mellodcd
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Posts posted by mellodcd
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Current Member
Civil Engineer
Two hour drive to the airport, two hour flight, then a three to five hour bus ride, and that's just one-way.
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Check this out:
Best 12th Place Corps of the 2000s - Troopers 2009
Best 11th Place Corps of the 2000s - Madison Scouts 2001
Best 10th Place Corps of the 2000s - Carolina Crown 2003
Best 9th Place Corps of the 2000s - Crossmen 2002
Best 8th Place Corps of the 2000s - Blue Stars 2009
Best 7th Place Corps of the 2000s - Bluecoats 2007 (BLOWOUT)
Best 6th Place Corps of the 2000s - Carolina Crown 2007 (BLOWOUT)
Best 5th Place Corps of the 2000s - Santa Clara Vanguard 2009
Best 4th Place Corps of the 2000s - Phantom Regiment 2003
Best Bronze Medalist of the 2000s - Santa Clara Vanguard 2004 (BLOWOUT)
Best Silver Medalist of the 2000s - ?????????????????????
Now here's what's interesting: There are two spots left for the silver and gold.....here are the corps who have not yet made the list:
Blue Devils
The Cavaliers
The Cadets
In addition, we have these following corps to consider as well:
Phantom Regiment
Carolina Crown
Talk about these votes getting harder.....these last two rounds will be very difficult to vote on. 5 fantastic corps.....2 spots left.
Make your vote count, and thanks for participating!
I'd be willing to bet BD, Cavies, and Cadets don't make any of the top lists. . .very interesting!
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This is so hard, there are four shows that I really like on this list!
2003
2006
2007
2008
I guess I'll go with Phantom 2007. I'm a sucker for jazz run Firebird.
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DCI seems to have done very little over the years to reach out to audiences that aren't involved with DC in some way.
Sure they've broadcast a little bit on PBS or ESPN and they've even started doing their theater thing... Yet after traveling for 2 summers with a top 5 drum corps, people still have no clue. Its gotten to the point that I don't even try to explain to the people in McDonalds that, no this is not the band from the high school across the street.
I'm sure if you are reading this you agree with me that drum corps is a pretty special thing. It really blows my mind sometimes that the vast majority of people don't even know that it exists. One of my favorite things about going on tour is when I see people that have never seen a drum corps stop and watch in amazement.
So I'm just wondering your opinion.. Would it be better if DCI reached out to a broader audience or do you enjoy being a part of this exclusive club of educated people. (Keep in mind DCI isn't doing so well).
In my opinion DCI needs a complete image change. I think a lot more emphasis needs to be laid on the entertainment value and competition and less on the inherent "dorkyness" of marching band. They should not be having all these tiny shows at high schools in rural (insert state) where they get the school football coach to read the scores and mispronounce the names of the corps and the mayor who nobody cares about comes out and gives the trophies.
I think there should be less shows and they all should all be regionals, in NFL stadiums, where all the corps travel together, instead of being split up the entire summer. You don't see Mini Nascar races with only 4 of the racing teams present. The attraction is that all the competitive forces are present. The way drum corps stands now, everyone is competing against an invisible opponent. It makes no sense. Spend the extra money on radio advertisements... SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY Drum Corps International comes to your city.
DCI is really good at advertising finals night to people who were already going to go. Lets use that creativity and turn drum corps into something people can at least nod their heads to in recognition when I talk about it.
Furthermore: Get Redbull to sponsor corps... They'll sponsor anything. "Entering the field... The Redbull Cadets"
I understand this completely, and agree with you. DCI has been successful because it has been the innovator. Drum corps do what no one thought was possible. Some people don't want to see drum corps change from what they remember, but that is selfish on their part. DCI will grow and continue being an amazing youth activity by doing things that have never been done before. Some of your ideas are pretty far out their ("The Redbull Cadets"), but if that is what it takes for this activity to grow and continue, then who am I to say no?
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Engineer. . .
It seems like that most solid corps members are either music majors or engineers. I'm not sure why that is, but I think it has to do with our ability process information very quickly.
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There's an article on DCI.org that states DCI are aware of the sound issues in Lucas Oil Stadium and are working towards solving them.
They refer to Carnegie Hall & La Scalla not having perfect acoustics. They also hint that in future, corps will need to work with and not against the stadiums acoustics.
To me this sounds like political spin for "there's very little we can do, so just live with it".
My question is to those who attended Finals in 2009.... where were you sitting and how did it sound?
I sat front and center, in row 14 of section 140. The sound was GREAT (no crazy reverb, very clear, and very powerful), and I've been to many drum corps shows both indoor and outdoor. The only drawback to the seats, are you can't see most of the forms, but I like down low better, because you get to see more of the technique. Anyway, section 140 is the way to go for drum corps.
Seating chart. . .
View from my seat. . .
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This is a screen shot from the video
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Based on the video on Troopers home page: "Wanted."
Screen shot from the video . . .
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I just watched the top twelve from 2003 and have to say way to go. Some of the best music out there. Phantom, SWEET. I think I would pick that as my favorite year of the 00's. Tomorrow I am watching 2002, so we will see if my decision stands. Either way, thanks to all who marched 2003 and made my day today in 09 a little more bearable.
I still listen to phantom '03 every other day or so. It's one of my favorite shows from a musical standpoint.
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This has been on the bookface, but I haven't seen it on here yet. . .
