BDCorno

Yes, would like to see a resurgence in instrumentation (brass, not more violins and singers). It's really a four-part voice setup these days (five, if you count euphoniums vs. baritones). I always preferred BD in the days when we deployed mellos, flugels and french horns in the middle. It created a "sax section" dynamic to the sound that you simply can't get using mellophones and splitting the voices. I'm sure some of it is financial in nature, but classically inclined corps could make use of flugels and french horns over mellos, and as I mentioned, jazz inclined groups could benefit from a little bit of lushness and variety in the middle voices. Yeah, I'm sure some of you are already typing about the "you can't play french horn with today's visual requirements". LOL. You can. Ridiculous.

French Horns are no more difficult to tune than any other horn. SMH. In fact, when I marched in the Blue Devils, we tuned to the French Horns.

Yeah, I know you were speaking of caption awards, but why wouldn't you extend it to the total score? After all, with closely contested years like this one, one rogue judge in a caption could make the difference in total score. Would you be okay with a group playing a book of average difficulty cleanly for most of the year, beating out a group who attempted a viciously difficult program and ultimately knocked it out of the park at finals? Tough call IMHO.

So you're okay with Blue Devils being awarded the 2008 title?

So you're okay with Blue Devils being awarded the 1988 title?

Not sure here, but I think you're meaning asymmetrical, not curvilinear drill. If you mean curvilinear, Santa Clara and Blue Devils really developed that type of approach. There was plenty of asymmetry to the old style drills (left to right flow of the shows), but more as a function of the rules than an approach. Santa Clara was the first on the curvilinear AND asymmetry bandwagon, and Cadets certainly stamped it into common practice, though some groups had been dabbling with a bit between 80-82. One "innovation" is the "pre-show". Not too many groups doing the old F tuning sequence/drum warmup like the old days. Everything is a seamless transition, once you appear on the field. I find it a bit refreshing, as it allows groups to set a mood before the show starts...one thing I think Blue Devils do very well. Some groups spend it tinkering with the electronics too much.

It's an interesting hypothetical. I think BD would have the upper hand in these kinds of swaps, IMHO. They just have very high standards in terms of individual visual talent and capabilities, and play/spin as well as any corps. All that said, the level of the top 4-5 groups is pretty amazing. Along with that high level comes the suitability of the members to the program, both on and off the field. With the widely divergent show and corps styles, there are members who fit the style, attitude, musical and visual requirements of the programs. It's sort of fun to imagine what might happen, but I'm happy with who the corps are, and what they do. Makes for an entertaining show when they all get together.

Cadets dragged 61 props onto the field at finals this year. Fail.

Listen to me carefully, I like you Your small height, your high-bridged nose, your cherry-like lips Without any technique, when you put your lips on mine You don’t know how pretty you are, it’s so sweet that I get shocked each time But why don’t you know how special you are? No matter what girl you bring me, I’ll pick you You’re not flashy but you softly glow Like the moon in the night sky Like the flowers in the field You seem plain but you’re special Like a gem that can ben seen to people who know You say you’re not pretty, that your eyes are small, your nose is small and you’re not skinny You say you’re chubby, you’re short and that other girls are so pretty You ask why I like you but stop worrying about that, trust me and don’t worry You’re different from other girls, in a world where there’s so many party girls You’re like a cold drink of water that will never make me go ill If you’re not here, I get thirsty, I get dried up like a splitting ground You don’t know how happy you make me More than a pretty actress More than a skinny model I like your bright smile More than anyone in this world More than any other girl You’re the prettiest to me Trust me No matter what anyone says (Let’s break it down now)

It certainly was an interesting selection of music. Initially I hated it, but after seeing the context and treatment of it, along with the other detailed meanings, it ended up being one of my favorite parts. Lost in all of the bluster over the K-Pop was a pretty wicked drum solo. Some ridiculous content went unnoticed by many. It just goes to show, if something about BD's show doesn't make sense to you, you're either not trying, or you just need to look a little deeper.

Not even sure of that, Sam. I rode the O-4 for a couple of years, and it wasn't any picnic... But then again, it's a different day now.

I think any recording, video or otherwise, is in jeopardy due to this licensing train wreck. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see more and more groups go to internally composed music (most of the first half of Blue Devils show this year was staff-created), in an effort to avoid the problems. I hope they release something soon, but not holding my breath.

Uhhhh...using your 'system', Blue Devils won percussion. Using the 'finals only' approach, Blue Devils won percussion. Oh my, what to do? :wow:

How about they just sit down after finals and before the awards, ring you up and ask you who you think should win, and adjust the system to yield the results you want? Yeah, that would work... :silly: :silly:

The guard, and the staging of the guard (through the first half of the show) weighed on the overall success of the show. For me, the biggest thing that negatively affected things was the move to the black uniforms. Interesting concept, but the creme colored pants presented a very visual and flashy look, when used in context with the drill style of Jeff Sacktig. I believe they lost a lot of the visual "pop" once they changed over. It became shadows and blending, instead of contrast and light. I don't fault the thought, to help bring out the neon colors, but it just didn't work like I think they planned. The kids really performed the heck out of the show, as always. Kudos to them...just a very competitive season.

Coats are turning into a perennial powerhouse. It's no coincidence that the best run groups are the most successful, and they're certainly that, these days. I always enjoy their programs (though I think I preferred Tilt to this year's iteration). As they say "the devil is in the details" (no pun intended), and once they establish the level of detailing necessary to get over the top, and imprint that on their program, they might just get over the hump and win a title. It's so hard to get there these days, with BD, Crown and Cadets all performing and designing at the highest levels. They have great management, staff and kids. Pulling for them...(but not too much)

The G horns were conical. A bit of a departure for the trumpet, trombone and bari players that came to drum corps. I hear a lot of talk about how "G horns had bad intonation" and such, but there was no reason, given R&D and a bit of work, why they couldn't have been as stable and refined as the Bb horn. They're still a much better choice for outdoor performances, but with DCI and their propensity for domed shows, it's less an issue than it could be. Still, it was a characteristic sound that I miss, but I won't pick up my toys and go home because they're on Bb models, like so many at least threaten to do. Some great brass playing out there, who cares the key?

Me on the low stuff. :silly:

Whoa, you're really close. I live right over the hill. Should hook up for a beer some time.

Can't make it today...too #### hot. In the meantime, here's our alumni french horn ensemble with a little LF. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwBAjCAGzvQ

LOL, Chief Guns. We live in the same town. :tounge2:

Lincolnshire? Check this at 4:07... https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=257&v=8m6hMYnvs1c

I know "Little Geoffrey" from Cadets came over to BD for his ageout year. Crown had a BDB kid in their trumpet line this year. Just amazing amounts of talent out there, and with so few spots for the best, sometimes you do what you have to do.

Seriously, there wasn't a hell of a lot you could do with tone quality on the old Ultratones. I count myself fortunate to have marched not only with the tutelage of Jim (not to mention Wayne Downey, Jack Meehan, Frank Dorrittie and more), but also across the transition from the old piston/rotor horns to the far superior two valve G bugles (King, in our instance). Was a very interesting time to be a marching member.

OK, I'll forget you "asked". :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: