few observations, since I don't know who else to share these with. The camera work was on the poor side. The angles were not good. They missed all the high points of all the corps. The drum line solos and the horn solos were not captured except for 10 seconds of the BD show. The camera selection was poorly done, whoever was choosing the hot camera. Many times we were looking at the ground, or the back of a judge or player. The camera was watching guards at rest on the sideline or from behind while important stuff was going on. It appears that the camera crew was not familiar with the shows and didn't know where to focus on for the highlights. They at least should know that drum corps folk love to see drum lines, solos, etc. I realize it is early in the season, but the customers are expecting better coverage. The BD show's audio was cut for the last 2 minutes of their show and for the last 25 seconds of the concert. A notice was on the site that read "Tonight during the Blue Devils performance, a portion of their audio will be muted on the live stream due to an unresolved music licensing issue". I'm sure a lot of people were upset. Hope this does not come across as negative, only as possibly constructive observations. ps: I totally disapprove of the violence portayed in the Phantom show; these are still teenagers! OK, now it's your turn to jump all over me......

Regarding the Blue Devils of Johnstown, PA. I was a member of this Senior Corps from 1953 to 1955. We were sponsored by American Legion Post 294 in Johnstown. We were a parade corps and competed primarily at "Fireman's Day" parades around west-central PA. My highlight was going to the AL National convention in 1954 in Washington. It's one of those things that stay with you; marching down Pennsylvania Avenue. I was in High School at this time and the youngest member in the corps. I played both snare and b flat baritone horn, depending on what was needed that particular day. I have 3 pics of the Blue Devils I will share and wish I could locate others with more photos, or any other member of this corps. Our theme song was "When the Saints come Marching in". I later moved to Chicago and played with the "Men of Brass" (Skokie Indians). I am currently a Board member with the Pacific Crest Division I corps in Diamond Bar, CA. Bob Heffley, Los Angeles, 818.219.9286 Heffleys@Yahoo.com August 15, 2007.