wvu80

Y'know, you're really ruining it for all the conspiracy nuts who post here that think slotting is real. For their sakes, please don't post any stats on Santa Claus...

I just read all 47 pages of this topic. My analysis: 1. thank you to the 3 or 4 folks who actually saw the show and offered your opinion. It was fun to see people have honest differences of opinion and no be afraid to say what they thought. I know you guys were tired, so thanks. :) 2. To the drum corps parent who bragged they boo'd the Blue Devils last year; you're an idiot. Please stay home and don't go to drum corps shows anymore if you don't have any more class than that. You are setting a bad example for your kids and the rest of us within ear shot can't stand you. The real fans go to shows to watch world class entertainment, not to listen to idiots boo kids. Do you boo your kid's HS band because they don't play as well you think they should? I rest my case. 3. Please feel free to call me an idiot, because you have full leave to fire back at me since I fired first and I'm sure I deserve it. It won't hurt my feelings, and I'll not reply. Then we can both be idiots, but at least I'll have some class because I cheer and clap for ALL of 'em. It's a pity you can't say the same.

Mr. Kinigit, what band is this, and how big is it? In particular, how big is the percussion? Since you are doing Louis Bellsom some drum set set would be nice, but that is not really a college band thing. Most college bands like to march in, play, and march out taking all their stuff with them. FYI the SCV helicopter thing was done with bare bass drum heads, not sure of the mallets but wood mallets would probably be best. This could be done cheap and easy, but I'm not sure how a helicopter effect will advance your musical theme. And I've always been a fan of cymbal features. You could copy some SCV cymbal things, and there are other great cymbal lines out there also besides SCV. See the "Sex Cymbals" of the 80's era Velvet Knights. And no matter how desperate you get, do NOT use Stomp style trash cans, trashcan lids, etc. The best kind of effects for college crowds is if you can get the student crowd to participate, especially by singing, like Elvira, Roll out the barrel. My drum corps style college band starts out the show with a run-on by the band 220 bpm, followed by the crowd yelling "Dubba-ya!" (drum lick) "VEE! (drum lick) "YOU!" (drum lick) "W - V - U!!!" Then start the music.

Cadets in 4th place, DCI in 10th. BD and Glassmen went 16-17. http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/231990103-crossmen-drum-and-bugle-corps-of-delaware-county-pa So, how much did we win?

Cadets are so close! Since 6:00pm they have picked up 1,300 votes, to get to 17,600. If that holds, they would end up in 2nd to Petfinders, but the other other groups are probably picking up last minute votes as well. Vote Cadets!!! (and other top 10ers, DCI, BD, SCV, and I believe Glassmen is right up there as well)

I like like to add my vote to yours. Especially #1, as I was just thinking about that since my favorite east coast corps Cadets won't be here in the east/midwest most of the season, and Cadets can easily carry a show. There are very few corps with STAR power and can carry a local show. I like a show with 2 top 3's, a couple of mid-range guys, and a couple of lower top 12's.

The entire segment is too long at 10 minutes. I would have used the beginning and the DCP section. Hillarious! (Oh dear lord, not you again!)

Cadets!

FYI I have one of the original two King French horn bugles from Sky. I bought it from the corps directly, responding to an ad in Drum Corps World. It is in great shape (one dent, but it looks like it can be easily taken out), and has been unplayed since I got in at least 20 years ago. Thirty years ago?

I was also listening to AitA today. You can almost "see" Cadets doing this show. What I was wondering is what Cadets will do with the ending, musically. The original has a down ending, with weird singing and sound effects. I think that should be the "first half of the season" ending. Then for finals, Cadets should "drum corps-ize" that musical ending and put a frenetic push on the end. The crowd, will of course, go wild. If a dummy like me can visualize two endings, think of what all those smart people over at Cadets can (and will) do with it.

See Miami Heat for an example of having talent but not being able to win. The best jockey in the world can't make a nag who has finished last 99 times win in the 100th race. Limited talent (major gaps) can't be made up with great leadership. +++ I'm trying to understand what your question is. I think you're trying to make a statement, but I'm not sure. I'll try to answer as best I can, either way. First of all, there is no such thing as "equal talent" in drum corps. I think that's a myth. I do believe a good staff can make a corps, any corps, better. But they can't take them from worst to first, because the basic talent isn't there, and teaching proper technique doesn't bridge that gap overnight. A 15th place corps that is magically transported to Concord is NOT going to instantly win it all. I think they can dramatically improve, but there is a limit. That limit is certainly open to debate, and my guess was into the lower region of the top 12. I could certainly be wrong, it's just a guess based on how the world works. By the same token, taking the talent level of the Blue Devils and have them play a show that finished 15th is not going to make that a DCI winning corps. Improved, yes. Winning, no.

9-11, staff matters. It takes talent to win, but not everybody with talent can can.

The entire production of the 1987 Cadets arrangement of Appalachia Spring is a masterpiece, better than the original and has never been improved upon. (my number one pick) The 1988 Blue Devils version of "Happy Days are Here Again." What a chintzy song, and BD turned it into a classic for the ages. Barbara Streisand has a great version of it as well. Walk him up the Stairs/Old Man River, 1978 Spirit of Atlanta is also better than the original, at least to me. Cadets version of "Les Miz" 1989 is better than the original as well. I'd like someone to bring that one back to the field some day. "Bring him home" as a war song is current with today's military families as a call to action.

Do you need 2v or 3v? I have some two valvers in excellent shape.

Do you have some inside information? BD's show theme for 2011, perhaps? You can tell me; I won't tell anyone. +++ And now, a serious comment on your comment: Your turns of phrase crack me up. Keep up the good work.

Same with the Purple Lancers.

Once again, we agree.

Me too. Phantom 1978. First DCI record I ever heard (at a college marching band party). I then borrowed it from the guy who owned it, and recorded onto a cassette. Then I wore out the cassette driving in my old Dodge van with a high-end Alpine sound system. The Garfield '83 album would be a close second.

And thanks for your terrific show in 2010! Thank you for the direct answer. It is very reassuring to see those in charge being honest and leading the corps in the right fiscal direction. You can count on my continued support both from the stands, and at your souvie stands.

Wow, that's pretty cool. I also agree (further upstream) that the most significant stat was souvie sales up 50%. I contributed my small part to that. :) +++ Other stat I didn't fully understand: They "reduced debt by 22%"? Exactly how much debt do/did they have, and what is their plan to retire that debt? If I'm asking too personal a question, I apologize and someone can tell me it's none of my business. I was just mildly curious.

Very nice. Thanks for the link. +++ I can hear Cadets playing this, especially if they "drum corps-ize" it the way they did Appalachia Spring in 1987. I also think it has Vanguard written all over it, and Star of Indiana from their "Medea" days.

That link didn't work for me. "page not found"

I haven't read all 124 previous posts, so forgive me if I am repeating something some other dinosaur with a good memory has already pointed out. Does anyone remember that in 1988 SCV had a mixed guard? They ditched the males and went with an all female guard the next year. That 1989 season worked out OK for the Vanguard if I recall.

That was last year.