BDCorno

You really should spend some time evaluating visual programs. Your statement "...but nowhere near the visual demand of Cavs\Crown" in comparison to BD is questionable at best. If you take the time to look at the shows in detail, you'd realize that Cavs and Crown are not quite in the same ballpark visual demand-wise. Cavs/Cadets I could almost swallow, but not Cavs/Crown. In fact, Crown and BD are more similar, but with the "extracurriculars" BD gets the slight nod. I'd encourage you to attempt a thoughtful, unbiased review of the top contenders' shows. I think you'll be amazed and a little surprised how well ALL of them play the sheets, get the most visually and music-wise without really risking all that much. It's a new day, I'm afraid...and I can't say I love how it's done. That goes for all of them!

Oops, General. Sorry for responding to your post when it's for Alex. You might actually find we agree somewhat on this issue, but I found his Crown visual demand comment laughable.

You want to stick to your opinion re/Crown's "visual demand"? Just giving you a chance to retract before you look a little less than observant!

I'd hope that cheese wouldn't be the only way of pleasing a crowd, and think that's quite true despite your obvious preference for it <g> (are you sure you're not from Wisconsin?). Not sure which show you were watching last nite, but I thought Cavs and BD were the clear 1 and 1A last night. Crown's show is well performed, but is a bit of a mess musically IMHO yet I do agree they're a step up from Cadets. I know, you'll probably try to portray me as a BD homer, but I'm quite realistic when assessing their program. Many issues still to address for them, but it was a VERY strong performance last nite. I think if you'd had BD going on directly after Cavs last nite, they'd probably have overtaken Crown.

No, hardly alone. Absent the stilts and the upside down tenors, it's pretty much Cavs 101. Brass is stronger than I've heard in a while...so that is one improvement. Parts of the show bring some excitement, but there are long "yawner" stretches in the show as well. They've just been better prepared and cleaner than everyone else since the get-go, but can they sustain an edge over the long run?

From what I understand (sources within the corps itself), Cadets felt they hit a home run last night. I've heard more than one person say how dirty their drill was last night, when I thought it was the best I've seen from them. Maybe they're not quite as good as everyone thinks? Just sayin'...

Hahaha! Beat me to it!

You too, Michael. Have you ever considered doing some journalistic work re/drum corps?

Very possibly. Hopkins will be driving the bus, and onboard will be some of the "demons". "We're coming to take you home, Geoffrey! We're coming to take you home!"

The forecast looks good. Some chance of T-storms Thursday, but just sunny and warm over the weekend. However...the weather can change in a hurry in the upper Midwest. Let's hope for the sake of the show organizers and all involved that everything goes smoothly.

When did drum corps lose its soul? When Little Geoffrey left the Cadets to march with Blue Devils this year...

Depends on how old you are. (pun not intended!)

You don't believe me? LOL.

Well, it's a breath of fresh air hearing you say something positive about BD (which you have a track record of NOT doing). I know Wayne, and I'm sure he neither spends any time at all on these forums, nor would ask you your opinion on their program. So you're safe!

Well duh...you didn't attribute a source, so how could I know? Both your and my quotations are from the same interview. The quote you used was the answer to the followup question for what I posted. I didn't allege that you edited to spin things, I just wanted to give it some context. As for Kenton, he continued to use Graettinger's charts beyond COG. If he truly thought his stuff was so lousy, I doubt he'd continue to use him. Hey, bottom line is that COG was very controversial music...and as we can easily see that this persists even today. I just find it laughable that people attribute the word "crap" to a 12 minute show based on what? A minute and a half of difficult listening? Would I put COG on my iPod and listen to it often? Hell no. There are many other things I'd rather listen to. It doesn't diminish the validity of the music or the musicians. Would Alex be willing to approach Kenton or Graettinger and tell them their work was crap? Or for that matter, Wayne or anyone around BD? Always easy to talk tough on the internet. Pixels are cheap, just like the talk. In closing, a couple of apropos quotations: "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt" "Haters are like crickets. Crickets make a lot of noise, you hear it but you can't see them. Then when you walk right past them, they're quiet"

You left out the bulk of what Buddy said..."either you do not have the intellectual capacity to appreciate the music, or it's ########". Framed in that context, was he saying it was ########, or that he didn't have the intellect to appreciate it?

Apparently you've never had one, so I guess we couldn't adequately explain it to you! [ba dum pssst]

The horn line is weaker than the past couple of years, but has come a long way since I first saw them live in Atascadero. I think they're both a victim of this canned "entertainment" yardstick that DCI is trying to push, and a complete turning upside down of the corps' balance. The drums have gone from the weak section in the corps to the strength, while the horns have assumed that position. I really liked their performance last night, but think the GE aspects of the show aren't being appreciated just yet. Like the Ballet for Martha program a couple years ago, it's a show built for domes and I think you'll see a big jump for them once they hit San Antonio. The percussion are finally starting to get dinged for an easier book than the other frontrunners, but they perform it extremely well. Will be interested to see if they beef up the book in the next couple of weeks.

I think it's unfortunate that anyone would use the word "crap" to describe anyone's show. Real classy. Were there some parts I didn't enjoy from BD's 2010 show? Sure, but the jazz fugue in the middle of the show was one of the most brilliant (and brilliantly performed) pieces I've heard in a while. You know, Alex...everyone can't play Malaguena for 10 1/2 minutes. Geez!

I have a friend that could give them a good deal on seamless aluminum rain gutters if they have an interest!

Well harrumph! I stand corrected! How about this: Elevator music - Blue Devils Elevated music - Blue Stars Escalator music - Santa Clara Elevation music - Cavaliers Love in an elevator - Crown

So let's get this straight...we have: Elevator music - Blue Devils Elevated music - Cavaliers Escalator music - Santa Clara There's a strange synergy here...I think Cesario is behind this somehow! ...and that's not even including Cadets and their heavenly music!

Yeah, just saying it's so doesn't make it that way. I'm sure the kid next to you at the stop light, whose subwoofer is loosening the fillings in your mouth, thinks his stereo is perfectly balanced too!

Since the Cavies are playing music while guys walk around on stilts, doesn't that qualify as elevator music?

No, you can't have that! Then you'd have to hear what the ensemble really sounds like. I think the simple fact that electronics have the potential to "paper over" some fairly substantial deficiencies in a musical ensemble is troubling at best. As it stands now, a single keyboard player can turn an anemic tuba section into a thunderous chorus of bass, for example. Worse yet, it negates the need to address that deficiency. How this is a positive thing in terms of "education", I really can't fathom. Putting amps backfield would be a start, but logistically it's almost impossible.