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I was so happy to see the Troopers back and better than ever. That being said I LOVED the Colts show. The theme was incorporate so well and the music arrangements were great. But I do think that Troopers were a little cleaner and that probably made the difference. I really liked The Academy and I think if championships would have been week later they would have made finals. When I saw them in Houston my opinion was that the show was unbelievably dirty and there was no way they could clean it up....... But they worked hard and the result was great.
I would like to pose a question in regard to Blue Knights and Troopers both in finals. Is there enough talent for these two corps to recruit from in that part of the country? I know that camps are done in other places but the majority of members are still local. Love to hear some thoughts on this.
Drum corps is not a regional activity anymore. I'm 17+ (drive) hours away from the nearest camp. Here is a breakdown of the home states (and countries) of the 2009 Troopers:
Wyoming: 6
Texas: 33
Colorado: 11
Utah: 11
Idaho: 9
North Carolina: 8
Washington: 4
Oklahoma: 4
Tennessee: 3
Louisiana: 3
Ohio: 3
Indiana: 3
Mississippi: 3
Nebraska: 3
Oregon: 3
Virginia: 3
Nevada: 3
Michigan: 2
California: 2
Japan: 2
Florida: 1
New Mexico: 1
Arkansas: 1
New Jersey: 1
Kansas: 1
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I budgeted for about $5000 this year to cover travel (plane tickets to every camp
) and tuition (including camp fees). I've marched for two years (this will be my third), and $5000 is a very reasonable estimate to march in a World Class corps if you have to travel to camps. -
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Sarsaparilla for the Troopers. . .because they carry freaking weapons!!!
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I marched a now top twelve corps (hmm?!?), and tuition was around $1300 my first year and $1500 my second. The most expensive part for me was the travel. Cross country plain tickets cost $200-$400, so I spent about $1500 on just travel alone. I've figured in about $3000 to march this year (my age-out). I got help from parents and grandparents the two years I marched. They paid for most of the travel (plane tickets are great birthday and christmas presents, lol), but I had to pay for the tuition part from saved up money. This year I am hoping to get sponsorship from anyone who can help. I would suggest talking to the corps you are considering and see what options they have to help pay your tuition. Most corps can put you in contact with alumni and other people that can help. You have to make sure and talk to the people in charge, because they can only help if they know you situation. Good luck!
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DCI I loved having Finals in Indy and I had a great time at all the events, but please fix retreat!
My suggestion:
1. Corps file into their respective areas while some group (Marine Corps D&B corps, Open Class Champs, or other designated group) plays something to keep everyone entertained. (15 min.)
2. Caption awards (and other stuff) are announced. (5 min)
3. Scores are announced. (5 min)
4. Each corps plays a 5 min. (or less) piece of music of their choosing. (77 min)
5. Corps leave, while winning corps plays some parade beat or other music. The winning corps pit will also be setting up at this time. (15 min)
6. Winning corps performs final performance. (15 min)
Roughly 2 hours total (2.2 to be exact), so we'll start at 5:00 and be done by 11:30 as usual. There you have it, my dream finals!
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For example, did the sound improve with more fans in the stands?
The sound was good where I sat (50 yard line, down low)
Did you feel you paid way to much for your seat location?
No, I bought the DCI Fence Sitter package and got two tickets for Semis and Finals and a nice downtown hotel room for two nights, all for less than 500 dollars!
Did you like the back curtain?
Loved it! It made the field feel like one giant stage and not just some random football field.
Was the temperature inside comfortable, seats wide enough, etc.
Temperature was great considering that it was 90+ degrees outside. The seats were very comfortable (padded bottom and back). Much better than the Rose Bowl or IU's stadium.
Did you have enough post-show opportunities to unwind, like adult beverages and food within walking distance?
YES! But I wish I had more time to try everything Indy has to offer (there's always next year, and the year after, and so on).
Your overall impression of the Indy downtown, vs. spending your time on a college campus?
I love downtown Indy. Many places to eat and things to do (although I spent most of my time "recovering" from the after show festivities in my hotel room)
Most importantly, are you anxious to return next year?
YES! Hopefully I'll be marching though (thank you bonus year)!
DCI, please fix retreat! My suggestion:
1. Corps file into their respective area while some group (Marine Corps D&B corps, Open Class Champs, or other designated group) plays something to keep everyone entertained. (15 min.)
2. Caption awards (and other stuff) are announced. (5 min)
3. Scores are announced. (5 min)
4. Each corps plays a 5 min. (or less) piece of music of their choosing. (77 min)
5. Corps leave while winning corps plays some parade beat or other music. The winning corps pit will also be setting up at this time. (15 min)
6. Winning corps performs final performance. (15 min)
Roughly 2 hours total (2.2 to be exact), so we'll start at 5:00 and be done by 11:30 as usual. There you have it, my dream finals!
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sry, back on topic. . .
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Muuuuuuuch preferable. Excellent. I support this fully.
Expensive seats make all the difference. I sat on the fifty (down low), and the sound was very good. Here's a picture from my seat:
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Words can't describe how proud I am of the Troopers!
2007 - 20th
2008 - 16th
2009 - 12th
I see a patern! Keep it up Troop!
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Road Trip Pit Stops
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
I remember a truck-stop in Iowa in 2007. It was like 3 in the morning or something (i really have no clue), we got off the bus just like any truck-stop. We walked in, and litereally everyone was like holy ****! It took me almost 5 min just to get to the bathroom, and the Wendy's was still serving food that late! I couldn't remember what the name of it was (I was half asleep), but a few months after tour I saw a Travel channel show (Top 10 Truck-stops) and it was the #1 truck-stop. The place is called Iowa 80. Their website is HERE.